Thursday, June 14, 2012

The Renewal of Ministry with the Welcoming of a New Deacon


Had an incredible and wonderful liturgy of renewal and welcoming on Sunday, June 10, 2012 at Holy Cross in Trussville. Below are excerpts of the liturgy that was adapted in part from Enriching our Worship 4 and the celebration of new ministry for Deacons in the Diocese of Maryland.

Collect

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

The Covenant of Shared Ministry

The Archdeacon says

Holy Scripture records that when God and God's people enter into a covenant with one another, God creates a sign to mark the new relationship.  When a deacon and people enter into a covenant with one another, the exchange of symbolic gifts is an appropriate way to mark the occasion.

Representatives of the congregation, the deacon, other clergy of the congregation, and representatives of the wider church present appropriate symbols to persons or groups chosen to reflect specific aspects of the ministry of the congregation in the world at large and within the life of the church itself.

A person selected presents a stole to the Deacon, saying:

Steve, receive this stole and be among us as deacon and servant.
People         Amen.

Members of the Altar Guild present Vessels to the deacon, saying

Steve, take this paten, chalice and oil stock and be among us as one who assists the bishop and the priests in public worship and in the ministration of God's healing and reconciling Word and Sacraments.
People         Amen.

Others present a Bible and other appropriate books to the deacon, saying

Steve, receive this Bible and Daily Office Book and be among us as one who studies and seeks nourishment from the Holy Scriptures and who proclaims the Gospel.
People         Amen.

The Deacon gives a Book of Common Prayer and a bible to the laity, saying:

Receive these books to use as you lead the congregation in prayers and readings.
People         Amen.

The Wardens present washing symbols to the deacon, saying

Steve, receive the pitcher, basin and towel and be among us as one who serves the needy and helpless of the world.
People         Amen.

The Deacon presents a loaf of bread or fresh foods to members of the congregation, saying

Fellow Christians, we will work together to share our bounty with the people of the world whom Jesus served as he fed the five thousand.
People         Amen.

The Rector presents a candle lit from the Paschal Candle to the deacon, saying

Steve, accept this Candle and be among us as Christ's Light in the World, making him and his redemptive love known to all by your word and example.
People         Amen.

The Archdeacon then says

Steve, and parishioners of Holy Cross, let all these be signs of the ministry we share in this place, in our diocese and in the church throughout the world.
People         Amen.

Archdeacon  The Lord be with you.
People         And also with you.

Deacon        Let us pray.

The Deacon may then kneel in the midst of the people, and say

O Lord my God, you have called me to a special ministry of servanthood in this place.  To you and to your service I devote myself, body, mind and spirit.  Let me find nourishment and a model for my life in the study of the Holy Scriptures.  Let me find joy in faithfully proclaiming the Gospel.  Help me to serve all people, especially the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely.  Grant me the grace to make Christ known to those, among whom
I live, and work, and worship.  Give me the insight and courage to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world.  Be my constant guide, and let my life and teaching remind Christ's people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself.  All this I ask for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.
People         Amen.

The People may then kneel, and say

Almighty God, we thank you that by the death and resurrection of your son Jesus Christ you have overcome sin and reconciled us to yourself, and by the sealing of your Holy Spirit you have bound us to your service.  Renew In us the covenant you made with us at our Baptism. Send us forth in the power of the Spirit to perform the service you set before us; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Deacon        Amen.

Concluding Prayer

Almighty Father, we thank you for feeding us with the holy food of the Body and Blood of your Son, and for uniting us through him in the fellowship of your Holy Spirit. We thank you for raising up among us faithful servants for the ministry of your Word and Sacraments. We pray that Steve and the people of Holy Cross may be an effective example in word and action, in love and patience, and in holiness of life. Grant that we, with him, may serve you now, and always rejoice in your glory through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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