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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