when the stars begin to fall.
1 You will hear the trumpet sound to wake the nations underground,
looking to my God’s right hand, when the stars begin to fall. [Refrain]
2 You will hear the sinner cry, to wake the nations underground,
looking to my God’s right hand, when the stars begin to fall. [Refrain]
3 You will hear the Christian shout, to wake the nations underground,
looking to my God’s right hand, when the stars begin to fall. [Refrain]
WORDS OF WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ADORATION
INTROIT “The Heart of Worship” (Refrain)
CALL TO WORSHIP
ONE: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Co.13:13
the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.
MANY: And also with you.
ONE: As many of you as were Gal.3:27; Eph.4:4
baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
MANY: There is one body and one Spirit,
just as we were called to the one hope of our calling.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty and eternal God, by your grace you have called us to this time and place to be your servant people as we follow our servant Lord. Make your Holy Spirit move within and among us, that together we may live a new life in the crucified and risen Christ. Bind us together in faith, so that as we receive all spiritual gifts needed to fulfill our calling, we may support one another in common ministry; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HYMN [Blue#][GTG#100] “My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout”
1 My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great, and my spirit sings of the
wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn,
so from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn?
Refrain:
My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears,
for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.
2 Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me,
and your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn,
you will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn. Refrain
3 From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears every tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn; there are tables spread;
every mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn. Refrain
4 Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast:
God’s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound,
till the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. Refrain
REPENTANCE
CALL TO CONFESSION
SILENT CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful and loving God, you have called us to be your people and claimed us for the service of Jesus Christ. We confess that we have not lived up to our calling to proclaim the good news in word and deed. We are quick to speak when we ought to listen and remain silent when it is time to speak. We put too much faith in our own actions and fail to trust the strength of your Spirit. O God, forgive our foolish and sinful ways. Strengthen us anew to follow Christ’s way in the world. By your Holy Spirit, give us the grace we need to be faithful disciples and fulfill our common calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
CONGREGATIONAL ANTHEM [Blue#586] [GTG#601] “Amen”
1st SCRIPTURE Jeremiah 31:27-34
2nd SCRIPTURE Luke 18:1-8
ONE: The Word of the Lord
MANY: Thanks be to God
SERMON “Ain’t Dere No More” Rev. Martha J. Robson
INSTALLATION OF ELDERS TO ACTIVE SERVICE
John Calvin Presbyterian Church
Mary Antill, Ron Palmisano, and Beverly Kennedy
The moderator or minister addresses all present:
SENTENCES OF SCRIPTURE
There are varieties of gifts, 1 Cor. 12:4–7, 27
but it is the same Spirit who gives them.
There are different ways of serving God, but it is the same Lord who is served.
God works through each person in a unique way, but it is God’s purpose that is accomplished.
To each is given a gift of the Spirit to be used for the common good.
Together we are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.
STATEMENT ON ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION
PRESENTATION
We are all called into the church of Jesus Christ by baptism, and marked as Christ’s own by the Holy Spirit.
This is our common calling, to be disciples and servants of our servant Lord.
Within the community of the church, some are called to particular service as deacons, as elders, and as ministers of the Word and Sacrament.
Ordination is Christ’s gift to the church, assuring that his ministry continues among us,providing for ministries of caring and compassion in the world, ordering the governance of the church, and preaching the Word and administering the sacraments.
The clerk of session continues:
Representing the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church,
the Session of John Calvin Presbyterian Church installs to active service those who have been previously ordained: Elder Mary Antill, Elder Ron Palmisano, and Elder Beverly Kennedy.
The minister continues:
With the whole church, let us confess our faith.
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead . On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS
The moderator addresses those who are newly ordained
and installed:
Mary Antill, Ron Palmisano, and Beverly Kennedy, in baptism, you were claimed by the love of God, clothed in the grace of Jesus Christ, and anointed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to share Christ’s mission in the world.
Now you are called by God through the voice of the church for new service and ministry in Jesus’ name. In accordance with the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), show your commitment to this calling by responding to these questions:
Do you trust in Jesus Christ your Savior, acknowledge him Lord of all and Head of the Church, and through him believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? I do.
Do you accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be, by the Holy Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church universal, and God’s Word to you? I do.
Do you sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith as expressed in the confessions of our church as authentic and reliable expositions of what Scripture leads us to believe and do, and will you be instructed and led by those confessions as you lead the people of God? I do and I will.
Will you fulfill your office in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of Scripture, and be continually guided by our confessions? I will.
Will you be governed by our church’s polity, and will you abide by its discipline? Will you be a friend among your colleagues in ministry, working with them, subject to the ordering of God’s Word and Spirit? I will.
Will you in your own life seek to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, love your neighbors, and work for the reconciliation of the world? I will.
Do you promise to further the peace, unity, and purity of the church? I do.
Will you seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love? I will.
To Ruling Elders:
Will you be a faithful elder, watching over the people, providing for their worship, nurture, and service? Will you share in government and discipline, serving in governing bodies of the church, and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ? I will.
An elder addresses members of the congregation:
Do we, the members of the church, accept Mary Antill, Ron Palmisano, and Beverly Kennedy as elders, chosen by God through the voice of this congregation to lead us in the way of Jesus Christ? The people respond: We do.
Do we agree to encourage them, to respect their decisions,
and to follow as they guide us, serving Jesus Christ who alone is Head of the Church? We do.
PRAYER OF ORDINATION/INSTALLATION
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Gracious and eternal God,
with joy we give you thanks and praise.
Throughout the ages and in every place you have chosen servants from among your people to point the way to salvation by your grace.
Gracious God,
we also give you thanks for your servants Mary , Ron , and Beverly as they continue in the ministry to which you have called them. Help them to rely on the gifts of your Spirit and to follow Christ faithfully in this calling.
Give them a spirit of truthfulness that they may show the compassion of Christ in the actions of daily living and rightly govern your people.
By the gifts of your Holy Spirit
empower them to build up the church, to strengthen the common life of your people, and to lead with compassion and vision.
In the walk of faith and for the work of ministry, give to all your servants gladness and strength, discipline and hope, humility, humor, and courage, and an abiding sense of your presence.
Gracious God,
pour out your Spirit of power and truth upon the whole church, that we may be for you a holy people baptized to serve you in the world.
Sustain your church in ministry. Ground us in the gospel, secure our hope in Christ, strengthen our service to the outcast, and increase our love for one another.
Show us the transforming power of your grace in our life together, that we may be effective servants of the gospel, offering a compelling witness in the world to the good news of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
DECLARATION OF INSTALLATION
The moderator addresses those who are installed:
Mary, Ron, Beverly, you are ruling elders, ordained to ministries of service and governance in the church of Jesus Christ and for this congregation. Be faithful and true in your ministry so that your whole life will bear witness to the crucified and risen Christ. Amen.
WELCOME
RESPONSE
RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY “Great is Thy Faithfulness”
DOXOLOGY [GTG#606]
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN “Hear Our Prayer O Lord”
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
HYMN[Blue#] [GTG#691] “Lord, When I Came Into This Life”
1 Lord, when I came into this life you called me by my name;
today I come, commit myself, responding to your claim.
2 Within the circle of the faith, as member of your cast,
I take my place with all the saints of future, present, past.
3 In all the tensions of my life, between my faith and doubt,
let your great Spirit give me hope, sustain me, lead me out.
4 So help me in my unbelief and let my life be true:
feet firmly planted on the earth, my sights set high on you.
PARTING PRAYER
Faithful Lord,
You hear the cries of your people and delight in steadfast faith.
Grant us the grace to pray without ceasing, to trust your justice even when answers seem delayed, and to persevere in hope until Christ Jesus returns in glory. Amen.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
RESPONSE [Blue Hymnal Only #596] “May the Lord, Mighty God”
May the Lord, mighty God, bless and keep you forever;
Grant you peace, perfect peace, courage in every endeavor.
Lift up your eyes and see God’s face, full of grace forever;
May the Lord, mighty God, bless and keep you forever.
May the Lord, mighty God, bless and keep you forever.
Grant you peace, perfect peace, courage in every endeavor.
POSTLUDE “Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore”
*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly. The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.
