Annual Meeting
4th Sunday after Epiphany
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)
January 31, 2021
Ten Thirty in the morning
Minister: The Reverend Aaron Ochart Liturgist: David Garland
Please silence all phones and beepers.
Bold face indicates congregational participation.
GATHERING
PRELUDE “Verset – Léon Boëllmann”
WORDS OF WELCOME and CALL TO ORDER
OPENING SENTENCES 2 Cor. 13:13; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 4:4
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as we were called to the one hope of our calling.
GATHERING PRAYER
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 339 “Be Thou My Vision”
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)
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 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. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
GLORIA PATRI 579
PROCLAMATION
FIRST LESSON Luke 6:1-16
MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN
ANTHEM “Now Let Us All Praise God and Sing”
Now let us all praise God and sing our great Redeemer’s praise;
That we may all with one accord our joyful voices raise.
Sing alleluia!
All ye servants of the Lord, praise Him forever,
Sing Jehovah’s mighty pow’r, praise Him forever,
Sing of His righteousness, praise Him forever.
So let us all praise God and sing our great Redeemer’s praise;
That we may all with one accord our joyful voices raise.
Sing alleluia!
SECOND LESSON Philippians 2:1-13
INTERPRETATION OF ANNUAL REPORT
RESPONSE
INSTALLATION
There are varieties of gifts, 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
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 of Jesus Christ and servants of our servant Lord.
Within the community of the church, some are called to particular service as deacons, as ruling elders, and as ministers of Word and Sacrament.
Ordination is Christ’s gift to the church, assuring that his ministry continues among us. Through ordination, God provides for acts of care and governance of the church, and for the preaching of the word and celebration of the sacraments.
Representing the one holy catholic and apostolic church, the session of John Calvin Presbyterian Church now ordains Jacob Russo to ministry as a ruling elder, and installs him to active service in this congregation.
The session also installs to active service those who have been previously ordained: ruling elders Richard Britson, Sharon Fortin, Lorraine Hicks, and Don Melchert.
PROFESSION OF FAITH
As God calls some to particular forms of ministry, God calls us all to bear gladly the yoke of Christ given in the covenant of Baptism.
Let us, therefore, reaffirm our baptismal vows, renouncing all that opposes God and God’s rule and affirming the faith of the holy catholic church.
Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world? I do.
Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Lord and Savior, trusting in his grace and love? I do.
Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his Word and showing his love? I will with God’s help.
JOHN CALVIN CHURCH MISSION STATEMENT AND CORE VALUES
“The coming of God’s Kingdom on earth was inaugurated with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Incarnationally, as the body of Christ, we are called by God, in Christ’s example, to close the gap between ‘what is’ and ‘what ought to be,’ until Christ comes again. We do that through intentional mission.
Accordingly, we believe God calls the John Calvin Presbyterian Church to community by:
Engaging and equipping one another in the life and work of God’s Church in worship in spiritual development in vibrant fellowship, and by actively proclaiming the Gospel in our community inviting new friends into Christian fellowship providing for their health and bringing wholeness to God’s creation.”
CORE VALUES
We welcome all
We are friendly
We value and respect all people
(individuals & families)
We depend on prayer
We are guided by Scripture
We value music
We live joyfully
We give of our time, talent, and treasure
We serve the community
We are caring and nurture people
We share our faith with others
CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS
Jacob, Don, Lorraine, Sharon, and Richard, 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 word…
Do we, the members of John Calvin Presbyterian Church, accept Lorraine, Sharon, Richard, Don, and Jacob as ruling elders, chosen by God through the voice of this congregation to lead us in the way of Jesus Christ? We do.
Do we agree to pray for them, 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 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.
DECLARATION OF INSTALLATION
Lorraine, Don, Jacob, Sharon, and Richard, 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
CHARGE TO THE INSTALLED AND ORDAINED RULING ELDERS
CHARGE TO THE CONGREGATION
CHARGE
HYMN 343 “Called as Partners in Christ’s Service”
MOTION TO ADJOURN
PRAYER, BLESSING, AND CHARGE
POSTLUDE III. Allegro maestoso e vivace
from Mendelssohn’s Organ Sonata No. 2
Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor, Julie Hebert, CE Leader, Sandy Cranfill, Music Director, and Sam Garnett, Organist. Appreciation to David Garland and Dennis Lauland for the video production of today’s service.