Responsive Call to Worship
Psalm 8:1, 3-9

O Lord, our Sovereign,
      how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
      the moon and the stars that you have established;
      what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
            mortals that you care for them?

Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
      and crowned them with glory and honor.

You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
      you have put all things under their feet,

all sheep and oxen,
      and also the beasts of the field,
      the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
            whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Sovereign,
      how majestic is your name in all the earth!

#812, New Revised Standard Version
    

Opening Prayer

         Lord God, words are not enough to express your awesomeness, your majesty, your holiness. Our highest expressions of theology are but baby talk next to you. Make us aware, through your Holy Spirit, that you are here among us right now. May this awareness lead us to approach this hour more carefully. The words we speak, the tunes we sing, the thoughts we think, the joy and sadness we feel, may these be pleasing to you.
         We confess, O Lord, that though you have crowned us with your glory and honor, we are often anything but honorable. Our words and actions are all-too-easily filled with more grime than glory. And yet, you still love us. And the grace we have discovered in your Son, Jesus - our Savior, leader, and friend - is deeper than we can ever imagine. It’s a mighty wonder! May this hour, if not this week thus, be filled with wonder. In the name of the One who stood for us, Amen.
    

MINISTER: Brothers and sisters, the Holy Spirit had directed the church to set apart deacons to look after identified needs and to labor for the spiritual unity and growth of the members of Christ's body. Those called to this office are people whose commitment and faithfulness have been proven in relationship to the local fellowship of believers. They have a spiritual mind, are open and responsive to the Holy spirit, and carefully exercise wisdom and sound judgment while being faithful and loyal to Christ and the church. The Long Green Valley congregation, having full confidence in the faithfulness, loyalty, wisdom, and spiritual integrity of (names) , according to the practice of the Church of the Brethren, has called them to be deacons.

(candidates stand before minister & congregation to the questions, make the commitment, and receive their charges)

MINISTER: Inasmuch as the church has called you to be deacons, I now ask you to respond to the following questions:

Do you declare anew your faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ?

CANDIDATES: Yes, I do.

MINISTER: Will you seek to cultivate more fervently your spiritual life by Bible reading, meditation, prayer, and Christian witnessing?

CANDIDATES: With God's help, I will.

MINISTER: Will you encourage and lead the congregation in deepening its spiritual life and its ministries of compassion?

CANDIDATES: I will.

MINISTER: Will you seek to be a good example in faith and conduct?

CANDIDATES: I will.

MINISTER: Do you then accept the call to the ministry of deacon in this body of Christ, and promise to perform faithfully all the duties thereof?

CANDIDATES: I do.

(candidates kneel, minister and any assisting persons lay hands on them and pray. The consecration prayer can be as follows:)

MINISTER: Eternal God, you have come in Jesus Christ not to be served but to serve. Now we set apart and consecrate these your servants to this ministry of deacon, that they may serve in your name. Grant them deep compassion for human needs; fill them with tender care and steadfast love for those for whom Christ died. Inspire them with devotion to your church. Grant them growth in faith that they may lead others by precept and example. Grant to the church the grace to work with them for the increase of faith and caring within the fellowship. Sustain them in their labors. Through Christ we pray. Amen.

(candidates rise)

MINISTER: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are now set apart in the sacred ministry of deacon. Serve God and this congregation faithfully and courageously. And may God bless you in your service.

*CONGREGATION: We, the members of this body of Christ, in the spirit of joy and in renewed loyalty to our Lord, acknowledge and receive you as deacons. We promise to pray for you and support you in confidence, encouragement, cooperation, and prayers, that together we may increase in the knowledge and the love of God, manifested to us in Jesus Christ.

from For All Who Minister: A Worship Manual for the Church of the Brethren
©1993, Brethren Press, pp. 322-324
       

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Preface to Scripture Reading

         We turn now to the last book in the Bible, and words from the heart of St. John. This visionary pastor, exiled from the very churches whom he was called by God to serve, shared an encouraging word which has brought hope to believers down through the centuries. The basic message is this - in spite of every injustice, every wrong suffered by those who love the Lord, no matter what evil may befall - God will prevail in the end. The final word on judgement, as found in chapter 19 of the book of Revelation, involves a "Hallelujah" repeated over and over, followed by an invitation. Listen to this portion of the vision of John, and be encouraged.

Revelation 19:6-9
   

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

         One of the new songs in our hymnal, sings out: "This is the feast of victory for our God, for the lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Allelujah." (#476) I invite you, just now, to return your offering with not only a sense of gratitude for what the Lord has already done, but also with a sense of hope that, no matter what, God will prevail. Think about the difficulties you may be facing, those areas in your life which may feel broken. Bring these to the Lord as an offering, remembering that "the lamb who was slain has begun his reign" even there.
      Will the ushers come forward?
   

Benediction