This document summarizes an ordination service for deacons and elders. It includes the order of service such as hymns, prayers, examinations, and blessings. The service celebrates those being ordained for ministry and affirms the ministry of all Christians through baptism. It concludes with a newly ordained deacon sending the people to serve God and neighbor.

1. The Order for the
Ordination of
Deacons & Elders
Saturday, June 20, 2015 | 7:30 p.m.

2. Praise to the Lord,
the AlmightyWords: Joachim Neander, 1880;Music: Erneurten Gesangbuck 1885.
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3. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,
the King of Creation!
O my soul praise him,
for he is thy health
and salvation!
All ye who hear, now
to his temple draw near;
join me in glad adoration.

4. Praise to the Lord,
who o’er all things so
wondrously reigning
bears thee on eagle’s wings,
e’er in his keeping
maintaining.

5. God’s care enfolds
all, whose true good
he upholds.
Hast thou not known
his sustaining.

6. Praise to the Lord,
who doth prosper thy work
and defend thee;
surely his goodness
and mercy
here daily attend thee.

7. Ponder anew
what the Almighty can do,
who with his love
doth befriend thee.

8. Praise to the Lord,
who doth nourish thy life
and restore thee,
fitting thee well
for the tasks that
are ever before thee.

9. Then to thy need
God as a mother
doth speed,
spreading the wings
of grace o’er thee.

10. Praise to the Lord!
O let all that is
in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath,
come now with praises
before him!

11. Let the amen
sound from
his people again;
Gladly forever adore him.

12. Bishop:
The grace of Jesus Christ be
with you all.
People:
And also with you.

13. Bishop:
We come together to praise
God, to hear the Holy Word,
and to seek for ourselves and
others the power, presence,
and direction of the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray:

14. All:
Eternal God, by Jesus Christ
and the Holy Spirit you gave
to your apostles many
excellent gifts. Give your
grace to all servants of your
church, that we may with
diligence and faithfulness
fulfill our various ministries.

15. Grant that we your people
may follow where you lead,
perfect our ministries, and live
in joyful obedience
to your will, through Jesus
Christ, our Savior. Amen.

16. Bishop:
Ministry is the work of God,
done by the people of God.
Through baptism all
Christians are made part of
the priesthood of all believers,
the church, Christ’s body,
made visible in the world.

17. We all share in Christ’s
ministry of love and service
for the redemption of the
human family and the whole
of creation. Therefore, in
celebration of our common
ministry, I call upon all God’s
people gathered here:

18. Bishop:
Remember your baptism
and be thankful.
People:
We remember our baptism
and affirm our common
ministry.

19. Go live until the
end of the
Sermon.

20. Affirmation of Faith:
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the
Father Almighty,
maker of Heaven
and earth;

21. And in Jesus Christ
his only Son our Lord:
who was conceived
by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,

22. suffered under Pontius
Pilate, was crucified, dead,
and buried;

23. the third day he rose
from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right
hand of God the
Father Almighty;

24. from thence he shall
come to judge the
quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,

25. the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the
body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

26. Go live for the
Word in Song until
the ordination
hymn. Stanza 1

27. Ordination Hymn
Lead On, O King Eternal
UMH 580. Words: Ernest W. Shurtleff, 1887; Music: Henry T. Smart, 1835.
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Stanza 1

28. Lead on, O King eternal,
the day of march
has come;
henceforth in fields
of conquest
thy tents shall be our home.

29. Through days of
preparation
thy grace has
made us strong;
and now, O King eternal,
we lift our battle song.

30. Go live through Examination
of Deacons

31. Ordination Hymn
Lead On, O King Eternal
UMH 580. Words: Ernest W. Shurtleff, 1887; Music: Henry T. Smart, 1835.
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Stanzas 2 and 3

32. Lead on, O King eternal,
till sin’s fierce war
shall cease,
and holiness shall whisper
the sweet amen
of peace.

33. For not with swords
loud clashing,
nor roll of stirring drums;
with deeds of love and
mercy the heavenly
kingdom comes.

34. Lead on, O King eternal,
we follow, not with fears,
for gladness breaks
like morning,
where’er thy face
appears.

35. Thy cross is lifted o’er us,
we journey in its light;
the crown awaits
the conquest;
lead on, O God of might.

36. Go live through Examination
of Elders and the Blessing

37. Spirit of God,
Descend Upon My Heart
UMH 500 Sung to UMH 698. Words: George Croly, 1867 (Gal.5:25),
Music: George W. Warren, 1894; (God of the Ages)
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38. Spirit of God,
descend upon my heart;
wean it from earth,
though all its pulses
move;

39. stoop to my weakness,
mighty as thou art,
and make me love thee
as I ought to love.

40. I ask no dream,
no prophet ecstasies,
no sudden rending
of the veil of clay,

41. no angel visitant,
no opening skies;
but take the dimness
of my soul away.

42. Has thou not bid me
love thee God and King?
All, all thine own, soul,
heart and strength
and mind.

43. I see thy cross; there
teach my heart of cling.
O let me seek thee,
and O let me find!

44. Teach me to feel that
thou art always nigh;
teach me the struggles
of the soul to bear.

45. To check the rising
doubt, the rebel sigh,
teach me the patience
of unanswered prayer.

46. Teach me to love thee
as thine angels love,
one holy passion
filling all my frame;

47. the kindling of the
heaven descended Dove,
my heart an altar, and
thy love the flame.

48. A newly ordained deacon
dismisses the people:
Go in peace to serve God and
your neighbor in all that you do.
We are sent in Christ’s name.
People:
Thanks be to God!

49. Until the
Whole World Hears