Trinity Methodist Church Georgetown, Guyana

Transcription

1 THE METHODIST CHURCH IN THE CARIBBEAN AND THE AMERICAS CONNEXIONAL CONFERENCE OFFICIAL SERVICE AND RECOGNITION OF CONNEXIONAL PRESIDENT AS CONNEXIONAL BISHOP SUNDAY, MAY 31, :00 HRS. Trinity Methodist Church Georgetown, Guyana LITURGIST: THE REVD. PATMORE C. HENRY Connexional Conference - Secretary GREETINGS: MRS. MURIEL PEGGY SMITH Connexional Conference - Vice President PREACHER: THE REVD. OTTO O. WADE Connexional President/Bishop

2 ORDER OF SERVICE ORGAN PRELUDE The Choir leads the procession of lay Members of Conference, The Ministers and Presidents of District Conferences, the Treasurer, the immediate past vice president, the Vice President-Designate, the Vice President, the Secretary, UMC Bishop and the Bishop elect PROCESSIONAL HYMN: See how great a Flame Aspires VIP # 141 See how great a flame aspires, Kindled by a spark of grace! Jesus love the nations fires, Sets the kingdoms on a blaze: To bring fire on earth He came; Kindled in some hearts it is: O that all might catch the flame, All partake the glorious bliss! When He first the work begun, Small and feeble was His day: Now the word doth swiftly run; Now it wins its widening way: More and more it spread and grows, Ever mighty to prevail; Sin s strongholds it now o erthrows, Shakes the trembling gates of hell. Sons of God, your Savior praise! He the door hath opened wide! He hath given the word of grace, Jesus word is glorified; Jesus, mighty to redeem, He alone the work hath wrought; Worthy is the work of Him, Him Who spake a world from naught. Saw ye not the cloud arise, Little as a human hand? Now it spreads along the skies, Hangs o er all the thirsty land: Lo! the promise of a shower

3 Drops already from above; But the Lord will shortly pour All the spirit of His love. CHORAL INTROIT: Majesty The Georgetown Circuit Choir CALL TO WORSHIP M: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God almighty C: Come, Holy Spirit and breath afresh upon us M: Holy, Holy, Holy, all the saints adore thee C: Come Holy Spirit, and unite us M: Divine advocate we seek a fresh anointing C: Holy Spirit breath your wind of change and transformation in your church M: The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice C: We shall be glad and wait for his word INVOCATION God of wind, word and fire, we bless your name this day for sending the light and strength of your Holy Spirit. We give you thanks for the gifts, great and small, that you have poured out upon your children. Accept us with our gifts to be living praise and witness to your love throughout all the earth; through Jesus Christ, who lives with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, Amen. HYMN Come Holy Ghost, our Hearts Inspire, VIP # 149 Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire, let us thine influence prove; source of the old prophetic fire, fountain of life and love. Come, Holy Ghost for moved by thee the prophets wrote and spoke, unlock the truth, thyself the key, unseal the sacred book. Expand thy wings, celestial Dove, brood o'er our nature's night; on our disordered spirits move,

4 and let there now be light. God, through himself we shall know if thou within us shine, and sound, with all thy saints below, the depths of love divine. THE COLLECT FOR PURITY Let us all pray: ALMIGHTY GOD, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS O holy and merciful God, we confess that we have not always taken upon ourselves the yoke of obedience, nor been willing to seek and to do your perfect will. We have not loved you with all our heart and mind and soul and strength neither have we loved our neighbours as ourselves. You have called to us in the need of our sisters and brothers, and we have passed unheeding on our way. In the pride of our hearts, and our unwillingness to repent, we have turned away from the cross of Christ, and have grieved your Holy Spirit. (Silent Prayer) L: Hear the words of assurance and justification. Christ Jesus has heard your confession and he is able, faithful and just and has forgiven us from all unrighteousness. P: Amen, hallelujah, Amen HYMN: The Holy Ghost Power is Moving. VIP # 158 The Holy Ghost power is moving just like a magnet The Holy Ghost power is moving just like a magnet It s moving here, moving there, just like the day of Pentecost The Holy Ghost power moving just like a magnet The Holy Ghost power is moving all through the nations; The Holy Ghost power is moving all through the nations; It wins some here, wins some there, Saving them from sin and fear. The Holy Ghost power is moving all through the nations.

5 The Holy Ghost power is moving here in our worship; The Holy Ghost power is moving here in our worship; It s prompting here, prompting there, to bring our lives to Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost power is moving here in our worship. WELCOME Rev. Glenna Spencer (Guyana District President) INTRODUCTIONS Revd. Patmore C. Henry GREETINGS: British Methodist Church United Methodist Church Mrs. Muriel Smith, Vice President, MCCA AN ACT OF PRAISE Praise Team THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Jeremiah 1: 4-10 Bro. Theodore Fahie (Treasurer of Connexional Funds) THE TE DEUM LAUDAMUS We praise thee, O God: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee: the Father everlasting. To thee all Angels cry aloud: the heavens, and all the powers there-in. To thee cherubim and seraphim: continually do cry, Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and earth are full: of the Majesty of Thy glory. The glorious company of the apostles praise Thee. The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise Thee. The noble army of Martyrs: praise thee. The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge Thee; The Father: of an infinite majesty; Thine honourable, true and only Son: Also the Holy Ghost: the Comforter. Change: Thou art the King of Glory O Christ: Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man: Thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb. When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death: Thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God: in the glory of the Father. We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge.

6 We therefore pray Thee, help Thy servants, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with thy Saints : in glory everlasting. Change O Lord, save Thy people and bless thine heritage: Govern them and lift them up forever. Day by day we magnify Thee; And we worship Thy name ever world without end. Vouchsafe, O Lord to keep us this day without sin: O Lord, have mercy upon us have mercy upon us. O Lord, let Thy mercy lighten upon us as our trust is in Thee. O Lord, in Thee have I trusted, let me never be confounded. THE EPISTLE: Titus 1: 7-9 (in French) Rev d Gesner Paul ANTHEM: Caribbean Hallelujah The Georgetown Circuit Choir THE GOSPEL: John 21: Rev d Dr. Oral Thomas, and Spanish by Rev. Margaret Johnson INDUCTION OF CONNEXIONAL BISHOP Legal Advisor: On Friday May 29, The Connexional Conference meeting in Guyana agreed to amend DCO 43(4), a person who is elected as Connexional President shall forthwith be inducted with the laying on of hands into office as Connexional Bishop. He/she shall be recognized as the Connexional Bishop but shall be called Bishop. Presiding Bishop: My brother, you are to be inducted as bishop in the Church of God. As bishop you are to lead and guide all persons entrusted to your oversight; induct other bishops, ordain presbyters and deacons for service to the Church and to the world, proclaim the word and administer the sacraments to those committed to your care. The Connexional Conference having inducted you as President now wishes to recognize you as its Bishop. Will you accept the call to this ministry as bishop and fulfill this trust in obedience to Christ? I will, by the grace of God

7 Will you continue to guard the faith, order, liturgy, doctrine, and discipline of the Church against all that is contrary to God s Word? I will, for the love of God. Will you in cooperation with the other bishops and ministers take counsel with them and share in supervision of the whole church I will, by the grace given me May the God who has given you the will to do these things give you grace to perform them that the work begun in you may be brought to perfection. Amen LAYING ON OF HANDS The bishop elect kneels while the congregation prays in silence The Presiding Bishop laying hands on the head of bishop elect says: Gracious God, pour upon Otto Ogden Wade the Holy Spirit for the ministry of a Bishop in your Church, in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen PRESENTATIONS TO THE BISHOP Commission on Ministry Secretary: Bishop Wade, take this Bible and proclaim fearlessly the prophetic word in the cause of justice and peace for all. Amen A Deacon Bishop Wade, take this towel and basin and be among us as one who serves. Amen BTCI Bishop: Bishop Wade, take this clerical and be our pastor, preacher and teacher yoked in obedience to Christ who calls you into this office. Amen Connexional Secretary: Bishop Wade, Take this book of Constitution and Discipline and guard the faith, seek unity and exercise discipline within the MCCA. Amen Conn. Sec. Bishop Wade, these are the signs of your ministry among the people of the MCCA. Connexional Bishop: In the name of Christ, the head of the Church, I gladly assume, with you and among you this ministry and I resolved to serve faithfully, with the Lord being my help.

8 Congregation: On behalf of the congregations and people of the MCCA, we receive you Bishop Otto Wade with thanksgiving as our bishop and pastor. We pledge our prayers and our support as you lead us. Amen. (An interlude of music during the signing of the historical document and thereafter greeted by District Presidents, Connexional Officers and Family) HYMN: People of God Rise Up, VIP # People of God, Rise up! Have done with lesser things. Give heart and soul and mind and strength To serve the King of kings. 2. People of God, Rise up! His kingdom tarries long. Bring in the day of righteousness, And end the night of wrong. 3. People of God, Rise up! The church for you doth wait, her strength unequal to her task; Rise up, and make her great! 4. Lift high the cross of Christ! Tread where his feet have trod. As siblings of the Son of Man, Rise up, people of God! THE SERMON Bishop Otto O. Wade HYMN: A SONG OF RENEWAL, VIP # Lord, your Church on Earth is Seeking Your renewal from above; Teach us all the art of speaking With the accent of your love. We would heed your great commission; "Go ye into every place; Preach, baptize, fulfill My mission, Serve with love and share My grace." 2. Freedom give to those in bondage, Lift the burdens caused by sin; Give new hope, new strength and courage, Grant release from fears within. Light for darkness, joy for sorrow; Love for hatred, peace for strife. These and countless blessings follow As the Spirit gives new life. 3. In the streets of every city Where the bruised and lonely dwell, Let us show the Savior's pity, Let us of His mercy tell. In all lands and with all races Let us serve and seek to bring All the world to render praises, Christ, to you, Redeemer, King.

9 NOTICES & OFFERTORY PRAYER PRAISE: God and God Alone Georgetown Circuit Choir INTRODUCTION OF MR. QUINCY BOURNE, NEW CONNEXIONAL TREASUER CITATION TO REV D DR. CLAUDE CADOGAN, OD THE INTERCESSORY PRAYERS Rev d Roosvelt Papaloute Leader: Let us pray for the Church throughout the world. Dear Father, you established the church to continue the mission of Jesus Christ throughout the world; grant that she may be found faithful in the proclamation of the good news to the poor, to those in captivity, to the bruised and broken hearted and that the oppressed are redeemed from the ways of wickedness, and sinners are converted to you. People: Bless our bishop, all Pastors and congregations with your truth and grace, and pour out your Holy Spirit upon your whole church that she may manifest your love, unity, holiness, and faithfulness through Jesus Christ our Lord; Amen. Minister: Let us pray for the peoples of the Caribbean region. O God, our region is naturally divided by land and sea. Our people are divided by our selfishness, vindictiveness, and hatred. Your people in this region suffer injustice and humiliation, and the influence of powerful external forces often denying us the privilege of self- determination and true development. People: Merciful God, give wisdom and grace to all leaders, and grant them a love for righteousness, truth and justice. Amen

10 Leader: Let us pray for the weak and vulnerable. O Lord, our God, we pray for those who are weak in mind, body and Spirit; for those who are weak in the faith, for children, widows and orphans; for the sick and disabled, and for victims of accident, drugs, and violence. People: Lord Jesus, in your mercy and love, bless all who are weak and vulnerable. Be their protector and guide, their strength and salvation. Give them a sense of your eternal presence, and through the strength of your Spirit, give them the conquering faith, hope and love; for your Name's sake. Amen. Connexional Bishop: Let us pray for the people called Methodists. O Almighty God, through your Holy Spirit you raised the people called Methodists to reform nations and to spread scriptural holiness throughout the world. And, in your providence and power, you called into being the Conference of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas to be your special servant in this region. People: Grant, O Lord that each congregation remains faithful to its calling and is courageous in doing your will. Dear God, order the lives of the laity and clergy that your glory and power may be made manifest in all that we do through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Lord's Prayer [Sung - Joseph Lees] OUR FATHER, which art in heaven; Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not Into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine Is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen

11 THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD S SUPPER The Peace The Service will begin with the Passing of the Peace - an opportunity for those who do not wish to share to withdraw quietly while an Organ Voluntary is being played. The Minister shall commence: If you are offering your gift upon the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has a grievance against you, leave your gift before the altar and go your way. First be reconciled with your brother or sister and then come and offer your gift. (Matt 5: 23-24) The Peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. The Peace shall be passed throughout the congregation, each one greeting his neighbour with the words of Peace. THE COMMUNION HYMN 428 VIP I am not worthy Holy Lord... I am not worthy, holy Lord, I am not worthy; yet, my God, That Thou shouldst come to me; How can I say Thee nay; Speak but the word; one Thee, who didst give Thy flesh gracious word and blood Can set the sinner free. My ransom price to pay? I am not worthy; cold and bare The lodging of my soul; How canst Thou deign to enter there? Lord, speak, and make me whole. O come! in this sweet morning hour Feed me with food divine; And fill with all Thy love and power This worthless heart of mine. The Thanksgiving The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up unto the Lord.

12 Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. It is right and fitting so to do. It is a good and pleasant thing, joyful and salutary, always and everywhere, to give you thanks and praise, Lord God, Ever-living, Ever- Blessed, Almighty, All-loving. Through Jesus Christ, your only Son our Lord, You created all things and made us in your image. And when we had fallen into sin, You gave him to be our Saviour. He shared our human nature and lived a fully human life. He suffered rejection and condemnation, and died on the cross. You raised him up from the dead, and you exalted him to the glory of your right hand, Where he reigns forever as priest and king and makes intercession for us. In witness of his glory and honour, you poured out the Holy Spirit, Building up many people into one Body, Making us living members of your holy Church, And enabling us to stand before you to sing your praises and celebrate your mighty acts. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, we join the hymn of everlasting praise; Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts, Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the highest, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed are you, Lord God, King of the Universe, And blessed is your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; Who, on the night in which he was betrayed, Took bread into his holy hands and looking up to heaven, Gave thanks, broke it and gave it to his disciples saying, "Take this and eat it. This is My Body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after the supper, he took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is My Blood of the new covenant poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins.

13 Do this whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again! Therefore, Father, in obedience to his command, we do this in remembrance of him, praying that you will accept our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Grant that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we who receive your gifts of bread and wine may share in the Body and Blood of Christ, and become united with him. And, as we offer ourselves to you as a living sacrifice, we pray that you will bring us with your whole creation to your heavenly kingdom. This we pray through Jesus Christ, our Lord. To whom with you, 0 Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory from all who dwell on earth and in heaven throughout the ages of ages. Amen. The Action of the Bread and the Wine The Minister breaking the Bread shall say: The Bread which we break is a sharing in the Body of Christ. Amen. and raising the Cup shall continue The Cup of Blessing which we bless is a sharing in the Blood of Christ. Amen. Though we are many we are one Body because we share the one loaf and partake of the same drink. The Minister kneeling and the people bowed, silence shall be kept for a space. Then the Minister and people shall say together:

14 LORD, we come to your table, trusting in your mercy and not in any goodness of our own. We are not worthy to gather up the crumbs under your table, but it is your nature always to have mercy, and on that we depend. So feed us with the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, your Son, that we may for ever live in him and he in us. Amen. The Minister, having taken the Bread and Wine, shall also give them to those who are assisting and then invite the people as follows: You who truly and sincerely repent of your sins, are in love and charity with your neighbours and have resolved to lead a new life following the commandments of God and by the power of the Spirit, walking in his holy ways, draw near with faith, receive the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for you and his Blood which was shed for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving. As the bread is shared among the people these words shall be spoken: The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for you, keep you in eternal life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you and feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving. As the cup is given these words shall be spoken: The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which was shed for you, keep you in eternal life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's blood was shed for you and be thankful. After all have partaken, the Minister shall cover the Table and what remains of the Elements with the Cloth and after silent prayer he may offer prayer in his own words always ending with the following, the people joining: (and) we thank you, Lord, that you have fed us in this Sacrament, united us with Christ, and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet prepared for all mankind. Amen.

15 THE FINAL PRAYER Connexional Bishop: People: Now let your people in all places be committed to reconciliation and peace, so that the seeds of national arrogance, intolerance, prejudice and fear, which can so readily grow into the horror of war, may find no welcome in our lands. In all our nations: let there be victories over poverty and greed; let there be victories over anger and bigotry; let there be victories over pain and disease; let there be victories over despair and apathy. In addition, may you, our God, reign forever and ever, and the kingdoms of this world become the places where your victory is recognized. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. RECESSIONAL HYMN: Father, Son and Holy Ghost, VIP # 307 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One in Three, and Three in One, As by the celestial host, Let thy will on earth be done; Praise by all to thee be given, Glorious Lord of earth and heaven. Vilest of the sinful race, Lo! I answer to thy call; Meanest vessel of thy grace, Grace divinely free for all, Lo! I come to do thy will, All thy counsel to fulfil. If a sinner such as I May to thy great glory live, All my actions sanctify, All my words and thoughts receive; Claim me for thy service, claim All I have and all I am.

16 Take my soul and body s powers; take my memory, mind, and will, All my goods, and all my hours, All I know, and all I feel, All I think, or speak, or do; Take my heart, but make it new. Now, O God, thine own I am, Now I give thee back thine own; Freedom, friends, and health, and fame Consecrate to thee alone: Thine I live, thrice happy I; Happier still if thine I die. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One in Three, and Three in One, As by the celestial host, Let thy will on earth be done; Praise by all to thee be given, Glorious Lord of earth and heaven. BLESSING AND DISMISSAL Connexional Bishop Lord, this day you have healed us and restored us. You have given us new strength and courage to serve you in this world. Now we go in peace and confidence, ready to be your people in all places and at all times. Praise be to you, Mighty God of love and mercy! AMEN.