A Service of Installation for the Rev. Dr. Jared Witt
Heartland Presbytery | Westport Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, MO
Sunday, September 20 4pm
PRELUDE: The Church’s One Foundation arr. R.Hughes Renee Zimmerman, organ
WELCOME Ann Ditty
CALL TO WORSHIP: Karen Elmer
One: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
All: And also with you.
One: As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
All: There is one body and one Spirit, just as we were called to the one hope of our calling.
OPENING HYMN: #821 Glory to God My Life Flows On
PRAYER OF THE DAY Karen Elmer
One: 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.
All: Amen.
MUSICAL REFRAIN: #654 Glory to God In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful (Sing 2x)
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION: Rosemary Polk
One: Send us your Holy Spirit, O God, that these words might speak to us as your word, and our lives bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Rosemary Polk
Psalm 86: 11-12
11 Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.
12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
Matthew 13:45-46
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls;
46 on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
SERMON: Making Something Beautiful Rev. Jenny Wells
RESPONSE HYMN: Bless the Lord (Sing 2x) #544 Glory to God
INSTALLATION
PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATE Bob Russell
STATEMENT OF ORDINATION: Ann Ditty
One: 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. Representing the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church, Heartland Presbytery, by means of this commission, now installs the Rev. Dr. Jared Witt as designated pastor of the Westport Presbyterian Church.
PRAYER OF ORDINATION: Ann Ditty
One: Gracious God, pour out your Spirit upon your servant Jared, whom you called by baptism as your own. Grant him the same mind that was in Christ Jesus. Give him a spirit of truthfulness to rightly proclaim your Word in Christ from pulpit, table, and font, and in the words and actions of daily living. Give him the gifts of your Holy Spirit 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 your servant Jared, and to all who serve as pastors among your people, 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.
All: Amen.
CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS: Ann Ditty
Do you trust in the Lord 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 be a minister of the Word and Sacrament in obedience to Jesus Christ under the authority of Scripture and 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.
Will you be a faithful minister, proclaiming the good news in Word and Sacrament, teaching faith and caring for people? Will you be active in government and discipline, serving in the governing bodies of the church, and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ? I will.
QUESTIONS FOR THE CONGREGATION: Bob Russell
One: Do we, the members of the church, accept the Rev. Dr. Jared Witt as our pastor, chosen by God through the voice of this congregation to guide us in the way of Jesus Christ?
All: We do.
One: Do we agree to encourage him, to respect his decisions, and to follow as he guides us, serving Jesus Christ who alone is Head of the Church?
All: We do.
One: Do we promise to pay him fairly, and provide for his welfare as he works among us; to stand by him in trouble, and share his joy? Will we listen to the word he preaches, welcome his pastoral care, and honor his authority as he seeks to honor and obey Jesus Christ our Lord?
All: We do and we will.
DECLARATION OF INSTALLATION: Rev. Dale Jackson
One: Jared, you are now a minister of the Word and Sacrament 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.
OFFERING: Minister’s Emergency Fund Rev. Dale Jackson
OFFERTORY: Psalm 86 R. Zimmerman
CLOSING HYMN: For Everyone Born #769 Glory to God
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION: (from 2 Corinthians 13:13) Rev. Dr. Jared Witt
One: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
All: Alleluia!
POSTLUDE: On Our Way Rejoicing L. Smith Renee Zimmerman, organ
Please join us in the Fellowship Room
for a Reception following the service.
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