Order for the Blessing and Sending
of Lay Worship Leaders for Pulpit Supply
in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod ELCA
by The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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The following order is intended to be used at the first Conference Assembly following the training and certification of Lay Worship Leaders for that Conference. If the Conference Assembly does not occur for several months following certification, this Order may be used in the home parish of the Lay Worship Leader. However, recognition of that certification and blessing must be made at the next Conference Assembly, since the Lay Worship Leader is set apart for work that is Conference wide and beyond.
The Order may be used alone or may be a part of the service of Holy Communion. If used alone, begin with the invocation:
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P. In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C. Amen
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When used within the service of Holy Communion, the Order follows the Sermon and Hymn of the Day. The Creed may optionally be used prior to the order. At Conference Assemblies, the Dean of the Conference presides. The Dean may also be invited to participate when this Order is used in the home congregation.
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Those who have been certified as Lay Worship Leaders are presented by a representative of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod.
A. The following persons have completed the required training/preparation and have been duly appointed by the Bishop to serve this Conference and this Synod as Lay Worship Leaders: The names are read.
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P. Beloved in Christ, our Lord calls each of us to many and varied tasks within the Church and gives us the loving example of servanthood to follow. You come here today to offer yourself/selves for particular service as a Lay Worship Leader. Hear what Holy Scripture says about those who offer service to the Church:
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A. A reading from Romans: I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God -- what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. (Romans 12:1-11)
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P. Having presented yourself/selves before this assembly, will you now assume the duties of a Lay Worship Leader, to preach God's Word and lead worship in the churches of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America?
R. I will, and I ask God to help and guide me.
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P. Will you follow the guidelines as established by this Synod for Lay Worship Leaders and carry out your ministry in accordance with the teachings and practice of the Lutheran Church?
R. I will, and I ask God to help and guide me.
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P. Will you be diligent in your study of Holy Scripture, faithful in prayer, loving in service, adorning yourself with a godly life and building up the body of Christ?
R. I will, and I ask God to help and guide me.
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P. Almighty God, who has given you the will to do these things, graciously give you the strength and compassion to perform them.
C. Amen
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P. Let us pray. God of majesty, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven and on earth: bless, we pray, the ministry of those who serve as Lay Worship Leaders in our Conference and in our Synod. Be ever in their hearts, in their minds and on their lips, that we may come to know your Word, find joy in your presence, and worship you in holiness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C. Amen
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P. Name(s), you have been certified for this ministry and have made your promises before this assembly. I therefore entrust you with the Word of God and send you forth as a Lay Worship Leader of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod ELCA, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C. Amen
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When set within the service of Holy Communion, the Order continues with the Prayer of the Church and Peace. When used alone, the Peace concludes the Order:
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P. The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C. And also with you.
.All may exchange a sign of peace.
The service of Holy Communion continues with the offertory.
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