SERVICE OF WORSHIP AND ORDINATION

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Order of the Service:

Worship Leader – Brent Evans
103 – He Has Made Me Glad
238 – You Are The Song That I Sing

Welcome – Chris Benjamin – Reading Philippians 2:5-11 [Christ is Lord] - Congregation responds: "Amen"
577 – We Bow Down (vs. 1, 2)
578 – We Will Glorify (vs. 1, 2, 4)
In Christ Alone (on screen)

Communion Prayers – Jake Odell
Collection

704 – Bind Us Together
Coins for Christ – (No Children’s Worship)

Scripture Reading – 1 Peter 5:2-7 [Race Burns]

Reaffirming Our Shepherds

• Introduction of Mat Griffin and thanks to the Reaffirmation Team (Mat, Helen, Jack)
• Mat will thank the congregation for their feedback and report the result of the reaffirmation
• Prayer - Mat

705 – A Common Love
[The five new elders and the seven current will come to the front pews during this song.]

Commitment of New Elders- A Pledge of Servant Leadership
[Benjamin will ask the new elders to move onto the stage]

God has spoken graciously through his church calling you to tend his sheep. You are being asked to assume the responsibilities of shepherd, overseer, and elder.

• Will you serve Jesus Christ as your Lord?
• Will you teach and model the gospel of Christ?
• Will you ensure the healthy teaching that strengthens the Lord’s people?
• Will you guide us patiently and prayerfully?
• Will you lean on the Spirit of God as you equip the church for acts of faithfulness?
• Will you mentor and shepherd the other leaders God gives to the church?
• Will you lead us rather than appease us, resolving to keep us focused on God’s purposes?
• Will you pray for us when we are sick, minister to us when we are hurting, and rejoice with us when we are blessed?
• Will you work in harmony with your fellow shepherds and with the church?
• Will you be great among us by serving as Christ did?

Response: "With God’s help we will."

Read John 13:1-17 - [The current elders will now join the new five and present them with the “servant towels.”]

As a reminder of the Lord’s example of servant leadership, we offer you this small symbolic token of this day for your encouragement. This is a towel embroidered with the words of Jesus. We hope it serves as a reminder of Christ’s grace to you, your commitment before God and our support of your oversight.

Russ McConnell will lead a Prayer of Blessing.
During Russ’ prayer, the “current elders” will be laying their hands on the “new five” – a gesture that demonstrates the sharing of God’s spirit and their affirmation as elders.
[After this prayer, all assembled on the lower stage may return to the pews.]

Part 3 - A Pledge of Support: The Commitment of the Congregation

Scripture Reading - Hebrews 13:17 [Tanner Robbins]

Church, our worship today confesses our belief that God has called these men to shepherd our congregation. Our actions from this point forward ought to reflect that belief and it requires commitment on our part.

Brothers and sisters ...

• Will you follow these men in service for the sake of Christ?
• Will you be respectful of their leadership and imitate their faith?
• Will you support them in prayer and serve them in peace?
• Will you “lift up their arms” even as they care for our souls?
• Will you do all of this knowing that it pleases the Lord and shows the world the perfection of his ways?

If you so agree and pledge, then I ask you to affirm by saying: “With God’s help we will!”

Prayer of blessing for the church:
[Kevin Hesslen will ask God to help us live up to this commitment.]

Invitation for Responses

• Larry Todd will offer the invitation.
• The five new elders will assemble down front (spread out) to receive responses. This indicates that these new shepherds are ready to engage in the ministry of prayer for the sake of the congregation and for the glory of God.

Song for Responses
448 – Greatest Commands
Sending Out Prayer – Bill Dickey
[Bill will thank the congregation for participating in the reaffirmation and charge us to go out in service to Christ.]

Chris Benjamin

West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, AR
Morning Sermon, 7 March 2010

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