CCLI license #1913561
Lakeview Presbyterian Church Service, January 31, 2021
Worship Service and Congregational Meeting
Welcome
Welcome
Minute for Mission – Black History Month
Each year we celebrate February as Black History Month. Yesterday, St Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman began that month-long celebration by raising The Woodson Flag over City Hall. The Mayor was joined by members of the Council, Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum board members, and members of the community for this annual event.
The father of Black History Month, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, African American historian and civil rights activist, was born in 1875 in Virginia. In 1907 he obtained his B.A. degree from the University of Chicago. In 1912 he received his PhD from Harvard University.
The Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum is located at 2240 9th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712, and is open Tuesday through Friday, 12 noon to 5 p.m.
Call to Worship Psalm 62:5 -8 NRS
For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
Trust in him at all times.
O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
Hymn “ Jesus Calls Us, O’er the Tumult” Alexander and Jude sung by Keisha Prime
Jesus calls us o’er the tumult
of our life’s wild, restless sea;
day by day his sweet voice soundeth,
saying, “Christian, follow me!”
Jesus calls us from the worship
of the vain world’s golden store,
from each idol that would keep us,
saying, “Christian, love me more!”
In our joys and in our sorrows,
days of toil and hours of ease,
still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
“Christian, love me more than these!”
Jesus calls us! By thy mercies,
Savior, may we hear thy call,
give our hearts to thine obedience,
serve and love thee best of all.
Opening Prayer
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. Amen.
Opening of Congregational Meeting
explanation of what business we're going to do
Prayer
Send us your Holy Spirit, O God, as we worship and meet as the Congregation of Lakeview Presbyterian Church. Open our minds and our hearts that these words of scripture might speak to us as your word, and our lives bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Mark 1:14-20 NRS
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." And immediately Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him
Reflections on Scripture "Called as Partners in Christ's Service" The Rev Lois Robinson Lehman
Called as partners in Christ's service,
Called to ministries of grace,
We respond with deep commitment
Fresh new lines of faith to trace.
May we learn the art of sharing,
Side by side and friend with friend,
Equal partners in our caring
To fulfil God's chosen end.
Christ's example, Christ's inspiring,
Christ's clear call to work and worth,
Let us follow, never faltering,
Reconciling folk on earth.
Men and women, richer poorer,
All God's people young and old,
Blending human skills together
Gracious gifts from God unfold.
Thus new patterns for Christ's mission,
In a small or global sense,
Help us bear each other's burdens,
Breaking down each wall or fence.
Words of comfort, words of vision,
Words of challenge, said with care,
Bring new power and strength for action,
Make us colleagues free and fair.
So God grant us for tomorrow
Ways to order human life
That surround each person's sorrow
With a calm that conquers strife.
Make us partners in our living,
Our compassion to increase,
Messengers of faith, thus giving
Hope and confidence and peace.
Report from the Nominating Committee and
Election of elders and Nominating Committee Members for 2021
Installation of Officers
There
are varieties of gifts, but it is the same Spirit
who gives them.
There are different
ways of serving God, but it is the same Lord who is served.
God works through each person in a unique way, but it is God’s purpose that is accomplished.
To each is given a gift of the Spirit to be used for the common good.
Together we are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.
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 of Jesus Christ and servants of our servant Lord.
Within the community of the church, some are called to particular service as deacons, as ruling elders, and as ministers of Word and Sacrament. Ordination is Christ’s gift to the church, assuring that his ministry continues among us. Through ordination, God provides for acts of care and compassion in the world, for the ordering and governance of the church, and for the preaching of the word and celebration of the sacraments.
The clerk of session or another ruling elder of the church addresses the congregation:
To indicate you assent, raise your hand.
Representing the one holy catholic
and apostolic church,
the session of Lakeview Presbyterian Church
installs to active service those who have been previously ordained: ruling eldersKitty Rawson and Walter Walker.
The Pastor
Walter and Kitty, in baptism, you were claimed by the love of God, clothed in the grace of Jesus Christ, and anointed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to share Christ’s mission in the world.
Now you are called by God through the voice of the church for new service and ministry in Jesus’ name.
In accordance with the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),show your commitment to this calling by responding to these questions:
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 fulfill your ministry in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of Scripture, and be 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 pray for and seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love? I will.
Will you be a faithful ruling elder, watching over the people, providing for their worship, nurture, and service? Will you share in government and discipline, serving in councils of the church, and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ? I will.
The clerk of session or another ruling elder of the church addresses the congregation:
To indicate you assent, raise your hand.
Do we, the members of the church, accept Kitty Rawson and Walter Walker as ruling elders chosen by God through the voice of this congregation to lead us in the way of Jesus Christ? We do.
Do we agree to pray for them, to encourage them, to respect their decisions, and to follow as they guide us, serving Jesus Christ, who alone is Head of the Church? We do.
The pastor
Prayer of Installaton
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Gracious and eternal God, with joy we give you thanks and praise.
Throughout the ages and in every place you have chosen servants from among your people to point the way to salvation by your grace. We are grateful for ancestors in the faith who followed without fear, placing their trust in you alone— for judges and monarchs who ruled in righteousness and peace; for prophets and apostles who spoke your bold words of mercy and of truth; for leaders and teachers in every age who have nurtured your people in faith and faithfulness.
Above all, we praise you for Jesus Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life to set others free. Anointed by your Holy Spirit, he proclaimed your reign on earth, revealing your saving love in all he said and did.
Gracious God, we give you thanks for your servants Kitty and Walter as they continue in the ministry to which you have called them. Help them to rely on the gifts of your Spirit and to follow Christ faithfully in this calling. Give them a spirit of truthfulness that they may show the compassion of Christ in the actions of daily living and rightly govern your people.
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. Amen.
Declaration of Installation of Ruling Elders
Walter and Kitty, you are ruling elders, ordained and installed to ministries of service and governance in the church of Jesus Christ . Be faithful and true in your ministry so that your whole life will bear witness to the crucified and risen Christ. Amen.
Charge to the Newly Installed
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People
Lord’s Prayer (Ecumenical Version)
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen
A Statement about Offering our Gifts
God has given each of us gifts—gifts and talents for enjoying the fullness of life, and material gifts with which to sustain life. These gifts are intended for the upbuilding of community, including relieving the burdens of others. As we have been called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, we gratefully offer our gifts to support the ministries of this church
Donations can be mailed to Lakeview Presbyterian Church at 1310 22nd Av S, St Petersburg, FL, 33705 or given online through our website @lakeviewpresbyterianchurch.org
Reports on the ways Lakeview Presbyterian Church has been using our gifts in service to Jesus Christ
Report from our Treasurer
number of pledges and total dollar amount of Pledges received for 2021
Description of the Imagining process and the Dream Team
Other necessary business
Printed Annual Reports will be distributed through a drive-thru in the church parking lot on Saturday, February 6, from 11am to 12 noon. Please call pastor Lois at 727-321-3125 if you will be picking up a printed report or if you wish to have one delivered to you.
Questions and Additional Business
Prayer of Dedication Holy God, we give you thanks and praise for light and life and love, and—above all—for your steadfast love and presence with us. By your Spirit who breathes within us, strengthen our faith, use our gifts and work in our lives to bear witness to your love.
Hymn “Here I Am, Lord” Daniel Shutte, 1981 sung by Keisha Prime
I the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Refrain
Here I am Lord,
Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night
I will go Lord,
If you lead me,
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people's pain.
I have wept for love of them,
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my words to them.
Whom shall I send?
Refrain
I the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide,
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
Refrain
Conclusion of the Congregational Meeting and Closing Prayer
Charge and Benediction