ordination

For those of you who missed the ordination service, or who loved it so much you just want to relive it, here is the service itself. I find the Scriptures and prayers very encouraging- now that we are finally here in White Creek I am realizing what a daunting job Joshua has in serving this large congregation. It is so very encouraging to know that the Lord goes before him (and all of us) and with us along the way. He calls and equips, and He is faithful. If you think to pray for Josh, I mean Pastor Cook, the prayers at the end of this entry are a great guide.

SERVICE OF ORDINATION of Joshua Hawkins Cook
June 15, 2008 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Hillsdale, MI

P: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: Beloved in the Lord, Joshua Hawkins Cook has been called by the Lord of the Church into the Office of the Holy Ministry of the Word and Sacraments. He has been prepared for this ministry by careful study and prayer. He has been examined and declared ready and prepared to undertake this sacred responsibility, and, by the guidance of God the Holy Spirit, he has in the Church’s usual order been called to be pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, White Creek, Indiana. According to apostolic practice he is now presented to be ordained and consecrated to this office established by God.
Stand (the candidate kneels)
P: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful people, and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Through the diversity of tongues You gathered together the nations, in unity of the faith. Alleluia!
Hymn 498
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray.
O Lord God, heavenly Father, by the blessed light of Your holy Word You have led us to the knowledge of Your Son. We humbly implore You to replenish us with the grace of Your Holy Spirit that we may ever walk in the light of Your truth and, rejoicing with sure confidence in Christ, Our Savior, be brought to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.

P: Hear what Holy Scripture says concerning the institution of the Office of the Holy Ministry.
Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” John 20:21-23

P: Hear what Holy Scripture says concerning the responsibilities of the Office of the Holy Ministry.
Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17

I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:2-4

P: Hear what Holy Scripture says concerning the strength and promise God gives to those in the Office of the Holy Ministry.
[Jesus said:] “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16

Continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:14-17
P: Dear brother in Christ, the Lord grant that you receive and keep these words in your heart so that you may be strengthened and encouraged in your labors.

God gathers His Church by and around His Holy Gospel and thereby also grants it growth and increase according to His good pleasure. That this may be done, He has established the Office of the Holy Ministry into which you have been called by the Church and are now to be ordained and consecrated by prayer and the laying on of hands.

P: In the presence of this congregation and before our Lord God to whom you must give an account now and at the Last Day, I now ask you:
Do you acknowledge that the Lord has called you through His Church into the ministry of Word and Sacrament?
R: I do.
P: Do you believe and confess the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired Word of God and the only infallible rule of faith and practice?
R: Yes, I believe and confess the canonical Scriptures to be the inspired Word of God and the only infallible rule of faith and practice.

P: Do you believe and confess the three Ecumenical Creeds, namely the Apostles’, the Nicene, and the Athanasian Creeds, as faithful testimonies to the truth of the Holy Scriptures, and do you reject all the errors which they condemn?
R: Yes, I believe and confess the three Ecumenical Creeds because they are in accord with the Word of God. I also reject all the errors they condemn.
P: Do you confess the Unaltered Augsburg Confession to be a true exposition of Holy Scripture and a correct exhibition of the doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church? And do you confess that the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Small and Large Catechisms of Martin Luther, the Smalcald Articles, the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, and the Formula of Concord – as theses are contained in the Book of Concord – are also in agreement with this one scriptural faith?
R: Yes, I make these Confessions my own because they are in accord with the Word of God.
P: Do you promise that you will perform the duties of your office in accordance with these Confessions, and that all your preaching and teaching and your administration of the Sacraments will be in conformity with Holy Scripture and with these Confessions?
R: Yes, I promise, with the help of God.
P: Will you faithfully instruct both young and old in the chief articles of Christian doctrine, will you forgive the sins of those who repent, and will you promise never to divulge the sins confessed to you? Will you minister faithfully to the sick and dying, and will you demonstrate to the Church a constant and ready ministry centered in the Gospel? Will you admonish and encourage the people to a lively confidence in Christ and in holy living?
R: Yes, I will, with the help of God.
P: Finally, will you honor and adorn the Office of the Holy Ministry with a holy life? Will you be diligent in the study of Holy Scripture and the Confessions? And will you be constant in prayer for those under you pastoral care?
R: I will, the Lord helping me through the power and grace of His Holy Spirit.
The candidate kneels. The presiding minister lays both his hands directly on the head of the candidate and says:
P: [Jesus said:] “Peace be to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Joshua Hawkins Cook, I ordain and consecrate you to the Office of the Holy Ministry of the Word and Sacraments in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.
C: The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who 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 forever and ever. Amen.
The newly ordained stands and is vested with a stole.
The presiding minister and the newly ordained turn to face the congregation. The presiding minister says:
P: Beloved in the Lord, Holy Scripture says, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
Will you, the faithful, according to the Church’s public confession, and speaking for the whole Church, receive Joshua as a servant of Christ and minister of the Word and Sacrament? If so, then answer: We will.
C: We will.
Stand
P: Let us pray.
O eternal, merciful God, You have spoken through Your own dear Son, saying that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers few and that we should ask You, the Lord of the harvest, to send laborers into Your harvest. Hear now our prayer on behalf of Joshua, who this day is ordained and consecrated to be Your minister in the Church. Strengthen him mightily to take up the Word of truth and faithfully to administer Your holy Sacraments.
O Lord Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, You gave Your own life to be a holy and perfect sacrifice for us and for our salvation. Grant Joshua a heart zealous for Your people and boldness to guide, comfort, admonish, and serve Your congregation with gentleness and wisdom. Fill him, Your undershepherd, with Your love that in Your name he will seek the straying and bear up the weak. Give him the heart never to grow weary in the service of Your flock.
O Holy Spirit, strengthen and keep Joshua in the Word of truth and life, and support him in every time of trouble and distress. Make his labors fruitful and, when the day of labor is ended, grant him to come with rejoicing before Your presence to receive with all the saints his portion in eternal salvation.

To You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all glory and honor, both now and forever.
C: Amen.
P: Go, therefore, and be a shepherd of the Good Shepherd’s flock. Preach the Word of God; administer the holy Sacraments; offer prayer for all the faithful; instruct, watch over, and guide the flock among which the Holy Spirit has placed you. Do it not for earthly fain but with great joy, for you have been called not to lordship but to serve His flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
The almighty and most merciful God, the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless and preserve you.
C: Amen.