1
1.PROCESSIONAL HYMN:
2.THE GREETING (Congregation stands)
Moderator:Grace and peace to you from God who was and is, and is to come, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, and the sovereign of the rulers on earth.
People:To God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen
3.SCRIPTURE SENTENCES
Christ is the head of the body, the Church. He is its origin, the first to return from the dead, to be in all things alone supreme. Each of us has been given his gift, His due portion of Christ’s bounty and these were his gifts: some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip God’s people for work in his service, to the building up of the body of Christ. To God who alone is wise through Jesus Christ, be glory for endless ages. (The congregation sits)
4.PRAYER
4.1Prayer of Adoration
Praise and glory to you, mighty Lord God! You created this universe, and care for it.
Praise and glory to you, God our Father! You love us with a love that has no limits; you have given your son, Jesus Christ, to reconcile us to you and to one another.
Praise and glory to you from every part of your dominion from the church in heaven and on earth from our voices and our lives!
ALL: We bless you; we adore you through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
4.2Prayer of Repentance and Forgiveness
Let us confess our sins to God:
Our actions that have broken his commandments and injured his children; (Silent prayer)
Our words that have betrayed Christ our Lord and hurt or hindered those he came to save;(Silent prayer)
Our thoughts that have been unworthy of him;(Silent prayer)
All the wrong we have done, and the good we have left undone. (Silent prayer)
Moderator: Lord, have mercy on us.
Response:Christ, have mercy on us.
Moderator:Lord, have mercy on us.
Response:For the sake of your son, Christ, our Lord, forgive us all that is past, and grant that we may serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your name.
4.3Prayer of Assurance of Pardon
Moderator: Beloved in Christ, receive the assurance that God pardons all that repent and turn to him in faith. The Apostle John declares: If we confess our sins, he is just, and may be trusted to forgive our sins and cleanse us from every kind of wrong. Your sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake.
Response:Thanks be to God!
4.4Prayers for God’s Grace
Almighty God, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness and keep us in eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. To him, with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, be glory evermore. Amen.
5.CHURCH CHOIR
6.PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
You have taught us, Lord God that we cannot live on bread alone, but on every word you utter. May your Holy Spirit so opens the scriptures to us that we may see Jesus and hear your word made flesh in him, receiving his good news with joy, so that we may live to your glory forever.
7.SCRIPTURE READING:
Old Testament:
New Testament:
Gospel:
8.HYMN:
9.STATEMENT BY THE MODERATOR
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the king and head of the Church and by the authority of the KwaZulu Natal Regional Council we have come together to induct to the pastorate of this church.
A minister must deliver the word of God, instructing and encouraging the people, and preaching conversion to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
A minister must lead the people in worship, administer the sacraments, care for the flock of Christ, and maintain the church in good discipline, as a faithful under-shepherd of Jesus Christ, so that the church may grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of God, and shine as a light in the world. Ordination to this holy ministry rests upon God’s call, which is recognized and attested by Christ’s church.
10.AFFIRMATION BY THE MINISTER
(TheModerator addresses the minister, who stands):
Moderator:My brother/sister ,seeing that through grace God has called you to be a minister, that this church has been led to receive your placement to its pastorate, and that now we are about to commit its charge to you, I ask you in the name of the church:
Moderator:Do you believe in the one Triune God, and in Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord?
Response:I do.
Moderator: Do you believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments contain all things necessary for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ?
Response:I do.
Moderator:Do you believe that you are truly called by God to the pastoral oversight of this congregation?
Response:I do.
Moderator:Do you reaffirm your assent to the constitution of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa and do you undertake to exercise your ministry in accordance with it?
Response:I do.
Moderator:Do you promise as a minister of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa to continue to be subject to its government and to take the part entrusted to you in the administration of its affairs?
Response:I do.
Moderator:May God, our heavenly Father, who has called you into this holy ministry, grant you his Spirit, strengthen you, and so direct you that you may serve him faithfully and fruitfully, to his praise and glory, and to the furthering of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, his Son. Amen.
11.HYMN:
12.ACT OF INDUCTION
12.1Introduction by the Moderator
Let us hear from the members of the CHURCH how they have been led to call as their minister.
12.2Statement by the Local Church
A representative of the local church gives a short account of events leading to this day.
12.3Questions to the minister and the Local Church
Leader: My brother/sister do you accept your call to this congregation?
Response: I do
The members of the local church stand and the moderator says to them:
Moderator:
Do you, the members of the CHURCH, acknowledge as your minister, and do you receive him/her in the name of Jesus Christ? Do you promise to share with him/her in the ministry of this church, and at all times to encourage him and loyally support him?
Response: We do.
12.4The Promises of the Minister and the Local Church
Commitment to the Word of God
The moderator conducts the Minister to the lectern
Moderator: Hear the words of Paul: every inspired scripture has its use for teaching the truth and refuting error or for the reformation of manners and discipline in right living, so that the man who belongs to God may be efficient and equipped for good work of every kind.
Moderator: My brother/sister , will you diligently study the scriptures? Will you read and expound them to the people?
Response: With God’s help, I will.
Moderator:People of this church, will you read and meditate on the scriptures, so that you may grow in the knowledge of God and in obedience to his word?
Response: With God’s help, we will.
The presiding minister conducts the Minister-elect to the pulpit.
Moderator:Hear the words of Paul: “Before God, and before Christ Jesus who is to judge men living and dead,I charge you solemnly by his coming appearance and his reign, proclaim the message, press it home on all occasions, convenient or inconvenient, use argument, reproof, and appeal, with all the patience that the work of teaching requires.”
Moderator: My brother/sister , Will you proclaim God’s word with boldness? Will you teach the truth, and banish error?
Response:With God’s help, I will.
Moderator:People of this church, will you hear what is preached? Will you apply it to your lives, and by word and deed commend the gospel to others?
Response:With God’s help, we will.
Commitment to Worship and Prayer
The presiding minister conducts the Minister-elect to the body of the church
Moderator:Hear the words of Paul: I urge then petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be offered for all people. Such prayer is right that all people should find salvation and come to know the truth.
Moderator: My brother/sister , will you be faithful in prayer? Will you help the people to persevere and to grow in the life of prayer? Will you lead them in worship, and order the services in God’s house with reverence and care?
Response: With God’s help, I will.
Moderator:People of this church, will you be faithful in daily prayer? Will you come together regularly, to worship almighty God, and to pray for the needs of the whole world?
Response:With God’s help, we will.
Commitment to the sacraments
The presiding minister conducts the Minister-elect to the baptismal font.
Moderator:Hear the words of our Saviour Christ: go forth therefore and make all nations my disciples; baptise men everywhere in the name of the father and the son and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all that I have commanded you, and be assured, I am with you always, to the end of time.
Moderator:My brother/sister , will you joyfully administer the sacrament of baptism, and instruct the people in it?
Response: With God’s help, I will.
Moderator:People of this church, will you honour your commitment to Christ through your baptism, and faithfully care for all who are baptised into this fellowship?
Response:With God’s help, we will.
The presiding minister conducts the Minister-elect to stand in front of the communion table
Moderator:Hear the words of Paul: “When we bless ‘the cup of blessing’ is it not a means of sharing in the blood of Christ? When we break the bread, is it not a means of sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, many as we are, are one body; for it is one loaf of which we all partake. For every time you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord, until he comes.”
My brother/sister , will you joyfully celebrate the Lord’s Supper with your people, so that Christ’s saving death and resurrection may be proclaimed, and his body, the church, may be built up in love?
Response: With God’s help, I will.
Moderator:People of this church, will you come with joy and thanksgiving to take part in the Lord’s Supper, preparing yourselves in faith and penitence?
Response:With God’s help, we will.
Commitment to Christ and to one another
Moderator:My brother/sister , and you, the people of this church, you are the body of Christ in this place; through you God continues his work today.
Make full use of the varied gifts with which the Holy Spirit richly bestows on each of you for the common good.
Support one another in prayer and fellowship.
Witness to Christ in your work, in your leisure, and in your homes.
Strive for justice in society. Be instruments of Christ’s peace and love.
Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus for without him you can do nothing. So I ask you, do you turn to Christ, and dedicate your life to him?
Minister and Congregation: We turn to Christ, and dedicate our lives to him.
Commitment to the wider church
Moderator:My brother/sister , and you, the people of this church, will you take your share in the affairs of this region, of the South Africa Synod, and of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa? Will you support the work of the gospel throughout the world? And will you work and pray for the reunion of Christ’s church?
Minister and Congregation: With God’s help, we will.
The moderator then addresses the rest of the wider church:
Brothers and sisters in Christ, here you represent the church as a whole. Will you love and care for the minister and members of this church and congregation? Will you encourage them in the Lord’s work, and hold them in your concern and in your prayers?
The rest of the congregation answers: With God’s help, we will.
[The congregation remains standing]
12.5The Induction Prayer
God of all Grace may your servant, , so faithfully serve you in this pastorate that he and all those committed to his care may attain to the fullness of eternal life. Enfold him and his family in your love, and in the love of your people here. Be gracious to this church. Bless it through your servant’s ministry; establish it in all Godliness, in obedience to your will, and in joyful service of Jesus Christ to him, with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, be glory evermore. Amen.
12.6The declaration of induction
Moderator:In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and on behalf of the KwaZulu Natal Regional Council we declare to be the minister of this church and congregation. Mercy, peace and love, be yours in fullest measure. Amen.
12.7The right hand of fellowship
13.CHURCH CHOIR
14.THE CHARGE
The charge to the minister and the local church:
16.OFFERTORY HYMN/ OR CHOIR:
17.OFFERTORY PRAYER:
18.HOLY COMMUNION
19.NOTICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS BY LOCAL CHURCH
20.BENEDICTION
Beloved in Christ, go in peace, to love and serve God. The blessing of our almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.
20.RECESSIONAL HYMN:
1