Prayer of Ordination Molly Rushing
An Invitation to Bless Eric Porterfield
Laying on of Hands
Hymn of Commissioning
“Here I Am, Lord”
* Stanza one and chorus – Clif Harris, solo
* Chorus as cued – Congregation
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.
Prayer of Commitment Sue Marsh
Presentation of Bible Charles Hollis
Presentation of Certificate of Ordination Eric Porterfield
Hymn No. 54 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
Benediction Reverend Libby Johnson and Congregation
As Jeremiah heard God say, “Before I formed you in the womb
I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you . . .”
As Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord asking, “Whom shall I send,
and who will go for us . . .”
As the disciples heard Jesus call out, “Come, follow me . . .”
We have been gathered here by the guidance of God,
by the beckoning of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit,
to celebrate God’s call to us as God’s people.
Go forth now in the power of that spirit, for the Lord has
anointed us . . .
To bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners.
With Isaiah we respond, “Here I am, send me.” Amen.
A SERVICE OF ORDINATION
FOR LIBBY JOHNSON
Winter Park Baptist Church
Saturday, November 12, 2016
4:00 P.M.
A SERVICE OF ORDINATION FOR LIBBY JOHNSON
November 12, 2016 4:00 P.M.
Prelude Clif Harris
Call to Worship Lynn Brinkley and Congregation
I waited patiently for GOD; who turned to me and heard my cry,
who lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
and set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
We sing a new song! Our mouths are full of the praise of God.
Blessed are we when we make the Lord our trust;
when we do not turn aside to false gods.
We sing of all your many wonders, O God,
too many to declare them all.
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but our ears you have pierced and a body you have prepared for us.
We sing, “Here I am, I have come – I desire to do your will,
O my God; your law is in my heart.”
(written by The Rev. Marilyn K. Levine)
Worship in Music Mark Teachey, Christy Demory & Clif Harris
“Shine on Us”
Invocation Angela Hopkins
Welcome Clif Harris
Introduction of the Ordination Council Eric Porterfield
Recommendation from the Ordination Council Eric Porterfield
Scripture: Psalm 139:1-16
Scripture: John 15:4-5; 8-10; 12-16 Becky McCarthy
Worship in Music Christy Demory
“The Summons”
Scripture Kenny, Brandon & Zachary Johnson
Sermon Eric Porterfield
“Point Us to Jesus”
Ordination Litany of Charge Molly Rushing
Leader: Libby, you have listened for the voice of God in sacred places,
particularly within your own heart, soul and mind.
Congregation: The delight we take in your presence is a reflection
of God’s joy over you.
Leader: Like the Hebrew Samuel, you awakened to an unexpected call.
You recognized the voice as God’s and responded.
Congregation: We believe the story of your call is an expression
of God’s continuous revelation in your life.
Leader: Libby, do you accept this affirmation of Winter Park Baptist
Church? Will you say “yes” to God’s gifts in you? Will you follow
Christ in proclaiming the good news in word and sacrament,
teaching faith, caring for people, announcing God’s renewing hope
to all, and dedicating yourself to be God’s minister under the
leadership of the Holy Spirit?
Candidate for Ordination: I will by God’s grace.
Leader: Will you endeavor to be diligent in your practice of the
Christian life: reading the Bible, continuing steadfastly in prayer,
and seeking daily to follow Christ?
Candidate for Ordination: I will by God’s grace.
Leader: Do you, members of this community of grace, affirm Libby’s
ministry? Will you challenge her to grow in grace with you?
Will you remind her of her limits and God’s unlimitedness?
Will you live out your own calling to discipleship alongside hers?
Congregation: We will by God’s grace.
Leader: Libby, may you continue to know God’s generous love and care
for you even as you offer yourself as an instrument of God’s love and
care to others.
Congregation: May you be surprised by God’s light when you need
the illumination of divine guidance.
Leader: May the passion you feel for your calling give wholeness and
life to your vocation.
Congregation: Above all, know that no matter where your call may
lead you, our prayers will surround you, Christ’s peace will go
with you, and God’s love will sustain you. This is our assurance
and hope. Thanks be to God.
(THIS WILL BE AN INSERT. THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM IN THE BULLETIN TO INCLUDE IT.)
Members of the Ordination Council
Eric Porterfield – Chairman of Committee and former Pastor of Winter
Park Baptist Church; current Pastor of Fifth Avenue Baptist Church,
Huntington, WV
Jeff Battle – Church Council member, Winter Park Baptist Church,
Wilmington, NC
Lynn Brinkley - Director of Student Services and Alumni Relations,
Campbell University Divinity School, Fayetteville, NC
Karen Brown - friend and supporter, Metropolis, Illinois
Jayne Davis – Minister of Spiritual Formation, First Baptist Church,
Wilmington, NC
Clif Harris – Minister of Music and Worship, Winter Park Baptist
Church, Wilmington, NC
George Hodnett – Church Council member, Winter Park Baptist Church,
Wilmington, NC
Charlie Hollis – Church Moderator, Winter Park Baptist Church,
Wilmington, NC
Becky McCarthy – friend and supporter (Becky has been my massage
therapist since 1998), Leland, NC
Molly Rushing – friend and supporter, (Monday night roommate for four
semesters while attending Campbell Divinity School), Weldon, NC
Cokie Westfall – friend and supporter (mentor during journey towards
and through Campbell Divinity School), missionary to India
Shirley Womble – friend and supporter, Minister of Children, Families
and Church Administration, Masonboro Baptist Church,
Wilmington NC
Other Worship Leaders
Christy Demory – member of Winter Park Baptist Church,
Wilmington, NC
Angela Hopkins – friend and Campbell Divinity School graduate (went
to visitation together, started studies, and graduated at the same time
from CUDS), Durham, NC
Sue Marsh – friend and spiritual mentor, Wilmington, NC
Mark Teachey – Minister of Senior Adults and Caring Ministries, Winter
Park Baptist Church, Wilmington, NC