GOVERNMENT STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Saturday, October 3, 2020 | 11am ORDINATION TO THE MINISTRY OF WORD & SACRAMENT AND INSTALLATION AS ASSOCIATE PASTOR ALEXANDRA STEWART HUTSON Wherever you are GATHERING worshiping today, we pray PRELUDE (:30) that the Holy Spirit will Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 7001 J.S. Bach (1685-1750) speak to you through the Sheep May Safely Graze Bach scripture, prayers, music, and sermon. We are called to Suite in D major G.F. Handel (1685-1759) worship by the promises of Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Tim Zimmerman God in whom we place our CHIMING OF THE HOUR WESTMINSTER faith and trust. WELCOME REV. REBEKAH ABEL LAMAR Indicates a n INTROIT invitation to rise in body or How Lovely Are the Messengers F. Mendelssohn (1809-1847) spirit as you are able. How lovely are the messengers that preach us the gospel of peace. To all the nations is gone forth the sound of their words, Scripture and Hymn throughout all the lands their glad tidings. settings can be found on pages 4-9 of the bulletin. We invite CALL TO WORSHIP unison REV. DR. CARY G. SPEAKER you to reflect on the hymn We are called by the Spirit to glorify God, texts as they are sung, and the so that all may become joyful disciples of Jesus Christ. Scriptures as they are read. Let us love, not in word or speech but in truth and action. The Call to Worship derives from GSPC’s Mission Statement, and portions of Scripture from the New Testament book of John.
It is by this that we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before God. Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. In love and in joy, let us worship God! HYMN 475 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
NETTLETON
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PRAYER OF CONFESSION unison
REV. J. KEITH CARDWELL
Gracious and loving God, You call us each in our own ways. You give us gifts and equip us to use them. Too often we do not heed your call. We run from it and try to be the ones in control. Forgive us, God. Help us to trust in you. Give us the strength to follow your call upon our lives. Grant us the grace to not take ourselves too seriously and to extend that grace to others in all that we do. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON
CHARLES STEWART
RESPONSE | HYMN 581 Glory Be to the Father
GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen. A prayer for illumination calls on the Holy Spirit to empower the reading, understanding, proclaiming, and living of God’s Word. This sense of utter reliance on the illumination of the Spirit is an important and distinctive mark of the Reformed tradition. The prayer for illumination precedes the reading of Scripture and preaching of the sermon and applies to all of the readings, as well as the proclamation of the Word. -W-3.0302
PROCLAIMING THE WORD PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
REV. DR. “BUZ” WILCOXON
FIRST READING | II Kings 2:13-25
DR. WILCOXON
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God. SECOND READING | I John 3:11-24
REV. PATRICK LANEY
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. SERMON
“A Mobile Home”
REV. LANEY
THANKSGIVING HYMN 726 Will You Come and Follow Me
KELVINGROVE
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T h e P r e s b y t e r i a n AFFIRMATION OF FAITH unison JODY BETH MELTON Church (U.S.A.) states its In life and in death we belong to God. faith and bears witness to Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, God’s grace in Jesus Christ in the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, the creeds and confessions in we trust in the one triune God, the holy one of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. the Book of Confessions. In We trust in God the Holy Spirit these statements the church everywhere the giver and renewer of life. declares to its members and to The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, the world who and what it is, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and what it believes, and what it neighbor, and binds us together with all believers resolves to do. These in the one body of Christ, the Church. statements identify the church The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles as a community of people rules our faith and life in Christ through scripture, known by its convictions as engages us through the Word proclaimed, well as by its actions. They claims us in the waters of baptism, guide the church in its study feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and interpretation of the and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church. In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage Scriptures; they summarize to pray without ceasing, the essence of Reformed to witness among all peoples to Christ as lord and Savior, Christian tradition; they to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, direct the church in to hear the voices of people long silenced, maintaining sound doctrines; and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. they equip the church for its In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, work of proclamation. They we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks serve to strengthen personal and to live holy and joyful lives, commitment and the life and even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, witness of the community of praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!” believers. -F-2.01 With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen. STATEMENT ON ORDINATION & INSTALLATION
REV. LAMAR
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Ordination to the ordered CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS MARGARET BROWNING ministry of minister of the MAC BOONE Word and Sacrament is an act a. Do you trust in Jesus Christ your Savior, acknowledge him Lord of all of the whole church carried and Head of the Church, and through him believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? out by the presbytery, setting apart a person to ordered b. 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 ministry. Such a person shall in the Church universal, and God’s Word to you? have fulfilled the ordination c. Do you sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed requirements of the presbytery faith as expressed in the confessions of our church as authentic and of care and received the call reliable expositions of what Scripture leads us to believe and do, and will you be instructed and led by those confessions as you lead of God to service to a the people of God? congregation or other work in d. Will you fulfill your ministry in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the the mission of the church that authority of Scripture, and be continually guided by our is acceptable to the candidate confessions? and to the presbytery of call. e. Will you be governed by our church’s polity, and will you abide by its -G-2.0701 discipline? Will you be a friend among your colleagues in ministry, working with them, subject to the ordering of God’s Word and Spirit?
f. Will you in your own life seek to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, love your neighbors, and work for the reconciliation of the world? g. Do you promise to further the peace, unity, and purity of the church? h. Will you pray for and seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love? i. Will you be a faithful minister of the Word and Sacrament, proclaiming the good news in Word and Sacrament, teaching faith and caring for people? Will you be active in government and discipline, serving in the councils of the church; and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?
QUESTIONS TO THE CONGREGATION
When prompted, the con g re gation respon ds affirmatively saying,
CARTER HALE
a. Do we, the members of the church, accept Alexandra Stewart Hutson as our associate pastor, chosen by God through the voice of this congregation to guide us in the way of Jesus Christ? b. Do we agree to pray for her, to encourage her, to respect her decisions, and to follow as she guides us, serving Jesus Christ, who alone is Head of the Church?
“We do/will.”
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Called to Ministry—In Baptism each Christian is called to ministry in Christ’s name. God calls some persons from the midst of congregations to fulfill particular functions, so that the ministry of the whole people of God may flourish. In ordination the church sets apart with prayer and the laying on of hands those who have been called by God through the voice of the church to serve as deacons, ruling elders, and ministers of the Word and Sacrament†. In installation the church sets in place with prayer those who have been (previously) ordained as deacons, ruling elders, and ministers of the Word and Sacrament, and are now called anew to service in t h a t m i n i s t r y. I n commissioning the church recognizes other forms of ministry in the church: ruling elders commissioned to limited pastoral service, certified Christian educators, and persons certified to other forms of service. -W-4.0401
c. Do we promise to pay her fairly and provide for her welfare as she works among us; to stand by her in trouble and share her joys? Will we listen to the Word she preaches, welcome her pastoral care, and honor her authority as she seeks to honor and obey Jesus Christ our Lord?
ORDINATION PRAYER
REV. ALLYSEN SCHAAF
DECLARATION OF ORDINATION & INSTALLATION
REV. LAMAR
CHARGE TO THE ORDAINED
REV. CATHY HOOP
CHARGE TO THE CONGREGATION
JARRETT CALLAWAY
DOXOLOGY | HYMN 607 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye Heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
REV. ALEXANDRA HUTSON
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING responsive The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. ANTHEM The Lord’s Prayer
A.H. Malotte, 1935
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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. BREAKING OF THE BREAD
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The c o m m u n i o n COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE elements will be served to COMMUNION MEDITATION you and may be consumed as Ave verum corpus, K.618 they are received. Ave verum corpus, composed in 1791, is a treasured jewel from Mozart’s final autumn. While visiting his wife at Baden bei Wien, Austria, after giving birth, Mozart befriended local parish organist Anton Stoll, a man who had conducted one of Mozart’s Masses the previous summer. Grateful, Mozart rewarded Stoll by writing a new piece of sacred music, the gem -like Eucharistic motet Ave verum corpus for four-part chorus, strings, and organ. The distilled style of this motet pre-figures the flavor of the “Hostias” movement in “Requiem.” Both pieces share a sense of piety and use the sparest of means to convey transcendent wonder.
Please remain seated at the postlude. An usher will come by to dismiss your pew.
Ave verum corpus, natum ex Maria Virgine. Verum passum immolatum In cruce pro homine. Cujus latus perforatum, unda fluxit sanguine: Esto nobis praegustatum, in mortis examine.
CORI REECE W.A. Mozart (1756-1791 )
Hail, true Body, Born of the Virgin Mary. Who has truly suffered, sacrificed On the cross for humanity. Whose side was pierced, From which flowed water and blood. Be for us a foretaste of Heaven In death’s agony.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
REV. LANEY
SENDING HYMN 769 For Everyone Born BENEDICTION
TRADITIONAL
REV. HUTSON
CHORAL BENDICTION The Lord Bless You and Keep You
Peter Christian Lutkin, 1900
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord lift his countenance upon you, and give you peace. The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious; the Lord be gracious, gracious unto you. Amen. POSTLUDE Toccata in F major
Bach
The offering has been designated for the Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega, Alabama. Collection plates will be available near the doors as you exit the sanctuary.
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CELEBRATING IN WORSHIP THE COMMISSION
GUESTS OF THE COMMISSION
REV. J. KEITH CARDWELL
MAC BOONE
Pastor, Swift Presbyterian Church
Member, GSPC
CARTER HALE
MARGARET BROWNING,
Clerk of Session, GSPC
Member, GSPC
REV. REBEKAH ABEL LAMAR
JARRETT CALLAWAY
Senior Pastor, GSPC
Chair of the APNC, GSPC
JODY BETH MELTON
REV. CATHY HOOP
Commissioned Ruling Elder, Assistant to the Pastor Swift Presbyterian Church
Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church Tuscaloosa, Alabama
REV. DR. CARY G. SPEAKER
REV. PATRICK LANEY
Interim Regional Presbyter Presbyteries of South Alabama & Mississippi
Member-at-Large North Alabama Presbytery
REV. DR. SEARCY ALLEN “BUZ” WILCOXON, IV
REV. ALLYSEN SCHAAF
Senior Pastor Spring Hill Presbyterian Church
Associate Pastor for Youth & Families Decatur Presbyterian Church Decatur, Georgia
CHARLES STEWART Father of Alexandra Hutson Ruling Elder, First Presbyterian Church Pensacola, Florida
GSPC welcomes minister members of the Presbytery of South Alabama who have joined us in worship.
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MUSICIANS TOMMY WATTS Director of Music & Organist
CORI REECE Chorale, Soprano
PATRICK JACOBS Chorale, Tenor
ENEN YU Violin
GRACE MATTOX Violin
JULIE MARKS Viola
PAUL HANCERI Cello
RODICK NEWSOME Bass
PETER WOOD Trumpet
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Called to Serve We are called by the Spirit to glorify God, so that all may become joyful disciples of Jesus Christ. 15
300 Government Street Mobile, Alabama 36602 251.432.1749 | gspcmobile.org Member PC(USA)
The Sanctuary Flowers are given by the GSPC congregation, to the glory of God and in honor of Rev. Alexandra Stewart Hutson on the occasion of her ordination to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament.
Staff REV. REBEKAH ABEL LAMAR Pastor & Head of Staff rebekah@gspcmobile.org ALEXANDRA HUTSON Associate Pastor alexandra@gspcmobile.org TOMMY WATTS Director of Music & Organist Communications tommy@gspcmobile.org SAMANTHA ANSELMO Children’s Choir Director
KATY PARTRIDGE Office & Property Manager katy@gspcmobile.org DAWN HEARN Bookkeeper bookkeeper@gspcmobile.org BARBARA WILLIAMS Hostess barbara@gspcmobile.org SHELIA SMITH Director of Food Services MARILYN MILLS Sexton
Copyright© Certificate Hymn settings, scripture, and other materials used by permission. GOVERNMENT STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CCLI# 11115660 Valid thru 10/31/2020
ARTHUR LEWIS Sexton
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