Develop a Discipleship System
A SERVICE CELEBRATING THE APPOINTMENT OF A DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
The leader may be the resident bishop or the bishop's designated representative.
GATHERING
PROCESSIONAL HYMN *
See processional hymns suggested and in UMH.
GREETING AND OPENING PRAYER
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.Let us pray.
Eternal God, by your grace you have set us together in your Church,
whose foundation is your Son Jesus Christ.
Grant your continuing grace, we pray,
to all who exercise leadership in your Church,
that they may with diligence and faithfulness
fulfill their various ministries;
and grant that we your people may follow them where you lead
and minister faithfully in the world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ANTHEM OR OTHER ACT OF PRAISE
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION*
SCRIPTURE Suggested lessons:
| Isaiah 42:1 –9 | Here is my servant. |
| Isaiah 52:7 –10 | God's messenger |
| Ezekiel 34:11 –16 | God the True Shepherd |
PSALM 100* (UMH 821)
SCRIPTURE Suggested lessons:
| Ephesians 4:1 –7, 11–16 | Unity in Christ's body |
| Philippians 2:5 –11 | The servanthood of Christ |
| Philippians 3:10 –14 | Pressing toward the goal |
| 1 Peter 5:1 –7 | Tend the flock of God in your charge. |
HYMN OR SONG * Suggested from UMH:
| 537–93 | The Nature of the Church |
| 944 | Hymns listed under Installation Services |
| 940 | Hymns listed under Discipleship and Service |
| 949 | Hymns listed under Ordination |
GOSPEL * Suggested lessons:
| John 10:11 –16 | The Good Shepherd |
| John 21:15 –17 | Feed my sheep. |
INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
The resident bishop, if present, may make a statement regarding the appointment of the new district superintendent; or a letter from the resident bishop may be read by the leader; or the leader may make the introduction.
THE COVENANT SERVICE
Leader to district superintendent:
Name, you have been appointed to be among us
for the ministry of Word and Sacrament;
and called to a special ministry of supervision and leadership.
You are called to guard the faith, to seek the unity,
and to exercise the discipline of the Church,
and to supervise and support the Church's life, work, and mission.
Do you affirm your commitment to these ministries in our midst?
I affirm my commitment to these ministries in your midst.
Leader to people:
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
as a people committed to participate in the ministries of the Church
by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service,
will you support and uphold Name in these ministries?
We welcome you.
We celebrate your appointment to the Name District.
We affirm your leadership.
We pledge to you our support
in our mutual ministry in the name of Jesus.
PRESENTATION OF SIGNS OF DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENCY
Representatives of the people of God come forward to make presentations. As each is received, the district superintendent responds, Amen, and places it on a table.
Name, take this Bible, and be among us as one who proclaims the Word,
for the edification of believers and the conversion of the world. Amen.
Name, take this water, be renewed in your baptism
and renew us in ours. Amen.
Name, take this bread and cup,
and keep us in communion with Christ and his Church. Amen.
Name, take this hymnal and book of worship,
to guide us in our prayer and praise. Amen.
Name, take this towel and basin,
and be among us as one who serves. Amen.
Name, take this stole, and shepherd us as a pastor. Amen.
Name, take this Book of Discipline,
and strengthen our connections as United Methodists. Amen.
Name, take this globe,
and lead us in our mission to all the world. Amen.
SERMON (or other response by the district superintendent)
PRAYER
Eternal God, bless the ministries of your Church.
We thank you for the variety of gifts you have bestowed upon us.
Draw us together in one spirit,
that each of us may use our differing gifts as members of one body.
May your Word be proclaimed with faithfulness.
And may we be doers of your Word and not hearers only.
As we who have died and risen with Christ in baptism
gather at his table and then scatter into the world,
may we be one in service to others,
in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[OFFERING]
An offering of money for some stated purpose may be received if desired.
[HOLY COMMUNION]
If Holy Communion is celebrated, the district superintendent presides, using the text, beginning with Taking the Bread and Cup and continuing through Prayer after Receiving. The congregation uses A Service of Word and Table III (UMH) or one of the musical settings (UMH).
DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING *
HYMN *
GOING FORTH *
Copyright: “A Service Celebrating the Appointment of a District Superintendent” Copyright © 1992 UMPH. Presentation of Signs of District Superintendency, adapt.from The Book of Common Prayer (The Episcopal Church, 1979, Public Domain).