RETIREMENT SERVICE
OF HONOR AND GRATITUDE
Call to Worship
Rev. Brenda Wier
Leader – We come to celebrate God’s call lived out in
faithfulness.
People – We celebrate the ministries of those who stand
before us.
Leader – We are grateful for your work, O Lord, through
them.
People – Thank you, Lord, for the ministry we share.
Bless this time as we affirm what has been, and look
forward to what will be.
Hymn
“Forward Through the Ages”
UMH No. 555
Verse I
Forward through the ages, in unbroken line,
move the faithful spirits, at the call divine.
Gifts in differing measure, hearts of one accord,
manifold the service, one the sure reward.
Refrain
Forward through the ages, in unbroken line,
move the faithful spirits, at the call divine.
Verse II
Wider grows the kingdom, reign of love and light,
for it we must labor, till our faith is sight.
Prophets have proclaimed it, martyrs testified,
poets sung its glory, heroes for it died.
Refrain
Forward through the ages, in unbroken line,
move the faithful spirits at the call divine.
Hymn
“Forward Through the Ages”
UMH No. 555
Verse III
Not alone we conquer, not alone we fall,
in each loss or triumph, lose or triumph all.
Bound by God’s far purpose in one living whole,
move we on together to the shining goal.
Refrain
Forward through the ages, in unbroken line,
move the faithful spirits at the call divine.
Prayer
Rev. Carol Gibson
Scripture Reading 2 Kings 2:9-15 Rev. Frank Briggs
Response of the People
Dr. Jim Conner
Leader – Brothers and sisters in Christ, you came to us from
congregations where the Spirit of the Lord was upon you, and
you were charged to preach to the broken-hearted, to visit
the captive, to anoint those who were bruised. These things
you have done.
People – We thank God for the community of the faithful in
which the word of Godfound response. Countless persons
have depended upon you for help. In the providence of
God, you know that both suffering and joy can be God’s way
of teaching and healing.
Leader – At your ordination, you received authority to
read the Holy Scripture in the Church of God, to
preach the Word, to celebrate the Sacraments, to
order the life of the Church, and to connect the
Church and the world. By grace you did many things
that seemed to be beyondyour power.
People – We thank God that you were given the
vision to be faithful. Death and illness have not
come on schedule. The truth has not always been
easy to preach. We know something of the grace by
which you have lived, and we thank God for your
vision and faithfulness.
Leader – Never think lightly of the great good that
God has wrought through you. Continue to be true to
your calling. May God’s love and power be with you
always. Let us pray together.
All – God of grace, you fill your servants with your
vision. You empower your servants with your Spirit.
We give thanks for the ministry of these men and
women, and for the ways in which you have
ministered to us through them. Give them a sense
of your abiding presence that they may continue to
love and serve you, and ever grow in grace and
knowledge of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray.
Amen.
Recognition and Responses from the Retiring Class
Retirees and spouses please come forward as your names are called.
Rev. Robert Dan Benton and Cynthia
Rev. E.F. "Skip" Blancett and Gayle
Rev. Thomas Edward Connolly and Judy
Rev. Thomas Michael Faile and Meg
Rev. Sheila Karen Granderson
Dr. James "Gus" Guthrie and Sue
Rev. Joseph Michael Hannah and Frances
Rev. Sandra Elaine Hippman
Dr. John Charles Holbert and Diana
Rev. Marty K. Jeane and Daena Jan
Rev. John Howell Loggins and Linda
Dr. Linda Susan Mitchell
Dr. Lynn David Moore and Jill
Rev. Norman Lee Suggs and Nancy
Rev. George Mimms Sutton and Margaret
Rev. Gary Frank Turner and Carol
Passing of the Mantle
Bishop Mike Lowry
Retiring Elder, Tom Connolly & Receiving Elder, Estee Valendy
Retiring Deacon, Karen Granderson & Receiving Deacon, Greg Shapley
Representatives of the retiring and incoming classes kneel.
The bishop takes a mantle and places it on the shoulders of the
representatives of the retiring class saying: In the book of Kings we
read of the Prophet Elijah’s ministry. The mantle,
symbolic of submission to God, fell upon the younger
prophet, Elisha, and the spirit of Elijah rested upon
Elisha.
The representatives of the retiring class rise and place their mantle on
the shoulders of their representative of the new full member class,
saying: I transfer this mantle from one generation to
another, indicating that the responsibilities and dedication
of one generation will be caught up and carried on by
another, and the spirit of today’s Elijahs will rest upon
today’s Elishas.
Hymn
“Take My Life and Let It Be”
UMH No. 399
Verse I
Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in cease-less praise.
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.
Verse II
Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as thou shalt choose.
Verse III
Take my will, and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.
Benediction
Bishop Mike Lowry
Bishop – For everything there is a season, a time for
every matter under heaven. So, too, there is
a time for movement, new adventure, fields of
service not yet touched. With love, we send you
forth in the spirit of John Wesley: May the world be
your parish.
People – Go into the world and respond to the love
of Christ in all you do. Live out the vision God has
given you. May God’s mercy, grace and peace be
with you. May you be channels for God’s mercy,
grace and peace to the world wherever you may
be