Elder Ordination

Ordination service.

Welcome to an evening of worship. In the church, we are people whose lives are forever being transformed into the image of our Lord. Along the way, we learn, we grow, we are challenged, we are instructed, we are cared for, and loved.

We are here tonight to recognize, set apart, and ordain, three men to the ministry of elder.

It is through the guidance, service, and devotion our elders that we, as a community, grow in faith and unity. Today, we set aside Reggie Moore, Stephen Hulyk and Henry Uyehara. As a church let us commit to honor, respect, support, pray for and submit to their leadership and service in Christ.

In 1 Peter 5, it says …

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:1–3

This scripture underscores the profound responsibility and honor of church leadership. We celebrate Reggie, Stephen and Henry’s willingness to shepherd and serve with humility and dedication. At this time, I would like to introduce each of them to you now.

Dedication Prayer: Father in heaven, we rejoice in what You have done in the lives of Reggie, Stephen and Henry. Lord Jesus, you have called them, taught them, and have greatly used them to serve your church. Our passionate desire is that You will use them way beyond their highest expectation. We know that You are “able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” Today we thank You for their parents and grandparents, their spouses, their children, their loved ones, their friends, their teachers, their mentors—godly men and women who have built into their lives, preparing them uniquely for their calling.

Lord Jesus, we pray You will keep them, protect them, and guide them. May they shine brightly in the midst of a darkened world. We pray that You will use them with increasing effectiveness for Your greater glory.

Your Word tells us that when You call us to do anything, You will always provide the resources needed. And may they draw deeply from the rich well of your grace and goodness. Keep them on their knees, learning the power of prayer and give them the passion of our Savior who at the end of His life commanded His disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples”.

Father, as our good Shepherd, go before them, lead them in a plain path to do Your will and to do it courageously. Reproduce in each of these the body of Christ, the heart of Christ, and the life of Christ. And now, as it says in Acts 20:32 … And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. And we ask it expectantly and believingly in the wonderful name of our Savior and Lord, Jesus. Amen.