# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S392
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

392

PROPOSED AGENDA

SL’

FAREWELL AND GODSPEED
TO A TEACHER

1 This rite is used to bid farewell and Godspeed to a teacher ho according to the
Church's usual order has accepted a call to anew field of service or who is renring.

Sit

2. Immediately before the Benedicuon in the Divine Service the teacher who 1s
leaving or retiring presents himself/herself before the altar. The pastor addresses
the coneregation with these or similar words:

» Dear fellow redeemed in Christ, __--» __ has accepted a call to anew field
of service in the Church. At this time of farewell and Godspeed we look to the ¥ ord
of our Lord for comfort. peace, and guidance.

OR

P Dear fellow redeemed in Christ, __--- is retiring from the teaching
ministry in our congregation, and at this time of farewell and Godspeed we look to
the Word of our Lord for comfort, peace, and guidance.

Stand

3. The following selected portions of Psalmod\ are read responsivels:
» Sing to the Lord a new song: sing to the Lord. all the earth.

Sing... to the Lord: let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation
160

By your Holy Spirit grant _=+.»-__ grace that by _»:>-__ example of faithful
devotion to your W ord >» __ may be a blessing to many. In your mercy support
and strengthen _.:-~-__ ; through your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen

S. The pastor turns to the teacher who is leaving or retiring and savy:

P Dear in: __ in Christ, the Lord will keep you from all harm—he will
watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and
forevermore. (Ps. 121:7-8)

Amen

46. The teacher returns to his/her place in the congregation.

7. The service concludes with the Benediction.

162

P [wil open my mouth in parables, | will utter things hidden from of okd—things
that we have heard and known, things our fathers have told us.

We will not hide them from [our] children: we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord. his power, and the wonders he has done.

» He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he
commanded our forefathers to teach their children,

so the next generation would know them. even the children yet to be born,
and thes in turn would tell their children. Then thes would put their trust in God
and would not torget his deeds but would keep his commands.

P Praise the Lord. O my soul; all my inmost being. praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord. O my soul. and forget not all his benefits

? God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. The Lord
Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Delight yourself in the Lord
and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Ps. 96:1: 95:1, 78:2-7: 103: 1-2: 46:1,
Ht. 374)

@ Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: ust Was in the
beginning. is now. and will be forever. Amen

4. One of the following pravers 1s said.

P Let us pray.

® Lord God, heavenly Father, we give thanks for all the benefits you have
bestowed on this congregation, its members. and the Church through the ministry
of your servant, = __ . By your Holy Spirit grant —--'s_ grace in
—22_ new field of service. In your mercy grant ~~»: __ readiness to continue
to grow in wisdom, knowledge and skill, steadfastness in ministering, patience,
understanding, and great zeal for your work. Support and strengthen _-->0 in
your service that by your Word your Church may be built and increased; through
your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

OR

¥ Lord God. heavenly Father, we give thanks for all the blessings you have
bestowed on this congregation through the ministry of your servant, —_->

161

©

PLACING IN OFFICE
OF THE CHURCH COUNCIL

Sit

1. Before the Praver of the Church those who have been elected or otherwise
selected to hold office in the congregation present themselves before the altar, and
the pastor sas.

» In the name of the Father and of the -+ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
@ Amen

2. The pastor announces the names and the offices in which they are to serve.
He then continues:

P Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Holy Scripture tells us that the Twelve
gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to
neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers,
choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and
wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention
to prayer and the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:2-4)

You have been chosen to fill specific positions of responsibility in the congregation.
As such, you are to work with me (us), the minister(s) of Word and Sacrament, that
our life together in Christ may be orderty and pleasing in his sight.

You are to see that the services of God's house are held at the proper times, in
accordance with the order of our Church, that the Word of God is purely preached
and taught according to the Lutheran Confessions, that the sacraments of Christ
are administered according to his institution, that provision is made for the
Christian instruction of young and old, that the erring are admonished, and that
discipline is maintained.

163