A Celebration of a New Ministry

For the installation

of

the Reverend Michael H. Mitchell as

Regional Dean of the South Shore

7 June 2009, 256th Patronal Feast of St. John

Officiant: Archdeacon Bonnie Baird

Preacher: The Rev. Barbara Minard

St. John’s Anglican ChurchLunenburg, N.S.

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Rector’s Message

Welcome to our Choral Evensong. We gatheras members and friends of the Region of the SouthShore, to celebrate a new ministry and to installour Regional Dean, the Rev. Michael Mitchell. Wecelebrate with our new Archdeacon, the Rev.Bonnie Baird, together with clergy and laity fromthe region. We look forward to the message ofour preacher tonight, the Rev. Barbara Minard, aretired priest in our region.

Our liturgy marks the 256 Patronal Feast of the Parish of St.th

John’s, Lunenburg. We celebrate the gift of our Anglican heritage andfaith as expressed in the 256 Anniversary of the Founding of St.th

John’s Parish in Lunenburg; the wonderful spread of the Gospel bymissionaries and laity throughout Lunenburg County and beyond, thefoundation and growth of numerous congregations and parishes andour present fellowship in Christ as we live it in the parishes of theRegion of the South Shore.

The Feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist invites us toconsider the creative power of God at work in our world and in ourlives. This power is given to us at Baptism where we become co-creators with God in bringing life into the world and living as faithfulstewards of God’s creation. John reminds us that we are called towalk as children of the Light. “This is the message we have heard fromhim and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darknessat all (1Jn 1:6).” John speaks as a witness to the light, for he hasknown Christ personally. We too are called to speak and act aswitnesses to the Light, for we know Christ and are known by Christthrough the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Tonight, let us celebrate andgive thanks for the opportunity to gather in this holy place.

Michael+

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Prelude Music - Prelude and Fugue in E minor – J. S. Bach

Gathering Hymn: #300 ‘Christ is Made the Sure Foundation’

The Service of Light Archdeacon Jesus Christ is the light of the world.All A light no darkness can extinguish.

Hymn - # 14 ‘O Gracious Light’ As the Hymn is sung, the candles held by the congregation will be lit.

O Gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ, in you the Father’s glory shone.Immortal, holy, blest is he, and blest are you, his holy Son.

Now sunset comes, but light shines forth; the lamps are lit to piercethe night. Father, son, and Spirit: God who dwells in the eternal light.

Worthy are you of endless praise, O Son of God, life-giving Lord;Wherefore you are through all the earth and in the highest heavenadored.

Song of Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you. And also with you.Let us give thanks to the Lord. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

We praise and thank you, O God, for you are without beginning and without end.Through Christ you are the creator and preserver of the wholeworld; but, above all, you are his God and Father, the giver of theSpirit, and the ruler of all that is, seen and unseen.You made the day for the works of lightand the night for the refreshment of our minds and bodies.O loving Lord and source of all that is good,accept our evening sacrifice of praise.As you have conducted us through the day and brought us to night’sbeginning, keep us now in Christ; grant us a peaceful evening and a

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night free from sin; and, at the end, bring us to everlasting life.Through Christ and in the Holy Spirit, we offer you all glory, honour,and worship, now and for ever. Amen.

Archdeacon O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly.All Hear my voice when I cry to you.

Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense.The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia.

The Archdeacon introduces the theme of this celebration as that of theministry of the whole people of God.

Archdeacon My brothers and sisters in Christ,Michael Henry Mitchell has been chosen to be RegionalDean of the South Shore.After prayerful consideration,and according to the practice of this diocese,the bishop has appointed Michaelto this position of leadershipin our common ministry.This ministry continues the good workdone through the years in this region,and is part of the work and witnessof the whole church.It is a new beginningbecause Michael brings particular giftsto our ministry together.As we stand in God’s presencelet us pray that grace will be given to Michael,and to all of us in this ministry,that we may fulfill the responsibilitieswhich are ours.

Silence is kept.

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The Archdeacon prays the collect:Almighty God, by your grace aloneare we accepted and called to your service.Strengthen us by your Holy Spiritand make us worthy of our calling;through Jesus Christ our Lord,who is alive and reigns with youand the Holy Spirit,one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Proclamation of the WordFirst Reading A reading from the Book of Genesis (1:1-11)

At the end of the Lesson, the reader says:The word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

Psalm 92:1-2, 11-14 Please join in singing the refrain

Reader A reading from the First Letter of John (1Jn 1:1-9)

Second ReadingA reading from the First Letter of John (1John 1:1-9)

At the end of the Lesson, the reader says: The word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

St. John’s Ringers with Guest Conductor, Morna-June Morrow “Standing In The Need Of Prayer" arr. Valerie W. Stephenson –

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Gospel Acclamation #715 - Celtic Alleluia

The Gospel passage is read using the John Basket Bible of 1717, given tothe Rev. Robert Vincent. This bible, commonly called ‘The Vinegar Bible’,was used in this Church from 1761-1765. It was brought to St. John’s,242 years later, in 2008.

The Lord be with you. People And also with youThe Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John People Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ. The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when itwas yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken awayfrom the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter,and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them,They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we knownot where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and thatother disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together:and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to thesepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linenclothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter followinghim, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, Andthe napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes,but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that otherdisciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. John 20:1-8The Gospel of Christ. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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SermonPreached by the Rev. Barbara Minard

A brief description of the Ministry of a Regional Dean is given followed bythe reading of documents and licence.

After which The Archdeacon asks the new Regional Dean,

Do you,in the presence of this congregation,commit yourself to the responsibilityentrusted to you?

The new Regional Dean replies,I do.

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The Archdeacon asks the people of the Region of the South Shore to standand says,

Do you, the people of the Region of the South Shore in theDiocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island commityourselves to share with Michael in the ministry of this region?

People of the Region of the South Shore. We do.

The Archdeacon then asks all visitors and friends of the RegionAs brothers and sisters in the body of Christ,will you support Michael and the Region of the South Shore, intheir ministry together?

Response We will.

Mrs. Connie English and Rev. Doug Chard, Co-Chairs of Regional Council,present the Canons and Guidelines of the Diocese, saying,

Michael, we look to you to work with the committees and organizations of the church, and in our Region, so that ouradministration may serve Christ and his Gospel and not justourselves. Be among us in wisdom and humility, indiscernment and good humour.

The new Regional Dean replies,I invite you all to join with me in working for the building up of Christ’s Church.

People Amen. We are the Body of Christ.

Archdeacon Michael, let this be a sign of the ministry which is thebishop’s and yours, and is shared by all the people of God.

The new Regional Dean replies,Amen. May we find joy together in the service of Christ.

Archdeacon I present Michael Henry Mitchell as the Regional Dean ofthe South Shore, and I invite your welcome.

The congregation offers congratulations.

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The new Regional Dean says,Dear friends in Christ, let us pray that this ministry we share mayaccomplish the purpose of God’s grace. Let us pray for theworld, the universal Church and for ourselves.

The Prayers of the People Please kneel or sit for the prayers. Following each invocation, the Cantor leads the response. In peace we pray to you, Lord God. Silence

Prayer of St. John ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one

accord to make our common supplications to you, and you have

promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are

gathered together you will hear their requests. Fulfill now our

desires and petitions, as may be best for us, granting us in this world

knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come eternal life; for you,

Father, are good and loving, and we glorify you through your Son

Jesus Christ our Lord, in the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

The Collect of St. John the EvangelistArchdeacon Let us pray. The community may pray silently.

Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, thatwe being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelistJohn, may walk in the light of your truth, and come at last to thefullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives andreigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Peace The peace of the Lord be always with you.People And also with you.The members of the community greet one another in the name of the Lord.

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Offertory The collection this evening will go to the restoration of St. Jude’s Cathedral in Iqaluit.

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The Prayer over the Gifts Read by Archdeacon.

Father of light, make us see with eyes of faith your Son JesusChrist among us. Receive these gifts, given with love for the serviceof our brothers and sisters. We make our prayer through Christ ourLord. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer With Jesus, the light of the world, may we always walk in the light, saying:

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 trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us notinto temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is thekingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Closing Sung Prayer (Choir) – BesigThe time has come, O Lord, for us to leave this place;Guide us and protect us and lead us in thy grace.Wherever life may take us as we go our separate ways, Help us share with others the things we’ve shared todayMay the peace of God the Father and the love of Christ, His SonGuide us and protect us and strengthen us, each one.May the blessings of the spirit fill us from withinGod Bless us and return us to this fellowship – once again.

The Grace The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,be with us all, evermore. Amen.

Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.Thanks be to God. Alleluia.

Recessional Hymn # 572 –‘ Let There Be Light’Join us for a time of fellowship and refreshment

at St. John’s Parish Hall.

Postlude: ‘Pavillioned in Splendour – Lloyd’