Dear Friends:

This Sunday is one of my favorite Sundays of the year.  At the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services we are ordaining and installing ruling elders. (Last week we installed a previously ordained elder at 8 a.m.) 

Our Presbyterian understanding of ordination is not about privilege or power or position.  Ordination is a call to be set apart for a specific ministry within the life of the church.  In this case the ministry of governance. We understand ordination to be a three-part call: God, the personal called, and the community of faith who also discerns and affirms God’s calling to a specific person. That is true for ruling elders and teaching elders (Minister of Word and Sacrament). This Sunday is a celebration of God’s call to these leaders that was affirmed by our congregation when they were elected. 

Fittingly, the first act of leadership will be a sacramental one. Our elders will serve the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.  We will celebrate our unity in Christ and Christ’s full presence with us.  It is a joyful moment in our life together.

Looking forward to seeing you Sunday in worship.

God’s Peace to You.