Welcome & Opening Prayer
Good morning church!
I am Russell Clark and I am the senior pastor here at Azle Christian Church. May everyone here in this room and those joining us online know they are deeply loved by God and they are enthusiastically loved by the people here at this church!
We like for everyone to know a few things before we begin worship every week.
(1) First, if you are new to our church, we want you to see what we are doing and to be a part of our story! There is information in the bulletin about getting connected to our weekly eBlast newsletter or Realm, which is like our church social media. You may also fill out an information card so we can get to know you more and care for you.
(2) Second, we love our children here in worship and we always welcome them here. There is a kids corner in the back if your children need a space to move around. There is also a nursery available if you’d like.
(3) Finally, our liturgy is posted each week on the website if you would like to follow along with our service.
Now, may we take a moment to pray as we enter this time of worship.
God of grace – May you renew our souls this morning and transform our spirits to be more like you so we may be your disciples to reach those who need your love and grace this week. Amen.
May we take a moment before we get started to greet those next to us with a hug or high five.
Opening Songs –
Come Christians, Join to Sing #90
I Am Thine, O Lord #601
1 Come, Christians, join to sing
Alleluia, Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King,
Alleluia, Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice,
before His throne rejoice;
praise is His gracious choice,
Alleluia, Amen!
2 Come, lift your hearts on high,
Alleluia, Amen!
Let praises fill the sky,
Alleluia, Amen!
He is our Guide and Friend,
to us He'll condescend;
His love shall never end,
Alleluia, Amen!
3 Praise yet our Christ again,
Alleluia, Amen!
Life shall not end the strain,
Alleluia, Amen!
On heaven's blissful shore
His goodness we'll adore,
singing forevermore,
"Alleluia, Amen!"
1
I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
2
Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
3
O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend!
4
There are depths of love that I yet may know
Ere Thee face to face I see;
There are heights of joy that I yet may reach
Ere I rest in peace with Thee.
Litany of Faith – James Cudd
One: Lord, may the rich history of this church guide us into a new beginning.
All: May we hear the cries of our community so we know how to attend to the needs of God’s people.
One: Let us seek transformation of our own hearts so we can love and care for everyone we meet.
All: May our feet go to people who need you and may our hands extend in hospitality and service. May our prayers be put into practice. Amen.
Scripture Meditation Philippians 4:4-9 – Kennedy Clark
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
One: This is the word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
(Kennedy can say a few words about her dad)
This is my dad’s favorite scripture passage, which is why Dr. Sprinkle will be preaching on it today for my dad’s installation service.
Dr. Steve Sprinkle was my dad’s seminary professor at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University (Go Frogs!) Dr. Sprinkle meant a lot to him, which is why my dad asked him to deliver the message this morning. Plus, Dr. Sprinkle said my dad would become a disciple minister years ago!
Dr. Sprinkle is Emeritus Professor of Practical Theology from Brite Divinity School, and Theologian-in-residence of the Episcopal Church of St. Thomas The Apostle. Dr. Sprinkle is a good friend of our church and we are so happy to have him join us today!
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord be with you. And Also with you. Let us pray.
Lord, move through this church, through our elders and deacons, through our flock leaders providing food, through our prayer group, through our ukulele group, through our children and youth, through our disciples men’s ministry & disciples women’s ministry, through our leadership team, through our staff, through our nursery workers, through those who care for our property, through our tech team, and through me, as I become their new senior pastor, that we all may serve your church and this community, to bring you glory in everything we do.
Guide us on a new path for a new day to care for those in need. To bring food to empty tables, to bring hope to the hopeless, to provide those who are grieving with comfort, to bring joy and smiles to everyone we come in contact with, to transform the hearts and spirits of all who become a part of our family, and to invite everyone to tell a new story with us!
We’re excited, O Lord, for this new start to our journey as a church! We’ve waited for this moment for a long time and we won’t take for granted this calling you have placed on your church. We will find new ways to serve you every day and show the world that Azle Christian Church is different.
We mean it when we say “Be who you are.” Lord, we want everyone to know they are beloved and they are welcome at your table. Help us to spread the good word that there are a bunch of imperfect weirdos here and we can’t wait to see what new weirdos you bring here to call this place home. Where we have failed to be the church you have called us to be, may you teach us new ways to further live out our calling as your disciples.
Thank you for your many blessings upon this place, Lord. Thank you for all the people in this room and those watching us online and those who will soon be brought into our care.
It is not our will be done, but may YOUR will be done here at Azle Christian Church and throughout our lives here on earth as it is in heaven.
And Lord, hear us as we pray the prayer your son taught us:
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
Forgive us our debts
As we forgive our debtors
And lead us not into temptation
But Deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
RESPONSIVE HYMN – Come Thou Fount #16
Come Thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it
Mount of Thy redeeming love
Here I raise my Ebenezer
Here by Thy great help I've come
And I hope by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God
He to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood
(Precious blood)
Oh, that day when freed from sinning
I shall see Thy lovely face
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I'll sing Thy sovereign grace
Come my Lord, no longer tarry
Take my ransomed soul away
Send Thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless days
Oh, to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be
Let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, oh take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
Here's my heart
Oh take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
Children’s Moment
Anthem – Gratitude – Brandon Lake
Sermon – “A Philippian Installation” – Dr. Steve Sprinkle
Installation Service for Russell Clark
Azle Christian Church
12 November 2023
Introduction
Rev. Christy Drechsel, Christian Church in the Southwest
The Pastor’s Promises
Reaffirming the Confession of Faith
Russell, as you know we ask one question of any who come to join a Disciples community of faith, and that is the question we ask of you today as you come to minister here in Azle. Will you reaffirm your faith that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the Living God, and the Lord and Savior of the World?
Preaching and Teaching
Russell, preaching and teaching is such a crucial part of any pastor’s ministry. Will you promise to study the scriptures faithfully and to teach not with your own agenda in mind but with the will of God as your guide?
Presiding Over the Ordinances
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the way the people interact with God. Will you preside over them faithfully, and make this worship space a “house of prayer for all people”?
Ministering to the Sick and Troubled
God calls all Christians, but especially pastors, to minister to the sick and troubled. Do you promise to minister without judgement, and to encourage your lay ministers to do the same?
Sharing Leadership
Ministry is done by all Christians. You are the leader, not a Lone Ranger. Do you promise not to do it all, but to ask for help, and ask your congregations to share the joy and troubles of ministry with you?
Sabbath Time
No one does great ministry when they aren’t rested. Do you promise not to overwork these people, to provide Sabbath worship for them, but also to protect your own time off for the rejuvenation of your own soul?
The People’s Promises
Regional Minister: Azle Christian Church, do you reaffirm your own baptism, and do you promise to support your pastor and together do the ministry of Jesus Christ that God calls you to do?
People: We reaffirm our commitment to Jesus Christ and our loyalty to Christ’s church. We covenant to uphold Pastor Russell with our prayers; to share his joys and sorrows; to attend his preaching and teaching of God’s word; to welcome his pastoral care; and honor his leadership.
Pastor’s Response
Standing with you, I promise to be your pastor; and in the strength and grace of Jesus Christ I covenant to serve this body of believers to the best of my ability. To God be the glory.
Installation Prayer
Regional Minister: God of life and light, we ask your blessing upon these promises, made by pastor and church, that you may bless their time together so that as they work together, more people will come to know you through your Son, Jesus the Christ.
Declaration of Installation
Rev. Drechsel
COMMUNION MEDITATION
SONG – One Bread, One Body #393
One bread, one body, one Lord of all
One cup of blessing which we bless
And we, though many, throughout the Earth
We are one body in this one Lord
Gentile or Jew
Servant or free
Woman or man
No more
One bread, one body, one Lord of all
One cup of blessing which we bless
And we, though many, throughout the Earth
We are one body in this one Lord
Many the gifts, many the works
One in the Lord
Of all
One bread, one body, one Lord of all
One cup of blessing which we bless
And we, though many, throughout the Earth
We are one body in this one Lord
We are one body in this one Lord
COMMUNION WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Sharing Our Resources
There are many ways to support the ministries of Azle Christian Church. You can give online on our website, on Venmo, use the QR code in your bulletin, or place it in the offering plate as the deacons come by during our final song. You can also put in a prayer request card or information card in the plate.
There is a Thanksgiving envelope in your bulletin to make a donation to the Disciples mission fund.
INVITATION
If you would like to dedicate your life to Christ or become a member of Azle Christian Church, you may come forward after the benediction or speak with me after worship.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A few announcements for this week before our benediction:
You can find information about our weekly activities, such as Sunday School, our Ukulele Group, our Wednesday dinner and bible study, and our prayer group, on the back of your bulletin or on our website. Our calendar is found in the insert of your bulletin so you can transfer that to your personal calendars – or you can also add our calendar to your google calendar through our website.
This Thursday we have our last Thankful Thursday devotional and lunch. The devotional will be from Rev. Todd Pick at 11:30 and a light lunch at noon.
This Wednesday Revive UMC has challenged us to a chili cook off! It will be at our normal time (5:30pm) on Wednesday followed by bible study at 6:30pm and our leadership meeting at 7:15pm.
Next Sunday is Covenant Sunday in worship where we make our stewardship commitment to the church for 2024. Next Sunday after worship will be our Disciples Women’s Ministry Meeting. Next Sunday afternoon will be a youth game and craft night at 4:30pm.
Everyone please stay after worship for our Thanksgiving meal and celebration!
If you or someone you know needs a visit OR has a prayer request OR would like home communion, you may contact the church office or contact me directly.
BENEDICTION:
Please rise in body and spirit for the benediction, the final song, and the doxology. Receive this blessing:
May we give thanks for this church and the new journey we are beginning together. May the Lord guide our steps to put into practice what we have heard today. May the God of peace be with you. Amen.
** BENEDICTION RESPONSE – Here I am Lord #452
I, the Lord of sea and sky
I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save
I have made the stars of night
I will make their darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart
I, the Lord of wind and flame
I will tend the poor and lame
I will set a feast for them
My hand will save
Finest bread I will provide
'Til their hearts be satisfied
I will give my life to them
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart
I will hold Your people in my heart
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS – Rick Seeds
We welcome The Clark Family as a new members of Azle Christian Church.
(Elder say a few words)
In your hymnals page 341 is our congregation response or it is printed on our screen.
Reaffirming our own faith in Jesus the Christ,
We gladly welcome you into this community of faith,
Enfolding you with our love
And committing ourselves to your care.
In the power of God’s Spirit
Let us mutually encourage each other to trust God
and strengthen one another to serve others,
that Christ’s church may in all things stand faithful.
Welcome Clarks to our church family!