FOREWORD
MARRIAGE SERVICE
BAPTISMAL SERVICE
COMMUNION SERVICE
DEDICATION OF CHILDREN
RECEPTION OF MEMBERS
FUNERAL SERVICE
FORWORD
This book is not compiled with the purpose of giving you a set of rules to follow for every service. It is recognized that the Pastor, Elders, Deacons and Ministers has liberty in the handling of all of their services. The purpose of this book is to give you tools to use as they are needed. Whatever form you choose to use in your special service, remember, the touch of God’s Spirit is what makes a successful service. It is our hope that the suggestions and forms offered herein will be of value to you and your leadership in your ministry. Thanks for this humble service to the body of Christ doing great exploits for the Lord God Almighty on earth.
Yours in His vineyard,
Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Ogagba
Ever-increasing Faith Churches,
For your orders call:-
Tel: +27 83 480 7992 Fax: +27 86 689 9567
E-mail: mweifc@mweb.co.za
Website:
Http://bishop-frank-ogagba.blogspot.com;
Http://www.everincreasingfaithchurch.org
THE MARRIAGE SERVICE
Marriage is a civil as well as a religious institution and is therefore subject to the requirements of the law of the land.
The only minister of religion who can legally perform a marriage in the Republic of South Africa is the one who has passed a government examination and is recognized as a marriage officer.
Couples may be legally married by the Commissioner or by a Marriage Officer. After the government requirements have been met, the Christian couple will wish to have a religious ceremony. In this ceremony the couple will repeat their vows before God, the Minister, and their friends.
The marriage service is generally informal with congregational singing, special items, and a message by the Pastor. When the service is completed, the Pastor will lead those to be married in repeating their vows.
The following marriage ceremony is offered for your use:
(the persons to be married stand together, the man on the right and the woman on the left)
(THE MINISTER SHALL SAY:)
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony; which is commended of Holy Scripture to be honorable among all men; and is therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly by anyone; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate, these two person present, come now to be joined. If any man can show any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak or else hereafter hold his peace.
(the minister now speaks to the persons to be married)
“I require and charge you both as you will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any reason why you may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, you must now confess it; for be assured, that if any person are joined together otherwise than as God’s Word allows, their marriage is not lawful’
(The minister speaks to the man.)
“(Man’s Name), will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the Holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health; so long as you both shall live?”
(The man shall answer) “I WILL.”
(The Minister speaks to the woman;)
(Woman’s name), will you have thus man to be your wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance, in the Holy estate of matrimony? Will you obey him, and serve him, love, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health; so long as you both shall live?
(The woman shall answer) “I WILL”
(The Minister shall then say:)
“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
(The Minister, receiving the woman from her father or friend, shall cause the man, with his right hand, to take the woman by her right hand.)
(The man shall repeat after the Minister:)
“I, (Man’s Name) take you, (Woman’s Name), to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge my faithfulness.”
(The woman shall repeat after the Minister”)
“I, (Woman’s Name), take you, (Man’s Name), to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish and to obey, till death us do part, according to God’s Holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge my faithfulness.”
(They shall loose their hands. The Minister takes the ring from the ring Bearer. The Minister gives the ring to the man and he puts it on the third finger of the woman’s left hand. The man shall then repeat after the Minister:)
“With this ring I thee wed, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
(The Minister gives the other ring to the woman and she puts it on the third finger of the man’s left hand. The woman shall then repeat after the Minister:)
“With this ring I thee wed, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
(The Minister shall say:)
“Let us pray…” (Minister prays)
(The minister then joins the right hands of the couple and says:)
“Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder.
“Forasmuch as (Man’s Name) and (Woman’s Name) have consented together in Holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and have given and pledged their faithfulness to each other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring. And by joining hands; I pronounce that they are man and wife, in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit Amen.”
BAPTISMAL SERVICE
There are many appropriate Scriptures that can be read in this service. The following list contains some that you can choose from:
Matthew 3:1-17 Mark 1:1-11
Mark 16:14-17 Acts 2:38-42
Acts 10:44-48 Romans 6:3,4
Acts 16:13-15 Colossians 2:12
Acts 16:25-34 Galatians 3:27
Acts 2:38, 39
In preparation for this service, the Minister along with the Deacon board should examine the candidates to be sure that they are saved and understand Water Baptism.
(Pastors holding Exhorters credentials must have a licensed or Ordained Minister present when examining candidates.)
At the service itself, there should be a song service with good salvation and consecration songs being sung. A short message explaining salvation and water baptism is necessary. It is good to have testimonies from each of the candidates.
While the congregation sings, the minister and his assistant will lead the candidates into the water. The minister will ask each candidate the following question:
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died for your sings?”
“Are you sure that Christ has saved you?”
“Do you plan to serve Him with all your heart and live a life that is pleasing to Him?”
After the Minister is satisfied with the candidate’s answers he shall say:
“Upon the public confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and of your determination to leave all and follow Him, I Baptized you (Name of Person), in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. (Here submerging the candidate completely.) AMEN.”
COMMUNION SERVICE
Appropriate Scriptures:
Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; I Corinthians 11:23-30
The Communion Service is the highlight of your church worship services. This service should not be rushed. It is better to make the Communion service the main part of your service with only a short sermon (Less than ten minutes) than to add it on to the end of a long service.
Make sure that those who are helping you serve the people understand what they are to do.
It is also to explain to your people the significance of the Communion service.
They should understand that this service is for those who are saved and that the service is observed for the following reasons:
1. To REMEMBER the Lord’s death for us. He died to atone for our sins, till He comes.
2. To INSTRUCT us. The bread speaks to us of Christ, the Bread of Life.” For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” John 6:33. This teaches us the doctrine of Incarnation, God becomes man.
The communion shows us the doctrine of Atonement. The bread tells us that the BREAD OF LIFE must be broken in death in order to be given to the spiritual hungry. The poured-out wine tells us that His blood, which is His Life must be shed in death in order that its cleansing and quickening power may be supplied to needy souls.
3. To give ASSURANCE that God has accepted the blood of Christ and has therefore bound Himself, for Christ’s sake, to pardon and save all who come to Him. The blood of Christ is the Divine guarantee that He will be gracious and merciful to those who repent.
4. To show us our RESPONSIBILITY “Whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” I Cor. 11:20-34
The apostle teaches us not to heave unworthy thoughts or to commit unworthy acts when partaking of this sacrament.
How may one partake unworthily? By doing anything that hinders us from clearly appreciating the meaning of the bread and wine which represent the Blood and Body of Christ that was shed and broken for us, living a love (agape) life and from approaching in a solemn, thoughtful and reverent attitude.
THE ORDER OF THE SERVICE
This may be varied according to your local needs.
1. Make it a WORSHIP SERVICE by encouraging your people to worship the Lord from their hearts. Sing worshipful choruses and songs about Christ, His blood, and His death.
2. Speak briefly about the meaning of the Communion service.
3. Read some appropriate Scripture.
4. Pray over the bread and wine.
5. Distribute the bread – body of Jesus and the wine – the blood of Jesus to the congregation.
Where individual cups are used, have all hold the bread and wine until everyone is served and then eat and drink together.
It is suggested that this service be held weekly or monthly. It could be held on the first Sunday of each month or weekly during Bible Studies.
DEDICATION OF CHILDREN
Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 22:6; Matt 19:13-15; Luke 2:21-40
The dedication of children is a service that brings great blessing to the parents and entire congregation because children are God’s Heritage and we are not to baptized them except they have come the age of accountability.
The purposes of this service are:
1. To give the parents public opportunity to recognize that God is the giver of Life, and they are entrusting to Him that which is His.
2. To give opportunity for public prayer for God’s blessing, protection and guidance so that when grown the child will accept Jesus as his personal Saviour.
3. To give the parents the opportunity to publicly promise that they will raise the children in the love of God and according to His Word.
The following scriptures may be used for this service: Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; I Samuel 1:20, 24-28; 3:19
This service can be made more effective with special children’s hymns being sung.
The Service
1. Scripture reading.
2. Appropriate remarks concerning the meaning of the Dedication of Children.
3. The Minister shall then address the parents as follows:
“In the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses do you solemnly undertake to bring up this child in the fear and admonition of the Lord?”
(Parents should answer) “WE DO.”
“Do you promise early to seek to lead him (or her) to accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord?”
(Answer) WE DO.”
“Do you promise as far as in you lies to set before him (or her) examples of Godly and consistent lives?”
(Answer) “WE DO”
(Then, taking child in his arms or laying hands upon its head, the Minister shall say :)
“In the name of the Lord Jesus I dedicate this child (Name), to God and His holy service.”
(The Minister then offers the dedicatory prayer. He should pray for the child and for the parents).
A dedication certificate is given to the parents immediately which reminds them that their children are God’s properties and absolute care from them is needed to nurture them in the way of the Lord all times.
RECEPTION OF MEMBERS
Receiving members into this Family of God called Ever-increasing Faith Church as Sons and Daughters of the Body of Christ.
The candidates must be first examined by the Pastor, the Board of Elders and the deacons to see if they meet the requirements for members, as set down in the local church Constitution and By-Laws.
When the candidates have been approved to become members, the church ceremony is simply to publicly extend to them the “right hand of fellowship”
THE CEREMONY
The candidates will stand before the Pastor who will read an appropriate portion of Scripture.
(The Pastor shall then say :)
“The scriptures teach us that the church is the body of which Christ is the head. We are related to each other as members of His body, as brothers and sisters of His Great Household
“Into this holy relationship, the persons before us come now to be admitted as members of this local church.
“We hereby welcome and receive you, (call each by name”, into the membership and sonship of this local church and extend to you the right hand of Fellowship in Jesus” precious name.”
(The Pastor, Elders, Deacons and Ministers then shake hands with each candidate).
The following Scriptures may be used for this service: I Cor 12:13-14; Acts 2:40-43; Acts 4:32-33; Eph 2:19-22
FUNERAL SERVICE
When the Pastor is informed of a death, he should go to comfort the family with prayer. He should then ask if he can help them in any way and make arrangements for the funeral.
The funeral can be a time of great opportunity for the Pastor to reach the unsaved of his community. Let him take every opportunity to speak words of comfort and words about Christ.
At the funeral service the Pastor will have opportunity to preach a short message of hope (if the deceased was a Christian) if the deceased was not a Christian) if the deceased was not a Christian, or you are not sure, you can give a gospel message speaking of God’s great salvation.
At the graveside the Pastor will read an appropriate Scripture, pray and give the committal.
THE COMMITAL
“Forasmuch as it has pleased our Heavenly Father in His wise providence to take unto Himself the soul of the deceased, we therefore commit his/her body to the ground, earth to earth and dust to dust; looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. He shall change the body of our humiliation and fashion it in the likeness of His own body of glory, according to the working of His mighty power wherewith He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.”
Appropriate Scriptures
FOR A CHILD OR YOUTH …
Matthew 18: 10-14; Mark 10:13-16
Psalm 23 Job 14:1, 2
Ecclesiastes 12: 1 Jeremiah 31:15-17
For Adults …
Psalm 46: 1-5, 10-11 Psalm 103:13-18
Revelation 7:9 -17
For Comfort …
Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 43:1-3
Isaiah 61:1-3 Romans 8:34 – 39
I Cor 15:51-58; II Cor 5:1, 6-8
For Trust
Psalms 23; Psalms 46:13;
Psalms 91:1-9 Psalms103:1-4, 9, 14
Job 19:25, 26 II Cor 5:1, 6-8
For Resurrection
John 14:1-3 Rev. 5:11-13
Rev. 7:9-17 Rev. 14:13
Rev. 21:1-7 Rev. 21:10-12, 21-27
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