Recent Past Events
Installation, 9/9/2018
Pastor Scott Carter was formally Installed on September 9th. Phyllis Goodyear, regional minster for the American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky gave the charge and performed the ceremony. Dinner followed.
THE CHARGE TO THE PASTOR
Numbers 27:17 Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint someone over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep without a shepherd.’ God has accomplished that in the calling of Scott Richardson to be your pastor.
Questions for the Pastor Leader: Scott, in the presence of this assembly will you commit yourself to this new trust and responsibility, in the confidence that it comes from God through the call of the church?
Response: I will, and I ask God to help me.
Leader: Will you preach and teach in accordance with the Holy Scriptures and will you carry out this ministry in partnership with the ABC of IN-KY and ABCUSA?
Response: I will, and I ask God to help me.
Leader: Will you be diligent in your study of the Holy Scriptures? Will you love, serve, and pray for God’s people, nourish them with the word and lead them by your own example in faithful service and holy living?
Response: I will, and I ask God to help me.
Leader: May God, who has given you the will to do these things, graciously give you the strength and compassion to perform them.
People respond: Amen.
Questions for the Congregation
Congregation stands.
Leader: People of God, will you receive Scott as a messenger of Jesus Christ sent to serve all people with the gospel of hope and salvation? Will you regard him as a servant of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God?
Congregation: We will, and we ask God to help us.
Leader: Will you pray for him, help him, and honor him, so that he may fulfill all that you and God are calling him to do? And in all things, will you strive to live together in the peace and unity of Christ?
Congregation: We will, and we ask God to help us.
Let us pray: Almighty God, in every age you have chosen servants to speak your Word, and to lead your people. We thank you for Scott, called by you and by this church. In your goodness O Lord, give him the Shepherd’s heart and the Prophet’s voice. May he lead with strength and compassion. May he be true and faithful to you and to his people. Fill him with your Spirit that he may have the same mind that is in Christ Jesus, in whose Name we pray. Amen.
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Head of the Church, we who are present here today recognize that you, the Rev. Scott Carter, are the pastor of this congregation
Blessing of the Backpacks, 8/12/2018
A Litany for Blessing of the Backpacks
Leader: When it’s the night before going to school, and I’m picking out my clothes and making sure I have all my school supplies…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m waking up and eating a healthy breakfast to start the day…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m getting on the school bus or being driven to school…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I meet my teachers and new friends in my class…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m playing with my friends at recess…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m finding the right school bus to ride home…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m telling my family about my day at school…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m praying at night and thanking God for my family, my friends and my school…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: Let’s pray together:
All: Thank you, Jesus, for always being by my side. I know that if I get nervous or afraid, you will be there with me. When I see the cross on my backpack, I will remember that you are always with me. I know that I can talk with you any time – day or night – and for that I am so thankful. I pray this all in your name. Amen.