Expert: Rev. Robert Woods - 5/26/2010

Question
I've been asked to assist with the responsive reading for the morning service of the installation of our new pastor.  I wanted to use something special--other than what's in the back of our hymnals.  Can you offer any assistance?  Theme is "Building a New Relationship on a Solid Foundation".  Thanks in advance for your time.

Answer
Blessings and thank you for your question.

Here is the reading that I have used for an ordination service.

Leader: In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.

PEOPLE:  And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy , holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Leader: At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

PEOPLE: “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”

LEADER: Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

PEOPLE: Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”  And I said, “Here am I Lord. Send me!”


LEADER: The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

PEOPLE: To proclaim the year of the LORD'S favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

LEADER: They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.  The word of the LORD came to me, saying,

PEOPLE: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

LEADER:  “Ah, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”

PEOPLE: But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD
(Isaiah 6:1-8; 61:1-3; Jer. 1:4-8)


I hope this helps you.  Blessings