

Watch a clip taken from the broadcast here.

LOUISVILLE - Two longtime members of Joining Hands, an international ministry of the Presbyterian Hunger Program, shared memories and reflections during a Thursday afternoon broadcast. by Rev.Joining host Darla Carter, top left, on Thursday’s Join the Movement telecast were, top right, Valéry Nodem and the Rev. It can be found in Real Good Church: How our church came back from the dead, and yours can, too. (This liturgy has been adapted from the one used by First Church, Somerville, MA. Minister: Loving God, give to your child, _, strength for life’s journey, courage in times of suffering, the comfort of faith, love that cannot die, laughter in the company of friends, and the hope of new life through Jesus Christ, who makes us one. The congregation sings, hymn #614, “I’m Gonna Live so God Can Use Me.” All people will be encouraged to extend a hand of fellowship at Lemonade on the Lawn). (All deacons, current and past will be invited forward to extend the right hand of fellowship. Minister: In the name of Jesus Christ and on behalf of our congregation, we extend to you the right hand of Christian love, welcoming you into the company and family of the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may we grow together in faith and be witnesses to the love of God and the peace of Christ. We promise you our friendship and prayers as we share in the hopes and labors of this church. Minister: Let us, the members of the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury, express our welcome and affirm our ministry together.Ĭongregation: (printed in bulletin) We joyfully welcome you into the common life of our church. (IF ANY NEW MEMBERS WERE TO DESIRE BAPTISM, THE SACRAMENT WOULD BE PERFORMED HERE.) To the members of this church: Do you promise to help _ find his/her place in the body of Christ, to pray with and for him/her, to welcome him/her fully in holy friendship, to be angels for him/her in times of distress and servants to him/her in times of need? If so, please answer: We promise, with the help of God. And so now we ask you:ĭo you affirm your faith in God as your Creator, in Christ as your inspiration, and in the Holy Spirit as your strength? If so, please say, I do.ĭo you promise to be Christ’s disciple, to follow in the way of Jesus, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to be a witness to the healing ministry and the loving message of Jesus Christ as best as you are able? If so, please say, I promise with the help of God.ĭo you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow in faith and to be an active and joyful member of this church? If so, please say, I promise with the help of God.ĭo you promise to participate in the life and mission of this family of God’s people, sharing regularly in the worship of God and enlisting in the work of this local church as it serves this community and the world? If so, please say, I promise with the help of God. We make promises to one another, before God, so that we can depend on each other through good times and hard times. Minister: Today we make a covenant, one with another. May our church home strengthen his/her faith and deepen his/her discipleship. May this congregation offer support in times of trouble and rejoice with him/her always. We celebrate the unique impact he/she will make here and already has made here, through his/her presence, gifts and talents. Minister: Almighty God, we thank you for the life journey that brought _ to join our church today. Now he/she/they seeks to deepen his/her/their relationship and commitment to this church community. _ has/have found a home here, has heard God call him/her/them beloved, and feels beloved by this congregation. Cathlin will invite new members to come forward one at a time, calling each by name, and saying a few words about each person or family to introduce them to the congregation.)
