ORDER FOR FAREWELL AND THANKSGIVING walked in Christ’s unfading light, and we have lived with one another
light, and we have lived with one another in the
The following order is intended to be used at the chief service of the congregation, on
or near the last day of the departing minister. The order replaces the Benediction
and Dismissal.
Leader: My dear brothers and sisters in Christ : In the book of Ecclesiastics,
the preacher writes:
“For everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones,
and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose…”
Our pastor, {N. N.}, led by the Spirit, is leaving us to follow God’s call.
The time has come, therefore, to mark the ending of his/her {# years} of
ministry here at {N. Parish/N. Lutheran Church}. God has blessed us with
his/her faithful service as our co-worker in Christ, our counselor, teacher,
companion, and most of all, our pastor. With a mixture of joy and sadness,
we give thanks to God for our time together and mark the ending of his/her
ministry with us.
The congregation addresses the departing minister.
Congregation: {N.}, we called you to be our pastor, to proclaim God’s
Word, to baptize new members into the Church of Jesus Christ, to
announce God’s forgiveness to us, and to preside at our celebrations
of the Lord’s Supper. With the Gospel you have comforted us in
times of sickness and trouble, and at the death of our loved ones.
Sharing our joys and sorrows, you {and N. (spouse)} have been
important to our life together in the Church of Jesus Christ and in
our service to the community.
The departing pastor addresses the congregation.
Pastor {N.}: People of God, you called me to serve in this place. Now God
has seen fit to lead me elsewhere, bearing witness to what we have gathered
weekly to celebrate. I am thankful for the time God has given us together. I
have known your love and patience. In Christ’s name, you have ministered
to me as I have to you; you have been my teachers as I have sought to be
yours; you have forgiven me as I have forgiven you. Side by side we have
gospel. The Holy Spirit brought us together for a time, and I shall not soon
forget you.
Leader: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
Leader: Let us pray for Pastor {N.} and give thanks for our life together.
Eternal God, we thank you for {N.}, and for our life together in this
congregation and community. You have led him/her by the Holy Spirit to
serve your people in this place, to build up your Church, and to glorify your
name. We have labored in common for the sake of the gospel. Together we
have studied your Word, been nourished at your table, lifted our voices in
prayer and praise, sought your comfort and guidance, witnessed to your deeds
of love and mercy in our work, and been renewed by the gift of the Holy
Spirit.
In thanksgiving, we praise you for raising up faithful servants among us for
the ministry of your Church. And we pray that {N.} may continue to
exemplify in word and deed the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Grant that with
him/her we may continue to serve you in the Church on earth and be brought
to rejoice in your kingdom forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
The departing minister addresses the congregation.
Pastor: Scripture tells us that ending are only new beginnings, therefore, let us
go forth, doing God’s will in our respective places, for the sake of the gospel
of Christ. As you have been a blessing to me, so also may you be a blessing to
others.
C: As God’s faithful people, let us each serve as we are called to do.
Let us strive for righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance,
and gentleness, giving and receiving comfort as we serve within the
Church.
Pastor: The God peace—who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus
Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting
covenant-—make you perfect in every good work to do God’s will, working in
you that which is well pleasing in His sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to
whom be honor and glory forever and ever.
C: Amen.
The congregation addresses the departing minister.
C: God’s blessing go with you to guide and equip you and give you
peace.
P: Amen.
(This Order for Farewell and Thanksgiving has its beginnings in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA and
should be considered a liturgical work in progress. Comment and suggestion should be directed to the
Music and Worship Ministry Team of the Allegheny Synod.)