Order of service

Accessibility:

Hymn

Please stand to sing the hymn as the ministers enter.

Let us build a house where love can dwell
and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell
how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
rock of faith and vault of grace;
here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
all are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where prophets speak,
and words are strong and true,
where all God’s children dare to seek
to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness
and as symbol of God’s grace;
here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:
all are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where love is found
in water, wine and wheat:
a banquet hall on holy ground,
where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus,
is revealed in time and space;
as we share in Christ the feast that frees us:
all are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where hands will reach
beyond the wood and stone
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach,
and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger
bear the image of God’s face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger:
all are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where all are named,
their songs and visions heard,
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed
as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter,
prayers of faith and songs of grace,
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
all are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.

Words & Music: Marty Haugen (b. 1950)
© GIA Publications, Inc.

The greeting

Bishop Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

All And also with you.

The Bishop welcomes the congregation and introduces the service.

Bishop Let us pray

God our Father, Lord of all the world,
through your Son you have called us
into the fellowship of your universal Church;
hear our prayer for your faithful people
that in their vocation and ministry
each may be an instrument of your love,
and give to your servant Claire now to be
licensed the needful gifts of grace;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

All Amen.

Please sit.

A commendation of the Incumbent designate

by the Rev’d Dr Sheena McMain, Vicar of Barnoldswick with Bracewell.

The presentation

The Patron, the Churchwardens, and the Incumbent designate stand before the Bishop who is seated.

Patron Bishop Arun, I present to you the Reverend Claire Honess who has been chosen to serve as the Vicar of the parish of Whitkirk.

Churchwardens On behalf of the PCC of Whitkirk I confirm that it is our wish that Claire be instituted as Vicar of this parish.

Bishop Claire, in the name of Christ I warmly welcome you.

Do you believe that God is calling you to this ministry?

Priest I do.

Bishop Are you willing to commit yourself to this new responsibility?

Priest With the help of God I am.

Bishop Members of the congregation, after due consultation, Claire has been chosen to be your new priest. Will you care for her and support her in her ministry among you?

People With the help of God we will.

Bishop My brothers and sisters, as we pray that Claire may be a willing and faithful shepherd of God’s people in this place, let us also pray for all who will share in this ministry:

A moment of silence is kept.

Bishop God our Father, you call the Church of your Son to proclaim the message of salvation to the world. We thank you that Claire has been called to serve you in this benefice. Send your Holy Spirit upon her and upon all who share in her ministry, that through all the life of your Church here your kingdom may be advanced and your name be glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All Amen.

The readings

Old Testament reading

Micah 4.1-4

A reading from the prophecy of Micah.

In days to come
the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised up above the hills.
Peoples shall stream to it,
and many nations shall come and say:
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.
He shall judge between many peoples,
and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more;
but they shall all sit under their own vines
and under their own fig trees,
and no one shall make them afraid;
for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.

This is the Word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

Please stand.

Hymn

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age the same;
his holy Name, the Lord, the Mighty One.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Pow’rs and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight;
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children’s children and for evermore!

Words: © Timothy Dudley-Smith (1926-2024)
Music: Walter Greatorex (1877-1949)
© Oxford University Press
Hymn Tune: WOODLANDS

Please sit.

New Testament reading

Luke 1.46-55

A reading from the gospel according to St Luke.

And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

This is the Word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

The sermon

by the Bishop of Kirkstall

The reaffirmation of ordination vows

The Incumbent designate stands before the Bishop.

Bishop Claire, before you receive this share in our pastoral charge will you, before God and this congregation, renew your dedication to Christ as a priest of the new covenant?

Priest I will.

Bishop At your ordination you accepted the responsibility of the priesthood out of love for the Lord Jesus and his church. Are you resolved to unite yourself more closely to him by being diligent in prayer and the study of the Holy Scriptures? Will you continually stir up the gift of God that is within you to make Christ known to all?

Priest With the help of God, I will.

Bishop Are you resolved to be a faithful minister of the Mysteries of God, to celebrate the Eucharist and other liturgical services with sincere devotion? Will you strive to fashion your own life and that of your household according to the way of Christ?

Priest With the help of God, I will.

Bishop Will you promote unity, peace and love among all Christian people, and especially among those whom you serve? Will you do all that is within your power to build up the Church which is the Body of Christ?

Priest With the help of God, I will.

The declaration of assent and the oaths

The Incumbent designate and Archdeacon stand before the Bishop.

Preface

The Church of England is part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church worshipping the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It professes the faith uniquely revealed in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds, which faith the Church is called upon to proclaim afresh in each generation. Led by the Holy Spirit, it has borne witness to Christian truth in its historic formularies, the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, The Book of Common Prayer and the Ordering of Bishops, Priests and Deacons. In the declaration you are about to make will you affirm your loyalty to this inheritance of faith as your inspiration and guidance under God in bringing the grace and truth of Christ to this generation and making him known to those in your care?

Declaration of Assent

Facing the Bishop

I, Claire Elizabeth Honess, do so affirm, and accordingly declare my belief in the faith which is revealed in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds and to which the historic formularies of the Church of England bear witness; and in public prayer and administration of the sacraments, I will use only the forms of service which are authorised or allowed by Canon.

The Incumbent designate makes the oaths, holding the New Testament in her hand.

The Oath of Allegiance

Facing the congregation

I, Claire Elizabeth Honess, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles III, his heirs and successors, according to law: So help me God.

The Oath of Obedience

Facing the Bishop

I, Claire Elizabeth Honess, do swear by Almighty God that I will pay true and canonical obedience to the Lord Bishop of Leeds and his successors in all things lawful and honest: So help me God.

The Bishop and Incumbent designate sign the declaration and oaths, and the Bishop signs the Licence.

The Institution

The Incumbent designate kneels before the Bishop. The Bishop reads the deed of Institution and places it in the priest’s hands saying:

Bishop Receive the cure of souls, which is both mine and yours, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

The Bishop then blesses the new Incumbent, saying:

The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the eternal covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit come down upon you and remain with you always.

Incumbent Amen.

The Induction

Bishop Archdeacon Paul, I now require you to induct Claire into the real and actual possession of this benefice.

All stand.

The Archdeacon, Priest and Churchwardens move to the door of the Church.

The Archdeacon places the Incumbent’s hand upon the handle of the door:

Archdeacon Claire, by virtue of the authority given to me, I induct you into the real and actual possession of this church and benefice with all its rights, responsibilities and opportunities for ministry. The Lord preserve your going out and your coming in, now and always. Amen.

Churchwardens Receive these keys as a mark of the responsibilities which we share. Help us to proclaim the Gospel of love and service in this benefice that none may find closed what Christ has opened.

The Incumbent tolls the bell to signify her taking up of the Pastoral Charge.

The procession moves to the Sanctuary where the Archdeacon, taking the Incumbent by the hand, places her in her stall. The Incumbent kneels and the Archdeacon says:

Archdeacon Claire, I place you in the seat of the Vicar of this parish. Lead and hold this benefice in prayer and may God the Holy Trinity make you strong in faith and love, defend you on every side, and guide you in the ways of truth and peace.

All Amen.

Archdeacon People of God, I present to you Claire as your new Incumbent.

The Area Dean introduces leaders from the Church and Community who welcome Claire as the new Incumbent of St Mary’s Whitkirk.

Incumbent Thank you for your welcome. I look forward to sharing the life of this community and will seek to serve God faithfully among you.

Prayers of intercession

The new Vicar leads the congregation in prayer ending with:

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

Offertory hymn

During which a collection is taken to support our link Dioceses in other parts of the Anglican Communion.

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
like the wideness of the sea;
there’s a kindness in his justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than up in heav’n;
there is no place where earth’s failings
have such kindly judgement giv’n.

For the love of God is broader
than the measure of man’s mind;
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
But we make his love too narrow
by false limits of our own;
and we magnify his strictness
with a zeal he will not own.

There is plentiful redemption
in the blood that has been shed;
there is joy for all the members
in the sorrows of the Head.
There is grace enough for thousands
of new worlds as great as this;
there is room for fresh creations
in that upper home of bliss.

If our love were but more simple
we should take him at his word;
and our lives would be all gladness
in the joy of Christ our Lord.

Words: Frederick William Faber (1814-1863)
Music: Maurice Bevan (1921-2006)
© Oxford University Press
Hymn Tune: CORVEDALE

Please remain standing.

The commission of the people of God

Bishop My brothers and sisters, as a new chapter begins in the life of this parish, let those present who seek to follow Christ now recommit themselves in the service of God and neighbour, in the power of the Holy Spirit, that the good news of salvation may be known in our lives, our homes and our communities.

Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers.