Litany for Closure of a Ministry

Litany for the Closure of a Ministry

Pastor:

On (date)____________we shared together in a service of celebration of a new ministry. It is now time to give thanks for the life we have shared in Christ. It is also time for me to move on to the next chapter in my spiritual journey on which the Lord is leading me. I
found our time together rewarding and memories of what we have shared will always remain precious and meaningful.

People:

The Lord is loving to everyone;
God’s compassion is over all God’s works.
All your works praise you, O Lord,
And your faithful servants bless you (Psalm 145:9-10).

Pastor:

Let us thank God for what these past years have meant by praying together the General Thanksgiving

Pastor And People:

Almighty God, Lord of all mercies,
We your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
For all your goodness and loving kindness
To us and to all people.
We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all
The blessings of this life;
But above all for your incomparable love
In the redemption of the world
By our Lord Jesus Christ;
For the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies
That with truly thankful hearts
We may make known your praise,
Not only with our lips, but in our lives,
By giving up ourselves to your service,
And by walking before you in holiness and
Righteousness all our days;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with
You and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and
Glory throughout all ages. Amen.

Pastor:

Dear Friends, you have allowed me to share the Responsibilities of the ordained ministry in your midst. At the celebration of a new ministry, you presented me With symbols expressing my special role among you. It is time for me to return to you what you have lent me. I have tried to proclaim the Word of God faithfully among  You. Here is the Bible which expresses this. (The Bible is presented to a lay leader)

People:

Thanks be to God.

Pastor:

I have shared, through God’s grace, in bringing some through the water of new creation in
birth into the Body of Christ by Holy Baptism. Here is water which symbolizes God’s gift of
belonging in Christ. (A vessel of water is given to a lay leader)

People:

There is one Body and one Spirit, There is one Hope in God’s call to us.

Pastor:

Prayer, both individual and corporate, is the means by which our relationship with God
grows, deepens, and strengthens. Here is the (prayer book or denominational directory for
worship). (Book is given to a lay leader)

People:

Put your trust in God, “for I will yet give thanks to God, for the help of his countenance” (Psalm 42:5)

Pastor:

Bread and Wine are the means by which we share in the blessing of Creation and it is the
means by which we offer ourselves to be transformed into the sacramental Body of Christ.
Bread and wine are given to a lay leader.

People:

Taste and see that the Lord is good: happy are they who trust in God.

Pastor:

And now it is time for me to go forth having restored to you the signs of office which you presented me. I ask that in your love and commitment, you send me forth with a “going away” blessing.

People:

Unto God’s gracious mercy we commit you.
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give
You peace both this day and forever. Amen.