A
Service for the Institution of Assembly or Chapter Officers (If
this service is to be used for the institution of Assembly officers, it is suggested
that it be conducted by the Bishop of the diocese as the Institutor assisted by
the Rector of the parish or mission at which the Annual Meeting of the Assembly
is held. In the absence of the Bishop, it is suggested that the Chaplain of the
Assembly officiate. If this service is to be used for the institution of chapter
officers, it should be conducted by the Rector of the parish or the priest.in.charge.
The Presentor could be the past President or another Assembly or national officer.) PRESENTOR:
I present to you these persons to be installed
as officers of the (name of Chapter or Assembly) of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. INSTITUTOR:
Do you accept the duties and responsibilities of your offices? OFFICERS:
I do. INSTITUTOR:
Will you earnestly and prayerfully lead the Brotherhood of St. Andrew of
the parish (or diocese) in the fulfillment of the Brotherhood objectives, and
work for the spread of Christ's kingdom? OFFICERS:
I will, with God's help. INSTITUTOR:
Will you conduct your own lives as to be good examples for the men and youth
with whom you come in contact, whether members of this Brotherhood or not? OFFICERS:
I will, with God's help. INSTITUTOR:
Receive authority, therefore to perform the duties of the offices to which
you h'ave been elected, and may God grant you grace to do them well, in the Name
of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. (If
this order is used at a regular liturgy of the Church, all that follows is omitted
except the prayer, Almighty God, bless these your servants...") INSTITUTOR:
Our help is in the name of the Lord. OFFICERS:
The maker of heaven and earth. INSTITUTOR:
Blessed be the name of the Lord. OFFICERS:
From this time forth for evermore. INSTITUTOR:
The Lord be with you. OFFICERS:
And also with you. INSTITUTOR:
Let us pray. ALL: The Lord's Prayer
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, and the power,
and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. INSTITUTOR:
Almighty God, bless these your servants who have signified their purpose
to serve as members and officers of this Chapter (or Assembly) of the Brotherhood
of St. Andrew, grant in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly
serve you, and faithfully work for the extension of your kingdom, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen. (Here may be said other
prayers as desired.) ALL: The Brotherhood
Collect
Almighty God, who gave such grace
to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ,
and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are called by your Holy Word, grace
to follow him without delay, and to bring those near us into his gracious presence;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen. CELEBRANT:
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make
his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. Amen. The
Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen. A
Word about Commissioning and the Laying on of Hands Commissioning
of Christians by laying on of hands is Biblical and was the normal thing to do
in the early Church. When someone was elected to perform a specific service, hands
were laid on him to signify authorization by the Church and to empower him with
the Holy Spirit for the ministry. Here are a few excerpts from the Holy Scriptures
that speak to this: "So the Lord said
to Moses, 'Take Joshua, son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your
hand on him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly
and commission him in their presence.' -Numbers 27:18-19 "Do
not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the
body of elders laid their hands on you."-Timothy 4:14 "Then
little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray
for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, 'Let the
little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven
belongs to such as these.' When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from
there."-Matthew 19:13-15 "Then
Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit."-Acts
8:17 "While they were worshipping
the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them.' Then after fasting and praying they
laid their hands on them and sent them off."-Acts 13:2,3 The
best way to embark upon a new year of an elected office, I believe, is to be empowered
by the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands and prayer. | 
