This Sunday, we gather as a congregation to ordain and install new leaders as deacons and ruling elders. This moment marks a sacred time in the life of our church as we affirm God’s call upon individuals to serve in ministry. Through the laying on of hands, we witness a tangible connection to the Holy Spirit’s work in equipping these leaders for their unique roles.

This year, we celebrate this ordination and installation as we begin a new worship series focusing on the life and teachings of Jesus. This week we celebrate the Baptism of Christ. It is no coincidence that ordination and baptism are intertwined in this sacred day. Just as Jesus' baptism declared His identity as God’s beloved Son and proclaimed His mission in the world, so too does ordination proclaim the Spirit’s call on our lives (and to do ministry). Both baptism and ordination remind us that we are named, claimed, and called to live faithfully as God’s people.

The laying on of hands is not only an affirmation of the Spirit’s work in our leaders but also a covenant between the congregation and those being ordained. It is a time for all of us to be present, both physically and spiritually, to commit to supporting, encouraging, and following those who lead us.

We invite you to join us this Sunday as we renew our collective covenant, celebrate God’s call in the lives of our leaders, and remember our baptismal identity as the beloved children of God. Together, may we affirm that we are all part of Christ’s body, called to serve and witness in the world.