Yesterday, Ona Hoyer, Theresa Reiger's mother, became a member of Providence UMC by transfer of membership.
Ona has been attending regularly with us for some time now, since she moved to live with Theresa and Fred.
Ona is 92 years young and we are very happy to have her join our church family at Providence UMC.
The service is very nice, first the new member declare their intentions and commitment to the church.
The pastor asks:
As a member of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service?
The new member answers: I will.
Then the congregation also declares it's commitment to support the new member and the church.
The pastor addresses the congregations:
Members of the household of God, I commend this person to your love and care.
Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.
The congregation responds:
We give thanks for all that God has already given you and we welcome you in Christian love.
As members together with you in the body of Christ and in this congregation of the United Methodist Church, we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the Church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, and our service, that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
The pastor address the new member:
The God of grace, who has called us to eternal glory in Christ, establish you and strengthen you by the power of the Holy Spirit, that you may live in grace and peace.
It really is a very spiritually moving service.
Brian sang a special song, "Something Beautiful", for Ona's day of becoming a member of Providence UMC.
Providence UMC may be a small church, now 10 in regular attendance, but they are a very loving congregation. Now we have one more person to love and care for as we continue on the journey that God has called us to walk.
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