Last Sunday James Preus was installed as vicar at Mount Olive Lutheran Church. A vicar is a student intern. James is studying at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines Ontario, which along with Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton Alberta is one of Lutheran Church-Canada's two national Seminaries. Last Sunday marked the official start of James' yearlong practicum with Mount Olive Lutheran Church. Tomorrow (Sunday August 25th) will be James' first sermon preached at Mount Olive as well as his first time assisting with Holy Communion. If you missed it last week or are interested in hearing it now please feel free to listen to audio from his installation on Sunday August 18th. In the audio you will hear both pastor Terry Defoe and pastor Ted Giese as well as vicar James Preus.  

Installation of a Vicar

The vicar is presented before the altar.

P   In the name of the Father and of the (sign of the cross) Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C   Amen.

P   Brothers and sisters in Christ, according to the usual custom of the Church, James Preus has been assigned to Mount Olive Congregation as a vicar. As a student assigned to our congregation, he will continue his education in preparation for service to the Church as a called worker.

Hear what the Word of God says about those who serve in the Church.

A   (2 Corinthians 6:1-4a) ¹Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. ²For he says,

“In a favorable time I listened to you,

and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. ³We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, ⁴but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,

P   (1 Peter 4:10-11) ¹⁰As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: ¹¹whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

A   (Romans 12:3-8) ³For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. ⁴For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, ⁵so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ⁶Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; ⁷if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

P  (Colossians 3:15-17) ¹⁵And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

A   (1 Timothy 4:15-16) ¹⁵Practice these things, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. ¹⁶Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

P   James Preus, are you prepared to serve as vicar in this congregation under the supervision of the pastor, undertaking your assignments as one who seeks training for the Office of the Holy Ministry? If so, then answer: I am, with the help of God.

R   I am, with the help of God.

P   James Preus, I install you as vicar at Mount Olive Lutheran congregation in the name of the Father and of the (sign of the cross) Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C   Amen.

Stand

The vicar may kneel.

A   Let us pray.

Almighty God our Father, You send laborers into Your harvest. Grant Your blessing to James Preus, who now begins his vicarage in our congregation, so that Your Word may bear much fruit for the growth of Your Church; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C   Amen.

P   Go in the name of the Lord. Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. The almighty and most merciful God, the Father, the (sign of the cross) Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless and preserve you.

C   Amen.

A   Preach Christ and Him Crucified.