5870

Address to Candidates

5870. (Then the presiding minister (3091; 5850) shall address the candidates, saying:)

Dear Friends, we rejoice that in the providence of God a door of usefulness has been opened to you in the service of the Church. It is with infinite wisdom that God has provided diversities of gifts for His workers, distributing and administering them according to His good pleasure through the Holy Spirit. It is with joy that we have watched God’s will revealed in your lives, and your own resolve grow firm to use your gifts for His glory. Turning aside from worldly interests and pursuits, you are devoting yourselves to the Lord’s work, and to being helpers of the ministry. You will be pouring out of your talent, your time, your possessions, your strength, your very selves in a living sacrifice to Christ. You have not entered upon this solemn responsibility lightly, and doubtless already in the sacred stillness of the sanctuary of your heart you have consecrated yourselves to this service. What you have done alone with God, you do now formally and publicly in the presence of the Church.