Order of worship
Prelude
Processional hymn- O God our help in ages past
1. O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home.
2. Under the shadow of thy throne,
still may we dwell secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.
3. Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting, thou art God,
to endless years the same.
4. A thousand ages, in thy sight,
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night,
before the rising sun.
5. Time, like an ever rolling stream,
bears all who breathe away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.
6. O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come;
be thou our guide while life shall last,
and our eternal home.
Opening prayer
Leader: God of knowledge and compassion, you have taught us that the acceptance of God is the beginning of knowledge. We seek gracious God your guidance to be merciful in our happiness, to be creative in our ministry, to be gracious while accepting our diplomas, to be loving even when leaving. You O God are the reason that we as graduates, students, staff, teachers, parents, family and friends are here. We are thrilled and humbled by the grace you have shown to our graduates. Be with us through the service. May we wish the best and accept goodness from all. Amen.
Bhajan
Deva Ninna Amitha Premavanu
Enithu Naanu Mareyali
Dhinavu Dhinavu Ninna Karuneyanu
Yaava Theradhi Haadali
Hagalu Irulu Ninna Preethi
Jagadhalemma Kaapudhu
Gathiyu Emage Ninna Paadha
Endhoo Aasare Eevudhu
Bendha Manake Neenu Koduve
Endhoo Aarada Preethiya
Nondha Baalige Neenu Tharuve
Thandhe Ninna Shaanthiya
Prayer of thanksgiving (Together)
It is a joy to be able. It is mercy to sacrifice and yet survive. It is grace to finish and delight in the Lord. Loving God, we were chosen by you to do the difficult, spare our time, use our resources and continue in our efforts however difficult it got. In now bowing our heads before you, merciful God, we are celebrating the completion of what you have made us do. We thank you together for the courage you gave us to study and to support, to live and to let live, to be passionate and allow others to do so. As graduates, teachers, parents, pastors, friends and well-wishers we thank you God, Son and Holy Spirit for this moment. Amen.
Confession (In unison)
Forgive us God for not experiencing even when knowing, for not helping even while being helped, for not committing even while we were set apart, for not initiating even when we were initiated, for not understanding even while expecting others to do so, for not following Christ even when that was our mandate, for not serving even when that was our motto and for not becoming of God even while being created in the image and likeness of God. May we accept our problems, sort out our issues and become what you intend us to be, merciful God. Amen.
Assurance of God’s mercy
Leader: May we feel happiness in gloom, peace in uncertainty, grace in failure, mercy in negative situations, hope in absolute dejection, light in darkness and God’s presence in every single instance. May God be with us, assure us of God’s unflinching love and continue to make God’s face shine upon us. Amen.
Congregational hymn (Offertory)- Christ is all to me
Refrain: Christ is all to me, Jesus Christ is all to me
In this world of strife and sorrow, Christ is all to me
1. Brother He, me brother calls; Bridegroom he, the Church His bride;
Parent, Kinsman, Master, Savior; And to each his Friend and Guide.
2. Watching me with shepherd-care; Lovingly my wants attends,
My companion all the way till Evening falls and journey ends.
3. Peace when storms around me blow, Joy in sorrow, calm in strife,
Health in sickness, wealth in want, the Noon day sun, the Light of life.
4. Teacher of the truth of God, Prophet of God’s heavenly reign,
Sent of God that we may find in Serving Him eternal gain.
5. He the prize and He the goal And by Him the race begun,
He the runner of the team who Will complete the race I run.
Scripture- St. Luke 19:28-48
Commitment song- O Jesus, I have promised
1. O Jesus, I have promised
to serve thee to the end;
be thou forever near me,
my Master and my friend.
I shall not fear the battle
if thou art by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if thou wilt be my guide.
2. O let me feel thee near me!
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
the tempting sounds I hear;
my foes are ever near me,
around me and within;
but Jesus, draw thou nearer,
and shield my soul from sin.
3. O let me hear thee speaking
in accents clear and still,
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will.
O speak to reassure me,
to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
thou guardian of my soul.
4. O Jesus, thou hast promised
to all who follow thee
that where thou art in glory
there shall thy servant be.
And Jesus, I have promised
to serve thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
my Master and my Friend.
Commitment prayer of the graduating students
What have we done to deserve your loving kindness dear God?
What have we done to deserve the comfort of our families?
What have we done to deserve the opportunity to study in this institution?
We have committed ourselves to the glory of God and for the accomplishment of God’s work in God’s land. God has respected our commitment and helped us in our training and learning to be better ministers for God. Today we stand here humbled as ever because God has worked a miracle in our life. We have received the gift of reasoning, understanding, writing and expressing. This we submit for God’s glory. We thank you for being part of our journey in UTC. We promise to be understanding, caring compassionate and truthful pastors, teachers and workers for God. Amen.
Prayer of commissioning
Leader: You have been privileged to go through the portals of this institution, gaining in knowledge and maturity, understanding issues and sharing experiences leading to mutual learning and growth. You had a family to support you, teachers to mentor you, pastors to pray for you and well-wishers to provide for you. We pray to God that today as you are being sent out to the world that you will have neither purse nor tunic but the presence of God which will go before you. Amen.
People: We are so happy that God has given this day so that you as graduating students will go out and provide care for the needy, spiritual nourishment for all, prayers for the people of the world and healing for the sick. We understand that we as family, church members and friends have to let you go to serve God and God’s people. We have been blessed by witnessing your growth and God’s mercy in your life. We now pray for your health, sustenance, providence and future. God be with you. Amen.
Graduating students: We are aware that many of our sisters and brothers don’t have the opportunity for basic education and yet we have received much more than that. We pray to God that this will inspire us to educate, learn, work and grow with everyone around us. The word of God should not be hidden under a basket and we promise to try our best to shine and be a light to others. Even as we are graduating from this institution, we pray that we will help others study, understand and benefit from the bible, traditions and culture. We will stand for equal rights, preferential option for the poor and oppressed, food for the hungry and justice for the weak and heavy laden. Amen.
Intercessory prayers
Leader- God of hope and infinite grace, we pray for all those who are graduating from the UTC. Give them strength, peace and calmness to face any situation with ease and poise. Fill all of us with the power and love of the Holy Spirit that we go wherever we are sent and do what needs to be done without complaining or stopping in our steps. May others be inspired and join in the wonderful sanity of ministry and God’s work.
All- Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Leader- God of love and forgiveness, help us to accept each other as we are. You have given a special gift to each one who is graduating today. Some are writers, some speakers, others are listeners, some others keepers, many are understanding and some go the extra distance, some give time and others are patient. We thank you God for the gifts you have given each one and pray that these may be used in many ways so that ordinary people may benefit from each gift in a different way.
All- Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Leader- God of stillness and greatness, we pray for all those who are assembled here. May the time spent here be of great use and provide a wonderful memory for each one. May friendships bloom and ties be restored. Help all of us to smile, greet, embrace and thank. We pray for the UTC community, the president, chief guest, members of the executive, council and friends and well-wishers of the UTC community. May this graduation be a letting go of graduates who carry the bible with them and preach ceaselessly, truthfully, fearlessly and gracefully. May the UTC community feel happy and thank God for the UTC graduates. We also pray for many who are suffering in the world due to natural calamities, incorrect policies, war, famine, drought and poverty. Help us and others to provide care and share our resources with others so that suffering ceases.
All- Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Lord’s prayer (All together)
Our God in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, power and glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Closing hymn- Great is thy faithfulness
1. Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not,
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.
Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
2. Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above;
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
(Refrain)
3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own great presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.
Closing prayer and benediction
Leader- Go into the world knowing that we will work together, suffer to enrich God’s love and be happy by seeing God’s presence in daily miracles in our life. We are not alone. If God is with us, who can be against us? But if God is absent from our lives, our faith is in vain. Be assured and be strengthened by our prayers for you and God’s mercy and grace in your lives. You are called to go and proclaim like Moses to let God’s people go and worship in freedom, peace and happiness. God be with you. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and forever. Amen.
Recession hymn- Go down Moses
1. When Israel was in Egypt’s land, let my people go,
oppressed so hard they could not stand, let my people go.
Refrain: Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt’s land,
tell old Pharaoh: let my people go.
2. The Lord told Moses what to do, let my people go,
To lead the Hebrew children through, let my people go.
3. As Israel stood by the waterside, let my people go.
At God’s command it did divide, let my people go.
