Notes and instructions

	THE ORDINATION OF DEACONS
	The ordination service follows the order for Ordination of Deacons, the order for Holy Communion with Ordination of Deacons or the order for Solemn Sunday Service with Ordination of Deacons. The ordination service may replace the main Sunday Service. The Bishop, who appoints the assistants, presides at the service. Besides deacons, priests and lay people may be called to be assistants.
	The Ordination of Deacons
					Where no other instruction is given, the Order of Service for Holy Communion as stated in the Service Book is followed. The use of italics for the word deacon implies that, according to circumstances, it may replaced by the terms deacon/deaconess or deaconess. etc.???
	I Introduction
	Introit Hymn
					The Procession (Crucifer, Choir, the Candidate(s), the Assistants, the Bishop and the Registrar) enters during the hymn or during music that introduces the hymn.
	The Preparation
					One of the assisting priests leads the Preparation from a Lectern in the Quire
	A	In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
	Words of Preparation
					The words of preparation may consist of a short scriptural address, one of the suggestions offered in the Order of Service for Holy Communion or of the following:
	A	Blessed is the people, O Lord, that can rejoice in you: they shall walk in the light of your countenance. From all tongues and nations, God gathers his people and by baptism he unites us with Jesus Christ, our Lord. Christ has died for all people and has risen that we, and all his faithful people, should live with him in his kingdom. With all the Christian church on earth, we are called by the Holy Spirit to be holy and to be kept safe in the orthodox faith. Daily and generously God forgives us all our sins, so that set free, we may give him thanks and praise, and serve him in obedience. Let us pray and confess:
	The Prayers of Penitence
	The Absolution
	Prayer of Thanksgiving
	The Introit
					The Bishop and two of the assistants move to the altar.
	II The Ordination
	The Announcement of the Mandate
	B	The following men and women have been called to serve as deacons.
					The Registrar reads the names of the candidates. The candidates move to the altar rail as their names are read out.
	The Reading(s)
					One or several of the assistants read one or more biblical passages. See Biblical Readings, page xxx
	The Ordination Homily
					The Bishop gives the ordination homily
	The Promises
	Introduction
	B	The church is God's people, the body of Christ, a temple built of living stones, with Christ as the cornerstone. Among the members of the people of God, who are all called, by baptism, to proclaim the Gospel to the world, the deacon has a special responsibility. A deacon shall seek out, help and support those who are in bodily or spiritual need, provide Christian nurture and teaching in the faith in the church and in society, be a sign of mercy and in all things serve Christ in his/her neighbour. The deacon shall defend the rights of the individual and stand at the side of the oppressed and encourage and liberate God's people to that which is good, so that the love of God may be visible in the world. The ministry of a deacon will now be committed to you. Consider those whom you meet with care and reverence. Seek the will of God together with them and strive to let your faith, your life and your teaching become one whole.
	The Questions
	B		Will you, in the name of the Triune God, accept the ministry of a deacon and exercise this ministry to the glory of God, the building up of the Church so that God's will may be realised throughout the world?
	Candidates		Yes
	B		Will you stand in firm in the faith of the church and defend it, help those who need your service and stand at the side of the oppressed?
	Candidates		Yes
	B		Will you, in your ministry, follow and protect the order of our church and follow your calling after Christ's example?
	Candidates		Yes
	B		Will you live among people as a witness to the love of God and of the mystery of reconciliation
	Candidates		Yes
	The Affirmation
	B		Now, before God and in the presence of this congregation affirm your promises, each one of you.
	Candidates		I, NN, will with the help of God and trusting in the grace of God live according to these promises.
	B		May God, who has began the good work in you bring it to perfection, so that his good will may take effect. In the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
*	The Creed
	B		Profess now, together with us, the holy Christian faith.
	Candidates		I believe in one God,
	C		the Father, the almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
			I believe in One Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the Giver of Life who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
	The Intercessions of the Church
						The Intercessions of the Church follow the instructions given in the order of service of Holy Communion. The various prayers may suitably be divided among the assistants.
	Hymn
						The assistants who will participate in the laying on of hands move to the altar rail.
	The Ordination Prayer
	B		In the name of the Triune God on his commission and in communion with his church we ordain these men and women for the ministry and work of a deacon Let us invoke God and pray
						The candidates kneel
	B		O God, we give you thanks that in your great love for us men, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to be our Saviour, the shepherd of our souls and our high priest. For our salvation, he became obedient unto death even death on the cross. Therefore you have exalted him above all others. Throughout the world he gathers for you a people to serve you that your name may be kept holy and your will be done. You appoint among us servants of your Gospel that people may come to faith, the church be renewed and creation restored. From you we receive them whom we now ordain to the ministry of a deacon.
						The bishop says over each candidate while he and the assistants lay hands on him or her:
			Lord, bless NN with your Holy Spirit and accept him into your service as a deacon in your church.
						At the end of the laying on of hands:
	B		O God, we ask you:
	C		grant these deacons perseverance in the ministry of love. Make them sensitive and dedicated. Grant them the confidence, power and patience that they need and keep them always close to you. Grant them encouragement and joy in their work. Deepen their faith, love and hope. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
	The Reception
						The newly ordained priests arise. The choir sings Veni Sancte Spiritus (Swedish Hymnal 361) The Bishop gives the Letter of orders to each of the newly ordained. Then the Bishop says to the congregation:
	B		In apostolic manner, by prayer and the laying on of hands in the name of God, these men and women have been ordained to the ministry and work of a deacon. Receive them as ambassadors of Christ.
	III The Communion
	The Offertory
	The Offertory Hymn
						During the prelude, the newly ordained deacons and the assistants return to their places in the quire. The Churchwardens bring the Eucharistic gifts to the altar. The collection is taken and brought to the altar.
*	The Eucharistic Prayer
						The Bishop or one of the assistants sings the ordination preface, music see page xxx
	The Opening of the Eucharistic Prayer (Sursum corda).
	B		Lift up your hearts to God.
	C		We lift up our hearts.
	B		(Let us) Give thanks to the Lord our God.
	C		He alone is worthy of our thanks and praise.
	B		You alone are truly worth our praise, almighty Father, holy God. We praise and we bless you through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
	He is the shepherd and guardian of our souls he fills us with good things and opens for us a future in your kingdom. Therefore, with all your faithful people throughout the ages and with all the heavenly host we praise and adore you, singing
*	The Sanctus
	The Eucharistic Prayer continues
	The Lord's Prayer
	The Breaking of the Bread
*	The Peace of the Lord (The Pax)
*	The Agnus Dei
	The Communion
	Prayer of Thanksgiving
						Alternatively an informally worded prayer may be used.
	B		O God, we thank you that you have given us a share of the bread that comes down from heaven and the cup of salvation. made us drink from ...? Grant us faithfully to remain in the community of Christ and to live in our calling to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Grant us with him eternal life.
	IV The Conclusion
	Alternative A
*	The Benedicamus
						The newly ordained deacons move to the altar rail.
*	The Blessing
*	The Dismissal
	B		Go in peace and serve the Lord with joy.
*	Hymn
						During the hymn the recession returns in the same order
	The Postlude
	Alternative B
*	Hymn of Praise
*	The Blessing
*	The Dismissal
	B		Go in peace and serve the Lord with joy.
	The Postlude
						During the hymn the recession returns in the same order.
	Holy Communion with Ordination of Deacons
	The Introduction follows the order for Ordination of Deacons until after the Introit. Then the order for Holy Communion is followed from the Kyrie until after the Sermon. The following prayer may be used as a collect:
	B		God, our Father, You sent your Son for the salvation of the world Find among us instruments of your love, and teach us to serve one another, each one with the gift that you have bestowed on us. so that your church may, by built in faith and love, to your glory and for the salvation of men. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
	C		Amen
	After the sermon, the choir may sing and notices may be given. The Service then continues with a hymn, during which the bishop and the assistants move to the altar. The order for Ordination of Deacons is then followed from the announcement of the mandate to the postlude. The readings are omitted.
	Solemn Sunday Service with Ordination of Deacons
	If the Ordination of Deacons is integrated into the Solemn Sunday Service the instructions given for Holy Communion with Ordination of Deacons are followed as appropriate.