EPA Welcome

SERVICE OF WELCOME

celebrating the assignment of

BISHOP CYNTHIA MOORE-KOIKOI

to the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference

GATHERING MUSIC

“Lord you are Good”

“Waymaker”

Words & Music by Greg Jorden and NJ Kunene / Zulu Traditional Public Domain

PROCESSIONAL HYMN

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty #139

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,

the King of creation!

O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy

health and salvation!

All ye who hear,

Now to His temple draw near;

Sing now in glad adoration!

Praise to the Lord, who o’er all

things so wondrously reigneth,

Who, as on wings of an eagle,

uplifteth, sustaineth.

Hast thou not seen

How thy desires all have been

Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who hath fearfully,

wondrously, made thee!

Health hath vouchsafed and, when

heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.

What need or grief

Ever hath failed of relief?

Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper

thy work and defend thee,

Who from the heavens the streams of

His mercy doth send thee.

Ponder anew

What the Almighty can do,

Who with His love doth befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all that

is in me adore Him!

All that hath life and breath, come

now with praises before Him!

Let the Amen

Sound from His people again;

Gladly for aye we adore Him.

BLESSING OF THE LAND (Video)

GREETING AND OPENING PRAYER

Tom Ebersole, Host Pastor

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Eternal God, by your grace you have set us together in your Church,

whose foundation is your Son Jesus Christ.

Grant your continuing grace, we pray,

to all who exercise leadership in your Church,

that they may with diligence and faithfulness

fulfill their various ministries;

and grant that we your people

may follow them where you lead

and minister faithfully in the world;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GREETINGS FROM THE GREATER NEW JERSEY CONFERENCE

Sang Won Doh, Dean of the Greater NJ Cabinet

ANTHEM: Peace Like a River

EPA Korean Caucus

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Hedwige Mutwale Mukalay

PSALM 100 (UMH 821) Interlaced with Goodness of God

Kristine Adams, CSM

Verse 1

I love You Lord

Oh Your mercy never fails me

All my days

I’ve been held in Your hands

From the moment that I wake up

Until I lay my head

I will sing of the goodness of God

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.

Serve the Lord with gladness;

come into God’s presence with singing.

Know that the Lord, who made us is God.

We are the Lord’s;

We are the people of God

The sheep of God’s pasture.

Response:

All my life You have been faithful

All my life You have been so so good

With every breath that I am able

I will sing of the goodness of God

Your goodness is running after

It’s running after me

Your goodness is running after

It’s running after me

With my life laid down

I’m surrendered now

I give You everything

Your goodness is running after

It’s running after me

Verse 2

I love Your voice

You have led me through the fire

In darkest night

You are close like no other

I’ve known You as a father

I’ve known You as a friend

I have lived in the goodness of God

Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving

and God’s courts with praise.

Give thanks; bless God’s name!

For the Lord is good;

God’s steadfast love endures forever

God’s faithfulness to all generations.

Response

EPISTLE LESSON: Titus 1:7-9

Wilhelmina Young, Emeritus CLM

GOSPEL LESSON: John 21:15-17

Spanish: Lori Reyes

English: Norah Hoffert

Korean: Jeong Gyun Hong

INTRODUCTION OF THE BISHOP

Raphael Koikoi

EVELYN KENT CLARK, DEAN OF THE CABINET, SOUTH DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT: Bishop Moore-Koikoi, you have been consecrated to be a shepherd and servant; and you now come to provide episcopal leadership as bishop of the Eastern PA Conference of The United Methodist Church.

EVELYN KENT CLARK: Who will present Bishop Moore-Koikoi for a welcome to this area?

JUDY EHNINGER & DAWN TAYLOR-STORM:

We, the Eastern PA Area representatives

of the Northeastern Jurisdictional Committee on the Episcopacy,

do certify that Bishop Moore-Koikoi

was duly elected a bishop of The United Methodist Church

at the 2016 Jurisdictional Conference, and has been assigned

by the Northeastern Jurisdictional Committee on the Episcopacy

to the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference.

We, therefore, present to this congregation Bishop Moore-Koikoi to be

welcomed to the area to which she has been assigned.

HYMN RESPONSE

Great is Thy Faithfulness (verse 1)

Great is Thy faithfulness

O God, Creator

There is no shadow

Of turning with Thee

Thou changest not

Thy compassions they fail not

As Thou hast been

Thou forever wilt be

THE COVENANT SERVICE

EVELYN KENT CLARK, DEAN OF THE CABINET, SOUTH DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT:

The Church is the community of those called by God, justified by grace, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We who are baptized into Christ’s death and raised with Christ in the resurrection are living members of the body of Christ, who return thanksgiving to God in ministries of worship, nurture, witness, and service.

HUN JU LEE, NORTH DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT:

A bishop has been ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament, and to represent Christ’s servanthood in a special ministry of oversight. A bishop is called to guard the faith, to seek the unity, and to exercise the discipline of the whole Church; and to supervise and support the Church’s life, work, and mission throughout the world.

JENNY FREYMOYER, WEST DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT:

As a servant of the whole Church, the bishop is called to: preach and teach the truth of the gospel to all God’s people; to lead the people in worship, in the celebration of the Sacraments, and in their mission of witness and service in the world; and so participate in the gospel command to make disciples of all nations.

Great is Thy Faithfulness (verse 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

ANDREW L. FOSTER, III, EAST DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT:

The bishop is to lead and guide all persons entrusted to their supervision; join in the consecration of bishops: commission provisional members; ordain deacons and elders; commission deaconesses, home missioners, and missionaries for service to the church and to the world; and provide for the ministry of word and sacrament in the congregations committed to their care. Let the shepherd who has been called now affirm these ministries in our midst.

BISHOP MOORE-KOIKOI:

With God’s help, I promise faithfully to hear and to proclaim God’s word and rightly administer the sacraments, as your pastor and servant.

PEOPLE: With God’s help, we promise to join with you in the life of praise and thanksgiving, and in the faithful use of the means of grace that God has given us.

BISHOP MOORE-KOIKOI: By the grace of Christ, I promise to be among you as a teacher of the faith, a pastor of souls, and a means to the unity of the body of Christ.

PEOPLE: By the grace of Christ, we promise to join with you in the life of learning, in the nurturing of God’s people, and in the seeking of that oneness in Christ which is Christ’s gift to us.

BISHOP MOORE-KOIKOI: In the power of the Holy Spirit, I promise to be for you a means of reconciliation and healing, that all those who are burdened or oppressed may be made whole and able to rejoice in the new life in Jesus Christ.

PEOPLE: In the power of the Holy Spirit, we promise to be, with you, faithful witnesses, serving justice, showing mercy, and in all things proclaiming the acceptable year of the lord.

Great is Thy Faithfulness (verse 3)

Pardon for sin

And a peace that endureth

Thy own dear presence

To cheer and to guide

Strength for today

And bright hope for tomorrow

Blessings all mine

With ten thousand beside

EVELYN KENT CLARK, DEAN OF THE CABINET, SOUTH DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT:

Let the people say, “Amen.”

PEOPLE: Amen. And Amen!

Great is Thy Faithfulness (chorus)

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

PRESENTATION OF SIGNS OF EPISCOPAL MINISTRY

Representatives of the people of God present signs of the episcopal office to the bishop. As each is received, the bishop responds, “Amen,” and places it on a table.

BILL THOMPSON, SR., CONFERENCE LAY LEADER & SUZETTE JAMES, ASSOCIATE CONFERENCE LAY LEADER:

Bishop Moore-Koikoi, take this pastoral staff, and be upheld and sustained by Christ the Good Shepherd as you exercise the ministry of a shepherd among us in Christ’s Name. Amen.

DEACONESS DARLENE DIDOMINECK & DEACONNESS BARBARA DRAKE:

Bishop Moore-Koikoi, take this Bible, and proclaim fearlessly the prophetic Word in the cause of justice and peace for all people. Amen.

Gabe Lopez, Associate Superintendent South-East Region & Lorelei Toombs, Associate Superintendent North-West Region:

Bishop Moore-Koikoi, take this water, be renewed in your baptism and renew us in ours. Amen.

SAMMY ASHLEY & LUKE SEMEROD, REPRESENTING THE CHILDREN OF THE EASTERN PA CONFERENCE:

Bishop Moore-Koikoi, take this bread and cup, and keep us in communion with Christ and his Church. Amen.

Darryl Stephens, Chair of Order of Deacons & Will Brawner, Fellowship of Associate Members & Local Pastors:

Bishop Moore-Koikoi, take this towel and basin, and be among us as one who serves. Amen.

ERIC W. CARR, JR., CHAIR OF ORDER OF ELDERS AND NEJ BMCR COORDINATOR, & SHERRY LANTZ, RETIRED ELDER:

Bishop Moore-Koikoi, take this stole, and be our pastor, preacher, and teacher; encourage and support all baptized people in their gifts and ministries, and pray for them without ceasing. Amen.

Tracy Duncan & Dorry Newcomer, Chairs of Board of Ordained Ministry:

Bishop Moore-Koikoi, take this Book of Discipline, guard the faith, seek the unity, exercise the discipline of the whole Church, and supervise the Church’s life, work, and mission throughout the world. Amen.

JOONG HYUCK KIM, INCOMING CONFERENCE SECRETARY, & JACQUELINE TILFORD, OUTGOING CONFERENCE SECRETARY:

Bishop Moore-Koikoi, take this gavel, and preside in our Annual Conference; appoint pastors and assign diaconal ministers to their ministries, and guide us in our common mission of love and justice, witness and service. Amen.

DEAN EDWIN APONTE, DEAN OF DREW THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL:

Bishop Moore-Koikoi take this globe, and lead us in our mission to all the world. Amen.

BILL THOMPSON, CONFERENCE LAY LEADER: Bishop Moore-Koikoi, these are the signs of your ministry among the people of the Eastern PA Conference of The United Methodist Church. Faithfully administer discipline, but do not forget mercy, that when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you may receive the never–fading crown of glory.

BISHOP MOORE-KOIKOI: In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, I gladly assume, with you and among you, this ministry of Word, Sacrament, and Order, of pastoral supervision, government, and service. Strengthened by the love of God and the remembrance of my consecration to the episcopacy, I am resolved to serve faithfully and well the congregations and people of the Eastern PA Conference as bishop, pastor, and friend.

PEOPLE: On behalf of the congregations and people, we receive you, Bishop Moore-Koikoi, with joy and thanksgiving, as our bishop and pastor. We pledge to you our prayers, our loyalty, and our support as you lead us in the ministry of reconciliation entrusted to us all.

Great is Thy Faithfulness (chorus)

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

WELCOME AND ACCLAMATION

LENORA THOMPSON, CONNECTIONAL TABLE CHAIR: May the people of the Eastern PA Conference welcome our new bishop!

The people acclaim their bishop with applause or other signs.

SPECIAL MUSIC: “I Surrender”

Coleridge Tillman, Odom Jr. Ashworth, King (BMG Rights)

Lydia Munoz

What can a heart that’s strangely warmed

Do for a world in need

Can one small heart that’s strangely warmed

Be brave enough to lead

Through many dangers, toils and snares

That life will surely bring

But one small heart who’s joined in faith

To others who believe

Refrain

We can build a cathedral

One heart at a time

Jesus is our cornerstone

Grace will supply

We can build a cathedral

Stronger than anything

When my heart with yours

Is strangely warmed within

The world is hungry for the food

That money cannot buy

It longs to be community

Where everyone can thrive

Oh God create of us a table

Where all can be fed

Where justice rolls like a mighty flood

And peace we can create

Bridge

Not of stone but of hearts transformed

Not of buildings made of sand

Sanctuaries where the world can heal

Where grace and mercy freely found

SERMON: “Every Breakfast is a Fresh Start” | Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi

PRAYER | Dawn Taylor-Storm, Director of Connectional Ministry

O God, Shepherd and Ruler of the faithful, look with favor on your servant Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, whom your Church has appointed bishop and chief pastor of the Eastern PA Conference. Grant that, by word and example, she may assist those among whom she is placed, so that she and the people entrusted to her care may fulfill the promises that they have made this day; grow together in unity, love, and service; and at last, attain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

OFFERING | Bryan Serrano

The gifts given today will be used to support youth attending EPA Camp & Retreat Ministries and the IGNITE Youth Conference. Checks may be made out to EPAUMC with Memo: Youth Scholarships IGNITE/Camping. Thank you for your generosity.

Song during offering: “God of the Poor”

Offering Received & Prayer after Offering

HOLY COMMUNION

Feed My Sheep

Written by: Tanya Linn Bennett

Service of Holy Communion

INVITATION TO THE FEAST

Christ our Lord invites to this table all who love him,

Who earnestly repent of their sin

And seek to live in peace with one another.

Therefore, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

CONFESSION AND PARDON

Loving God, Great Shepherd, your seek us out in all times and places;

And with grace and holy kindness, you gather us back into the fold,

no matter how far we have strayed or where we have gone.

Before we come to be fed again, we empty ourselves of all that keeps us from

each other and from you.

When we have taken your grace for granted

And expected instant answers to immediate requests:

When we have allowed waiting on your Spirit to slip into lethargy,

and waiting on the kin-dom to be replaced by apathy:

When we have borne false witness against one another

clouded with claims of righteous indignation:

When we have thought only of ourselves waiting on you

And never pondered how you wait on us:

When we have left too many outside the gate, and refused

them entry because of our judgment and self-righteousness,

God of grace, hear our cries for forgiveness and restoration.

Make us your shepherds, feeding the least and forgotten, loving the lonely.

We ask this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

WORDS OF GRACE

ONE: In God’s grace, we are forgiven.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

GREAT THANKSGIVING

ONE: God be with you.

ALL: God is with us.

In those days, when the sun grew dim and clouds covered the earth, the people sat in silence, broken and weary, alienated from each other and from their God. They watched and waited in fear and hopelessness. Despair fell over them like a deep shadow. God looked upon the exquisite world God had made, and the wonderful, fearfully made creatures God had fashioned to inhabit that world. God saw the pain and anger and conflict that had marred the magnificent and marvelous vision God had for this world.

A new day must come, God said. And God reached into God’s own truth. The word became flesh, and the One, the Son appeared on the horizon. God said to him, you will be the Great Shepherd. Go out and find the least and the lost. Gather them up and tell them of a love that will never leave them hungry again. And the people saw the One, the Son, and they said, a new day has dawned. In wonder and awe, they sang out their praise and thanksgiving for this thing that God had done, singing with the ancestors,

SANCTUS

2257b TFWS (Mark A. Miller)

Holy, holy, holy Lord;

God of power and might.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest!

Blest is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest!

Jesus did just as God had told him. Jesus walked into the shadows and shone light into the corners, calling to the lost and bringing back the strays. He bound up the injured and strengthened the weak, and freed the people distant from all that held them from the fullness of life offered by God. Jesus held them in a love so fierce and so gentle that they could not deny or escape it. Jesus challenged the sleek and the strong, offering a kin-dom of grace and peace and oneness, instead of the reign of power and control and alienation. Jesus shepherded God’s flock with justice.

The people were fed and they flourished. They followed the Great Shepherd and gathered others up with them. But fear gripped their hearts and took hold of their heads. They could not imagine this new day or trust that it would endure. They quivered with anxiety and wavered in their belief. So, they said, take Jesus away where he can tend the sheep no more.

Knowing that danger was near, Jesus secretly gathered friends around the Passover table. Jesus lifted bread, blessed it, and told them to eat. Jesus raised the cup, blessed it, and told them to drink. “This is the meal that will always sustain you,” he said, “the promise of God for the people of God. Eat it and remember that now you are the shepherds. Each one called to feed God’s flock.”

And then he was taken away and he was gone.

But nothing can separate us from the love of God, not rulers then or now, not human power and control. Nothing. In a miracle we will never understand, God rose Jesus up to stand again on the horizon, beckoning us into the dawning of a new day. It is here. It is now. So we simply trust and believe and sing out the mystery that is our faith in God and God’s faith in us.

Memorial Acclamation

Christ has died;

Christ is risen;

Christ will come again.

Hosanna in the highest!

Today we come to this table, God’s table. This meal that dawns a new day. God of glory, pour out your spirit on these gifts of bread and cup, and make them be the bread of heaven and the cup of salvation. God of grace, pour out your spirit on us, and make us be your shepherds, gatherers feeding love and hope and joy.

Every one is welcome here. Bound and broken, lost and least, the strays and the scorned. Every one, gather to eat here and remember that we are God’s shepherds prepared here to carry this sacred meal into a new day that endures forever.

Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

GIVING THE BREAD AND CUP

SONGS DURING COMMUNION

All Belong Here | Lenora and Hannah Rand

Verse

When you’re not sure who you really are

When all you feel is the shape of your scars

And you have more wounds than you can count

Open your eyes, look all around

You aren’t alone, this is your home

Chorus

Come and remember who you are here

Do this to remember who I am

Come and remember you belong here

All belong here

Verse

When you don’t know how to forgive

When locked doors seem like the only way to live

And you’ve got more questions than you can count

Open your eyes, look all around You aren’t alone,

this is your home

Bridge

At this table come as you are

Broken and bleeding’s ok

At this table eat and be filled

Come and drink in this grace.

Chorus

Taste and See (TFWS #2267)

Chorus

//Taste and see, taste and see

The goodness of the Lord//

Of the Lord

I will bless the Lord at all times.

Praise shall always be on my lips;

my soul shall glory in the Lord;

for God has been so good to me.

Glorify the Lord with me.

Together let us all praise God’s name.

I called the Lord, who answered me;

from all my troubles I was set free.

PRAYER | Deacon Nikki Kleinberg

We thank you, gracious Lord, for giving yourself to us and for uniting us in the communion of your Holy Spirit. We bless you for raising up among us your faithful servant Cynthia for the ministry of being a bishop in your Church. We pray that she may be to us an effective example in word and action, in love and patience, and in holiness of life. Grant that we, with her may glorify you by giving ourselves to others; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi

SENDING FORTH | Deacon David W. Brown

RECESSIONAL HYMN

In the Midst of New Dimensions (Julian Rush) (#2238 TFWS)

In the midst of new dimensions, in the face of changing ways.

Who will lead the pilgrim peoples wandering in their separate ways?

Refrain

God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar,

We your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever, now and ever more.

Through the flood of starving people, warring factions and despair,

Who will lift the olive branches? Who will light the flame of care?

As we stand a world divided by our own self seeking schemes,

Grant that we, your global village might envision wider dreams

We are man and we are woman, all persuasions, old and young,

Each a gift in your creation, each a love song to be sung.

POSTLUDE | Gordon Young

Service Notes:

USHERS: Sue Grimm Mattox (CSM), Carol Gibson (CLM), Pat Wilson (CSM), Denny Booher (CLM), Jennifer Lafferty (CLM), Frances Whittington (CLM)

ALTAR DESIGN: Gina Yeske

We want to express our gratitude to West Lawn UMC for their gracious hospitality in hosting the service.