All: For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
V: So teach us to number our days:
R: That we may apply our hearts to wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)
Let us pray.
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
All: For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
V: So teach us to number our days:
R: That we may apply our hearts to wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)
The departing Minister says
On the 17th day of August, 2005, I was inducted by Bishop Lillibridge as rector of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, having begun my ministry here on the 9th day of May, 2005. I have, with God’s help and to the best of my abilities, exercised this trust, accepting its privileges and responsibilities.
After prayer and careful consideration, it now seems to me that I should leave this charge, and I publicly state that my tenure as rector of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church ends this day.
Fr. Mike Do you, the people of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, recognize and accept the conclusion of this pastoral relationship?
People We do, with God’s help.
Senior Warden Do you, Father Mike, release and entrust us, the people of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, to the care of our interim priest, Fr. Bob, and to the new rector we will call?
Fr. Mike I do, with God’s help.
The departing Minister and the congregation then say together the following prayer.
O God, you have bound us together for a time as pastor and people to work for the advancement of your kingdom in this place: We give you humble and hearty thanks for the ministry which we have shared in these years now past.
Silence
We thank you for your patience with us despite our blindness and slowness of heart. We thank you for your forgiveness and mercy in the face of our many failures.
Silence
Especially we thank you for your never-failing presence with us through these years, and for the deeper knowledge of you and of each other which we have attained.
Silence
We thank you for those who have been joined to this part of Christ’s family through baptism. We thank you for opening our hearts and minds again and again to your Word, and for feeding us abundantly with the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of your Son.
Silence
Now, we pray, be with those who leave and with those who stay; and grant that all of us, by drawing ever nearer to you, may always be close to each other in the communion of your saints. All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.
The departing Minister then says
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
____________________
Image Credit: Michael K. Marsh, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Uvalde.
Interrupting the Silence 
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