The Institution of Fr. Hank Tuell, IV as Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church
- David Genovese
- May 9
- 11 min read
The Holy Eucharist
PRELUDE
THE PROCESSIONAL: LIFT HIGH THE CROSS
THE INSTITUTION
The Wardens, standing before Bishop Heyd with the new minister
Bishop Heyd, we have come together today to welcome Father Hank
Tuell, who has been chosen to serve as Rector of St. John’s, Staten Island.
We believe that he is well qualified, and that he has been prayerfully and
lawfully selected.
The Bishop may read the Letter of Institution.
The Bishop then says,
Father Hank, do you, in the presence of this congregation, commit
yourself to this new trust and responsibility?
Father Hank: I do.
The Bishop then addresses the congregation
Will you who witness this new beginning support and uphold Father Hank
in this ministry?
People We will.
The Bishop, standing, says
Let us then offer our prayers to God for all his people, for this
congregation, and for Father Hank, their Rector.
THE LITANY FOR ORDINATIONS
God the Father,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.
We pray to you, Lord Christ.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the holy Church of God, that it may be filled with truth and love, and
be found without fault at the Day of your Coming, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all members of your Church in their vocation and ministry, that they
may serve you in a true and godly life, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For Sean, our Presiding Bishop, for Matthew, Allen and Mary, our Bishops,
and for all bishops, priests, and deacons, that they may be filled with your
love, may hunger for truth, and may thirst after righteousness, we pray to
you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who fear God and believe in you, Lord Christ, that our divisions may
cease and that all may be one as you and the Father are one, we pray to
you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the mission of the Church, that in faithful witness it may preach the
Gospel to the ends of the earth, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who do not yet believe, and for those who have lost their faith,
that they may receive the light of the Gospel, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the peace of the world, that a spirit of respect and forbearance may
grow among nations and peoples, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
5For those in positions of public trust especially Donald, Kathy, Eric and Vito,
that they may serve justice and promote the dignity and freedom of
every person, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For a blessing upon all human labor, and for the right use of the riches of
creation, that the world may be freed from poverty, famine, and disaster,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer; for refugees,
prisoners, and all who are in danger; that they may be relieved and
protected, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For ourselves; for the forgiveness of our sins, and for the grace of the Holy
Spirit to amend our lives, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who have died in the communion of your Church, and those whose
faith is known to you alone, that, with all the saints, they may have rest in
that place where there is no pain or grief, but life eternal, we pray to you,
O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of the ever-blessed Virgin Mary, and all the
saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life to
Christ our God.
To you, O Lord our God.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
The Bishop, standing, says:
Bishop: The Lord be with you
People: And also with you.
Bishop: Let us pray.
Everliving God, strengthen and sustain Father Hank, that with patience and
understanding he may love and care for your people; and grant that
together they may follow Jesus Christ, offering to you their gifts and talents;
through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
THE FIRST LESSON JOSHUA 1:7-9
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance
with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from
it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever
you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall
meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in
accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way
prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you: Be
strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD
your God is with you wherever you go.’
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 133 ECCE, QUAM BONUM!
1 Oh, how good and pleasant it is, *
when brethren live together in unity!
2 It is like fine oil upon the head *
that runs down upon the beard,
73 Upon the beard of Aaron, *
and runs down upon the collar of his robe.
4 It is like the dew of Hermon *
that falls upon the hills of Zion.
5 For there the Lord has ordained the blessing: *
life for evermore.
134 Ecce nunc
1 Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, *
you that stand by night in the house of the Lord.
2 Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the Lord; *
the Lord who made heaven and earth bless
you out of Zion.
SECOND READING EPHESIANS 4:7, 11-16
But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s
gift. He himself granted that some are apostles, prophets, evangelists,
pastors and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building
up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature
of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about
by every wind of doctrine by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful
scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into
him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and
knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is
working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SEQUENCE HYMN: LOVE LIFTED ME
THE GOSPEL JOHN 15:9-16
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you
keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my
Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to
you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you
servants* any longer, because the servant* does not know what the master
is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you
everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but
I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so
hat the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, Lord Christ.
THE SERMON: Canon Alissa Newton
Choir and people; please stand as you are able
JUST A LITTLE TALK WITH JESUS
THE INDUCTION
Representatives of the congregation, Staten Island parishes, and of the clergy of the
Diocese stand before the bishop with the new minister.
Members of the Abraham and Jacob Families present a Bible, saying:
Father Hank, accept this Bible, and be among us as one who proclaims
the Word.
People Amen
Anthony, Danny and Etta Kelley present a vessel of water, saying
Father Hank, take this water, and help the bishop baptize in obedience to
our Lord.
People Amen
Erin Ryan Genovese presents a stole, saying
Father Hank, receive this stole, and be among us as a pastor and priest.
People Amen
Christopher Still and Dawaine Clark present a book of prayers, saying
Father Hank, receive this book, and be among us as a man of prayer.
People Amen
Cathy Carlson and George Paul present olive oil, saying
Father Hank, use this oil, and be among us as a healer and reconciler.
People Amen
Vivian Murray and Steven McCrimmon, Wardens of the parish, now present the keys of
the Church, saying
Father Hank, receive these keys, and let the doors of this place be open
to all people.
People Amen
The Reverend Canon Victor Conrado, as representative clergy of the Diocese, will
present the Canons, saying
Father Hank, obey these Canons, and be among us to share in the
councils of this diocese.
People Amen
Carol Thaten and Agnes Trinity present bread and wine, saying
Father Hank, take this bread and wine, and be among us to break the
Bread and bless the Cup.
People Amen
The Bishop then says
Father Hank, let all these be signs of the ministry which is mine and yours in
this place.
People Amen
The new Minister may then kneel in the midst of the church and say:
O Lord my God, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; yet you
have called your servant to stand in your house, and to serve at your altar.
To you and to your service I devote myself, body, soul, and spirit. Fill my
memory with the record of your mighty works; enlighten my understanding
with the light of your Holy Spirit; and may all the desires of my heart and will
center in what you would have me do. Make me an instrument of your
salvation for the people entrusted to my care, and grant that I may faithfully
administer your holy Sacraments, and by my life and teaching set forth your
true and living Word. Be always with me in carrying out the duties of my
ministry. In prayer, quicken my devotion; in praises, heighten my love and
gratitude; in preaching, give me readiness of thought and expression; and
grant that, by the clearness and brightness of your holy Word, all the world
may be drawn into your blessed kingdom. All this I ask for the sake of your
Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Bishop then presents the new minister to the congregation, saying
Greet your new Rector.
The new Minister then says to the people
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
The new Minister then greets other members of the clergy and the congregation. The
People greet one another.
THE HOLY COMMUNION
THE OFFERTORY 221: THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
OFFERTORY ANTHEM
Today’s offering will go toward the Clergy discretionary fund. Your generosity is
appreciated.
RITE II EUCHARIST PRAYER A
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give
thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
Here a Proper Preface is sung or said on all Sundays, and on other occasions as
appointed.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels
and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to
proclaim the glory of your Name:
Celebrant and People:
SANCTUS AND BENEDICTUS
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The people stand or kneel.
Then the Celebrant continues
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself,
and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death,
you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share
our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you,
the God and Father of all.
He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in
obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus
Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and
gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given
for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he
gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new
Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of
praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension,
we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood
of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him.
Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and
serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us
with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in
him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty
Father, now and forever. Amen.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Celebrant
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that
Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with
thanksgiving.
HEALING PRAYERS
Canon Conrado will offer healing prayers at the Lady’s Chapel during
Communion.
Communion Hymns: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, I Want to Walk As A Child of the Light
Communion Anthem
The Bishop leads the people:
Almighty Father, we thank you for feeding us with the holy food of the Body
and Blood of your Son, and for uniting us through him in the fellowship of
your Holy Spirit. We thank you for raising up among us faithful servants for
the ministry of your Word and Sacraments. We pray that Father Hank may
be to us an effective example in word and action, in love and patience,
and in holiness of life. Grant that we, with him, may serve you now, and
always rejoice in your glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
THE BLESSING
The Bishop then asks the new Rector to bless the people. The new Rector blesses the
congregation.
Amen.
Recessional Hymn: We Are Marching in the Light of God
DISMISSAL
Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
People Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia.
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