Ordination Service Sunday November 12, 2023 2:00PM

Greater Framingham Community Church

An Extended Christian Family

Church Theme:

“Year of Miraculous Outpouring & Majestic Praise”

Exodus 15:6, 11

 

 

 

 

 

Deacon Ordination Service

November 12,2023 ♦ 2:00 PM

Franklin and Park Streets, PO Box 629 Framingham, MA 01704

Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd, Pastor janthonylloyd@gmail.com

 

Church Office (508) 626-2118 ♦ Internet: www.gfccnet.org

 

Please Note: All services are videotaped\livestreamed, which means the camera spans the congregation at times, and you may be on the screen.

 

Worship and celebration

LIVESTREAMED: www.gfccnet.org/live

✝Organ and Piano Prelude............................. Felix Mwangi & Praise Team

✝Devotional Prayer................................................... Deacon Ev Reynolds

✝Processional……………“We’ve Come This Far By Faith”.................................................................................................. Clergy,

Ministers,Deacons, Pastor’s Aide,

Hymn #412

✝Call to Worship…………...Psalms 100......... Deacon Marguerite Lackard

✝Invocational Prayer.................................................. Deacon Lynn Moore

✝Statement of Purpose....................................... Minister Almarie Dawkins

✝Welcome on Behalf of the Church............................... Deacon Pat Philips

✝Response……………………………………………………………..

✝Praise Selection…….……Glory, Glory, Hallelujah................ Praise Team

✝Old Testament …………Isaiah 6:1-8….................... ,,,.Deacon Gloria Lee

✝New Testament…… Acts 6:1-7................................ Deacon Tracy Bryant

Introduction of Preacher......................................... Deacon Robert Evelyn

✝Praise Selection…..…I Just Wanna Praise You Forever......... Praise Team

 

Sermon…................................................................. Bishop Brian Greene

✝Praise Selection………”Spirit of the Living God”…………..Praise Team

✝ Pastoral Challenge to Candidates.................... Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd

✝Expression of the Congregation….................... Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd

✝Congregational Hymn.. “And They Will Know We are Christians by our

love

Servant Hood……………………………………………………………….

✝Act of Ordination............................................ Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd

✝ Prayer of Dedication…........................................... Bishop Brian Greene

(Laying of Hands)

✝Praise Selection……….."Anointing Fall On Me..................... Praise Team

✝Presentations................................... Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd, Ministers

✝Response………………………………………………………………………………………………….

✝Benediction…………………………………………………………………

✝Recessional………”I Am On The Battlefield”…...................... Hymn #480

Fellowship of New Ministers in the Fellowship Hall

 

PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES DURING WORSHIP SERVICE

✝Standing Please

Praise Selection

 

 

WE’VE COME THIS FAR BY FAITH

 

We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord,

Trusting in His holy Word, He's never failed me yet.

Oh, oh, oh, can't turn a-round, We've come this far by faith.

 

Just the other day, I heard a man say

He didn't believe in God's - Word,

But I can truly say that I have found the way,

And He's never failed me yet.

Don't be discouraged

When troubles come your way. He'll bear all your burdens, And turn all your night into day.

 

GLORY, GLORY, HALLELUJAH!

Glory, glory, hallelujah! Since I laid my burdens down.

Glory, glory, hallelujah! Since I laid my burdens down.

I feel better, so much better Since I laid my burdens down.

 

I feel better, so much better Since I laid my burdens down!

 

Friends don’t treat me like they used to Since I laid my burdens down.

Friends don’t treat me like they used to Since I laid my burdens down!

I’m goin’ home to be with Jesus Since I laid my burdens down.

I’m goin’ home to be with Jesus Since I laid my burdens down!

I won’t treat you like I used to Since I laid my burdens down. I won’t treat you like I used to Since I laid my burdens down!

 

Burdens down, Lord, burdens down Since I laid my burdens down.

Burdens down, Lord, burdens down Since I laid my burdens down!

 

Glory, glory, hallelujah! Since I laid my burdens down.

Glory, glory, hallelujah! Since I laid my burdens down.

 

I JUST WANNA PRAISE YOU, FOREVER

 

I just want to praise you Forever and ever and ever

For all you've done, done for me Blessings and glory and honor They all belong to you

Thank you Jesus for blessing me!

 

 

I just want to thank you Forever and ever and ever

For all you've done, done for me Blessings and glory and honor They all belong to you

Thank you Jesus for blessing me!

Blessings and glory and honor They all belong to you

Thank you Jesus for blessing me!

 

SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD

Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me,

Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me.

Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me.

Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me.

 

THEY'LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE

We are one in the spirit We are one in the Lord We are one in the spirit We are one in the Lord

And we pray that all unity may one day be restored

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love

And they'll know that we are Christians by our love

 

We will walk with each other We will walk hand in hand We will walk with each other We will walk hand in hand And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land. And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love

And they'll know that we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other We will work side by side We will work with each other We will work side by side

And we'll guard human dignity and save human pride

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love

And they'll know that we are Christians by our love

 

 

All praise to the Father from whom all things come

And all praise to Christ Jesus, God's only son

And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love

And they'll know that we are Christians by our love

 

ANOINTING

Anointing fall on me Anointing fall on me

Let the power of the Holy Ghost fall on me

Anointing fall on me

 

I AM ON THE BATTLEFIELD FOR MY LORD

 

I am on the battlefield for my Lord,

I'm on the battlefield for my Lord;

And I promised Him that I

 

would serve Him till I die.

I am on the battlefield for my Lord.

 

I was alone and idle, I was a sinner too,

I heard a voice from heaven Say there is work to do,

I took the Master's hand,

And I joined the Christian band, I'm on the battlefield for my Lord. [Refrain]

 

I left my friends and kindred Bound for the Promised Land, The grace of God upon me, The Bible in my hand,

In distant lands I trod, Crying, sinner, come to God, I'm on the battlefield for my Lord. [Refrain]

Now when I met my Savior, I met Him with a smile,

He healed my wounded spirit, And owned me as His child, Around the throne of grace, He appoints my soul a place, I'm on the battlefield for my Lord. [Refrain]

 

ORDINATION & INSTALLATION OF DEACONS

Statement of Purpose

 

Jesus Christ is the Lord of his church. Founded upon the conviction that He is the Son of God, redeemed by His blood, nourished upon His Word, Upheld by His intercession, the church is His body, commissioned to do His will.

Christ did not set up His church and then abandon her. Rather, He sent His Holy Spirit to guide the apostles into all truth, so that the body would have all it needed to do the work Christ intended and also be protected from those forces which would destroy her.

Elders were named in each congregation and given oversight in spiritual matters. Paul Speaks of this responsibility in his charge to the elders from the church in Ephesus:

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28).

A deacon’s work may include preaching and teaching, as in 1 Timothy 5:17; praying with the sick, as in James 5:14; shepherding the flock, as in 1 Peter 5:2 and 3, and, from the same passage, serving as a good example.

 

The word deacon means servant, and perhaps the word itself offers the best description of the deacon’s ministry. As the elders minister to the spiritual welfare of the flock, so the deacons minister to its material and spiritual needs.

 

When a complaint arose in the Jerusalem church that certain widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food, the church selected seven men and the apostles turned the responsibilities over to them (Acts 6).

The immediate and practical solution pleased everyone. The widows’ needs were met; the apostles were able to concentrate upon prayer and teaching; an incipient division was healed; and the church increased in numbers rapidly.

So, it is today. The various servants in the church complement each other and benefit the whole.

 

 SERVICE OF INSTALLATION

The deacons see that the gospel is preached, taught, and lived; that prayer is continuous, that Christian love and spirit of unity prevail; that workers are

 

selected and trained; that the straying are brought back into the fold; and that the kingdom of Christ extends abroad.

We have come today to set apart those we have selected to serve this congregation as deacons. Let us ask God’s blessings upon what we do, that His name may be honored, and His will be done.

Expression of the Congregation

Pastor: Do you wish these to be set apart to shepherd this flock, as deacons tended the flock of God in the early church?

Congregation: We do.

Pastor: Will you promise to encourage and honor them in all things consistent with the Word of God, and zealously aid them in the discharge of their responsibilities?

Congregation: We will.

Pastor: Have you prayerfully considered the responsibilities and obligations which the office you are called to fill carries with it?

Elected: I have.

Pastor: Do you, with a just appreciation of these responsibilities and obligations, accept this office?

Elected: I will.

Pastor: Do you accept the office of deacon in this church, and promise that you will faithfully endeavor to discharge the duties thereof so as to promote the interests of the congregation and the cause of truth and righteousness?

Elected: I do. (They are seated.)

 

Pastor: When God has special work to do, He selects special people. Examples from the book of Acts provides us with a precedent for what we are doing today.

Of the Jerusalem church, we read in Acts 6,

Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. And the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” And the statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

And the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem (Acts 6:1-7).

Later, as the church spreads across the Mediterranean world, Paul and Barbabas journeyed through Lystra, Iconium, ad Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. The apostle Paul knew that these new converts needed someone to shepherd them and guard them from falling away. So Paul and Barnabas “appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, and they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed” (Acts 14:23).

Paul charged the elders of the church in Ephesus to “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you

 

overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with his

own blood” (Acts 20:28).

Deacons minister in the areas of compassion and benevolence. They are charged with guiding and teaching. As each performs his/hers ministry, the church will become more and more Christ-like. Others will be drawn into the fellowship, and the influence of the gospel will multiply.

We are setting apart these candidates to their deacon ministries. Let us ask the blessings of God upon their service.

Examination of the candidates (Candidates for Deacon will stand)

Leader: You are being set apart today as elders. The title of your ministry means “overseer” and “shepherd”. You have been selected by the members of this church to care fir their spiritual growth and to lead them towards maturity as Christians, Have you prayerfully considered the privileges and responsibilities that will be yours through your service as an elder?

Candidates respond one by one: I have.

Leader: Are you willing to accept this task and commit yourself to be a shepherd, a guardian, a leader and an example for this family of Christian believers?

Candidates respond one by one: I am.

Will you seek the help of God, through prayer and the study of His Word, so that your service will bring honor to Him and to His Son, Jesus Christ?

Candidates respond one by one: I will.

 

BISHOP BRIAN C. GREENE

 

Bishop Brian C. Greene has served for 27 years as senior pastor of Pentecostal Tabernacle in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He devotes much of his and the church’s efforts to working in the community, in order to fulfill the mission of Pentecostal

Tabernacle:

 

“Restoring Broken Lives to Bring Glory (credit) to God.”

 

Bishop Greene has traveled extensively to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ both within the United States and abroad, including the countries of Poland, Columbia, South Africa,

Ghana, Romania and the Caribbean. In 2004, he released his first book. In July 2005, he was consecrated to the Office of International Bishop of the United Pentecostal Council

of the Assemblies of God. In June 2008, Bishop Greene successfully completed an on-campus training program at the Harvard University Divinity School’s Summer Leadership

 

Institute for clergy, lay leaders, and community activists who are involved in faith-based community and economic development.

 

In 2010 Bishop Greene received the Cambridge NAACP Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. Community Service Award and in 2013 he was sworn in as a Chaplain to the Cambridge Police Department. Under Bishop Greene’s leadership, Pentecostal Tabernacle purchased its first administrative building plus an additional church building in Cambridge, which is now called

“Pentecostal Tabernacle South Campus”. And by the grace of God, the debt balance for both were entirely paid within 8 years during the 2020 and 2021 pandemic. Pentecostal Tabernacle continues to remain a pillar in both the Port and Cambridgeport communities, and is one of the most recommended churches on the campuses of Harvard University and M.I.T.

Bishop Greene and his wife, Carmen, celebrated 40 years of marriage in May. They have two wonderful daughters Vanessa and Jessica.

 

Deacon Moses A. Osagie

 

Prince Moses A. Osagie came to the United States from Nigeria, West Africa in 1996 and settled in Framingham, MA. After visiting few Churches around Metrowest area, he eventually joined the GFCC in the summer of 1996.

Prince Moses is currently residing in Worcester, MA with his beloved wife and children.

 

Moses was born into a family that does not practice Christianity, but African traditional religion, coupled with being a first son and heir apparent to the throne and Chief Priest of his

Community. As it is the custom of his people, Moses was requested and mandated to be initiated into the Chief Priesthood, but he rejected and declined. This singular action of his

(which the community classified as disobedient behavior) shocked his people and resulted into what many called disappointment and failures on the part of Moses’s father, who they accused of being unable to convince or coarse his first-born son into accepting what it is well known as “hereditary and lineage of customary functions”. In the early days of Moses life, he became a regular and active member of Roman Catholic Church where he was baptized and confirmed in

accordance with Catholic’s doctrine and practices. However, Moses can not say that he had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as his personal Savior then. Prince Moses reported that

he had a real encounter with Christ in his adult age after attending one unconventional church services (popularly referred to as “crusade” in

Nigeria) on a particular day. Moses was so overwhelmed during the service and felt something that he had never felt previously, either during or after any worship services. From that day onwards, Moses decided to give his life fully to Christ. As years go by, Moses realized that the spirit that made him to abandoned and

disobeyed his father and the entire Community for the first time in his life, by not accepting the initiation into the Priesthood, was ordained by God because God wants to use him for His

glory. Since becoming a member of GFCC, Moses has served in the Assimilation Ministry, Mission and Outreach Ministry, and was commissioned as a Missionary by the very Rev Dr J.

Anthony Lloyd of GFCC on June 28th, 2015.

 

Deacon Courtney Burrell

 

Courtney Burrell resides in Worcester, MA with her husband of 13 years, Dr. Andrew Small, and their two sons Gabriel (8) and AJ (1). Courtney accepted Christ at age 7 and was baptized at the New Mount Olive Baptist Church of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, where she was active in the Sunday School and Youth Choir. In 2003, she joined Mt. Calvary Baptist Church where her father, Rev. Anthony Burrell, was called as Pastor. She is a proud graduate of Howard University with her Bachelors degree in Chemical

Engineering. Upon settling in Worcester, MA she joined Emmanuel Baptist Church in Worcester, MA in 2014 and joined the choir. In 2018, Courtney united with Greater Framingham Community Church, where she joined the church council as a member-at-large in 2019. In 2020, Courtney became chair of the Board of Youth Ministry, where she has led activities such as Youth Bible Jeopardy, the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, and Holyween Fellowship. She also co-authored the grant application for the Institute for the Study of the Black Christian Experience Equip Program, which resulted in a $10,000 grant to GFCC. She is also a member of the YAMS ministry and JYC. In addition to her work at GFCC, she is a member of the Gordon Conwell #myFaith cohort, focused on expanding youth ministry throughout the greater Boston Area. She loves the Lord with all her heart and is excited to serve as a Deacon, to the Glory of God.

 

Deacon Celanie Simpson

 

Celanie Simpson, born to Davan and the late Mavis Chung in Saint Andrew, Jamaica West Indies. She has been married to her husband Paul for 29 years. They are the parents of a son Jalen. She currently works for Amica Insurance Company. She grew up in the Methodist Church and was an avid Sunday School student and member of the Children’s Choir. She accepted Christ at the young age of fourteen (14) during a revival and was baptized in September 1982. After her baptism, she became a member of Mahoney Sanctified Church of God in Saint Andrew Jamaica where she served as a member of the Youth Choir and Young Adult Fellowship. In 1990 she migrated to the United State and attended the Wellesley Park Assembly of God. In 1995, she became a member of Greater Framingham Community Church (GFCC). She serves on the Toddler Ministry, Gospel Chorale, Thursday Morning Prayer and the Usher Board. She is a dedicated worker

 

for the Lord who loves her Church and the opportunity to serve, she accepted the call and has offered herself up to in service as a deacon.

 

 

Deacon Donna Crutchfield- Lundy

Prior to joining GFCC beginning in my 11th grade year I attended at St Cecilia's Academy, on East Capitol St. NW Washington DC. It was here I grew up as a practicing Catholic and attending Catholic schools. Even though it was here that I made the decision to no longer participate in the sacrament of confession. I had expressed to the Priest that I felt I could connect with God directly and in fact I will do just that and will no longer require your support.

 

It was in 1981, that I moved to Pittsburgh PA and met and married David Crutchfield and were married at Zion Baptist Church in McKeesport PA. Which was his home and family Church. I visited Christ Soul Saving Church in Duquesne PA. It was here that I experienced the Holy Spirit and my prayer language.

We moved to MA with our four children and lived on Howe Street in Framingham. I visited GFCC on foot and walked to the corner of Hartford and C street. When I attended GFCC, I joined the choir, talent show and bowling league. Even though we moved, I recall the love and family atmosphere while we attended.

 

I found myself looking for another Church due to the commute and the busy family schedule we had with our four children participating in cheerleading, football and playing soccer. My mother welcomed me to attend her church and, Tree of Life Ministries became our new home located in Marlboro MA, under the leadership of Pastor Ron Hoffman. This is where I found myself getting baptized and having multiple experiences in the Lord. We held an intercessory prayer meeting inside our home, and I learned the Word of God and how powerful it was to use during my own prayer life. It was a powerful time in my relationship with God which I cherish. However, we fell when away we moved once again, and in 1998, I became a widow and a single parent.

Sadly, I did not seek out God during this time but became angry and despondent. To my recall, it was my first born Olivia Crutchfield-Jones that

 

returned to GFCC, with my grandson Jacob Crutchfield- Jones.

 

In 2012, my decision to seek and renew my relationship with God began. I sought out my purpose and rededicated my life to God. I came home and became the Chairperson for the New Members Ministry and joined the Gospel Choir, Today, I desire to have purpose and serve God and the Family of God here at GFCC as your Deaconess. In this journey, God has blessed me with my husband of just two years but I have known since 1975, Barry Lundy. We are both sold out to God and our faith and belief has brought us together for such a time as this.

Deacon Rose Accam

 

Roseline Accam is a resident of Framingham, Massachusetts with her son Theodore and husband Victor. Roseline and Victor celebrated 29 years of marriage. Roseline is a long-time member of Greater Framingham Community Church, having joined the church with her husband in 1993 about 30years ago

at the C street Framingham location. She spent her formative years in Liberia where she was born and baptized at the age of 12 and in Ghana where she attended and completed high school. While in Ghana she became very active in the Scripture Students Union and the school choir, which was a continuation of her childhood Christian upbringing in Liberia where she participated in Vacation Bible school and children’s church activities at the Providence Baptist Church in Monrovia Liberia where her mother was the leader of the deacons.

 

After high school she went back to Liberia to attend the Lee Sherma Secretarial school, upon graduation she went on to the University of Liberia and completed her undergraduate studies in Business Management. She then joined the Diplomatic Service and was posted to Nigeria, not long after that the Liberian Civil war started, which devastated the country and she relocated to Framingham Massachusetts in 1991. She started working with autistic children at the New England School for

Autism, and with the elderly and disabled. She continued her Christian journey through her dedication to the church and the study of the word of God. She later enrolled at Clark University and obtained a Master in Public Administration with honors. She also obtained an interior design certification with

 

honors and started an interior decorating business which she managed for a few years, before starting a clothing and accessories store at the Greendale Mall in Worcester MA. Roseline joined the Women’s Gospel Choir at Greater Framingham Community Church. She also assisted and taught at Vacation Bible School, and she has always showed the desire to serve the Lord when called upon. As she has stated in the past that it brings her joy to see a smile on the face of others, she has always strived to assist the elderly, children and the vulnerable in general.

 

Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd, Pastor

Ministerial Staff

 

Rev. Dr. Richard Keyes Rev. Dr. Courtney Lackard Rev. Quincy Mosby Rev.Beverly Thompson Rev. Liz Clinkscales Rev.Belinda D. Mpagazehe

 

Minister Gail Simpson Minister Marshalee Kehlhem Minister Pat Ramsay Minister Karen Blake Minister Almarie Dawkins

 

 

 

 

Deacon Ruby Bishop

 

Deacon Board

Deacon Tracey Bryant

 

Deacon Amanda Hyman Deacon Marguerite Lackard Deacon Gloria Lee

Deacon Addie Burgan Deacon Althea Mondley Deacon Lula Evelyn Deacon Lynn Moore Deacon Robert Evelyn Deacon Moses Osagie

Deacon Donna Crutchfield Lundy

 

Deacon Merrily Herring Deacon Patricia Phillips Deacon Gerald Hill Deacon Ev Reynolds Deacon Vernon Hines Deacon Annette Woodson Deacon Jean Hoskins Deacon Rose Accam Deacon Celanie Simpson Deacon Courtney Burrell

 

 

Pastor’s Aide Ministry

 

Charleen Heard, Chairperson Anthony Lee, Vice Chair Sheron Daley

Donald Heard Audrey Anderson Lanita Butler Willie Mae Martin Gladys Calder Virginia Nicholson