This liturgy can be used to recognize those in your congregation who are embarking on a new course of study at a college, university, or seminary.

After the sermon, the minister, other church leaders, and those preparing for further study gather at the baptismal font. The whole congregation stands and joins them in confessing their common baptismal faith with the Apostles’ Creed. After all are seated, the minister continues:
Our common baptism is our sure sign and seal of God’s call to salvation and service. United with Christ in baptism, we live as his disciples always. That path takes some of us into disciplines of higher education. We follow that path in response to God’s call, there manifesting the new life we enter through baptism. Discipleship is both a gift and a commitment, an offering and a responsibility.

The minister speaks briefly about the nature of the calling to study. Opportunity may be given to those who are preparing for studies to speak about their plans and offer specific prayer requests.

The minister addresses the students:
N. and N., the grace bestowed on you in baptism is sufficient for your calling because it is God’s grace. By God’s grace we are saved and enabled to grow in the faith and to commit our lives in ways that serve Christ. Your call to study is to be embraced as an expression and continuation of the call to be his disciples.

Who is your Lord and Savior?

Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.

Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his Word and showing his love?

I will, with God’s help.

Do you welcome the responsibility of further study because you are determined to follow the Lord Jesus, to love neighbors, and to work for the reconciling of the world?

I do.

The minister addresses all present:
Do you, members of this community of faith, confirm the call of God to our brothers/sisters N. and N. to undertake further study in the service of Jesus Christ?

We do.

Will you support and encourage them in this calling?

We will.

Commissioning Prayer
Faithful God, in baptism you claimed us; and by your Holy Spirit you are working in our lives, empowering us to live a life worthy of our calling. We thank you for the treasures gathered here before us. They have been your gifts to our families, our community, and this church. We have cherished them, nurtured them, and learned from them. Now we commit them to you as they go forth from us. Hold them close to yourself, sustain them with joy and strength for their work, and use their gifts for the common good wherever they may be. Establish them in your truth, and guide them by your Holy Spirit, that in your service they may grow in faith, hope, and love, faithfully following Jesus Christ, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Charge
N. and N., you are now commissioned by this church to further study. As you go, clothe yourself with the mind of Christ. Seek places to worship and serve him wherever you go. Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God through him.

A hymn of dedication from The Presbyterian Hymnal follows, such as:
#364 “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God”
#391 “Take My Life”
#392 “Take Thou Our Minds, Dear Lord”
#522 “Lord, When I Came Into This Life”

For more information or ideas, call Sheldon Sorge, Office of Theology and Worship, at (888) 728-7228, ext. 5310.