April 1, 2001

Celebrating the Foolishness of God

A Service of Ordination to Christian Ministry, Sweetwater, TX, at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). A children's choir from the United Methodist Church sang "God is Greater Than the Boogie Man," "Jesus Loves Me," and "I Am A Promise."

Dave Durham from Nashville, TN led the gathered community in worship on the keyboard: "Seek Ye First." "Awesome God." "How Great Thou Art." Christy Peace Idemudia from Nigeria sang, acapella,"Amazing Grace." Ministers from the area came to celebrate: Episcopal--Presbyterian--Methodist--Mt. Zion Baptist--neighboring Disciples. Friends and family came from Mississippi, Arizona, Tennessee, and from various towns in Texas.

Balloon bouquets and colorful ribbons decorated the sanctuary and the reception hall. Selected music from "Songs" by Rich Mullens and "Joy in the Journey" by Michael Card played as we gathered.

LET MERCY LEAD. "If we can reach beyond the wisdom of this age into the foolishness of God, that foolishness will save those who believe. Although their foolish hearts may break they will find peace and I'll meet you in that place where mercy leads."

GOD'S OWN FOOL. "We in our foolishness thought we were wise. He played the fool and he opened our eyes. We in our weakness believed we were strong. He became helpless to show we were wrong. So we follow God's own fool, for only the foolish can tell. Be the unbelievable! Come be a fool as well."

IF I STAND. "So if I stand let me stand on the promise that You will pull me through. And if I can't, let me fall on the grace that first brought me to You."

Rev. Peggy Edge's sermon: "What Foolishness!" from 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.
"God chose what is foolish in the world ...so that no one might boast..."

Rev. Ralph Glenn, Regional Minister and President of the Christian Church in the Southwest, presided over the ordination, receiving my vows and affirming my faith and ministry.

Rev. Thomas Minton called the ministers present in the gathering to come forth, lay hands on my head and shoulders, as he prayed a blessing on my ministry.

The service concluded with the presentation of the Certificate of Ordination to me. Gifts were given: an alb made especially for me by my daughter and a stole with the faces of the children of the world from the women of the church in Sweetwater.

The day was, indeed, a day of celebration and blessing.
And I was set apart to continue Christian ministry as doors of opportunity opened.