Dr. Tyler Groff’s Installation Service
Annabeth Berry started the service with a Call to Worship, “We’ve come together today to worship God. It’s not a time where we have to summon God into our presence… He is here with us.” This call continued with the reading of Psalm 100, where we were reminded that we, the Church, are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Belonging to God and being receivers of his goodness, faithfulness, and love enables us to respond in worship.
This past Sunday, Orangewood witnessed God’s goodness, faithfulness, and love in his provision of a Lead Pastor and his family. Dr. Tyler Groff, Rachel, Emmy, Layne, and Caleb are truly a gift to our church and we’re thankful we had the opportunity to celebrate them on Sunday.
After worship and passing the peace, Gary Wilson shared the Scripture Reading for the morning from Matthew 16:13-27 before Pastor Pete Alwinson came up to preach. His sermon challenged us to center our hearts on Jesus himself.
It was not long before Pastor Joe approached the podium and convened Tyler’s installation on behalf of the Presbytery. Joe addressed the congregation sharing all that Tyler has affirmed in his examination that has led up to his installation and invited him to affirm this publicly. Orangewood members responded with a resounding “We do,” and agreed to receive Tyler as Lead Pastor.
Tyler was then invited to kneel while Orangewood elders and deacons laid hands on him for a time of prayer led by Jim Miller. As this prayer time came to an end, Dr. Tyler Groff was officially installed as Lead Pastor of Orangewood. Tyler concluded our time of worship with a benediction, “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”