Dedication Service

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 211, 7 September 1938, Page 2

Dedication Service

MR. A. A. It. HUTCHING The largest congregation seen in the Pahiatua Methodist Church for some time past gathered on Sunday evening last to pay tribute to Mr. A. A. L. Hutching for five years of faithful work as a lay preacher and to associate themselves with his dedication as Home Missioner of tho Church. A well conducted song service preceded the main one which began at 7.30 p.m. to meet tho wishes of tho many country friends who journeyed from Eketahunn, Marima, Mangamaire and Mangatainoka. Tho scrvico opened with Charles Wesley’s “My Heart is Full of Christ.” This was followed by a prayer, a psalm and a hymn, “God of Mercy, God of Grace.” After the offertory had been received tho choir sang “Help Mo to Be Holy.” Tho Bet. W. E. Mooro preached a sermon emphasising the importance of tho offleo of lay preacher to tho Church from apostolic days to our present ago and urged the congregation to help these faithful workers by an encouraging att""dance ai the services they conduct. The lav preacher shared tho responsibility of the preaching of tho Gospel with tho minister, but often at considerable expense in time and study after the day’s tasks wero done. Tho Homo Missionary was a full-timo lay agent to minister to the smaller and often more difficult causes of tho Church.

The candidate and minister then pro ceeded to tho cbmmunion table and the vows of allegiance to Christ and the Church wero given. Then while they remained kneeling, tho congregation sang tho hymn, “My Talents, Gifts and Graces, Lord, Into Thy Blessed Hands Receive.”

Then oamo tho presentation of an inscribed copy of tho Biblo as tho authority to preach and conduct tho officos of tho Church.

Holy Communion followed and aftoi a prayer of dedication Mr. Hutching went to tho pulpit and conducted the closing of tho service. Afterwards in Wesley Hall, which was filled, community singing was conducted by the minister and Miss I*. Lawson.

Messrs. J. J. Boagey and W. A. Cai thew eulogised Mr. Hutching’s perseverance in his preparation for the ministry and wished him Godspeed Mr. H. Smith conveyed similar greet ings from Ekctahuna Circuit. The Rev W. E. Mooro then made a presentation of a copy of a recent life of John Wesley, and a monetary gift from all parts of the circuit, Mr. Hutching feelingly replying. The hymn “Blessed bo the Tie that Binds,” was sung. Supper was then served and tho gath<mng closed with the Doxology.