LITANY OF THANKSGIVING AND FAREWELL

(Pastor Dan and Kathy go to first pew in front of lectern and stand together)

BUTCH (at lectern):  For fifteen years, Pastor Daniel Behnke has served as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church.  He has offered his gifts and has worked diligently for the building up of the church in this place.  By the grace of God, he has served us well.  C:  Thanks be to God.

BISHOP (at lectern):  Pastor Dan, on October 24th, 1993, you were installed as Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church to proclaim Gods Word, to baptize new members into the church of Jesus Christ, to announce God's forgiveness to Grace members, and to preside at  celebrations of the Lord's Supper. With the Gospel you have comforted these members in times of sickness and trouble, and at the death of their loved ones. Sharing their joys and sorrows, both you and your family have been important to the Church of Jesus Christ at Grace and in their service to the communities around.  
On this day we celebrate you and your thirty years of ministry and service.  As you begin your retirement, though your role will change, the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin invites you to continue to receive and share God's wondrous gifts of grace and to work beside us as servants in God's kingdom. May God's richest blessings be upon you and Kathy.
JIM (at lectern):  Previous to his call to Grace Lutheran Church, Pastor Dan served congregations in these Minnesota communities:  Wanamingo, Zumbrota, St. Paul, Maplewood, Brooklyn Park, Rushford, and Lyle.  He was ordained to the ministry of word and sacrament in September 1972 in his home congregation of Christus Lutheran, Clintonville Wisconsin.  He attended Wartburg College, the University of Wisconsin, and Trinity Lutheran Seminary.  An internship year was spent at St. Matthew’s Lutheran, Washington, D.C.

WILL (at lectern):  In the book of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher writes the following verses: 
"For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to seek, and a time to lose...." 
RANDY (at lectern):  Today is your last Sunday as our pastor.  As your retirement begins, it is a time to mark the ending of your ministry here at Grace Lutheran Church; a time to look back and a time to look forward; a time for joy and a time for sadness.  It is a time to give thanks and praise to Almighty God for what Pastor Dan has given us in our lives together. 

BP:   Blessed be God. 			C. And blessed be his holy name. 
BP: The Lord makes everything beautiful in its time. 	C. Whatever God does endures forever. 
BP: Bless the Lord, O my soul. 		C. And forget not all his benefits. 
JEREMY (at pulpit):  In this pulpit and others like it, you have proclaimed the saving gospel of Jesus Christ over a thousand times throughout these past 30 years.  You have challenged God’s people and us to live out the Gospel mission in our daily lives.  
C.  We thank you for your preaching ministry.

SANDY (at baptismal font):  At this font and fonts in other congregations, you have baptized infants, teens, and adults.  The gift of new life in Christ comes from God and is administered by faithful pastors.  	C.  We thank you for presiding at the sacrament of Holy Baptism.  
LINDA (behind altar):  At this table and others like it, you have presided at the sacrament of Holy Communion.  The meal is the Lord’s, and this congregation has been a provider of this meal so that young and old could be fed with the living presence of Christ.  You have presided over this meal so it could be served in an orderly fashion.  
C:  We thank you for presiding at the sacrament of Holy Communion.

BILL (standing center of chancel in front of altar):  Standing in front of sanctuaries you have presided at services where many gave thanks for the lives of people who had died.  You walked with us in the midst of grief.  You proclaimed the good news of the resurrection and led us in prayers for comfort and strength.
C:  We thank you for being with us in the time of loss.

RODNEY (standing center of chancel in front of altar):  You have also presided over services of holy marriage.  You were present at the beginning of something wonderful and encouraged the couples to include Jesus in their marriage.  You led prayers asking God’s presence in marriage.
C:  We thank you for sharing those and other times of great joy.

NICOLE (standing at baptismal font): Not only did you baptize over seventy of us who were born since your arrival, you have taught us, shared the good news as children’s messages with us, confirmed some who you baptized, and shared in our youth activities.  
C:  Thank you for being a significant part of the lives of Grace youth.

BUTCH (at lectern holding up a key):  When you came here in 1993, you received the keys to this building.  You have had an office here to do your work of reading, preparing for worship and study, administering for the life of the congregation, and to meet people for small talk and big conversations.  You have taught in this building and given leadership to programs and activities for people of all ages.  You have watched over our buildings through your daily presence and alerted us when action was needed.  As you return your key, we thank you for your prayers, your diligent preparation, your careful listening, and your assistance with maintaining our premises.  
C:  We thank you for all you have done in this building and for this building.

LYNETTE:  (standing on floor of sanctuary near communion rail): Kathy, we recognize that you have been greatly involved in support of Pastor Dan’s ministry and in your own ministries.  You have lead us and taught us music for worship; directed adult and children’s choirs; taught adult education and Sunday School classes; led the music at VBS; spoke often about end-of-life concerns; been elected a deacon on our Council and a delegate to the synod assembly; assisted in worship and brought the message as a lay preacher; and created beautiful banners and baptismal napkins for worship.  You have participated in the Synod’s Health Cabinet, Lay School of Ministry and are a Synodically Authorized Minister.  
C:  We give thanks to God for your active participation in the life and ministry of Grace Lutheran Church and the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin.

(Pastor and Kathy are joined by Beth and Ben)
LAURA (standing on floor of sanctuary near communion rail):  Beth and Ben, you have also been part of this congregation and contributed to our ministry.  Beth you have provided music over the years at Sunday worship, funerals and weddings.  Ben you were active in youth activities here at Grace and in the NW synod, sang in choir and read lessons.  (Addressing children and grandchildren sitting in congregation):  All of you as children and grandchildren of Pastor Dan have shared him with us these many evenings and weekends, even when you wanted him to be with you.  
C:  We give thanks to God for your participation, your support of Pastor Dan, and your willingness to share him and Kathy with us in our ministry.

BISHOP PEDERSON  Let us pray:  Gracious God you have called us in our baptism to be your servants.  You have enabled us to respond to your call as a community of believers.  Thank you for the partnership in the gospel we have enjoyed with Pastor Dan and Kathy.  Now we send them forth to enjoy Pastor’s retirement and continue their ministries in a new way and different congregation.  May they go from here knowing our love and appreciation.  We pray In Jesus' name.  Amen. 
(Council members step out of chancel, if no pew available stand along sides of church)

PD (on first step of chancel). Scripture tells us that endings are only new beginnings.  Therefore, let us go forth, doing God's will in our respective places, for the sake of the Gospel of Christ. 

C. Go now, and do God's will.  As you have been a blessing to us, go to be a blessing to others. 
PD.  As you have been a blessing to me, so also may you be a blessing to others. 

C. Witness faithfully in word and deed to the love and salvation that is known to us in Christ.
PD. Strive for righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness among yourselves. 

C. Give and receive comfort as you serve in other ways within the Church. 
PD. Give and receive comfort as you serve within the world. 

C. May God, the Father, bless you in your ministry in retirement. 
PD. May God, the Father, bless you in your ministry in this place. 

C. May God, the Son, be ever with you and guide you. 
PD. May God, the Son, be ever with you and guide you. 

C. May God, the Holy Spirit, equip you with everything good to do God's will. 
PD. May God, the Holy Spirit, equip you with everything good to do God's will. 

ALL: May the cross of Christ be always on our hearts and guiding our lives.
	(All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism.)

C. May you and Kathy always know God's peace. 
PD & K:  Amen!  Amen!  Thanks be to God!

(Clergy wear stoles over an alb as a sign of the pastoral office.  The removal of the stoles is a symbol that the call to serve Grace Lutheran Church is ended.)

Hymn:  Sent Forth by God’s Blessing

EDIT REMAINING COPY FOR BULLETIN ADDING CHANGES TO ABOVE
copy for bulletin:   
LITURGY OF THANKSGIVING AND FAREWELL

CM:  For fifteen years, Pastor Dan Behnke has served as our pastor.  He has offered his gifts and has worked diligently for the building up of the church in this place.  By the grace of God, he has served us well.
C:  Thanks be to God.

CM:  In the book of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher writes the following verses...
CM:   Blessed be God. 		C. And blessed be his holy name. 
CM: The Lord makes everything beautiful in its time. 
C. Whatever God does endures forever. 
CM. Bless the Lord, O my soul. 	C. And forget not all his benefits. 
CM:  In this pulpit ... to live out the Gospel mission in our daily lives.  
C.  We thank you for your preaching ministry.

CM:  At this font ... is administered by faithful pastors.  
C.  We thank you for presiding at the sacrament of holy baptism.  

CM:  At this table ... could be served in an orderly fashion.  
C:  We thank you for presiding at the sacrament of Holy Communion.

CM:  Standing in front ... led us in prayers for comfort and strength.
C:  We thank you for being with us in the time of loss.
CM:  You have also presided ... asking God’s presence in marriage.
C:  We thank you for sharing those and other times of great joy.

CM:  In 1993, you received the keys to this building  ... As you return your key, we thank you for your prayers, your diligent preparation, your careful listening, and your assistance with maintaining our premises.  
C:  We thank you for all you have done in this building and for this building.

CM:  Kathy ... and are a Synodically Authorized Minister.  
C:  We give thanks to God for your active participation in the life and ministry of Grace Lutheran Church and the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin.

CM:  Beth and Ben ... even when you wanted him to be with you.  
C:  We give thanks to God for your participation, support of Pastor Dan, and willingness to share him and Kathy with us in our ministry.

CM:  Let us pray:  Gracious God you have called us in our baptism to be your servants.  You have enabled us to respond to your call as a community of believers.  Thank you for the partnership in the gospel we have enjoyed with Pastor Dan and Kathy.  Now we send them forth to enjoy Pastor’s retirement and continue their ministries in a new way and different congregation.  May they go from here knowing our love and appreciation.  We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 

PD. Scripture tells us that endings are only new beginnings.  Therefore, let us go forth, doing God's will in our respective places, for the sake of the Gospel of 
Christ. 
C. Go now, and do God's will.  As you have been a blessing to us, go to be a 
blessing to others. 
PD.  As you have been a blessing to me, so also may you be a blessing to others. 
C. Witness faithfully in word and deed to the love and salvation that is known to us in Christ.
PD. Strive for righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and 
gentleness among yourselves. 
C. Give and receive comfort as you serve in other ways within the Church. 
PD. Give and receive comfort as you serve within the world. 
C. May God, the Father, bless you in your ministry in retirement . 
PD. May God, the Father, bless you in your ministry in this place. 
C. May God, the Son, be ever with you and guide you. 
PD. May God, the Son, be ever with you and guide you. 
C. May God, the Holy Spirit, equip you with everything good to do God's will. 
PD. May God, the Holy Spirit, equip you with everything good to do God's will. 
ALL: May the cross of Christ be always on our hearts and guiding our lives.
	(All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism.)
C. May you and Kathy always know God's peace. 
PD & K:  Amen!  Amen!  Thanks be to God!

Hymn:  Sent Forth by God’s Blessing