With the growth of the church and fast global dimension and spread that the church has assumed over the years, it has become imperative that ministers and pastors operate under uniform order of service. This is against that back drop that with the increase in number of parishes, pastors and ministers from diverse backgrounds, the need to have uniformity of liturgical governance and operation for various services and ceremonies being held in the church cannot be overemphasized.
Such services include, ceremonies and events are listed hereunder:
- ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME
- MARRIAGE CEREMONY
- NAMING CEREMONY
- CHILD DEDICATION
- WAKE KEEPING
- BURIAL CEREMONY
- LAYING THE FOUNDATION OF A CHURCH BUILDING
- DEDICATING A CHURCH BUILDING
- LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A PRIVATE HOUSE
- DEDICATING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS FOR USE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD
- WATER BAPTISM
- HOLY COMMUNION
- Opening Prayer / Praise and Worship.
- Entry of the Groom's Family
- Reason for the Gathering.
- Hymn: Thank we all our God.
- Bible Reading: Proverbs 31:10-31
- Entry of the Bridegroom
- Entry of the Bride
- Reading of Marriage Proposal Letter
- Response to the Letter
- Word of Exhortation
- Presentation of the Bride Price
- Introduction of Bride's Family
- Introduction of Groom's Family
- Bride Greets: A - Bride's Family
B - Groom's Family
C - Her Husband
- Prayer for the Couple:
A - Bride's Father
B - Groom's Father
- Menu
- Closing Hymn: RCCG 473 - Through The Love of God Our Saviour
- Closing Prayer/Benediction.
Duration: Not more than 2 Hours
- Praise and Worship
- Processional Hymn
- Opening Prayer
- Bible Reading
- Joining
- Choir
- Sermon
- Announcements
- Signing of the Marriage Register, accompanied with choruses
- Blessing of the Couple
- Recessional Hymn
- Benediction
- Photographs
BEFORE SEALING THE MARRIAGE, THE OFFICIATING PASTOR SHALL DECLARE: Beloved brethren, we are gathered here today (date) before God and this Congregation to join Brother. and Sister -in Holy Matrimony. Marriage is an honourable status ordained by God Himself before the fall of man, and it symbolizes the union between Christ and the Church.
That Christ sanctions marriage is evidenced by the fact that He honoured an invitation to a wedding in Cana of Galilee and He performed His first miracle there. Also, Apostle Paul pointed out that marriage is honourable among men.
Therefore, marriage should not be rushed into to satisfy carnal lust. It has to be approached with dignity and the fear of the Lord.
Why is there marriage?
Firstly, marriage is for mutual fellowship
Secondly, marriage is to check the sinful life of adultery, so that those not gifted to be continent can marry and thus keep themselves holy as the Body of Christ.
Thirdly, marriage is ordained for the purpose of rearing children that would be nursed to fear the Lord, abide with the teachings of His words and glorify His holy name. This agreement these two have reached and are to be joined together today.
From the foregoing, therefore, if anybody has any reason or reasons they should not be joined in holy matrimony; such a person should mention it now (the Pastor pauses for possible response). If there is none, let remain silent on this marriage for ever.
(While standing, the Bridegroom unveils the bride as they face each other) The Minister asks the Couple to be:
Now, both of you should realize that those joined contrary to the wish of God are not acceptably joined together in the sight of the Almighty God. Therefore, does either of you have reason or reasons you should not be joined together in holy matrimony? (The Pastor pauses for their responses)
The Bridegroom's pledge before the Officiating Minister.
The Minister will ask thus: Brother _______________ do you engage this Woman in marriage, so that both of you will live together according to God's order on marriage? Will you love her, honour her, counsel her, nurse her both in the circumstances of plenty and poverty, sound health and illness? Will you leave other women and cleave to her alone as long as both of you are alive?
If the man agrees, he should pledge thus: Yes, I do.
Likewise, the Minister will seek the Woman's pledge thus:
Sister ____________ do you want this man to be your husband, so that both of you will do you want this man live together according to the will of God concerning Marriage? Will you love him, obey him, nurse him both in poverty, sound health and illness? Will you reject other men and cleave to him alone as long as both of you are alive? plenty and
If the Woman accepts, she should pledge thus:
Yes, I do.
After this, the Officiating Minister should ask the Congregation:
Who gave away this Woman in Marriage?
(The Father or Mother or any person chosen for the purpose comes forward to give the right hand of the lady to the Officiating Minister, who in turn hands her over to the Man.)
MAKING AGREEMENT OR MARITAL VOW
Holding the woman by the right hand on the wrist, as the man pledges thus (saying after the Minister)
page 11 RCCG Order of Service
ORDER OF SERVICE FOR MARRIAGE CEREMONY
1, Brother ---- accept you, Sister ----as my wife as from today, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, in plenty, in poverty, in good health and in sickness. I will love you and nurse you according to the will of God, till death do us part.
After this, the Woman holds the Man's right hand by the wrist and declares (saying after the Minister).
1, Sister -------------- as from today accept you, Brother ---- ------as my husband, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, I will love you in plenty, in poverty, in good health and in sickness. I will nurse and obey you according to the will of God, till death do us part.
Then the Man gives the Woman a new copy of the Holy Bible, and both hold it together, during which the Man shall repeat the following, after the Minister.
With this Holy Bible, which is the word of God, I marry you. I surrender myself to you in sacrifice, and I will nurse you with all my possessions, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
page 12 RCCG Order of Service
ORDER OF SERVICE FOR MARRIAGE CEREMONY
Then the Bride also shall repeat the following after the Minister.
I joyfully and wholeheartedly accept this Bible as a seal of our Covenant today. May God help me to follow the guidance of His words in patience and humility towards God and you ________ my husband, for the joy of our family, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Minister then lays both hands on the Bride and Bridegroom together and prays for them on their knees.
After getting up from their knees, the Officiating Minister holds the couple's right hands together and raising them up saying:
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh. So then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
As Brother ___________ and Sister __________ - (The Minister now uses husband's surname for both of them) have agreed to be joined in holy matrimony even as they have confessed
this before God and Man and backed it up with the giving and receiving of the Holy Bible as an everlasting testament, I say they should both live together as husband and wife as from today, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
ORDER OF SERVICE IN DETAIL
- Praise and Worship: Should start 15 minutes before the commencement of the programme. The Bridegroom should have been on seat at least 15 minutes before the commencement of the service. The Bride should be within the Church premises at least 15 minutes before the commencement of the service.
- Processional Hymn: The new Couple -to-be and the entire Church should be educated that the Father of the Bride, or whoever is standing in his position, and the Bride should begin to file in from the beginning of the first stanza of the hymn.
- Opening Prayer: The opening prayer should be for about 3 minutes.
- Reading: This should be read by a very good reader in whatever language to be used.
- Announcement: About 5 Minutes.
- Joining: This should take about 10 minutes
NOTE:
- Unveiling the Bride should be at the commencement of the solemnization.
- During commitments to each other, the Couple should face each other but not the Pastor.
III. During commitments, the Couple should hold each other at the wrist but not at the Palm. IV. During the declaration of oath of marriage, only the voice of the Couple should be heard.
- Immediately after the sealing of the couple's agreement with the Holy Bible, the Minister then prays intensely and sincerely for the Couple, while the Couple kneels down.
- After getting up from their knees, the officiating Minister holds the Couple's right hands together, raising them up and say "For this cause shall a man leave his Father and Mother, and cleave to his Wife; And they twain shall be one flesh; So then, they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man putasunder. As Brother Sister and --(the Minister shall now use the Bridegroom's surname for both of them) have agreed to be joined in holy matrimony, even as they have confessed this before God and man and backed it up with the giving and receiving of the Holy Bible as an everlasting testament, I say they should both live together as husband and wife in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen"
VII. Programme Booklet:
- Suggested Officiating Ministers
- Pastor in charge of Parish
- Pastor in charge of Area
- Pastor in charge of Zone
- Pastor in charge of Province
- Pastor in charge of Region
- The names of the couple should be written in full, that is, the first, second and surnames of the Bride and Bridegroom.
- The printing of the ProgrammeBooklet should be bold.
- There should be no printing of the declaration of marriage content in the wedding programme. Only the order of programme should beprinted. The order of service of RCCG booklet should be used by the officiating minister.
VIII. Wedding Dress:
Dresses that will not expose the nakedness of the Couple (particularly that of the bride). In other words, dresses that will glorify God only, whether native or foreign attire should be used, moderation should be our watchword. (The marriage dresses should be certified okay by the Pastor at least two weeks before the wedding). Also the dressing of the best man and chief bridesmaid must be moderate / decent and must not expose the nakedness of anyone of them. Any culprit will be disciplined.
The Groom and the Best Man should have a clear shave of their beard.
- Pregnancy Test: The Bride should go for pregnancy test at least, within a week before the wedding. (See the RCCG Maternity Centre nearest to you for further briefing).
- Who does the joining? Any ordained full Pastor in the RCCG, formallydressed can do the joining.
- Sanctification of Rings: This is not allowed during the solemnization, as this does not serve as the seal of marriage vows. (We use only the Holy Bible for joining).
XII. Sermon: This should be between 15 minutes and 20 minutes.
XIII. Signing of the Register: The total number of people to sign the register should be as follows:
- The Bride and Groom
- The Minister who performed the joining.
- The Preacher
- Two representatives from the Bride's family.
- Two representatives from the Bridegroom's family.
- The best man and the Bride's maid
XIV. Certificate of Marriage: All information about the wedding of the couple should get to the Provincial Office three months before the wedding day.
Signing of the Marriage Certificate: The total number of people to sign the marriage certificate should be as follows:
- The Bride and Groom
- The Minister who perform the joining
- One person from Bride and Groom family
(The Certificate is officially presented to the couple by the Pastor, on behalf of the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, before the end of the service).
- Marriage Rehearsals: The purpose of the Marriage rehearsal is to be familiar with the Order of Service for Marriage in RCCG. This should be done at least one week before thewedding day.
XIV. Carrying and Kissing: The Bridegroom and Bride are not allowed to carry or kiss each other during solemnization.
XVII. There shall be no collection of offerings during the wedding ceremony.
XVIII. Marriage Counseling: The would-be couple must pass through Marriage Counseling, as it is an important aspect of marriage preparation in RCCG.
XIX. The sitting arrangement for the Couple remain unchanged after joining i.e the Bride sit at the left side of the Groom
XIX. The following hymns could be during the solemnization.
- RCCG 36 - To God Be The Glory
To God Be the glory, great things He hath done,
loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life atonement for sin,
open'd the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord.
Let the earth hear His voice;
the Lord, praise the Lord,
the people rejoice;
Oh, come to the father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory; great things He hath done.
- Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
vilest offender who truly believes, That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
ORDER OF SERVICE FOR MARRIAGE CEREMONY
- Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
purer, and higher, and greater will be,
Our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see.
- RCCG 719 - The Voice That Breathed O'er Eden,
- The voice that breathed o'er Eden,
That earliest wedding-day,
The primal marriage blessing,
It hath not passed away.
- Still in the pure espousal
Of Christian man and maid,
The Holy Three are with us,
The threefold grace is said.
- For dower of blessed children,
Foe love and faith's sweet sake,
For high mysterious union
Which nought on earth may break
- Be present, heavenly Father,
To give away this bride,
As Thou gav'st Eve to Adam
Out of his own pierced side:
page 21 RCCG Order of Service
ORDER OF SERVICE FOR MARRIAGE CEREMONY
- Be present, gracious Saviour,
To join their loving hands,
As Thou didst bind two natures
In Thine eternal bands!
- Be present, Holy Spirit,
To bless them as they kneel,
As Thou, for Christ the Bridegroom,
The heavenly spouse dost seal!
- O spread Thy pure wing o'er them,
Let no ill power find place,
When onward through life's journey
Their hallowed path they trace,
- To cast their crowns before Thee
In perfect sacrifice,
Till to the home of gladness
With Christ's own Bride they rise
III. RCCG 718
Rest in the Lord from harps above
- Rest in the Lord from harps above
The music seems to thrill
Rest in His everlasting love
Rest and be still.
page 22 RCCG Order of Service
ORDER OF SERVICE FOR MARRIAGE CEREMONY
- Rest thou, who claimest for thine own
Thy chosen bride today,
Affianced in His faith alone
Thy bride for aye.
- And thou, whose trustful hand is given
Avouching here thy spouse,
Rest, for a Father seals in heaven
His children's vows.
- Rest ye, who cluster round them both
To mingle praise and prayers;
Your God affirms the plighted troth,
Your God and theirs.
- Rest, for the Heavenly Bridegroom here
Is standing by your side,
And in this union draws more near
His mystic bride.
- Rest in the Lord thrice Holy Dove,
In us Thy word fulfil
Rest in His everlasting love,
Rest and be still.
- 720 - O Perfect Love
- O perfect Love, all human thought transcending,
Lowly we kneel in pray'r before Thy throne,
That theirs may be the love which knows no ending,
Whom Thou in sacred vow dost join in one.
- O perfect Life, be Thou their full assurance
Of tender charity and steadfast faith
Of patient hope and quiet, brave endurance,
With childlike trust that fears no pain or death.
- Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow;
Grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife;
And to life's day glorious unknown morrow
That dawns upon eternal love and life.
page 24 RCCG Order of Service
ORDER OF SERVICE FOR MARRIAGE CEREMONY
RCCG 419 - Be Not Dismayed Whate 'er Betide
- Be not dismayed whate'er betide'
God will take care of you!
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you!
God will take care of you!
Through ev'ry day o'er all the way;
He will take care of you;
God will take care of you!
- Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you!
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you!
- All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you!
Trust Him, and you will be satisfied,
God will take care of you!
- Lonely and sad, from friends apart,
God will take care of you!
He will give peace to your aching heart,
God will take care of you!
- No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you!
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you!
Great is thy faithfulness
- "Great is thy faithfulness,"
O God my Father!
There is no shadow of turning with Thee:
Thou changest not, Thy compassion, they fail not,
As Thou has been Thou forever wilt be.
"Great is thy faithfulness!"
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
'Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
- Summer and winter, and spring time and Harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
- Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide!
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Duration: 1 Hour
- Praise and Worship
- Opening Prayer
- Hymn
- Bible Reading: Psalm 127, Psalm 128, Luke 1:57-60, Luke 2:40
- Special Number
- Message
- Naming
- Prayer for the Child
- Gifts for the baby (to be given to the mother intact)
- Closing Prayer
- Menu
NB
(i) The use of items like Honey, Salt, Kolanut etc are not allowed for naming.
(ii) We use the Greatest and Mightiest Name of Jesus and the Word of God to give name to the child.
(iii) It is the responsibility of the Parents to suggest the names to be given to the child by the minister. Luke:1:58-63
The following hymns are recommended:
RCCG 28 - Now Thank We All Our God
- Now thank we all our God
with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done
In whom His world rejoices;
Who, from our mothers' arms,
Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours to-day.
- O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever-joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,
And keep us in His grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.
- All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son and Him who reigns,
With Them in highest heaven
The One, Eternal God,
Whom earth and heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.
RCCG 23 - Oh, For A Thousand Tongues To Sing
- Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer's praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!
- My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad,
The honours of Thy name.
- Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
"Tis music in the sinner's ears,
"Tis Life, and health, and peace.
- He breaks the powler of canceled sin,
He sets the pris'ner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His 'blood availed for me.
- Hear Him, ye deaf, His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind behold your Saviour come;
And leap, ye lame, for joy!
III RCCG 36 - To God Be The Glory
- To God Be the glory, things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life atonement for sin,
And open'd the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice;
Oh, come to the father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory;
great things He hath done.
- O, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
- Great things He hath taught us,
great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be,
Our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see.
- Child dedication should be done during the Monthly Thanksgiving Service.
- There is no repetition of names as done during the naming service and no anointing with oil. The child is dedicated in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
- Child dedication should be done as soon as the Mother and the Baby are Strong enough to come to Church after the naming Ceremony.
- The approved RCCG certificate of birth & dedication should be given to the parent after the dedication.
NOTE:
The following are the step in child dedication:
- The Baby should be carry by the Pastor's Wife or the Good Women Leader to the alter.
- The Pastor's Wife or the Good Women Leader handover the Baby to the Pastor.
III. The Pastor pray and dedicate the child in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
- The Pastor handover the child to the parent.
- Praise and Worship
- Prayer
- 1st Hymn
- 1st Bible Reading
- 2nd Hymn
- 2nd Bible Reading
- 3rd Hymn
- 3rd Bible Reading
- Testimony/Special Nos
- Sermon
- Prayer for the family
- Announcements
- Closing Prayer/Benediction
BIBLE LESSONS FOR WAKE KEEP
- 1Thessalonians 4:13-18
- Revelation 7:9-17
- Matthew 24:4-22
- Matthew 25:11-13
- Revelation 19:6-9
- Revelation 20:1-6
- Revelation 20:7-15
- Matthew 13:24-30
- Matthew 13:45-52
- John 14: 1-7
- 1 Corinthians 15:1-26
- 1 Corinthians 15:40-58
- 1 Thessalonians 5: 1 - 11
- Revelation 21:18-27
- Revelation 21:1-8
- Revelation 22:1-15
- 2 Peter 3:3-14
- Jude 14-20
The following hymns are recommended:
- RCCG 170 - Jesus Lives Thy Terror Now
- Jesus lives! Thy terrors now
Can, O death, no more appal us,
Jesus lives! By this we know
Thou, O grave, canst not enthrall us
Hallelujah!
- Jesus lives! Henceforth is death
Entrance gate of life immortal;
This shall calm our trembling breath
When we pass its gloomy portal.
Hallelujah!
- Jesus lives! For us He died
Hence may we, to Jesus living,
Pure in heart and act abide,
Praise to Him and glory giving
Hallelujah!
- Jesus lives! Our hearts know well
Nought from us His love shall sever,
Life, nor death, nor pow'rs of hell,
Part us now from Christ for ever.
Hallelujah!
page 38 RCCG Order of Service
ORDER OF SERVICE FOR WAKE-KEEP
- Jesus lives! To Him the throne
High o'er heaven and earth is given;
We may go where He is gone
Live and reign with Him in heaven.
Hallelujah!
- RCCG 597 - Jerusalem On High
- Jerusalem on high,
My song and city is,
My home whene'er I die,
The centre of my bliss.
Oh happy place! when shall I be.
My God, with Thee, to see Thy face?
- There dwells my Lord, my King,
Judged here unfit to live;
There angels to Him sing,
And lowly homage give.
- The patriarchs of old,
There from their travels cease;
The prophets there behold
Their long'd for Prince of Peace.
- The Lamb's apostles there
I might with joy behold;
The harpers I might hear
Harping on harps of gold.
- The bleeding martyrs they,
Within those courts are found;
All clothed in pure array
Their scars with glory crown'd,
- Ah, woe is me, that I
In Kedar's tents here stay:
No place like that on high;
Lord, thither guide my way.
RCCG 805 - God Be With You Till We Meet Again
- God be with you till we meet again,
By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep securely fold you:
God be with till we meet again!
Till we meet! Till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus' feet,
Till we meet! Till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.
- God be with you till we meet again;
'Neath His wings securely hide you,
Daily manna still provide you:
God be with you till we meet again!
- God be with you till we meet again;
When life's perils thick confound you,
Put his arms unfailing round you;
God be with you till we meet again!
- God be with you till we meet again,
Keep love's banner floating o'er you,
Smite death's threat'ning wave before you;
God be with you till we meet again !
IV RCCG 812 - There's a great day coming
- There's a great day coming
A great day coming
There's a great day coming by and by
When the Saints and the sinners shall be parted right and left
Are you ready for that day to come?
Are you ready? Are you ready?
Are you ready for the judgement day?
Are you ready?
Are you ready For the judgement day?
- There's a bright day coming
A bright day coming There's a bright day coming by and by
But it's brightness shall only come to them that love the Lord
Are you ready for that day to come?
- There's a sad day coming A sad day coming
There's a sad day coming by and by
When the sinner shall hear hisdoom
"Depart; I know ye not"
Are you ready for that day to come?
IV RCCG 780 - There Is A Land Of Pure Delight
- There is a land of pure delight
Where saints immortal reign,
Infinite day excludes the night,
And pleasures banish pain.
We're feeding on the living Bread,
We're drinking at the fountain head,
And who-so drinketh, Jesus said,
Shall never, never thirst again.
What! never thirst again?
No, never thirst again!
What! never thirst again?
No, never thirst again!
And who-so drinketh, Jesus said,
Shall never, never thirst again!
- There everlasting spring abides,
And never withering flowers;
Death, like a narrow sea, divides
This heavenly land from ours.
- O could we make our doubts remove
Those gloomy thoughts that rise,
And see the Canaan that we love
With unbeclouded eyes.
- Could we but climb where Moses stood
And view the landscape o'er
Not Jordan's stream, nor cold death's flood,
Should fright us from the shore.
- Praise and Worship 15mins. (before commencement of the service)
- Carrying the corpse into the church with Organ prelude.
- Hymn
- Prayer
- Bible Reading: 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 or Revelation 14:13-20
- Profile of the deceased
- Announcements
- Choir/special number
- Sermon (30mins maximum)
- Prayer for the Deceased's family
- Payment of last respect
- Recessional Hymn
- Conveying the corpse to the Cemetery in the following order:
(1) The Choir
(ii) The Ministers
(iii) The Corpse
(iv) The Family
- Benediction
ORDER OF SERVICE AT THE GRAVE YARD
- Hymn
- Prayer
- Short Exhortation
- Interment
- We shall read these words at the graveside
- Man that is born of a Woman is of few days on earth, and full of trouble. He grows and is hewed down as the flower of grasses. He passes away like a shadow without staying in a place.
- In the midst of life, we stay in death. From whom shall we seek help but from you our Lord who is justified to be annoyed because of our sins?
- Lord God Most High, Almighty God, Holy Saviour and the Most Merciful, do not put us in painful agony of everlasting death.
- Lord, you know the secret things of our hearts. Do not be deaf unto our prayers. Most Holy God, Holy Saviour and Most Merciful God, spare us. You are the Most Righteous Judge, Do not
allow us fall away from you because of death.
- We shall also read these words (after the corpse has been lowered into the vault)
- As it pleases the Almighty God in His great Mercy to receive the soul of this dear brother/Sister who has left this place and of a fact, without doubting the hope of resurrection into life everlasting through our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall transform our poor bodies into His own likeness which is glorious, according to the mighty works by which He could subdue all principalities by Himself.
- "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."
NB:
- The corpse can be taken into the Church for service and can be opened for last respect.
- No collection of offering
(iii) No throwing of stone and sand on the corpse at the graveside or vault side. We only wave to the corpse, because we have the understanding that we will meet again.
Part A, Numbers 1-4, should be read at the graveside or vault side, while:
Part B, Numbers 1 and 2 should be read after the corpse has been lowered into the vault,
- Suggested Hymns
- RCCG 765 - Sleep On, Beloved, Sleep, And Take Thy Rest;
- Sleep on, beloved, sleep, and take thy rest;
Lay down thy head upon thy Saviour's breast;
We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee best:
Good-night! Good-night! Good-night!
- Calm is thy slumber as an infant's sleep;
But thou shalt wake no more to toil and weep;
Thine is a perfect rest, secure and deep:
Good-night! Good-night! Good night!
- Until the shadows from this earth are cast,
Until He gathers in His sheaves at last;
Until the twilight gloom is overpast,
Good-night! Good-night! Good night!
- Until the Lord's new glory floods the skies,
Until the dead in Jesus shall arise,
And He shall come, but not in lowly guise,
Good-night! Good-night! Good night!
- Until, made beautiful by Love Divine,
Thou in the likeness of thy Lord shalt shine,
And He shall bring that golden crown of thine,
Good-night! Good-night! Good-night!
- Only "Good night!" beloved not "farewell"
A little while, and all His saints shall dwell
In hallowed union, indivisible
Good-night! Good night! Good night!
- Until we meet again before His throne
Clothed in the spotless robe He gives His own,
Until we know even as we are known
Good-night! Good-night! Good-night!
RCCG 790 - We Speak Of The Realms Of The Blest
- We speak of the realms of the Blest,
Of that country so bright and so fair,
And oft are its glories confess'd;
But what must it be to be there?
- We speak of its pathways of gold,
Of its walls deck'd with jewelsi rare,
Its wonders and pleasures untold; most
But what must it be to be there?
- We speak of its freedom from sin,
From sorrow, temptation, and care,
From trials without and within;
But what must it be to be there?
- We speak of its anthems of praise,
Just with which we can compare
The sweetest on earth we can raise;
But what must it be to be there?
- We speak of its service of love,
Of the robes which the glorified wear,
The church of the First-born above;
But what must it be to be there?
- Do Thou, Lord, 'midst pleasure of woe,
Still for Heaven our spirits prepare;
And shortly we also shall know
And feel what it is to be there.
Preamble:
- The Minister-In-Charge should send an application to the National Headquarters through the National Elder on ground, at least one month before the day of the foundation laying ceremony and must receive approval in writing signed by the G.O and his representative.
- The foundation materials should also be collected after receiving approval for the foundation laying.
II.The venue must be ready for the foundation laying before the day with all necessary materials in place.
The order of service runs as follows:
- Praise and Worship
- Prayer
- Hymn
- Bible Reading: Psalms 23, 87, and 127
- Short Exhortation
- Laying of stones in the four corners of the Land
- Prayer
- Offering
- Benediction
NB:
- In case there is a church building already on the land, being used for worship, but without any previous proper foundation laying, the normal foundation laying ceremony should be done, but this time, from the four corners of the inside of the building.
- The same procedure for foundation laying goes for all the Christ the Redeemer's Schools (CRM Schools)
- The Officiating Minister should read the words of the approved letter before inserting such in the bottle and before laying of the stones at the corners commences.
- There should be three stones for each of the four corners, and these should be laid with the branch name of the Church written on the approved letter and sealed in a small bottle at the centre of each corner.
- If there are many Ministers present, three may stay in each of the corners but only one should direct the affairs.
The following hymns are recommended.
RCCG 595 - The Church Is One Foundation
- The church is one Foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation,
By water and the Word;
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.
- Elect from every nation,
Yet one o'er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation,
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
with every grace endued.
- Though with a scornful wonder,
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up, "How long?"
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song.
- Mid toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation of peace for evermore;
Till with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great church victorious
Shall be the church at rest.
- Yet she on earth hath union
With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee.
- Here, gracious God, do thou
For evermore draw nigh;
Accept each faithful vow,
And mark each suppliant sigh;
In copious shower
On all who pray
Each holy day
Thy blessings pour.
- Here may we gain from heaven
The grace which we implore;
And may that grace, once given,
Be with us evermore,
Until that day
When all the blest
To endless rest
Are call'd away.
RCCG 728 - Christ Is Our Corner - Stone
- Christ is our Corner-stone,
On Him alone we build;
With His true saints alone
The courts of Heaven are filled:
On His great love
Our hopes we place
Of present grace
And joys above.
- Oh, then with hymns of praise
These hallowed courts shall ring:
Our voices we will raise
The Three in One to sing;
And thus proclaim In joyful song,
Both loud and long,
That glorious Name.
- Here, gracious God, do thou
For evermore draw nigh;
Accept each faithful vow,
And mark each suppliant sigh;
In copious shower
On all who pray
Each holy day
Thy blessings pour.
- Here may we gain from heaven
The grace which we implore;
And may that grace, once given,
Be with us evermore,
Until that day
When all the blest
To endless rest
Are call'd away.
- Praise and Worship
- Cutting of the tape and unveiling
- Hymn
- Prayers
- Bible Reading-Psalm 127: 1-2, Psalm 24: 1-10
- Brief report on the Project
- Choir
- Sermon
- Dedication of the Church and Equipment
10.Offering
- Announcements
- Closing Prayer
- Menu
NB:
- The entrance door must be closed while the Pastor to dedicate the Church and other ministers stay outside to cut the tape and open the door with prayer
- The following Hymns are recommended
- RCCG 49 - Pleasant Thy Courts Above
- Pleasant are thy courts above
In the land of light and love;
Pleasant are Thy courts below
In this land of sin and woe.
O, my spirit longs and faints
For the converse of Thy saints,
For the brightness of Thy face,
For Thy fullness, God of Grace!
- Happy birds that sing and fly
Round Thy altars, O most High;
Happier souls that find a rest
In a heavenly Father's breast.
Like the wandering dove that found
No repose on earth around,
They can to their ark repair
And enjoy it ever there.
- Happy souls, their praises flow
Even in this vale of woe;
Waters in the desert rise,
Manna feeds them from the skies:
On they go from strength to strength
Till they reach thy throne at length,
At thy feet adoring fall,
Who hast led them safe through all.
- Lord, be mine this prize to win;
Guide me through a world of sin;
Keep me by Thy saving grace;
Give me at Thy side a place.
Sun and shield alike thou art;
Guide and guard my erring heart;
Grace and glory flow from thee;
Shower, O shower them, Lord, on me!
- RCCG 28 - Now Thank We All Our God
- Now thanks we all our God
With heart and hands and voices,
Who a wondrous thing hath done,
In whom His world rejoices;
Who, from our mothers' arms,
Hath bless'd us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours to-day.
- O May this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever-joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,
And keep us in His grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.
- All praise and thanks to God
The father now be given,
The Son and Him who reigns,
With them in highest heaven
The One, Eternal God,
Whom earth and heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore
- Praise and Worship
- Prayer
- Bible Reading: Psalms 24, 87 and 127
- Hymn: RCCG 204
(Spirit Divine Attend Our Prayers)
- Short Exhortation
- Laying of Foundation Stone
- Prayer
- Benediction
NB:
In the name of the family, the officiating Minister shall lay the foundation stones in the four corners of the building.
The stones to be used would be given to the Minister by the owner of the building for the foundation laying at each corner of the foundation.
RCCG 204- Spirit divine, attend our prayers
- Spirit divine, attend our prayers,
And make our hearts Thy home;
Descend with all Thy gracious Powers,
O come, great Spirit, come.
- Come as the light-to us reveal
Our need of Thee below;
And lead us in those paths of life
Where all the righteous go.
- Come as the fire-and purge our hearts
With sacrificial flame;
Let our whole self an offering be
To our Redeemer's name.
- Come as the dew-and sweetly bless
This consecrated hour;
May bereness rejoice to own
Thy fertilising power.
- Come as the Dove-and spread Thy wings,
The wings of peaceful love;
And let Thy Church on earth become
Blest as the Church above.
- Come as the wind-with rushing sound
And Pentecostal grace;
That all of woman born may see
The glory of Thy face.
Dedication of musical instruments could come during a normal service or a special service intended for evangelism or fund raising.
If at a special service, the following order of service is thereby recommended:
1.Praise and Worship
- Prayer
- Bible Reading: Psalm 150
- Short Exhortation
- Dedication of the Musical Instruments
- Musical Display
- Congregational Hymn/Offering
8.Prayer
- Benediction
- Praise and Worship
- Prayer
- Short Exhortation
- Baptism
- Prayer
- Announcement
- Benediction
Note: The Person to be baptized must:
- Be Genuinely Born Again
- Must have completed Believers' class
- Must have Completed Baptismal class
- Must be recommended to the pastor in Charge of (Parish, Area, Zone and Province) as the case may be who take the candidate to a flowing river for Baptism.
- While female candidate is involved, a female minister should be there at the baptism site.
- Praise and Worship
- Prayer
- Hymn
- Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-34, John 6:48-58
- Choir
- Exhortation
- Distribution of Bread and Wine
- Offering
- Celebration
- Benediction
NB:
- The Pastor giving the exhortation will also share the bread before giving it to other ministers to assist in the distribution of bread and wine
- The following Hymns are recommended
- RCCG 549 - I Am Thine, O Lord, I Have Heard Thy Voice
- I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
- Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow'r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
- Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend!
- There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.
- RCCG 662 - O Happy Day That Fixed My Choice
- O happy day that fixed my choice On Thee, my Savior and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad.
Happy day, happy day,
When Jesus washed my sins away!
He taught me how to watch and pray,
And live rejoicing ev'ry day;
Happy day, happy day,
When Jesus washed my sins away!
- Tis done the great transaction's done;
I am my Lord's, and He is mine;
He drew me and I followed on,
Charmed to confess the voice divine.
- Now rest, my long-divided heart,
Fixed on this blissful center, rest;
Nor ever from thy Lord depart,
With Him of every good possessed.
- High heaven that hears the solemn VOW,
That vow renewed shall daily hear!
Till in life's latest hour I bow,
And bless, in death, a bond so dear.
iii. RCCG 681 - The Day Is Come This Is The Feast
- The day is come this is the feast
I give my flesh for you
And I offer my blood to all
For redemption of sins
- The next in my Father's Kingdom
I shall take same with you
Then all tears shall be wiped away
Our Joys shall know no end
- We partake of this for ever
But however till then
Throughout the whole world shall many
Eat, drink and be merry
- The blessing of heaven remain
On all participants
From the great throne of my Father
Shall provide room for them
- Yet this bitter cup I shall drink
For the safety of life
I shall partake this for your sake
Cup of pain unto death
- Yet you won't know all my sorrow
And how great my glory
But continue and admin'ster this
In remembrance of me
- RCCG 658 - Far Away The Noise Of Strife Upon My Ear
- Far away the noise of strife upon my ear is falling,
Then I know the sins of earth be set on ev'ry hand;
Doubt and fear and things of earth in vain to me are calling,
None of these shall move me from Beulah Land.
I'm living on the mountain, underneath a cloudless sky,
I'm drinking at the fountain that never shall run dry;
Oh yes, I'm feasting on the manna from a bountiful supply,
For I am dwelling in Beulah Land.
- Far below the storm of doubt upon the world is beating,
Sons of men in battle long the enemy withstand;
Safe am I within the castle of God's word retreating,
Nothing then can reach me 'tis Beulah Land.
- Let the stormy breezes blow, their cry cannot alarm me,
I am safely sheltered here, protected by God's hand;
Here the sun is always shining, here there's naught can harm me,
I am safe forever in Beulah Land.
- Viewing here the works of God, I sink in contemplation,
Hearing now His blessed voice, I see the way is planned;
Dwelling in the spirit, here I learn of full salvation,
Gladly will I tarry in Beulah Land.
- RCCG 686 - Like The Woman At The Well
- Like the woman at the well I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy.
And then I heard my Savior speaking.
"Draw from my well that never shall run dry".
Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord;
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.
- There are trillions in this world who are craving
The pleasures earthly things afford
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord
- So, my brother, if the things this world gave you
Leave hungers that won't pass away,
My blessed Lord will come and save you,
If you kneel to Him and humbly pray.
RCCG 688 - Lord, To Whom Except To Thee
- Lord, to whom except to Thee
Shall our wandering spirits go;
Thee Whom it is light to see,
And eternal life to know?
Awful is that life of Thine,
Which the spirit's Breath inspires;
And the food must be Divine
Which each new born soul desires
- Israel on the heavenly seed
Fed and died in days of yore:
But the souls, that on Thee feed,
Never thirst nor hunger more.
Lord, to whom except to Thee
Shall we go when ills betide?
Who except Thyself can be
Hope and help and strength
And guide?
- Who can cleanse the soul from sin,
Hear the prayer, and seal the vow?
Who can fill the void within,
Blessed Saviour, who but Thou?
Therefore evermore I'll give
Laud and praise, my God, to Thee;
Evermore in Thee I live,
Evermore live Thou in me.