Ordination of Priests
September 20, 2025 10:00 am
Commemoration of John Coleridge Patteson and his Companions, Martyrs
Voluntary:
Capriccio sur les Grand jeux - Louis-Nicolas Clérambault
Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether - Charles Callahan
Partita on Veni, Creator Spiritus - Austin C. Lovelace
Processional Hymn:#535 Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim
Opening Acclamation and Collect for Purity
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Presentation of the Candidates
Kym, Bishop in the Church of God, on behalf of the Clergy and People of the Diocese of Colorado, we present to you N.N., to be ordained a priest in Christ’s holy catholic Church.
(The Bishop addresses the Representatives)
Have they been selected in accordance with the canons of this Church?
And do you believe their manner of life to be suitable to the exercise of this ministry?
The Representatives declare (In Unison)
We certify to you that they have satisfied the requirements of the canons, and we believe them qualified for these orders.
The Bishop then says to the Ordinands
Will you be loyal to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of Christ as this Church has received them? And will you, in accordance with the canons of this Church, obey your Bishop and other ministers who may have authority over you and your work?
The Ordinands answer in unison
I am willing and ready to do so; and I solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of The Episcopal Church.
(The Candidates, the Commission on Ministry, and the Standing Committee sign the Oath.
All then stand.)
The Bishop addresses all present, saying
Dear friends in Christ, you know the importance of these ministries, and the weight of your responsibility in presenting Jonah and Michael to be ordained to the sacred order of priests. Therefore if any of you know any impediment or crime because of which we should not proceed, come forward now and make it known.
(If no objection is made, the Bishop continues asking the People)
Is it your will that Jonah and Michael be ordained as priests?
People It is.
Bishop Will you uphold them in these ministries?
People We will.
Bishop In peace let us pray to the Lord.
(All kneel.)
The Litany
For all members of your Church in their vocation and ministry, that they may serve you in a true and godly life, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For Sean, our Presiding Bishop; for Kym, our Bishop; for Stephen, acting primate; and for all bishops, priests, and deacons, that they may be filled with your love, may hunger for truth, and may thirst after righteousness, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For Jonah and Michael, chosen priests in your Church, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
That they may faithfully fulfill the duties of these ministries, build up your Church, and glorify your Name, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
That by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit they may be sustained and encouraged to persevere to the end, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For their families, that they may be adorned with all Christian virtues, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who fear God and believe in you, Lord Christ, that our divisions may cease and that all may be one as you and the Father are one, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the mission of the Church, that in faithful witness we may preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who do not yet believe, and for those who have lost their faith, that they may receive the light of the Gospel, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the peace of the world, that a spirit of respect and forbearance may grow among nations and peoples, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For those in positions of public trust, especially Donald, President of the United States; Jared, the Governor of this State; and Michael, Mayor of this City; that they may serve justice and promote the dignity and freedom of every person, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For a blessing upon all human labor, and for the right use of the riches of creation, that the world may be freed from poverty, famine, and disaster, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer; for refugees, prisoners, and all who are in danger; that they may be relieved and protected, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For ourselves; for the forgiveness of our sins, and for the grace of the Holy Spirit to amend our lives, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who have died in the communion of your Church, and for those whose faith is known to you alone, that, with all the saints, they may have rest in that place where there is no pain or grief, but life eternal, we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of the ever-blessèd Virgin Mary, and all your saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another,
The Collect for Ordinations
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Collect for John Coleridge Patteson
Almighty God, who called your faithful servant John Coleridge Patteson and his companions to witness to the gospel, and by their labors and sufferings raised up a people for your own possession: Pour out your Holy Spirit upon your church in every land, that, by the service and sacrifice of many, your holy Name may be glorified and your kingdom enlarged; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(All sit.)
The First Lesson: 1 Chronicles 21:1-13 [Propers of John Coleridge Patteson]
A Reading from 1 Chronicles
Satan stood up against Israel, and incited David to count the people of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Go, number Israel, from Beer-sheba to Dan, and bring me a report, so that I may know their number.” But Joab said, “May the Lord increase the number of his people a hundredfold! Are they not, my lord the king, all of them my lord’s servants? Why then should my lord require this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?” But the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel, and came back to Jerusalem. Joab gave the total count of the people to David. In all Israel there were one million one hundred thousand men who drew the sword, and in Judah four hundred seventy thousand who drew the sword. But he did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, for the king’s command was abhorrent to Joab.
But God was displeased with this thing, and he struck Israel. David said to God, “I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, I pray you, take away the guilt of your servant; for I have done very foolishly.” The Lord spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying, “Go and say to David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Three things I offer you; choose one of them, so that I may do it to you.’” So Gad came to David and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Take your choice: either three years of famine; or three months of devastation by your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you; or three days of the sword of the Lord, pestilence on the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’ Now decide what answer I shall return to the one who sent me.” Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress; let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is very great; but let me not fall into human hands.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 9:11-20
11 Sing praise to the LORD who | dwells in | Zion ; *
proclaim to the | peoples • the | things he • has | done.
12 The Avenger of | blood • will re|member them; *
he will not for|get the | cry of • the af|flicted.
13 Have pity on me, O LORD; *
see the misery I suffer from | those who | hate me,
O you who lift me | up • from the | gate of | death;
14 So that I may tell of all your praises
and rejoice in | your sal|vation *
in the | gates • of the | city • of | Zion.
15 The ungodly have fallen into the | pit they | dug, *
and in the snare they | set is • their | own foot | caught.
16 The LORD is known by his | acts of | justice; *
the wicked are | trapped in • the | works of • their own | hands.
17 The wicked shall be given | over • to the | grave, *
and also all the | people • that | forget | God.
18 For the needy shall not | always • be for|gotten, *
and the hope of the | poor • shall not | perish • for | ever.
19 Rise up, O LORD, let not the ungodly have the | upper | hand; *
let | them be | judged be|fore you.
20 Put fear up|on them, • O | LORD; *
let the ungodly | know they | are but | mortal.
The Second Lesson: 1 Peter 4:12-19
A Reading from the first letter of Peter
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?”
Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God's will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
(All stand)
Sequence Hymn: #675 Take Up Your Cross, The Savior Said
The Gospel: Mark 8:34-38
Gospeller: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Gospeller: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Homily: Bishop Kym Lucas
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father, God from God,
Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Examination of The Candidates for the Priesthood
Jonah and Michael, the Church is the family of God, the body of Christ, and the temple of the Holy Spirit. All baptized people are called to make Christ known as Savior and Lord, and to share in the renewing of his world. Now you are called to work as a pastor, priest, and teacher, together with your bishop and fellow presbyters, and to take your share in the councils of the Church.
As a priest, it will be your task to proclaim by word and deed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to fashion your life in accordance with its precepts. You are to love and serve the people among whom you work, caring alike for young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor. You are to preach, to declare God’s forgiveness to penitent sinners, to pronounce God’s blessing, to share in the administration of Holy Baptism and in the celebration of the mysteries of Christ’s Body and Blood, and to perform the other ministrations entrusted to you.
In all that you do, you are to nourish Christ’s people from the riches of his grace, and strengthen them to glorify God in this life and in the life to come.
Bishop Jonah and Michael, do you believe that you are truly called by God and his Church to this priesthood?
Ordinands I believe I am so called.
Bishop Do you now in the presence of the Church commit yourself to this trust and responsibility?
Ordinands I do.
Bishop Will you respect and be guided by the pastoral direction and leadership of your Bishop?
Ordinands I will.
Bishop Will you be diligent in the reading and study of Holy Scriptures, and in seeking the knowledge of such things as may make you a stronger and more able minister of Christ?
Ordinands I will.
Bishop Will you endeavor so to minister the Word of God and the sacraments of the New Covenant, that the reconciling love of Christ may be known and received?
Ordinands I will.
Bishop Will you undertake to be a faithful pastor to all you are called to serve, laboring together with them and with your fellow ministers to build up the family of God?
Ordinands I will.
Bishop Will you do your best to pattern your life in accordance with the teachings of Christ, so that you may be a wholesome example to all people?
Ordinands I will.
Bishop Will you persevere in prayer, both in public and in private, asking God’s grace, both for yourself and for others, offering all your labors to God, through the mediation of Jesus Christ, and in the sanctification of the Holy Spirit?
Ordinands I will.
Bishop May the Lord who has given you the will to do these things give you the grace and power to perform them.
Ordinands Amen.
(Congregation stands, Ordinands kneel.)
Hymn: #504 Come, Holy Ghost, Veni Creator Spiritus (vv 1,3,5,7)
The Consecration of The Priests
God and Father of all, we praise you for your infinite love in calling us to be holy people in the kingdom of your Son Jesus our Lord, who is the image of your eternal and invisible glory, the firstborn among many brethren, and the head of the Church. We thank you that by his death he has overcome death, and, having ascended into heaven, has poured his gifts abundantly upon your people, making some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry and the building up of his body.
Therefore, Father, through Jesus Christ your Son, give your Holy Spirit to Jonah and Michael, and them with grace and power, and make them a priest in your Church. May they exalt you, O Lord, in the midst of your people; offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to you; boldly proclaim the gospel of salvation; and rightly administer the sacraments of the New Covenant. Make them a faithful pastor, a patient teacher, and a wise councilor. Grant that in all things they may serve without reproach, so that your people may be strengthened and your Name glorified in all the world. All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Receive this stole, the symbol of service to which you are called. Our Lord Jesus Christ, whose servant you are, support you with his grace, that you may always be a sign of the love and care which God has for all creation. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Receive this chasuble, the garment of humility. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who said, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light,” give you grace so to help others to bear the burdens of this life, that your ministry may be a sign to all people of the generosity and gentleness of the kingdom that is to come. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Receive this Bible as a sign of the authority given to you to preach the Word of God and to administer God’s holy sacraments. Do not forget the trust committed to you as a priest of the Church of God.
Amen.
Greet your new Priests.
The Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Announcements and Offertory Sentence
Today’s offering goes to the Clergy Discretionary Fund of each ordinand.
(Online offering link can be found by scanning the QR code in your pew)
Anthem: Judge Eternal - Gerre Hancock
Judge eternal, throned in splendor, Lord of lords and King of kings, with thy living fire of judgment purge this realm of bitter things, solace all its wide dominion with the healing of thy wings.
Still the weary folk are pining for the hour that brings release, and the city's crowded clangor cries aloud for sin to cease, and the homesteads and the woodlands plead in silence for their peace.
Crown, O Lord, thine own endeavor,
cleave our darkness with thy sword, cheer the faint and feed the hungry
with the richness of thy word, cleanse the body of this nation
through the glory of the Lord.
Doxology
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Through the great shepherd of your flock, Jesus Christ our Lord; who after his resurrection sent forth his apostles to preach the Gospel and to teach all nations; and promised to be with them always, even to the end of the ages.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Sanctus and Benedictus S-128
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
(Bishop breaks Bread; silence is kept.)
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Fraction Anthem S-169
Invitation to Communion
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
Communion Music: Draw Us In The Spirit’s Tether - Harold Friedell
Draw us in the Spirit’s tether;
For when humbly, in thy name,
Two or three are met together,
Thou art in the midst of them:
Alleluia! Touch we now thy garment’s hem.
As the brethren use to gather
In the name of Christ to sup,
Then with thanks to God the Father
Break the bread and bless the cup,
Alleluia! So knit thou our friendship up.
All our meals and all our living
Make as sacraments of thee,
That by caring, helping, giving,
We may true disciples be.
Alleluia! We will serve thee faithfully.
Hymn #304 I Come With Joy to Meet my Lord
Hymn #321 My God, Thy Table Now is Spread
(All stand)
Post-Communion Prayer
Let us pray.
Almighty Father, we thank you for feeding us with the holy food of the Body and Blood of your Son, and for uniting us through him in the fellowship of your Holy Spirit. We thank you for raising up among us faithful servants for the ministry of your Word and Sacraments. We pray that Jonah and Michael may be to us an effective example in word and action, in love and patience, and in holiness of life. Grant that we, with them, may serve you now, and always rejoice in your glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Blessing
The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Recessional Hymn: #390 Praise to the Lord
The Dismissal
Alleluia. Alleluia. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Voluntary: Allegro Maestoso (sonata II) - Felix Mendelssohn
Presider and Preacher
The Right Reverend Kimberly D. Lucas XI Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Colorado
Christ Church, Denver Clergy
The Reverend Terry McGugan, Rector
The Reverend Todd Blackham, Associate for Whole-Life Discipleship
Musicians
Mr. Christopher Bendrell, Choral Music Lead
Ms. Denise Lanning, Organist
Christ Church Denver Choir
Deacon of the Mass
The Reverend Gary Darress St. Michael’s, Colorado Springs
Bishop’s Canon
The Reverend Canon Jon Anderson Canon for Mission and Operations
Commission on Ministry Chair*
The Reverend Krista Dias St Luke’s, Fort Collins
Standing Committee Interim President*
Mr. Chuck Theobald Grace & St. Stephen’s, Colorado Springs
Lectors*
Mrs. Lelanda Lee
Mr. Nick Heiser
Altar Guild
Mrs. Allison Moore, Director
Ordained to the Priesthood
The Reverend Jonah Heiser
St. Peter and St. Mary, Denver
Senior Warden: Ms. Stephanie Whitehouse
Banner Bearer: Ms. Bev Thomas
Presenters: Rev. Rebecca Crummey, Sponsoring Clergy
Ms. Stephanie Whitehouse
Mrs. Olivia Heiser
Mrs. Patty Heiser
Vesters: Mrs. Olivia Heiser, Mrs. Patty Heiser
The Reverend Michael Kornelsen
St. Andrew’s, Denver
Senior Warden: Mr. Michael Ogborn
Banner Bearer: Mr. Timothy J. Krueger
Presenters: Rev. Boyd Evans, Sponsoring Clergy, Rev. Melissa Adzima, Rev. Elizabeth P. Randall, Ms. Sue Kilgore
Vesters: Rev. Amanda Barker, Mr. Vern D. Kornelsen, Ms. MB Krueger
*Biography of John Coleridge Patteson from Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2022
The death of Bishop Patteson and his companions at the hands of Melanesian islanders, whom Patteson had sought to protect from slavetraders, aroused the British government to take serious measures to prevent piratical man-hunting in the South Seas. Their martyrdom was the seed that produced the strong and vigorous Church which flourishes in Melanesia today. Patteson was born in London on April 1, 1827. He attended Balliol College, Oxford, where he took his degree in 1849. After travel in Europe and a study of languages, at which he was adept, he became a Fellow of Merton College in 1852 and was ordained the following year. While serving as a curate of Alphington, Devonshire, near his family home, he responded to Bishop George Augustus Selwyn’s call in 1855 for helpers in New Zealand. It is said that he learned to speak some twenty-three of the languages of the Melanesian people, and he established a school for boys on Norfolk Island to train native Christian workers. On February 24, 1861, he was consecrated Bishop of Melanesia. On a visit to the island of Nakapu, Patteson was stabbed five times in the chest, in mistaken retaliation for the brutal outrages committed some time earlier by slave-traders. In the attack, several of Patteson’s company were also killed or wounded. Bishop Selwyn later reconciled the natives of Melanesia to the memory of one who came to help and not to hurt.