Ordination and Induction of Rev C Hembd – Gisborne

On Friday, October 9, a congregation of some 50 to 60 souls gathered in the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland in Gisborne, for the ordination of Rev Caleb Hembd, and his induction to the pastoral charge of the congregation.

It was a notable event in Mr Hembd’s life; he was born and raised in the United States and now commences his pastoral ministry in New Zealand. It was also deeply significant for the Gisborne congregation, not least, since the last ordination and induction held in the congregation was that of Rev J A T van Dorp, on 23 August 1974. He laboured faithfully in the congregation for 37 years, retiring from the pastoral charge on 1 October 2011. He was, of course, preceded by Rev William MacLean. Thus, in the Lord’s goodness, a Free Presbyterian witness has been maintained in Gisborne for many years.

The Australia and New Zealand Presbytery met at 5.15 pm and, as no objections were raised following the reading of the notice at the church door, the Moderator of Presbytery, Rev George G Hutton, preached a solemn and encouraging sermon from 2 Timothy 4:1,2: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine”.

Thereafter a narrative was read of the main events which had led up to this meeting. Mr Hembd satisfactorily answered the questions from the Manual of Practice put to Probationers before their ordination and induction and signed the Formula. He was then ordained to the holy ministry with solemn prayer and the imposition of hands, in which the Moderator was joined by the ministerial brethren then present. He was also inducted to the pastoral charge of the Gisborne congregation and given the right hand of fellowship by the Moderator and the other members of Presbytery.

The Moderator addressed the newly ordained and inducted minister, and Rev J D Smith addressed the congregation. Several messages of goodwill were read out. The congregation were dismissed with the singing of Psalm 121 and the benediction, and were able to greet Mr Hembd as they left.

A supper was provided by the Gisborne congregation at a convenient

location, where a pleasant time of fellowship was concluded with worship, during which we were reminded of the very reason for our meeting, in the reading of the final chapter of Matthew, which closes with the notable words of the Great Commission, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen”.

Gisborne, is one of the first places in the world to see the sun each new day, and thus also, one of the first places to hear the gospel each new week. It is also a place that is blessed with a pleasant climate which, along with the good soil and careful cultivation by the local farmers, is a fruitful place of vineyards and citrus orchards, including the kiwi fruit, for which New Zealand is renowned. We hope and pray that Mr Hembd’s ministry will bear much spiritual fruit through the preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ and that the congregation will be edified and encouraged through the Spirit’s blessing on the Word.

“Preach the word . . . ” (1 Tim 4:2). (Rev) G B Macdonald, Presbytery Clerk

Ordination and Induction of Rev Dmytro Levytskyy

The Western Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland has decided that, God willing, the ordination of Mr Dmytro Levytskyy to the holy ministry will take place on Tuesday, 1 March 2016, at 7 pm, in the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland in Lochcarron. It was also decided that Mr Levytskyy be inducted to work as a missionary in Ukraine with his main base in Odessa. The Presbytery give notice that any person or persons having anything against Mr Levytskyy’s life or doctrine may make this known and substantiate it at this meeting of Presbytery. (Rev) D A Ross, Presbytery Clerk

Free Presbyterian Publications

We draw attention to the recently-published two-volume set of Memorials by John Love (1757-1825), the noted minister of Anderston, Glasgow, and a founder of the London Missionary Society. These volumes have much of an autobiographical character and also contain important writings on Scripture doctrines. Peter MacBride of Rothesay spoke of Love’s “abiding reverential sense of the glorious sovereignty of God in the salvation of sinners”. The volumes cost £19.50 each, or £35.50 for the set (hardback, approx 500 pp per vol). Also recommended is the volume of Archibald Cook’s sermons entitled, Eternal Reality (hardback, 332 pp, £19.50).

College and Library Fund

By appointment of Synod, the second of the year’s two special collections for the College and Library Fund is due to be taken in congregations in December.

W Campbell, General Treasurer

The Free Presbyterian Magazine

2015
Volume 120

Editor:
Rev Kenneth D Macleod

Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee,
that it may be displayed because of the truth (Psalm 60:4)

Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland

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Ordination and Induction of Rev C Hembd – Gisborne

Ordination and Induction of Rev Dmytro Levytskyy

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