Before a capacity congregation, Rev. Michael G. Sykes was formally installed as the sixth settled minister of Faith United Protestant Church on Sunday, November 30, 2008. The service began with the processional hymn “I Am on the Battlefield for My Lord” by the Faith choir, and the call to worship, led by Brenda Kinder.








Rev. Brenda Burney pronounced the invocation, and the search committee, led by John Lulewicz and Pam McDonald, was introduced. The sermon was delivered by Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. Pastor Emeritus of Trinity United Church of Christ. Other celebrants included:
    Rev. Norval Brown, Pastor of Grace United Protestant Church
    Rev. Brenda Burney, Pastor of St. Paul’s Good Shepherd U. P. Church
    Rev. Dudley Elvery, Pastor of Calvary U. P. Church
    Rev. Edward Goode, Co-Association Minister, CMA
    Dr. Willetta Greene-Johnson, Musical Director, Journey Song
    Rev. Robert L. Hempel, Dean, Cluster Five, CMA
    Rev. Terry Krouskoupf, Pastor, St. John’s Faith UCC
    Rev. Otis Moss III, Pastor, Trinity UCC
    Rev. Dr. Ozzie E. Smith, Jr., Senior Pastor, Covenant UCC

The Presentation

Local Church Representative - Mrs. Peggy Wing
Faith United Protestant Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, has called Michael Sykes as its pastor and teacher, and respectfully requests that the Chicago Metropolitan Association install him in this ministry among us, according to the faith and order of the United Church of Christ.

Association Representative (addressing the congregation) - The Chicago Metropolitan Association reviewed the request of Faith United Protestant Church. We have prayerfully examined Michael Sykes, and we are pleased to install him as your pastor and teacher.

Michael Sykes, servant of God, we invite you to come forward as a sign of your acceptance of the call to this office.

Association Representative
Installation is the action of an association of the United Church of Christ in cooperation with a local church. Installation confirms and celebrates the covenantal relationship among a local church, its pastor and teacher, and the United Church of Christ. Installation is a sign that these covenantal partners are committed to share mutually in the mission of the United Church and the ecumenical church.

Exhortation

Association Representative (addressing the congregation)
Hear these words from the Apostle Paul: We beg you, our brothers and sisters, to pay proper respect to those who work among you in the Christian life. Treat them with the greatest respect and love because of the work they do. Be at peace among yourselves.

Association Representative (addressing the pastor)
We urge you, our brother, warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with all.

Association Representative (addressing all)
See that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but at all times make it your aim to do good to one another and to all people. Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants of you, in your life I Christ Jesus. Amen.

Service of Installation
Covenant

Association Representative
Dear friends, Faith United Protestant Church has declared that, having gathered under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it has called Michael Sykes to minister in this place as pastor and teacher and that it now receives him as appointed by God to this ministry.

The Chicago Metropolitan Association of the United Church of Christ has declared that he has met all the necessary conditions for installation to this office.

Association Representative (addressing the pastor)
Seeing that you are called to ordained ministry by the Grace of God and that Faith United Protest Church has been led to call you as a pastor and teacher, are you willing to enter this covenant with its members who are one in Christ with us in the Chicago Metropolitan Association?

Pastor - Rev. Michael Sykes
I am willing, and I promise to serve this church faithfully, preaching and teaching the Word of God, administering the Sacraments, and fulfilling the pastoral office, according to the faith and order of the United Church of Christ.

Association Representative (addressing the congregation)
Members of Faith United Protestant Church, will those who are able, rise and affirm your covenant with your pastor and teacher?

Local Church Members
We, the members of Faith United Protestant Church receive Michael Sykes as our pastor and teacher, promising to labor with him in the ministry of the Gospel and to give him due honor and support.

We gather with him and with the United Church of Christ as a sign of our mutual ministry in Christ’s Name.

Association Representative (addressing the association members)
Members of the Chicago Metropolitan Association, will those who are able , rise and affirm your covenant with Faith United Protestant Church and its pastor and teacher?

Association Members
We, the members of the Chicago Metropolitan Association of the United Church of Christ, gather with you, the people and the pastor and teacher of Faith United protestant Church, as a sign of our covenant and in celebration of our ministry in Christ’s Name.
Prayer of Installation (Rev. Otis Moss III)

Declaration

Association Representative
In the Name of Jesus Christ, and on behalf of the Chicago Metropolitan Association of the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ, I declare you duly installed as pastor and teacher of Faith United Protestant Church.

All
Thanks be to God.
Pastor Mike presenting Benediction