Liturgy On The Occasion Of A Retirement

The following liturgy may be used in small or large family celebrations or in gatherings of the larger worshiping community. Notice how the liturgy views retirement not as time to abstain from kingdom work, but as a time of a change in vocation. Adapt to local needs and customs.

Gathering

Leader: My dear friends, today we have gathered to celebrate the work of our dear friend [Name] and to welcome his/her deserved rest from the daily demands of his/her work. Let us rejoice in God who has given us work to do, and let us be reminded of the promise of Sabbath rest.

Let us pray. Father Almighty, in six days you created the world, and on the seventh you rested. You, who are known by your works, are the Lord of life and work. We bless you for the work of [Name]. Now grant him/her rest in the activities of retirement, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Scripture Readings

Reader 1: A reading from Genesis:

"?The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads. The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which encompasses the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which encompasses the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates. Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it?" (2:8–15). This is the word of the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God.

Reader 2: A reading from Hebrews:

"?Therefore, since a promise remains of entering his rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest, as he has said: '?So I swore in my wrath,/They shall not enter my rest,?' although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way; '?And God rested on the seventh day from all his works?'; and again in this place: '?They shall not enter my rest.?' Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, again he designates a certain day, saying in David, '?Today,?' after such a long time, as it has been said: '?Today, if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.?' For if Joshua had given them rest, then he would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered his rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from his?" (4:1–10).

This is the word of the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God.

Testimonials

Leader: We now wish to express our appreciation to [Name] for his/her work and to wish him/her well in the future.

(Those who have asked to make speeches may do so at this time.)

The Prayer of Dedication

Leader: Let us dedicate [Name] to the Lord. Father, as there is a time to work and labor and a time to rest, grant that the rest into which [Name] enters may be filled with the joy of life. Protect his/her coming and going, fill his/her life with friendships, bless him/her with health, and grant him/her peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

(Friends may now gather to congratulate and offer best wishes to the retiree.)