The Moderator and Clerk of the General Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster oversaw the ordination of Mr. Laurence Crawford to the ruling eldership of the Carryduff church on Friday the 9th June 2023.
This was another historic occasion in the life and witness of the Carryduff congregation. Mr. Crawford has been in attendance at Carryduff (formerly Killynure School House) from infancy, and he is the second member of the congregation to be ordained as a ruling elder. He formerly served on the Committee about 11 years ago.
The church was filled to capacity with a tremendous sense of the Lord’s presence, in addition to over 100 joining with us online. Rev. David McLaughlin, minister of Carryduff, presided over the service. The meeting commenced with singing of a favourite Gospel hymn, “Redeemed how I love to proclaim it”. The Rev. Samuel Murray as deputy moderator, (and moderator elect), opened in prayer. Ministry in song was provided by the Kingdom Heirs, a group of talented young men that Mr. Crawford belongs to, and is well known throughout the country.
The former treasurer of Carryduff, Mr. William Smith, read the Scriptures from Ruth 2:1-20. Then the clerk of presbytery, Rev. John Greer, asked the prescribed questions to the elder elect. Mr. Crawford then signed the Westminster Confession of Faith as a confession of his own faith and the Rev. Armstrong led the ordination prayer. Mr. Laurence Crawford thanked a number of people for coming and shared a brief word of personal testimony to the saving and keeping grace of God in his life. After the singing of the offering hymn, “My Jesus I love thee”, Rev. Armstrong preached a very appropriate and timely sermon to the newly ordained elder and congregation on gleaning in the harvest field. He emphasised the necessity of the labourers’ willingness, witness and worth in the Lord’s work.
Mr. George Anderson welcomed the newly ordained elder to the Kirk Session of Carryduff and the wider presbytery family. Flowers were presented by Mrs. Rosemary McLaughlin to Mrs. Anne Crawford, wife of Mr. L Crawford.
The closing hymn, “There is coming a day”, was sung by members of the Crawford family assisted by Rev. Dr. Fred Greenfield, father-in-law of Mr L Crawford. The congregation were invited to join in the last verse and chorus.
The Rev. Dr. Fred Greenfield closed in prayer. Afterwards a tremendous supper was served by the Carryduff catering team in the Luther Hall. The Kirk session, committee, members and supporters of Carryduff sincerely thank everyone who joined with us on this special occasion and ask for your prayers and support that the Lord would bless His work throughout the district of Carryduff, as well as our growing online ministry at carrydufffpc.org The Carryduff congregation assures Mr. L Crawford of their continued prayerful support, and wish him God’s help and blessing as he performs his duties as a ruling elder amongst us.
