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AN ORDER OF SERVICE FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH
OPENING HYMN
(Appropriate "Come, Thou Holy Spirit, come,"
A. and M. 156)
Minister:
LET US PRAY
O
GOD, our Heavenly Father, we beseech Thee to look
down upon Thy children gathered here, and to pour Thy
blessing and Thy strength into this Church, which we
present to Thee as an offering for service. Purify
the material structure, create within it vibrations
of tender and spiritual worth, and fill it with Thy
holy power. We dedicate ourselves as temples of the
Holy Spirit, and pray that we may co-operate in effort
and in harmony for the upliftment of humanity. O God,
our Father, let Thy Divine Spirit dwell not only in
this place made by men's hands but in our souls; so
that all who come within these doors may recognise
that this is Thy House, and go forth blessed and ready
to pass on the blessing to others. Amen.
OUR FATHER, Who art in Heaven, all 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. When in temptation Thy love sustains us,
and deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom,
the Power and the Glory. For ever and for ever. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
(Appropriate: Parable of the Vineyard, Matt. 25:14-30;
Sending forth the disciples, Matt. 10: 5-20 or 24-42;
Mark 6: 7-13; Luke 16: 15; Feed My sheep, John 21:
1-19).
HYMN
Minister:
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit, this Church is now dedicated to all things
spiritual. Amen.
LET US PRAY
HEAVENLY FATHER, we thank Thee for all Thy goodness
in enabling us to bring about this happy realisation
of our efforts, and we pray that we may be worthy of
the sacred trust and responsibility reposed in us.
We thank Thee also for the generous gifts from friends,
for the labours of many hands, for the thought expended,
for the material means, and all the mental and physical
work which has made our Church possible. Grant that
the spiritual aspirations and high ideals we hold now
will ever be maintained.
WE pray Thee keep us humble in spirit and conscientious
over all our duties. Bless all who work for this Church,
who help towards its maintenance and contribute to
its material care and upkeep; and grant that we may
show our thankfulness by a true spirit of service,
and by giving a loving welcome to all who enter.
AS the doors of our now dedicated Church are open,
may we realise our responsibility to the stranger and
the lonely; and may the Living Presence of the Risen
Christ permeate this Temple, and His touch heal those
who are gathered in. Amen.
HYMN
(Appropriate: "Now thank we all our God")
**The Minister will now give out the Church Notices,
but first he will pay tribute to those benefactors
and workers who have been instrumental in providing
the Church and its furnishings, and, not least, those
who have undertaken the task of cleaning and making
the Church comfortable. Acknowledgement should also
be given to those in Spirit for their great part in
guiding and inspiring the work.
**In the Address which now follows it may be appropriate
to refer to the words of our Lord to Peter; "Feed
my lambs, feed my sheep" (John 21:15)
**The following Points are also given for consideration:
(1) The Power of the Holy Spirit, which has always
been available to God's children.
(2) The Love of Christ which is granted to every soul,
and which enables us to follow the Path He laid down.
(3) The Command of Christ to His disciples to go forth
and take His Message all over the world, and to heal
the sick by the Power of the Holy Spirit. (Mark 16:
15-20)
THE ADDRESS
HYMN
CLOSING PRAYER
Minister:
LET US PRAY
O
LOVING Christ, help us to fulfil Thy command and to
give freely of what we have, and are, to Thy service.
Take from us all things that may hinder the growth
and beauty of this our Church. May it truly prove a
Sanctuary for weary hearts, for those who are dispirited
and unhappy, and for all who need Thy healing touch
upon them. We humbly thank Thee that we are thus privileged
to work for Thee. Do Thou inspire us, strengthen us,
uphold us and bless our efforts. Amen.
**The Minister will then close with the Blessing:
The peace of God which passeth all understanding, keep
your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of
God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the
blessing of God Almighty: the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit, be amongst you, and remain with you
always. Amen.
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