Our Church building Consecration, October 26,2008


BLESSING OF THE CHURCH

Bishop:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

People: And also with you.

Bishop:
Sisters and brothers in Christ, we have gathered here today to hear God's word and to eat and drink at the table of the kingdom.
Today we lift our hearts in thanksgiving and our voices in praise.
This is a day of joyful celebration: we have come to pray for God's blessing on this house of assembly and worship.
As the pilgrim people of God we now join in song.

Hymn: Praise To The Lord Almighty

Bishop:
Dear friends in Christ, pray that God will bless this place.
Remember before God with thanksgiving our forebears in faith.
Remember those who by witness, generosity and work have prepared our way to this holy house and pray that God will bless them.
Pray that God will bless us who worship here and those who come after us, our children and sccessors in the pilgrimage of faith.
Let us give thanks to the Lord.

People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Bishop:
We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water.
Over water the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation.
Through water you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise.
In water you son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.
We thank you for the water of baptism.
In it we are buried with Christ in his death.
By it we share in his resurrection.
Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son we celebrate our fellowship in him in faith.
We pray that all who here pass through the water of baptism may continue fore ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior.
To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,be all honor and glory, now and forever.
Amen

Bishop:
Blessed are you, Lord our God, you are light in our darkness and the lamp in our journey.
We give you thanks for the light of interpretation, making the pathway clear.
Most of all we give you thanks for your Wisdom among us, for Jesus Christ, in whom your saving will is known.
Inspire with your Holy Spirit all who teach and interpret in his name.
Give open and discerning minds to all who listen with attention.
Make us all the agents of your light in the darkness of our times for his sake, who is the light of the world, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen

Bishop:
Blessed are you, Lord our God, giver of bread, giver of wine.
You spread a table before us in the wilderness.
You call us from the world of discord to be your holy people; you call us from the exile of sin to be a royal priesthood.
Now give you blessing to all who gather here, and give you blessing to his place.
May it be a sign of our unity, the house of our new vision, the womb of our witness.
May we learn peace from the care we bring each other, may we learn justice from the holy food we share.
Unite us in the mission of your Son whose saving love extends to every person, whose presence reaches into every place, Jesus Christ, whomakes all things new, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, now and forever.
Amen

The Peace
Bishop:
The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.

The Offering

The Offeratory Hymn: Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation

The Prayer Over The Gifts

Bishop:
Eternal God, ruler of the universe may we who have heard your word always be ready to answer your call and to follow without fear.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

People: Amen

The Great Thanksgiving

Bishop:
The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Bishop:
Lift up our hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

Bishop:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Bishop:
Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; heaven istelf cannot contain you, but you dwell with the lowly people and humble hears.
Through your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, you have called us to be your holy temple, living stone, raised to the glory of your service, built upon Christ, the flundation of our faith.
Now in this house we join our voices, with all your people of every time and place,to proclaim the glory of your name.

All (to be sung):
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might
Heaven and earth are full,full of your glory
Hosanna in the highest
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the hightest
Hosanna in the highest

Bishop:
We give thaks to you, Lord our God, for the goodness and love you have made known to us in creation; in calling Israel to be your people;in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus your Son.
For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Saviour and Redeemer of the world.
In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you.
In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, a death he freely accepted, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said, "Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."
After supper he took the cup of wine, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them and said, "Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."
Therefore, Father, according to his command,

All: We remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;

Bishop:
and we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, to you, Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts, that they may be the sacrament of the body of Christ and his blood of the new covenant.
Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we, made acceptable to him, may be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
In the fullness of time, reconcile all things in Christ, and make them new,and bring us to that city of light where you dwell with all your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation; by whom, and with whom and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, almighty Father, now and forever.

AMEN

Bishop:
And now, as our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

All:
Our Father, who are in heaven
hallowed by 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.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory
for ever and ever.
AMEN

The Breaking of the Bread
Bishop: From our birth you have sustained us,

People: Let our mouth be full of your praise and your glory all the day long.
The Communion
Bishop: the gifts of God for the People of God.
People: Thanks be to God

Communion Hymns:
I Am The Bread of Life
In Christ Alone
Change My Heart Oh God

Prayer after Communion Bishop:
Let us pray
Father,
may the gifts we have received at your table give us courage to follow the example of Andrew the apostle and share in the ministry of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

People: AMEN

Doxology
Bishop: Glory to God,
People:
whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever.
AMEN

Solo: The Father's Song - Anika Asfeldt

Dismissal Bishop:
You are the people of God, a holy nation, a royal priesthood, the temple of God's presence.
My God, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, bless you in this calling, now and always.
AMEN

Closing Hymn: Shout To The North

Leader: Go forth in the name of Christ.
People: Thanks be to God

Photo Gallery of the Consecration