Act of Dedication for a Refurbished Church

My main church will have her refurbished building dedicated by the President of the Methodist Conference on 4th March. I have to write the ‘Act of Dedication’. I want to avoid the pitfalls of making the building an idol and building in a missionary slant. I’m no liturigist, but this is my first draft. The formatting may not come out very evenly here, but all constructive comments are welcome.

Gracious Father,       No
place on earth can limit your presence in your world. But we dedicate this
renewed building to your glory. May it be a home for your family, and a place
of welcome for all:

                                                for
those who are assured of your love;

                                                for
those who are seeking;

                                                and
for all who are broken.

                                   

                                    In
your Name

                                    We dedicate this place.

 

Lord Jesus Christ,         May we
who worship together in this place meet with you here:

in joyfully
offering you our praise and humbly making our confession;

                                                in
listening attentively for your word;

                                                in
our priestly task of interceding for your world;

                                                in
celebrating together your grace in the sacraments;

                                                in
the fellowship of the small group;

                                                in
the conduct of our business;

                                                and
in the offering of this building to the community.

                                   

                                    In
your Name

                                    We dedicate ourselves.

 

Holy Spirit of God,   Empower
your family that gathers in this place to be true disciples of Jesus Christ:

                                                as
we welcome the stranger;

                                 as
we speak your word of love and as we demonstrate it in acts of healing and
justice;

                                    and
as we disperse each week to be the church in the world.

 

Almighty God, Father, Son and
Holy Spirit, you are one in a community of love. Grant that your people who
meet here may be known as a community of your love. Through Jesus Christ our
Lord, Amen.

 

                                               

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