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Dedication of a Community
Food & Clothing Bank
Church Owned
by The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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This service was written for the dedication of the Food and Clothing Bank of the newly formed Walton Area Community Ministry, but may be used for any such agency. If possible, set chairs outside the building where the dedication is to occur. An electronic keyboard could provide music.
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Prelude
Invocation: (stand)
Pastor Weitzel: Brothers and sisters, we come together in the name of Jesus Christ to seek God's blessing as we set apart this building, the new ministry which it will house, and the people who will labor in that ministry.
Call to Worship:
Pastor Gosser: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his name.
Congregation: Make known his deeds among the peoples.
P: Sing to him, sing praises to him,
C: And speak of his marvelous works.
P: Glory in his holy name.
C: Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
P: For he satisfies the thirsty,
C: And fills the hungry with good things.
P: He clothes the naked, and shelters the wandering.
C: He leads his children out of darkness and deep gloom.
P: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his name.
C: Sing to him, sing praises to him forever.
Hymn of Praise: Old Hundredth
From all that dwell below the skies
Let the Creator's praise arise;
Let the Redeemer's name be sung
Through ev'ry land, in ev'ry tongue.
Eternal are your mercies, Lord;
Eternal truth attends your Word;
Your praise shall sound from shore to shore,
Till suns shall rise and set no more.
Prayer:
Pastor Weitzel: The Lord be with you.
Congregation: And also with you.
P: Let us pray. Most High God, whom the heavens cannot contain, we give you thanks for the gifts and the vision of those who have brought forth this new ministry for our community which we dedicate to your glory this day. We praise you for the fellowship of faithful witnesses from our churches, who, by their ministry, will make this place holy. And we pray that all who seek love and assistance here may find you and be filled with your joy and peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen (sit)
Choir: "It Had to Be Love" High School Choir Quartet
Brief History of the Ministry
A Word from the Donors
Lesson: 1 Corinthians 3:9-11
Homily Rev. Bill Collins
Choir: "I'm Gonna Shout All Over Heaven"
Litany of Blessing and Serving: (stand)
Pastor Gosser: God is love. In the desire to make us share in this love, God sent his Son into the world to come to our aid and in gentle kindness to help those who were weak, sick, or unfortunate. In his great love for all of us, Christ said that whatever we do for the least among us we do for him. He called those who show mercy "blessed of the Father" and promised them eternal life. Let us therefore pray for the Lord's richest blessings on the Walton Area Community Ministry and those who labor for it, saying:
Congregation: Lord, teach us to serve our sisters and brothers.
P: Almighty God, for our sake, your Son was poor and came not to be served but to serve. Grant that we too may love our brothers and sisters and help them in their need.
C: Lord, teach us to serve our sisters and brothers.
P: By your redeeming work, you made a new world where we have become neighbors to each other and are enabled to love one another. Grant that we may strive toward a way of life in keeping with the Gospel.
C: Lord, teach us to serve our sisters and brothers.
P: You want all people to share in the blessings you have brought. Stir the hearts of many among your people, so that, moved by your love, they may gladly devote themselves to assisting those in need and in misfortune.
C: Lord, teach us to serve our sisters and brothers.
P: Enkindle the hearts of those who serve and lead this new ministry with the fire of the Holy Spirit, that they may have visions and blessings in abundance to minister in new ways in this community, to bring the love of Christ to others and so build up your kingdom.
C: Lord, teach us to serve our sisters and brothers.
P: O Lord our God, in you every good work has its beginning. Grant that what we undertake this day to the glory of your name may be for the good of this community, our churches, and all your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen
Lord's Prayer
Dedication:
Pastor Weitzel: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, king of the universe. You fill the entire world with your presence, and command us to tell the world of your love. Accept and bless this building and those who minister in it as the Walton Area Community Ministry.
Pastor Gosser: May those who labor be filled with the joy of your presence, O Lord. May those who are served be touched by the Gospel.
Rev. Collins: May the churches who support this new ministry be bound with a holy commitment of service in your world. And may the community which surrounds it receive abundant blessings through the ministry which is provided.
Pastor Weitzel: To you be the glory, O God, with Christ and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Congregation: Amen.
Benediction:
P: May the blessings of God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, go with you and abide with you unto eternal life.
C: Amen.
Closing Hymn: Nun danket alle Gott
Now thank we all our God
With hearts and hands and voices
Who wondrous things has don,
In whom his world rejoices;
Who, from our mothers' arms,
Has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.
Oh, may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,
And keep us in his grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all harm
In this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son, and him who reigns
With them in highest heaven,
The one eternal God,
Whom earth and heav'n adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be ever more.
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Please join us now for a reception. Feel free to tour the building and see what plans are being made for ministry in our community.