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Rededication Eucharist

(Based on material from the American Book of Common Prayer (1979) and Common Worship (2000))

Bishop:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.

The service is introduced

The Deacon lights the Paschal candle

Let us pray:
Almighty God, we thank you for making us in your image, and to share in the ordering of your world. Receive the work of our hands in this place, now to be rededicated for your worship, the building up of the living, and the remembrance of the departed, to the praise and glory of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Archdeacon:
Through the ages, Almighty God has moved his people to build houses of prayer and praise, and to set them apart for the ministry of his holy word and Sacraments.

The Bishop invites a moment of prayer and reflection, then says:

Peace be to this house from God our Father
Peace be to this house from his Son Jesus Christ
Peace be to this house from the Holy Spirit
Blessed be God forever! Amen! Amen!

Processional Hymn

The Bishop’s procession enters the building.

Bishop:
We rededicate this place in the name of Christ who draws the whole world to Himself, bringing light to those in darkness and healing to those who look to Him in hope. In this place we set the mark of his cross. May He banish all evil and scatter the darkness from before our path.

Various artifacts will now be blessed, excluding the font, the organ and new banners.

A Bible is placed on the lectern

Old Testament Reading: 1 Kings 8:22-33, 27b-30
New Testament Reading: 1 Peter 2:1-9
Hymn:
Gospel Reading: Matthew 7:13-14, 24-25
Sermon:

(After the sermon, all stand)

Commissioning of the congregation

Bishop:
Those who are baptized are called to worship
And serve God.
Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching
And fellowship,
In the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you persevere in resisting evil,
And, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return
To the Lord?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you proclaim by word and example
The good news of God in Christ?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you seek and serve Christ in all people,
Loving your neighbour as yourself?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you acknowledge Christ’s authority
Over human society,
By prayer for the world and its leaders,
By defending the weak,
And by seeking peace and justice?
With the help of God, I will.

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith,
That you may be rooted and grounded in love
And bring forth the fruit of the Spirit. Amen.

The Peace

Christ is our peace.
If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation;
The old has passed away: behold the new has come.
The Peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

Deacon:
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

Offertory hymn:

Prayer at the preparation of the Table

God of life, Saviour of the poor,
Receive with these gifts
Gratitude for your goodness,
Penitence for our pride
And dedication to your service
In Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The Eucharistic Prayer

(Prayer A – with acclamations, special preface, and invocations on the building.

The Lord be with you
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.

Father in heaven, source of all love and holiness,
It is right to offer you thanks and praise.
For today we dedicate to your lasting service this house of prayer, which reflects the mystery of your church:
A temple built of living stones,
Founded on the apostles and prophets,
Your Son Jesus Christ is its chief corner stone;
A city set upon a hill,
Bright with the glory of your presence
And echoing the prayers of your saints.
We who are your chosen stones,
Cemented together by love,
Built by your Spirit into a temple made without hands,
Even the body of your Son Jesus Christ.
Therefore with angels and archangels,
And with all the company of heaven,
We proclaim your great and glorious name,
For ever praising you and singing:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Accept our praises, heavenly Father,
Through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ,
And as we follow his example and obey his command,
Grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit
These gifts of bread and wine
May be to us his body and his blood.
Who, in the same night that he was betrayed,
Took bread and gave you thanks;
He broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you;
Do this in remembrance of me.
To you be glory and praise for ever.

In the same way, after supper
He took the cup and gave you thanks;
He gave it to them, saying:
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.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
In remembrance of me.
To you be glory and praise for ever.

Therefore, heavenly Father,
We remember his offering of himself
Made once for all upon the cross;
We proclaim his mighty resurrection
And glorious ascension;
We look for the coming of your kingdom,
And with this bread and this cup
We make the memorial of Christ, your Son our Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus:
Dying you destroyed our death,
Rising you restored our life:
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Accept through him, our great high priest,
This our sacrifice of thanks and praise,
And as we eat and drink these holy gifts
In the presence of your divine majesty,
Renew us by your Spirit,
Inspire us with your love
And unite us in the body of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
To you be praise and glory for ever.

Lord, send your Spirit from heaven to sanctify this place that it may again be a sign of your presence among us.
Here may the Gospel be proclaimed with boldness.
Here may the waters of baptism cleanse and renew us.
Here may your people celebrate the memorial of
Christ’s risen presence.
Here may prayer resound through heaven and earth,
as a plea for the world’s salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord.
To you be glory and praise for ever.

Through him, and with him, and in him,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
With all who stand before you in earth and heaven,
We worship you, Father Almighty,
In songs of everlasting praise:
Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours forever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
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.
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.

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ
Though we are many we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.

Lamb of God,
You take away the sin of the world
Have mercy on us.

Lamb of God,
You take away the sin of the world
Grant us peace.

God’s holy gifts for God’s holy people
Jesus Christ is holy,
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Post Communion Prayer

Lord, we have broken your bread
And received your life.
By the power of your Spirit
Keep us always in your love;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Hymn:

Blessing and dismissal

The Lord be with you
And also with you

May God who has prepared for you a city
Eternal in the heavens
Bring you to the joy of that city of the great King. Amen

May he raise up and strengthen
Whatever you build on Christ, the cornerstone,
And draw you into the fellowship of the saints in glory. Amen

May he grant you the Spirit of wisdom
To know the hope to which he has called you,
And make you living temples of his presence. Amen.

And the blessing … … … … … …

Deacon:
To God be glory in the Church in Christ Jesus
For ever and ever, amen!

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
In the name of Christ, amen.