Order for Blessing of A Dwelling

October 14, 2000
Salisbury, North Carolina

which is the

New Home of GeoRene J. and BethAnn S. &  Future Home of Pastor & Mrs. William J.

(Gathered at the front of the home)

L.	Peace to this house and to all who enter here.

	A Reading from Scripture: Proverbs 24:3-4				Pastor Carl S.

A Candle is Lighted

	A Reading from Scripture:	St. Matthew 5: 14-16			Vernon Davis

L:	Let us pray.
O God, as this candle gives light to this home, so enable those who dwell here to be your light in the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:	Amen.

A Reading from Scripture:	Psalm 121 "A Song of Ascents" 	Willie B.

L:	Let us pray.
O God, protect and guide those who live here, their going out and their coming in; and let them Share the hospitality of this home with all who visit, that those who enter here may know your love and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:	Amen.

Naming of the Place

L: 	What name have you chosen for this place?

Response:	__________

Chalking the Door 					Pastor Mary P. and Pastor Donald M.

The letters "CMB" "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" (May Christ bless this dwelling!), and are set within the numerals indicating the calendar year. 
(Proceed into the Living Room of the dwelling)

A Reading from Scripture: St. John 13:34-35				Pastor S.

A Candle is Lighted

L:	Let us pray.
0 God, give your blessing to all who share this room, that they may be knit together in fellowship; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C: 	Amen.

 (Proceed into the Study)

A Reading from Scripture: Proverbs 9:9-10					Donna B.

A Candle is Lighted

L:	Let us pray.
O God, you are the teacher who leads us to all truth. Grant that those who work, study and learn here may use knowledge in accordance with your will, to bring peace and healing to all people, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:	Amen.

(Proceed into the first bedroom)

A Reading from Scripture: Psalm 3:3-5					Gretchen W.

A Candle is Lighted

L: 	Let us pray.
Guide us waking, 0 Lord, and guard us sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

C: 	Amen.

(Proceed into the second bedroom)

A Reading from Scripture: Psalm 4:8						Anne S.

A Candle is Lighted

L:	Let us pray.
Guide us waking, 0 Lord, and guard us sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
C: 	Amen.

Hymn: All Through The Night						Welsh Lullaby 
	Sleep my child, and peace attend thee, all through the night. 		Guardian angels God will send thee, all through the night.
Tho' the drowsy hours are sweeping; hills and valleys in slumber steeping,
O'er thou alone their vigil keeping, all through the night.

(Proceed into the Kitchen/Dining Room)

A Reading from Scripture: Joel 2:19						Kay C.
A Reading from Scripture: Psalm 145:15-16					Beth C.

Candles are Lighted

L:	Let us pray.
Blessed are you, 0 God, King of the Universe, who gives us food and drink to sustain our lives and make our hearts glad. Send your blessing upon those who work in this kitchen, and make us ever thankful for our daily bread. Help us to be grateful for all your mercies and keep us ever mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:	Amen.

Hymn: Come and Dine					Traditional Gospel Hymn
		Jesus has a table spread, where the saints of God are fed,
		He invites his chosen people, "Come and dine."
		With His manna he does feed and supplies our every need
	Oh! How sweet to sup with Jesus all the time!

	"Come and dine!" the Master calls us, "Come and dine!"
	We may feast at Jesus' table anytime,
	He who fed the multitude and turned the water into wine,
	To the hungry calleth now, "Come and dine!"

(Proceed into the family room)

A Reading from Scripture:	Romans 12:9-13				Catherine F.

L: 	Let us pray.
0 God, give your blessing to all who share this room, refresh all who visit here that they may know Friendship and love and that they may be knit together in fellowship; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C: 	Amen.

Lighting of the Hearth

Responsive Prayer 						led by Pastor Jennifer G.

L:	Blessed are you, 0 God, King of the Universe, who commands the elements to do your will!
Since the time of Creation, fire has been a symbol of your sustaining presence with your People.

C:	By fire in a bush which was not consumed, you called Moses onto holy ground that you may reveal to him your will for his ministry to your people.

L:	You brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt and led them through the desert wilderness

C:	Leading them through an unknown land with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

 L:	And when, according to your command, they gathered at Sinai they witnessed the mountain wrapped in smoke because you descended upon it in fire

C:	And it was there you gave to your people your Great Law.

L:	And when the day of Pentecost had come, your disciples were gathered together. And suddenly, a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting

C:	And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting one each one of them.
And they were filled with the Holy Spirit

L:	Bless now, 0 Lord, this home and may the fires kindled in this hearth symbolize always the your comfort and power and be a sustaining presence in this dwelling.

(The first fire of the new hearth is lighted from flame of the Christ Candle which has been carried throughout the dwelling.)

(Proceed into unfinished living space in the garage)

Over the next several months, this area will be finished into a bedroom/sitting room and will shelter Pastor William and Martha J., who will soon retire after 45 years service in ordained ministry.)

A Reading from Scripture: Isaiah 52:7-10
A Candle is Lighted

L:	Let us pray.
0 God, we give thanks for the lives of your faithful servants, William and Martha. Sanctify this place as a peaceful shelter and place of rest to those who, in humble service to you, have given themselves, their time and their talents.

Strengthen the hands which bring the labor to bring this thing to pass, and may the tools they use ring out in a joyful tribute to your faithfulness and righteousness.

C:	Amen.

(Proceed outside and process to the rear of the dwelling.)

A Reading from Scripture: St. Mark 5:28-32

L:	Let us pray.
Blessed, are you, 0 Lord our God, king of the universe. You have made the whole earth after your glory; all your creatures praise you. We lift our voices to join the sounds of heaven and Earth, of things seen and unseen, in praise of your glory.

You alone do great wonders, and by your wisdom you made the heavens and the earth. All living things give you praise. You stretched out the heavens like a curtain; you divided the day from t the night; you appointed times and seasons for work and rest, for tearing down and building up.

Be with us now and bless the fruits of the earth which will come in due season, and of those who labor in this garden. Grant us faith to know your gracious purpose in all things. Continue your blessings to GeoRene and BethAnn, to William and Martha, and to their special friends Bea and Buddy. Continue your blessings to us through the bounty of your creation; through your Son, Jesus Christ our lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C:	Amen.

	A Tree is Planted while a hymn is sung	A Mighty Fortress	Martin Luther

The Blessing and Benediction

L:	Let us bless the Lord

C:	Thanks be to God.
L:	The blessing of almighty God, the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you all now and Forever.

C:	Amen!