On the day appointed, the clergy and people gather with the bishop in a
place apart from the church or chapel.
When all are ready, the Bishop says the following or similar words
Through the ages, Almighty God has moved his people to
build houses of prayer and praise, and to set apart places for
the ministry of his holy Word and Sacraments. With gratitude
for the building (rebuilding, or adornment) of (name of
church), we are now gathered to dedicate and consecrate
it in God's Name.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, we thank you for making us in your image, to
share in the ordering of your world. Receive the work of our
hands in this place, now to be set apart for your worship, the
building up of the living, and the remembrance of the dead,
to the praise and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
Necessary announcements may now be made.
As the procession approaches the door of the church, singing and
instrumental music are appropriate.
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Standing at the door of the church, the Bishop says
Let the door(s) be opened.
The door is opened. With the pastoral staff the Bishop marks the
threshold with the sign of the cross saying
Peace be to this house, and to all who enter here: † In the
Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
As the procession moves into the church, Psalm 122 or some other
appropriate psalm is sung. Hymns and anthems may also be sung.
The congregation standing, the Bishop begins the Prayer for the
Consecration of the Church
| Our help is in the Name of the Lord; | |
| People | The maker of heaven and earth. |
| Bishop | Let us pray. |
Everliving Father, watchful and caring, our source and our
end: All that we are and all that we have is yours. Accept us
now, as we dedicate this place to which we come to praise
your Name, to ask your forgiveness, to know your healing
power, to hear your Word, and to be nourished by the Body
and Blood of your Son. Be present always to guide and to
judge, to illuminate and to bless your people.
A Warden or other representative of the congregation continues
Lord Jesus Christ, make this a temple of your presence and a
house of prayer. Be always near us when we seek you in this
place. Draw us to you, when we come alone and when we
come with others, to find comfort and wisdom, to be supported
and strengthened, to rejoice and give thanks. May it be here,
Lord Christ, that we are made one with you and with one
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another, so that our lives are sustained and sanctified for
your service.
The Rector or Minister in charge continues
Holy Spirit, open our eyes, our ears, and our hearts, that we
may grow closer to you through joy and through suffering.
Be with us in the fullness of your power as new members are
added to your household, as we grow in grace through the
years, when we are joined in marriage, when we turn to you
in sickness or special need, and, at the last, when we are
committed into the Father's hands.
The Bishop concludes
| Now, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, sanctify this place; |
|
| People | For everything in heaven and on earth is yours. |
| Bishop | Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; |
| People | And you are exalted as head over all. Amen. |
The Bishop moves to the Font, lays a hand upon it, and says
Father, we thank you that through the waters of Baptism we
die to sin and are made new in Christ. Grant through your
Spirit that those baptized here may enjoy the liberty and
splendor of the children of God.
V. There is one Lord, one Faith, or Baptism;
R. One God and Father of all.
We dedicate this Font in the Name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
If there are persons to be baptized, water is now poured into the Font,
and the service continues as directed on page 575.
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If no Baptism is to take place [water may be poured into the Font, and]
the Bishop says
| The Lord be with you. | |
| People | And also with you. |
| Bishop | Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. |
| People | It is right to give him thanks and praise. |
Facing the Font, the Bishop says
We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it
the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through
it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt
into the land of promise. In it your 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, Father, 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 bring into his fellowship
those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Grant, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here
are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for 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 for ever. Amen.
The Bishop proceeds to the Lectern, lays a hand upon it, and says
Father, your eternal Word speaks to us through the words of
Holy Scripture. Here we read about your mighty acts and
purposes in history, and about those whom you chose as the
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agents of your will. Inspired by the revelation of your Son,
we seek your present purposes. Give us ears to hear and
hearts to obey.
V. May the words of our mouth, and the meditation
of our heart,
R. Be acceptable to you, O Lord our God.
We dedicate the Lectern in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Bishop goes to the pulpit, lays a hand upon it, and says
Father, in every age you have spoken through the voices of
prophets, pastors, and teachers. Purify the lives and the lips
of those who speak here, that your word only may be
proclaimed, and your word only may be heard.
V. Your word is a lantern to our feet,
R. And a light upon our path.
We dedicate this Pulpit in the Name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Three Lessons are read. Lay persons read the Old Testament Lesson and
the Epistle. The Deacon (or a Priest) reads the Gospel. Selections are
ordinarily made from the following list; but on a Major Feast, Sunday,
or
Patronal Feast, selections may be made from the Proper of the Day.
Old Testament 1 Kings 8:22-23,27b-30,
or 2 Samuel 6:12-15,17-19
Psalm 84, or 48
Epistle Revelation 21:2-7,
or 1 Corinthians 3:1-11,16-17
or
1 Peter 2:1-9
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When an instrument of music is to be dedicated, after the Epistle the
Bishop proceeds to an appropriate place, and says
Father, your people worship you with many voices and
sounds, in times of joy and sorrow. Move us to express the
wonder, the power, and the glory of your creation in the
music we make and in the songs we sing.
V. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet;
R. Praise him with strings and pipe.
We dedicate this (name of instrument) in the Name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Instrumental music is now played, or a hymn or anthem sung.
All then stand for the Gospel, which may be the following
Matthew 7:13-14,24-25, or Matthew 21:10-14
Sermon or Address
Other Pastoral Offices may follow.
If the Apostles' Creed has not already been said, the Nicene Creed is
now
said or sung.
The Deacon or a member of the congregation leads the Prayers of the
People.
After a period of silence, the Bishop concludes with the following prayers
Almighty God, all times are your seasons, and all occasions
invite your tender mercies: Accept our prayers and
intercessions offered in this place today and in the days to
come; through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Advocate.
Amen.
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We give you thanks, O God, for the gifts of your people, and
for the work of many hands, which have beautified this place
and furnished it for the celebration of your holy mysteries.
Accept and bless all we have done, and grant that in these
earthly things we may behold the order and beauty of things
heavenly; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Bishop then says
Let us now pray for the setting apart of the Altar.
The Bishop goes to the Table and, with arms extended, says
We praise you, Almighty and eternal God, that for us and for
our salvation, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to be born
among us, that through him we might become your sons and
daughters.
Blessed be your Name, Lord God.
We praise you for his life on earth, and for his death upon the
cross, through which he offered himself as a perfect sacrifice.
Blessed be your Name, Lord God.
We praise you for raising him from the dead, and for exalting
him to be our great High Priest.
Blessed be your Name, Lord God.
We praise you for sending your Holy Spirit to make us holy,
and to unite us in your holy Church.
Blessed be your Name, Lord God.
The Bishop lays a hand upon the Table, and continues
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Lord God, hear us. Sanctify this Table dedicated to you. Let
it be to us a sign of the heavenly Altar where your saints and
angels praise you for ever. Accept here the continual recalling
of the sacrifice of your Son. Grant that all who eat and drink
at this holy Table may be fed and refreshed by his flesh and
blood, be forgiven for their sins, united with one another, and
strengthened for your service.
Blessed be your Name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; now
and for endless ages. Amen.
Bells may now be rung and music played. Members of the congregation
vest the Altar, place the vessels on it, and light the candles.
The Bishop says to the people
| The peace of the Lord be always with you. | |
| People | And also with you. |
Then the bishop and other clergy and the people greet one another.
The service continues with the Offertory.
The bishop, or a priest appointed, is the chief celebrant.
The Preface of the Dedication of a Church may be used.
After the postcommunion prayer, the Bishop blesses the people; and a
Deacon or Priest dismisses them.
574 Consecration of a Church