NEW BUILDING RECENT PROGRESS

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Faith Presbyterian Church

Act of Dedication 

Sunday, 

September 6, 2020 

at 5:00 p.m.

WELCOME AND INVITATION  Dr. Jim Simpson, Pastor

In Psalm 118 we hear these words, “Open to me the gates of righteousness that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.”

We recognize, declare and affirm 

that this house has been built for the glory of God 

and the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

In the unity of the church, we come with joy and prayer 

to dedicate this house to the glory of God, 

and to present our commitments for the coming years.

SENTENCES OF SCRIPTURE  Rev. Susan Haynes, Pastoral Associate

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts!

My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord.

My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.

Happy are those who live in your house 

ever singing your praise.

Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion

They go from strength to strength. 

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. 

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than live in the tents of wickedness.

O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.

GATHERING PRAYER   Lynn Hayes, Elder

God of the universe, the heavens contain your glory.

Yet you have come to be with us in Jesus Christ, 

and by the power of the Holy Spirit you are present with us now in the risen Christ.

We gather at this time to dedicate this house to your honor and glory.

We thank you for all the gifts represented in this building, 

the craft and art of many hands, contributions of money and material, 

labors of love and commitment.

Bless the work of our hands, O God, that this place may offer your welcome 

to many and diverse people, 

that all who seek you here may know your presence in their lives.
By your grace and according to your will, 

may the gospel of Jesus Christ be truly proclaimed 

and the sacraments rightly administered, 

that the body of Christ may be nurtured here 

and strengthened for Christ’s service in the world.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A READING FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES

1 Kings 8: 22-30   Alan Schulman, representing the Jewish Community of Blue Ridge

22Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven. 23He said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart, 24the covenant that you kept for your servant my father David as you declared to him; you promised with your mouth and have this day fulfilled with your hand. 25Therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant my father David that which you promised him, saying, ‘There shall never fail you a successor before me to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children look to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.’ 26Therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you promised to your servant my father David. 27“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built! 28Regard your servant’s prayer and his plea, O Lord my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you today; 29that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may heed the prayer that your servant prays toward this place. 30Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling place; heed and forgive.

A READING FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

1 Corinthians 3: 9-13, 16-17   Candy Frank, with gratitude to our Charter members 

9For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it.

11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. 12Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. 16Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

HYMN #301   “Let Us Build A House” (see insert)

A READING FROM THE GOSPELS

Matthew 5: 14-16  Jim Reich, representing the members of the New Building Committee

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

MEDITATION  “Keep open house”  Jim Simpson

PRAYER OF DEDICATION  Jim Simpson

Almighty God, we dedicate this place to your worship, 

that in prayer and praise, in Word and Sacrament, 

we may know your will and experience your peace and power in our lives.

Let this place be a refuge for those who suffer or grieve, 

a fortress for those besieged by temptation, a beacon to light the way in darkness.

Trusting in Jesus Christ, 

we dedicate this building to the glory of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

As we dedicate this church, O God, 

we rededicate our lives to the service of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. 

As the people of Faith Presbyterian Church, 

we affirm our desire and intention to live and work also to the glory of God.

With our focus upon Growing In Faith Together we ask you to receive the commitments we are making in this season, and all the gifts given and shared in the days to come. 

All in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who teaches us to pray… Our Father….

SHARING OF THE PEACE OF JESUS CHRIST   Susan Haynes

Peace be to this house and to all who worship in it.

Peace be to those who enter and to those who go from it.

Peace be to those who love it and love the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with us all!

ANTHEM  “Surely the Lord is in this place”  arr. Colvin 

Virtual Quartet

BLESSING AND CHARGE  Jim Simpson

May the grace of Christ attend you, the love of God surround you, 

and the Holy Spirit keep you, now and forever. 

In Christ, the church is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 

we ourselves are built together spiritually to become a dwelling place for God.

Therefore, go out from this place in peace to love and serve the Lord your God.

We go rejoicing in the risen Christ and in the power of his Spirit. Amen.

HYMN OF COMMITMENT #475 “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” (see insert)

PRESENTATION OF OUR “GROWING IN FAITH TOGETHER” COMMITMENT CARDS

When directed by our Parking Ambassadors you are invited to drive from your parking place towards the exit. Please place your Commitment Cards on this table and take a painted rock for each person as a reminder of this special occasion. Thank you all!

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Faith Presbyterian Church 

Located in our hearts and at 1349 Bluebird Road, Mineral Bluff GA 30559

Mailing address: 

Faith Presbyterian Church PO Box 2668 Blue Ridge GA 30513  

“At Faith, ALL are ALWAYS WELCOME”  Want to get connected and involved?  Please send us your email address to receive our weekly newsletter.

Kathy Wills - Director Music

Jim Crawford - Videographer

Harold Wills - Sound engineer