L: With great rejoicing we come to the house of the Lord today!
P: God is our refuge and our stronghold.
L: The power and love of God flow through this gathering.
P: We place our whole trust in God’s mighty compassion for us.
L: Come, let us worship the Lord!
P: Let us celebrate the presence of God here in this place and in all our lives.
Leader: God has lavished us with so many wonderful gifts,
People: He has given us our time, our talents and our daily bread.
L: Meanwhile we chase after petty gadgets and gizmos
P: And the grass that always looks greener on the other side.
L: But today we have come to set first things first.
P: We have come to recognize that God provides all things.
L: So let us worship God, let us chase after Him alone.
P: May we use our gifts to worship Him always.
Leader: “Unless the Lord build the house, those who build it labor in vain.”
Congregation: “Thou hast shown us how to build, our Father, and we have built unto Thee.”
Leader: “The church cannot build for itself alone, but for all who share in the Church Universal.”
Congregation: “So do we pledge that this is house doing that which shall benefit all.”
Leader: “Even as the many churches have joined together for the uplifting of the Kingdom. Nor can the church be blind to the needs of our country and of all mankind.”
Congregation: “So do we dedicate this house to the building of man's brotherhood.”
Leader: “Let us seek the approval of God that his house, in the service of man and the Father, may be to His glory and praise.”
Congregation: “Praise to the living God, for He has built us a church, and we dedicate it to His use.”
