Chapter 18. Groundbreaking

¶1071. Invocation

Hymn -- "All Hail The Power of Jesus' Name"

Introduction of Guests

Scripture Reading -- (I Chronicles 29:11-18).

Prayer

Exhortation

Response (Chairman of Stewards or Trustees)

Groundbreaking

Hymn -- "The Church's One Foundation"

Benediction (Pastor)

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 3:11.

Chapter 19. Laying The Cornerstone

Of A Church

¶1081. At the time and place of laying the cornerstone, let the minister cause a suitable hymn to be sung. Then shall the minister say:

Let us pray:

Enable us, O Lord, in all our doings, with Thy most gracious favor, and further us with Thy continual help that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in Thee, we may glorify Thy holy name, and finally, by Thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Following personal prayer the minister shall lead in:

The Lord's Prayer.

Then shall the minister read or cause to be read I Corinthians 3:9-16 or the following:

Blessed be thou, Lord of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.

Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all.

Both riches and honor come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thy hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly, for all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we give Thee.

For we are strangers before Thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers; our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is nothing abiding.

O Lord, our God, all this store that we have prepared to build Thee a house for Thy holy name cometh of Thy hand, and is all Thine own.

I know, also, my God, that Thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now have I seen with joy Thy people, who are present to offer willingly unto Thee.

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain.

Let Thy work appear unto Thy servants, and Thy glory unto their children.

And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; and establish Thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish Thou it.

His foundation is in the holy mountains. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for His habitation.

This is my rest forever; here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread.

I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

The stone which the builder refused is become the headstone of the corner.

This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Then shall the minister, standing by the stone, announce the articles to be deposited therein. These may be a copy of the Bible, the hymnal, the Discipline, church periodicals, a document setting forth the name of the church, with the names of the pastor, Trustees, and Building Committee, and such other articles as may be desired. The stone shall then be laid by the minister, or someone appointed by him; placing his hand upon the stone the minister shall say:

We lay this cornerstone of a house to be built and set apart, from all worldly uses, for divine worship, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then may follow an address, the collection (if any), the doxology, and the benediction.

Chapter 20. Dedication Of A Church

¶1091. Let the service be conducted as on other occasions of public worship, only the hymns, prayers, lessons, and sermon should be adapted to the occasion.

Hymns.

Prayer.

Scripture Lesson.

The lessons may be Genesis 28:10-22; Hebrews 10:19-25; or others at the discretion of the minister.

Sermon.

The collection, if any may follow the sermon. Some authorized person shall then address the minister in the following language:

We present to you this house, to be set apart from all unhallowed or uncommon uses, for the worship and glory of Almighty God.

Then shall the minister request the congregation to stand up while he pronounces the following sentences of dedication:

We rejoice that God has put into the hearts of His people to build this house for His worship and glory, and has blessed them in their undertaking; we solemnly dedicate it to His service, for the reading and expounding of His holy Word, the administration of His Sacraments, and for all other acts of religious worship. That He may graciously accept this labor of our hands let us devoutly pray.

Then shall be said an appropriate prayer, all kneeling.

Doxology.

Benediction.