Today was Zion’s first Sunday in our new facility. It was good--bittersweet and fitting and strange at the same time. And, well, it was new but with the sense that what is now new will soon enough be familiar. I have to admit that I had moments of feeling a bit frumpy about some of the silly little details--for example, the Trinity Hymnals are blue, not red. (Okay, I’m already over it.) My much stronger feeling, though, is that we are deeply blessed and I am comforted by the reality that Zion is still Zion,

The sign out front said it well: We are thankful.

Responsive Reading of Dedication

Leader: Peace be unto this house and to all who worship here.
Congregation: Peace be to those who enter and to those who go out.

Leader: Peace be to those who love it and who love the Lord Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Congregation: Peace be to those who love Jesus.

Leader: Brothers and sisters in Christ, it has pleased the Almighty God to put us in this house for worship. Let us now fulfill the godly purpose for which we gather, to worship an dedicate ourselves and this house to the honor of God’s most holy name. God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Father who art in heaven…
Congregation: To You we dedicate ourselves and this house.

Leader: Lord Jesus, Son of God, Savior of sinners, Head of the Body which is Your Church…
Congregation: To You we dedicate ourselves and this house.

Leader: Spirit of God, given to be our abiding teacher, guide, and comforter; Lord and Giver of life…
Congregation: To You we dedicate ourselves and this house.