This service has been used for a 10^th Anniversary of our Homestead for aged people, and the opening of a new entrance, and the opening of the Homestead’s “Men’s shed”.

Gathering prayer

I runga o te Matua, te Tama, me te Wairua Tapu. Amine.
(In the name of the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen)

To the service of God and to each other,
We dedicate ourselves

To the love of our nation and to the welfare of humanity,
We dedicate ourselves.

Our help is in the Name of the Lord,
The Creator of Heaven and Earth.

The Lord be with you and with all who are precious to you.

May Christ who overcame the storm keep you safe and all who journey with you. Amen.

A prayer on the way

God of our beginnings and endings,
we celebrate all we have shared together at the Homestead,
we thank you for those with the foresight to set up the Homestead,
we thank you for the pioneering parishioners who have enabled this,
we thank you for the Selwyn Foundation who have made this possible,
we thank you for the staff and volunteers
who make this a great place to be,
and we thank you for all who join in together,
because it is our togetherness that has created this space and place.

Men’s Shed

We thank you for your continued blessing,
and that we can celebrate today
– the opening of the Men’s Shed,
– or the 10^th Anniversary of this ministry
– or the opening of the new entrance
– or the 15^th Anniversary of this ministry
as yet another marker on our Selwyn Homestead journey.

May the love that is in our hearts be a bond that unites us forever,
wherever we may be.

May the power of your presence bless this moment;
this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.

NOTE: Only choose one of the next 3 sets of readings

Bible Readings – Men’s Shed

A reading from Philippians chapter 1: I thank my God, every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel. And this is my prayer, that love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ we may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

A reading from John chapter 16: When a woman is in labour, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world. So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

Bible Readings – Entrance Opening

A reading from Luke chapter 10:

Whatever house you enter, first say, Peace be to this household!

Be sure to welcome strangers into your home. By doing this, some people have welcomed angels as guests, without even knowing it.

Bible Readings – Anniversary

A reading from Exodus chapter 13, beginning at verse 21: The Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

A reading from 2^nd Corinthians chapter 4: But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

Let us pray:
Almighty and everlasting God who creates and sustains all life and who empowers us all to be your people, honour our prayers, the prayers of your servants, give us the wisdom and skill we need for every circumstance before us.

NOTE: The Men’s Shed prayer and Entrance Opening prayer were only included in those two services. They were excluded for the anniversary services

Men’s Shed

As we commit this Men’s Shed to you we pray your blessing upon everyone here, and everyone yet to come.

Entrance Opening

As we commit this entrance we give thanks for the engineers, architects, The Lions, Rotary, the builders and everyone else involved in its construction.

As we continue in your service may we know the assurance of your presence, the gifts of your grace and the wonder of your love in all Creation.

Be to us a sure guide through our lives and all connected with the Homestead. Amen.

Remembrance of God’s presence:

Loving God, we reaffirm you are with us through your Creation,
and through the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit,
we continue to commit the Homestead to your love and care,
and we reaffirm it as a place of the Light of Christ.

We commit to seeking your presence together amongst us. Amen.

Men’s Shed Blessing

There are many of us who rely upon our hands
and are skilful in their own creativity and work.

Enliven, O God, the work of our hands.
May you be in our handiwork, our conversations and sharing.

We set aside this shed for our ministry to the community.

We call upon God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit to set aside and bless this dwelling and endeavour.

O God, your blessed son worked with his hands in the carpenter’s shop at Nazareth: be present we pray with those who work in this place.

Give them work till their life ends, and life till their work is done,
that labouring together with you they may share the joy of your creation.

Prayer of Dedication:

May God’s blessing be upon the Men’s Shed. We dedicate it to you O God. May all who use it be kept safe.

May God’s blessing be on the staff, volunteers and guests. Enable us to be skilful in leadership and service, generous in hospitality and care, through Jesus Christ who calmed the storm and brought security to the fearful. Amen.

Entrance Opening

May God’s blessing be upon this entrance. We dedicate it to you O God. May all who use it and enter here be kept safe.

Blessing

May the sun warm your soul and the moon be gentle above you.
May the Creator hold your hand,
May you walk in Christ’s footsteps,
May you dance with the Spirit in play,
and may Grace always be found in your way. Amen.

Farewell:

Go forth into the world in peace:
Be of good courage; Hold fast that which is good;
Render no evil for evil; Strengthen the faint-hearted;
Support the weak; Help the afflicted;
Honour all people; Love and serve the Lord;
Rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen. We go in the name of Christ.