Blessing of the Community GreenHouse

Back in June 2014 we had an equally sunny day for the Start of Works ceremony on the Community GreenHouse. That was the same day the digger moved in and started making a big hole in the ground. Today we had a lovely house to show for our labours of the past 10 months. A big thank you to Bishop Richard Hawkins for giving the blessing on the house and to Mrs Val Hawkins for planting a tree next to it. We were delighted to include the designer Roger Hands and contract administrator Guy Speed in the day, as well as many Friends and volunteers who had helped with practical work, fundraising and prayers for the project. We were sorry that Hindsite Construction went into liquidation in February, but thankful that the GreenHouse was complete by then. After the prayers Carl and Sue kindly allowed guests to have a tour of the house. The Sheldon team then laid on an excellent Sheldon lunch for us all to enjoy. 

A previous blog post shows some of the pictures of the construction phase of the project in case you missed that.

The prayers we said today

O God our Father

We give you thanks and praise

For the completion of work

On the Community GreenHouse

As the Sheldon Community endeavours to live by

Stability, Stewardship and Servanthood

So today we pray and give you thanks ...

We pray for Stability

• Thank you for all those who contributed their time and skill to this building – we pray for those in new roles, for any in financial difficulty
• We pray for this home, office and meeting room spaces to be places of blessing in the coming years

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer

We pray for Stewardship

• With thanksgiving for all who have given so generously to make this GreenHouse possible
• For the money still needed to pay the final bills
• That we may use the gift of this place wisely and fully in the years ahead

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer

We pray for Servanthood

• For the life and future growth of the Sheldon Community, with thanksgiving for the appointment of Andrew and Rhian
• For all those who receive the ministry of Sheldon, especially at times of difficulty or distress
• For those in every place and time who seek to live and tell of the good news of your love

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Dear God

Builder of our lives

Companion on our journeys

Comforter in our sorrows

Host of our celebrations;

Your Son Jesus learned the skill of the carpenter

His friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus offered the gift of hospitality.

As we gather here today

Co-creators with you of this place

May this water be a sign of your blessing on the Sheldon Community GreenHouse

(Carl lifts water for blessing, sprinkling kitchen door on each blessing)

Blessing for the generosity of all who give to it.

Blessing on the skill of those who created it.

Blessing on the lives of those who live in it.

Blessing on everyone who passes across its threshold.

Let us bless the Lord

Let us bless the Lord

Thanks be to God.

O God our Father

Who through your servants Mary and Martha

taught us to sit at your feet and to serve you

Grant us your grace

to fulfil the task you have given us

and to draw us ever closer to yourself

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

(Carl lifts water for blessing, sprinkling door on each blessing)

Gracious God we ask your blessing on the Community GreenHouse

Blessing for the generosity of all who give to it.

Blessing on the skill of those who created it.

Blessing on the lives of those who live in it.

Blessing on everyone who passes across its threshold.

Let us bless the Lord

Let us bless the Lord

Thanks be to God.