- 1). Welcome the congregation to the dedication ceremony with a brief speech. You can hold the dedication inside or outside the actual building. Explain why everyone is gathered there.
- 2). Pray for the future of the church. This can include prayers for the building itself as well as the congregational members. Pray for the effective functioning of the church building, whether this includes worshiping, religious teaching, reaching out to the community or all three.
- 3). Sing hymns and choruses with dedication, new beginning or consecration themes. Most hymn books organize hymns by category.
- 4). Read relevant scripture from the Bible. Find verses on dedication, new beginnings or the promises of God to his people, including how He will take care of and provide for them. Read scripture out loud, taking turns between the pastor, priest or leader of the dedication and the congregation. You could also read liturgical readings particular to your denomination, where the pastor, priest or leader of the dedication reads a phrase or statement and the congregation responds.
- 5). Preach a sermon on dedication or consecration. Dedication sermons are brief and not as long as regular service sermons.
- 6). Partake in Communion. The elders or leaders of the church will pass around wine or juice and bread -- representative of the body of Christ -- which the congregation drinks and eats.
- 7). Close with a brief prayer that reiterates some of the major themes discussed. Pray for God's blessing.
- 8). Host a meal or potluck or offer refreshments or coffee, if doing so is customary for your denomination. This allows the congregation to meet one another.
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