Explanation
by Pastor:
The children of Israel were God’s chosen people.
They did not choose Him, rather, He chose them as a people to bless and mold to
demonstrate to the world His infinite grace and glory. He began by choosing one
Man, Abram, as the Father of His chosen people. He walked with Abram and even
changed his name to Abraham as a testimony to the world of His claim.
Abraham’s children, the children of Israel,
have a unique history as God’s chosen. Their story is one of blessing,
forgetting, sinning, repenting and being restored and renewed. Finally, when
their sin became so great, the Lord allowed them to be removed from their home
and everything familiar so that they could learn dependence upon Him. In that
far off land, they were few in number, but they became a people wholly devoted
to the Worship of their God. As they turned to Him, the Lord brought them back
home, but it wasn’t easy. They faced much opposition and suffering as they
began rebuilding their lives and their place of worship.
Like Israel, we are in the middle of rebuilding.
He has allowed us to lose many of the things that we held dear to teach us
dependence upon Him. As the people began rebuilding, the Lord laid it on the
heart of His servant Nehemiah to help them.
During this service of consecration, we will be
taking lessons from the words and experiences of Nehemiah to apply to our own
situation. This service will probably be a totally new experience for you. There
will be many times that you will be asked to step out of your comfort zone so
that you can move toward Jesus, to experience your worship of Him in a new way.
Think of Peter stepping out of the boat
to walk on water! May we find truth, encouragement and guidance in this hour
that will bless us and guide us as we prepare for the future that He has for us.
We are some of God’s children in Cadillac. May we rededicate ourselves to His
service, for His grace and His glory in this hour.
Call to
Worship:
Based on Psalm 127
Unless the LORD builds
the house, its builders labor in vain.
Unless
the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
If it were not for the
LORD’s presence and blessing, it would be vain to rise early and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat.
For from
his hands all good things are given and he grants sleep to those he loves.
Children also, are a
heritage from the LORD, a reward from him.
Precious
to us and protected, they are the promise of a bright future.
Blessed are the parents
whose home is full of them.
With
God’s help and guidance, we must teach them the ways of God, the salvation of
Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
As we ourselves have
learned to praise God our Father, may our children also grow in grace, wisdom
and knowledge.
For it is
you O Lord, our refuge and salvation, in whom we delight. There is no greater joy, no better life than
that which we find in Christ our Lord.
Opening
Hymn:
Come Celebrate
(SB 12)
Reader: Nehemiah 1:1-3
The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: In the
month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani,
one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them
about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
They said to me, “Those who survived the exile
and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of
Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
Pastor:
The report was not an encouraging one. The
people were living in distress and poverty and the walls of Jerusalem itself
were reduced to rubble. They were living unprotected and defenseless. Rather
than repent, Jerusalem had gone into exile for unconfessed sin. Let us learn
from them the importance of repentance and confess our sins to our Lord, that
he may forgive us and restore us to Him.
A time of
confession and Repentance
(This list of sins was
handed out to be spoken allowed on behalf of the congregation. Ten speakers each
took one and stood around the perimeter of the sanctuary, facing the
congregation. After each spoken sin on behalf of the congregation, the
congregation responded, “Lord, have mercy on us.”)
1.
Lord, we have abused secrecy and confidentiality, allowing
sin to remain unchecked and an atmosphere of distrust to be cultivated.
“Lord, have mercy on us.”
2.
We have chosen to use gossip, allowing factions to form,
rather than healthy peace making practices, as prescribed by our Lord, to deal
with out conflicts in a Christ honoring way.
“Lord, have mercy on
us.”
3.
We have often treated money as our God, allowing the
abundance or lack of it to determine our future rather than pray, seek your
face and trust You to supply what you are calling us to do.
“Lord, have mercy on
us.”
4.
We have used our giving as an attempt to control the work
of this church, rather than seek your face and submit to your Will.
“Lord, have mercy on
us.”
5.
We have grumbled and complained rather than spoken words of
encouragement to build up the body of Christ.
“Lord, have mercy on
us.”
6.
We have been discouraged, seeing only what we can do
instead of believing in what You can do through us.
“Lord, have mercy on
us.”
7.
We have not been willing servants and have remained too
willing to let others serve us.
“Lord, have mercy on
us.”
8.
We have inappropriately emphasized individualism and have
lost sight of the value of corporate prayer as a community and do not dedicate
ourselves to this discipline and practice.
“Lord, have mercy on
us.”
9.
We have not been students of Your Word as we ought. We
claim to be guided by Your Word, but not really because we don’t really know
what IT says. We have left that work to the leadership while we have made other
things, other distractions, other appointments more important than meeting with
you daily, meeting with Your people around Your Word when we can, and allowing
study of Your word, to mold us and shape us into images of Christ that would
truly please Your Heart.
“Lord, have mercy on
us.”
10.
We have not given the Holy Spirit access and free reign in
our lives and in our worship. We have tried to control You rather than
surrender and let You control us.
“Lord, have mercy on
us.”
After this, people were invited to spend some more
time in prayers of repentance on their own. There was instruction given that
encouraged people to kneel in front of our raised platform. Several came
forward.
Prayer of
Confession: based on Nehemiah 1:5-11
& 2 Timothy 2:11-12 (read in unison)
“O Lord, God of Heaven, the great and awesome
God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and obey His
commands, let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer Your
servants are praying before You day and night for Your servants, the people of
this congregation. We confess our sins, ours and those of the generations
before, that we have committed against You. We have acted very wickedly toward
You. We have not obeyed the commands,
decrees and laws that You put forth in Your Word.
You have said, “If we die with You we will also
live with You; if we endure, we will also reign with You. If we disown You, You
will disown us; if we are faithless, You will remain faithful for You cannot
deny Yourself.” Such love is beyond our
comprehension.
“We are Your servants and Your people, who You
redeemed by Your great strength and Your mighty hand. O Lord, let Your ear be
attentive to the prayer of this Your servants who delight in revering Your Name.
Forgive us, Lord, and make us new, in You, again. Amen.
Song: “Create In Me A Clean Heart”
Reader: Nehemiah 2: 11-16
I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there
three days. I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone
what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with
me except the one I was riding on. By night I went out through the Valley Gate
toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem,
which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then
I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not
enough room for my mount to get through; so I went up the valley by night,
examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley
Gate. The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because
as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or
any others who would be doing the work.
Pastor:
Nehemiah assessed the damage first hand to learn
what would be needed for restoration. Amazingly, even though all he saw was
destruction, Nehemiah didn’t give up and go away. He still had hope. Let’s take
some time to bring the worries that we have about this ministry in Cadillac, to
our Father. We will all pray at the same time, as we are getting in the habit
of doing. Then, write those worries on the paper that you were given. Then, we
will collect them in this receptacle for a special purpose.
Reader: Psalm 68:19-20
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who
daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord
comes escape from death.
Another Reader: 1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares
for you.
Song:
“Cares Chorus”
Pastor:
“O Lord, we cast our worries and burdens upon
You now, trusting that You will take them, and in so doing relieve us of them. They
are yours now and no longer ours.
(We used two ordinary
household strainers to collect the papers. It was flash paper. Holding one strainer
upside down on top of the other made a closed container so no flash paper
floated out of control. It was lit from one of the altar candles. FLASH!)
Reader: Nehemiah 2:17-18
Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we
are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire.
Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in
disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what
the king had said to me.
They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So
they began this good work.
Pastor
“Now that the rubble of our sins, worries and
fears have been removed, it is time to dedicate ourselves to the rebuilding of
this ministry. Let’s first remember how God has been faithful to us through the
years.”
(We had a time of
sharing, people spoke out, remembering what God has done. A person wrote them
down to keep what was mentioned. It will be on display later.)
Pastor:
God, indeed has been faithful
Responsive
prayer from Nehemiah 9
Based on Nehemiah 9:6-&-31-33, adapted
(The following was read
in unison)
Blessed be Your glorious Name, and may it be
exalted above all blessings and praise. You alone are the Lord. You made the
heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all
that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything,
and the multitudes of heaven worship You.
(The following list was
compiled from our history and read by senior member Dick Williams. With pauses
for congregational response, in bold print.)
1.
For
our beginnings back in 1871. Thank you for Gustaf and Louisa Anderson who
opened up their home on Oct. 9, 1880, to fifteen concerned people who wanted to
see a church built on what is now known as the corner of Park and Pine.
Thank you Lord!
2.
For
structures to house our worship gatherings since 1883.
Thank you Lord!
3.
For
the 37 faithful servants who have served this church as full time or interim
Pastors throughout the years.
Thank you Lord!
4.
For
the foresight of our ancestors to change from a Swedish to an English speaking
church in 1928.
Thank you Lord!
5.
For
the ministry to the children over the years, including the ability to bring
many through our bus ministry.
Thank you Lord!
6.
For
the gift of praise and the many forms of music, from children, to choirs, from
hymns to praise songs, by which we have celebrated your presence among us
throughout the years.
Thank you Lord!
7.
For
Your faithfulness through our struggles. You have intended these struggles to
help us grow in our faith and dependence on you.
Thank you Lord!
Now therefore, O our God, the great, mighty and
awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem
trifling in Your eyes—the hardship that has come upon us in these latest days. In
all that has happened to us, You have been just; You have acted faithfully,
while we did some things wrong. O Lord, hear our prayer, and forgive.”
Song: “Blessed Be Your Name”
Rededication
of the people
Reader: Nehemiah 8:7-10 (skipping the names in v. 7)
The Levites… instructed the people in the Law
while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of
God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what
was being read.
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and
teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to
them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For
all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and
sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is
holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Pastor:
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged
right now, just as the people were who heard the Word of the Law read to them
as they faced the stark truth that they had not obeyed the Lord and, in truth,
had been disobedient children. However, just as the leaders said to them, I say
to you; Do not be discouraged! The Joy
of the Lord is our strength! He has not
brought us here to abandon us or to leave us without hope. He is the God of
hope and in that hope, we are called to rebuild for a new day and new
beginnings here at First Covenant.
As we move forward, let’s review together again
our foundation, our core belief that we all agree upon that unites us in Him.
Recite
together the Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the
Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was
conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered, under Pontius
Pilate was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell. The third day
He rose again from the dead!
He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right
hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living
and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy Christian
church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of
the body; and the life everlasting.
Song: “We Believe”
Pastor: Now, let’s say together our Relational
Covenant that knits us together beyond our core and commits us to walking
together through our struggles and trials to demonstrate to the world how
people of the Word live together in Christ.
Recite
together the Relational Covenant
In remembrance of all Christ has done for us,
and relying on His Grace and Power:
We will love one another according to his will.
We will exhibit the gracious peacemaking
character of Christ in every interaction.
We will seek and extend grace and forgiveness
in our relationships with each other.
We will listen with an open mind and pray for understanding.
We will pray for wisdom, that we might speak
the truth in love.
Song: “Lord I need You”
Prayer of
Rededication of the Altar, table and instruments
Pastor: Lord, we thank you for
this place. Thank you for all that has already been done, in Your Name, for
Your glory in the past. Lord, we come before You now to rededicate this space
to You. If this space has seen conflict, may it be forgiven and forgotten by You,
O Lord. Please choose to remember only those things that were done here which brought
You glory. Cast out any evil that may linger here. Only your people and works
that glorify your name are allowed in here. Purify this site, O Lord. May we
begin again with clean hands and pure hearts, eager to serve You here. In the
precious Name of Jesus, Amen.
Invitation
to Communion, by intinction, and to build the wall.
After you receive communion, take a “brick”
from one of the piles of rubble and help to build the wall. (These “bricks” were made of 2 X4’s cut into
six inch blocks.)
Song: “We Remember You” during communion
Now, a
time of vision casting and praying for God’s future. (We prayed and when things got quiet again we ended with
“The Lord’s Prayer”)
Closing
Hymn:
“Come All
Christians Be Committed”
Pastor: Benediction
Announcement,
We want to enter into prayers to rededicate the
rest of the building. All who are interested in this prayer tour may follow me
through the building. We will begin in the fellowship hall since that is where
everybody usually goes after the service.
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