Blessing
of well
Lord God of all creation, we thank
you for the gift of water, bless now this well
Continue to provide us with the
water we need
Help us to use it well and wisely
We honour the gift
and give thanks to the great Giver
Amen
God of the seas, enfold us
God of the rain showers refresh
us
God of the running streams renew
us
God of the wells, revive us with
fountains of living water
Amen
Blessing for the Community
May the Father in heaven bless
this neighbourhood of Chester Green
May Jesus the Son shield and defend
every life here
May the Holy Spirit of God renew
this land
May the angels of God guard every
home and workplace
May we live in peace with God
and with one another
And may the blessing of God the
Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit be among us and remain with us this
day and for ever
On Sunday 31 January, the Bishop of Repton, Rt Revd Humphrey
Southern came to St.Paul’s to celebrate the festival of our Patron Saint,
and also to give thanks to God for the new roof.
This is the prayer of blessing he used:
Almighty God, we thank you for your Apostle Paul, for his love of God and his example
of faith.
We thank you for those who first heard your call to build this church in Chester
Green, dedicated to St. Paul, that this community might hear the good news and receive
the healing love of God.
We thank you for those who have cared for this church over the years, and for all
who have given to the upkeep of this building.
Today we especially thank you for all those who have generously given to the repair
of the roof and the tower, for the skills of those who carried out the repairs and
for their protection during the work.
So bless this newly repaired roof and hallow afresh this building with your holy
presence. Guide the congregation of this church as they seek your will for the further
renewing of this place for worship, ministry and mission for the glory of your name.
In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen
Revd Dr Gillian White used these prayers:
In our prayers this morning, we start by looking back, continuing to thank you for
this church, both building and people, and the part it has played in our community
here. We remember good times shared, new life celebrated and hopes fulfilled but
life isn’t always straight forward so we remember too difficult times of leaking
roofs, change and loss and we thank you for your promise to be with us always.
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us.
But you have given us a new hope and so we also look forward in our prayers. Help
us, as a whole church, to listen to you and to each other as we explore how to use
the space under our wonderful new roof. We pray for our church neighbours, for local
businesses and community organisations and for the people who live and work in Chester
Green as well as the people who are involved in our soul events. Help us to listen
to their voices too as we live together in a period of change which affects us all.
Out of all this listening, help us to work out how we should act to build your kingdom
of hope and joy here in Chester Green. Be with us, guiding and encouraging, as we
act together to share your life with people inside and outside this church building.
Lord here us, Lord graciously hear us.
And finally we look around us, praying for each other and for our wider community.
In a moments quiet we pray for people we know who are in need, in our community
here and in the wider world, praying still for the people of Haiti, for people who
are homeless and others who need your shelter though difficult times. We pray that
they too may know the sound roof of your love, giving them shelter, hope and security
whatever is going on around them. Sitting here together under our new roof, we give
thanks for each other and pray that we may grow in love for each other as we worship
you together. Help us to rise to your challenge to live and share your good news
wherever we are.
Lord here us, Lord graciously hear us.
Merciful father, accept these prayers for the sake of our son, our saviour Jesus
Christ,
Amen.
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