Church Anniversary

Induction Prayer — Ana & Tod Gobledale, UK

God, companion and guide, thank you for the gift of faith. Thank you for accompanying us all as we embark upon this new leg of the journey with you and with the companions you send our way along the road. Help us look forward with joy and anticipation, knowing that the past rests securely and […]

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Stitched — David Long-Higgins, USA

A prayer inspired by the Sacred Ally Quilt Ministry* Loving God, Stitch us anew Forming the fragments Of your human family Into something more Than the world sees As possible or probable. Let no story be scrapped As unimportant Or unworthy of notice All carrying something of you And your beloved unfolding. Let your Christ-presence […]

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Spirit, thank you — Ana Gobledale, UK

Spirit of Community Thank you for church that brings strangers together… Spirit of Truth Thank you for messages that open my/our ears and minds… Spirit of Trust Thank you for familiar words of prayer that provide solid grounding for yet another day… Spirit of Comfort Thank you for the old melodies that reside in the […]

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Mission Statement — Deptford Church, London, UK

A church’s mission statement can hold words of affirmation, hope and promise. Our mission statements, our statements about who we are, have an important place in our churches, not just posted on the wall or printed on the website, but proclaimed aloud in our worship.     Our vision is to have a healthy church […]

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Litany of Love — Zach Ford, UK

‘We stand for…’, a Litany of Love We do not stand against, We stand for: Love, inclusion, life, and dignity, Offering a hand to those in need, Or a shoulder to those who weep. We do not stand against, We stand with: The fearful, the oppressed, The rebels and truth-tellers, Those who take action. We […]

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Thank God for Church — Ana Gobledale, UK

Thank God for church! This might be read by numerous voices, responsively or by a single voice. Remember to pause and focus on firstly each attribute of the Spirit and secondly each specific gratitude. After each refrain, take time to consider specific people, activities, worship words, prayers, songs, sermons, and other aspects of church for […]

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Opening words, Church Anniversary — Ana Gobledale, UK

We gather, celebrating our life together     With gratitude to those who have gone before. We gather, looking ahead to our life together     With anticipation as we step into the future. We gather to worship and serve the living God      the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Whoever you are and wherever you […]

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Don’t look back, theme for a Church Anniversary

    Luke 9:51-62 Help us not look back with longing But look forward with hope.     Sending forth… Go into the world Strengthened by the past, Inspired by the opportunities before us, and surrounded by the love of this amazing family of God! Go out with joy to be God’s people today.

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Church Anniversary gathering words

We gather, looking back to see the paths taken,     Looking forward to see our path. We honour those who have gone before us,     Learning from their successes and failures. We celebrate who we are today, And welcome the possibilities and opportunities before us. We gather to worship God,        the God of yesterday, […]

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The Windermere Centre Prayer — Graham Cook, UK

…God, heaven and earth cannot contain you, much less this place which our imagination has conceived and our money has built. But we come now to pray that you will use it to fulfil some part of your purposes. You are the centre,… the heart of all that exists. It is your breath which gives […]

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Thanks for our church’s witness

Prayer for a Church Anniversary celebration source unknown We give thanks for this church’s witness to your love in this place [name of town/location] for the past [number] years. Strengthen us to continue this noble task.

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The Church is Me is You — Liz Grant, Salisbury, UK

Our Church meets in a building, That is a civic pride. We sometimes need a shoehorn To fit the folks inside. We have many groups, who meet here And do the things they do. But the buildings only made of stone The church is me, is you. Many folk can tell you Where our church […]

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