Dedication of Crumpacker Gallery at St Paul’s Secondary School, Concord, New Hampshire
(adapted for inclusivity)
The Invitatory
Officiant: Creative God, open our lips.
People: And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Psalm 112:1-7 (adapted)
One: Happy are they who fear God
All: and have great delight in God’s commandments!
One: Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
All: the generation of the upright will be blessed.
One: Wealth and riches will be in their house,
All: and their justice will last for ever.
One: Light shines in the darkness for the upright;
All: the just are merciful and full of compassion.
One: It is good for them to be generous in lending
All: and to manage their affairs with justice.
One: For they will never be shaken;
All: the just will be kept in everlasting remembrance.
One: They will not be afraid of any evil rumours;
All: their heart is right; they put their trust in God.
Lesson: Philippians 4:8-9
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things…and the God of peace will be with you.
Blessing
One: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Let us pray. O God, we thank you for this universe, our great home, for its vastness and its riches and for the manifoldness of the life which teems upon it and of which we are part. We praise you for the arching sky and the blessed winds, for the driving clouds and the constellations on high. We praise you for the sale sea and the running water, for the everlasting hills, for the trees, and for the grass under our feet. We thank you for our senses by which we can see the splendour of the morning, and hear the jubilant songs of love, and smell the breath of springtime.
Bless, O God, this, the [Crumpacker Galler], with the beauty of holiness that you have displayed in all creation. Bless those artists and artisans whose creative works it will display, and bless all those who will view and engage with these works, that they may learn through the things that are seen the deeper truths of the things that are unseen. Bless those who have given so unselfishly for its construction. Make it a lively centre for hospitality, contemplation, inspiration, and joy And all in the name of the One who is Beauty itself. Amen.
Peace
One: Let us go forth in peace.
All: Thanks be to God.
