Blessing of the Bulldozers

And for the Foundation of a Church

The People gather at the border of the Church property

 

Opening Sentences

Sisters and brothers in Christ: We have come here today to give thanks for the laying of the foundation of our church and for the people who laid it, asking God’s blessing upon them, upon the church they are building, and upon ourselves, that we may use it wisely and for your glory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Peter writes, "Come to Christ Jesus, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight; and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: 'See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.' To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner…" But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Procession

   Alleluia. Let us go forth in peace,

      In the name of Christ. Alleluia.

   Our help is in the name of the Lord,

      Who made heaven and earth.

   Blessed be the name of the Lord.

      From this time forth and for evermore.

   The stone which the builders rejected

      Has become the cornerstone.

 

 

As the People process toward the foundation of the Church, each picks up a stone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the Bulldozer

    The celebrant censes the bulldozer and says the following prayer.

O Lord, our God, creator and sustainer of all things, bless those by whose labors our spiritual home will be built, endow them with skill, guide their work, and protect them from all harm. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The People enter the foundation of the new building

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the Foundation

    The People gather around the perimeter of the foundation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Crucifer (Jesse Lynch) plants the cross where the altar will stand..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the priest passes with the thurible, each person places their stone on the foundation wall.

 

    The Lord be with you.

      And also with you.

Let us pray. Blessed are you, O Lord our God, king of the universe. You have stretched out the heavens like a curtain; you have gathered the seas; and you have established the dry land, the mountains and the plains. We praise your holy name, for you have built us, your living stones, into a spiritual house of which Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone and foundation. Be with us now and bless us as we dedicate this foundation to your glory and honor. By your Spirit and grace, enable us to serve as your holy priesthood. Accept our praise and thanksgiving through your Son, Jesus Christ our High Priest. And now, in thanksgiving to God we set aside this foundation, on which our church will rise, in the name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

   Amen.

Alleluia! The house of the Lord is firmly built on solid rock!

      Alleluia! Praise the Lord!

Benediction and Dismissal

Now, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace.

      Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!

Thanks be to God!

 

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Surveyors and Bricklayers at Work - A Pictorial Progress Report

May 22, 2008

• Construction loan approved.
• Well drilled.
• Construction driveway installed.
• Silt barriers installed.
• Septic permit issued.
• Storm water management permit issued.
• Storm water management bond accepted.
• Aforestation plan approved.
• Aforestation bond accepted.
• Landscaping Committee appointed and & working.
• Furnishings Committee appointed and working.
• Record plat approved.
• Property staked out for grading.
• Final Construction Permit signed off by DPS Architectural Desk (major hurtle).
• Final Construction Permit signed off by DPS Life Safety Desk (major hurtle).

• Final Construction Permit awaiting sign-off by 3 minor desks.
• Preconstruction Meeting scheduled for week of Jan. 28-Feb.1
• Estimated remaining approval time 1-3 weeks.

Length of Construction Time

• Optimistic: 6 months.
• Realistic: 8 months.

• Montgomer County permitting process has been much slower than anticippated.
• Working with Montgomery County Fire Marshal to reduce cost of fire suppression.

• Site planning has been the major challenge to staying within our budget.
• County has continued to request additional site improvements.