This was the liturgy used at the groundbreaking for the addition to our church building – after the closing hymn, we all trooped outside, on a fine June day, to bid farewell to a beloved tree and to open the earth for the project.
LITANY OF THE TREE
(written with the help of the Children of St. David’s)
The People gather around the tree as a Native American flute is played.
Leader Good tree, this is what our children see when they look at you. They see that you are wind catching, pruned to embrace, faithful, tall, accepting, home, beautiful, big, strong, receiving, giving, shady, graceful, sturdy, peaceful, old, reaching upward and outward. They see your dying, the loss of your presence. They see that you have the touch of blessing, that you are a quiet witness.
People Loving God, help us to see all of your creation with the open eyes of a child.
Leader Good tree, in these days of transition and upheaval, we bless you for bearing in root and trunk, branch and leaf, our fear of change, our grief about what will be lost. In your living you remind us of the great Tree of Life. In your dying, you remind us of another tree, the one on which our savior hung.
People We thank you for your quiet witness.
A sapling is brought and placed at the foot of the tree.
Leader In honor of the new life we have in Christ we will use your wood, good tree, to build an altar in our renewed place of worship. And we will plant this sapling, sprung from your own seed, where it can grow in height and depth and breadth as we hope to grow in Christ. And now, with hearts full of hope and fear, gratitude and grief, humbled by what we must ask, we make of you this request.
People Good tree, and all living things that will be disturbed to make way for our building project, in the Name of the One who created us, in whom we all live, we humbly ask you to lay down your life.
Silence.
Leader Gracious God, we give you thanks and praise for the quiet witness of your trees. May we, like them, grow where we are planted. May we love soil and sky. May our roots go deep. May we drink of your living water. May we grow toward the light. May our arms spread wide. May we be shelters for your little ones. And may we bear the changing seasons of our lives with gratitude, grace and acceptance. In the name of the Source of all Being, the Incarnate Word and the Holy Spirit.
People Amen.
The Native American flute is played. As the People make their way to the boundaries of the new building, you are invited to lay hands on the tree in prayer and gratitude and farewell.
THE GROUNDBREAKING
Please find a place to stand around the perimeter of our new building.
CLAIMING THE EARTH
We mark the Greek letter X at the center of the site. X – the Greek letter “Chi” and the first letter of “Christos” (meaning “the annointed one” in Greek) – is an ancient symbol for Christ and his cross.
A READING FROM SCRIPTURE
Unless the LORD builds the house, their labor is in vain who build it. (Psalm 127:1)
THE LITURGY OF PLACE
Leader Glory to God whose power working in us
can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.
People Glory to God from generation to generation in the Church,
and in Christ Jesus forevermore. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
A ball of twine is passed from person to person around the perimeter of the planned building.
PRAYERS FOR OPENING THE EARTH
Those who will open the earth are called forward.
Holy God; as we open the earth to receive this addition to our building,
we give thanks for this land and for the means to build upon it.
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your grace and let us turn to you continually for help,
that in the journey we begin today, we may be guided by your creative purpose.
And let the people say, Amen. Amen.
Encourage those who work on this site. Keep them safe from every hazard.
Give them a vision of your kingdom here on earth
and let them know that with their help, you are building it now.
Sustain their strength and call forth all their skill and care.
Help them accomplish their task in harmony and fellowship.
And let the people say, Amen. Amen.
May this addition to our building rise from this ground in strength and beauty
and stand as a testimony to your abundance and your love.
May it sit lightly on the earth, witnessing to our calling
to be faithful and wise stewards of your generous creation.
And let the people say, Amen. Amen.
On this ground, now marked with the symbol of Christ,
we your faithful people stand before you, ready to be and build
a place of hospitality, fellowship and formation, dedicated to your service.
Therefore, we open the earth to receive this building,
in the name of the one, holy, and living God, who is creating us, liberating us, and making us holy.
May your gracious welcome be extended to others
and your ministry of reconciliation be carried out from this place,
from generation to generation.
And let the people say, Amen. Amen.
After the ground is broken, the Leader announces Praise the Lord! The work is begun!
And the people respond with a loud voice, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
SONG FOR BEGINNING THE WORK Words & music by Donovan Leitch
If You Want Your Dream To Be
If you want your dream to be, build it slow and surely.
Small beginnings, greater ends. Heartfelt work grows purely.
If you want to live life free, take your time, go slowly.
Do few things, but do them well. Simple joys are holy.
Day by day, stone by stone, build your secret slowly.
Day by day, you’ll grow, too. You’ll know heaven’s glory.
DISMISSAL
The Deacon dismisses the People with these words.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
