Almighty God, who is making heaven and earth,
we lift our hearts to You in gratitude and praise.
Come, Holy Spirit, come.
Let all the round Earth sing out your glory;
let heart tell to heart the wonders of the Lord.
Plant within our hearts the strength and courage
to serve You and your Holy Church in all we do.
May we celebrate the beauty of God
in every person we encounter,
aflame with the light of Christ,
who is mother and father of us all.
Make us steadfast laborers in the fields of justice and peace,
standing with all oppressed in body, mind, or spirit.
Abide within our hearts, Blessed Jesus,
that we may sing your love into the world.
Make us healers, hearers, doers,
shepherds for the found as well as the lost,
grounded in your grace and mercy.
In humility, we lay our lives before You:
bless and hallow them to your glory, O Merciful One.
Spirit of God, rest upon us,
and extend the shade of your blessing over all for whom we pray.
Amen.
Holy Spirit, pour out your fire
upon the people of the Church of St. Martin
and upon their new rector, Pamela Dolan,
as they begin their ministry together today.
May she preach your Word among them faithfully,
and lead them into even greater discernment and witness
of God's loving embrace
of all the human family.
May they nurture each other in faith and holy wisdom,
working with compassionate hands and hearts
for the healing and renewal of God's sacred creation.
May they seek to continue to serve Christ in all persons,
and inspire others by their love and delight
in walking the path of discipleship.
May they uphold each other
as they join this new ministry together
and pray for each other,
committing their hearts and talents to each other
for the glory of God.
Made one body by the holy gift of love and grace,
may they together proclaim your gospel joyfully
and witness to the saving power of Christ
in their community and in the world.
Grant your favor and blessing, Lord Jesus,
upon her family
as they are welcomed into their new home:
may they be embraced
and supported by the fabric of community,
and flourish in the new soil in which You have placed them.
Holy One, bless and keep Pamela, your priest,
and anoint her with the power of the Holy Spirit
that she may continue to guide your people
deeper
into our shared life in Christ.
Amen.
