GROUNDBREAKING
THE VILLAGE OF ST EDWARD
WADSWORTH OHIO
Wednesday, 20 September 2017

INTRODUCTORY RITES

LITURGY OF THE WORD & BLESSING

A Reading from the Book of Genesis I.30 – II.4

‘God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.
These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.’

The Word of the Lord.

In the first book of the Scriptures, the earth is revealed as a gift from God our Father; It is a gift that he has given to us for our use;
And like everything in creation, it is good, it is holy, because it bears the image of the one who made it.
Today, we gather together on this precious gift of earth to build a house; To build a home for the people of God, & to care for them as we mirror the care of God for us.

We will pray that a new Sabbath of rest will be enjoyed by those who soon will gather here, and that on this land and in the Village of St Edward, we will all be prepared for a new heaven and a new earth, and will be gathered together by God forever.
This is a ground-breaking for a New Village.
GOD uses broken things to build up his Kingdom.
He uses broken soil to produce a crop and
to begin the new foundation of a house.
He uses broken clouds to give rain and
broken grain to give us bread.
It is bread broken and shared that gives us strength for the future.
And it was in the broken alabaster jar that the perfume of mercy and life was brought forth in the Gospel.

Let us pray:

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation.
The earth you made is your gift to us.
We, your children, give you praise and thanks for this land that bears the image of your mercy and love, and supports us in our lives and endeavors.
Bless this land that will become the foundation of the new Village of St Edward in the City of Wadsworth;
May it be a house of welcome and healing,
a home of hospitality and peace,
a pledge of hope and grace;
Breathe your Spirit into our labor as we build it,
Send your grace upon all who will live and work here, and Bring this fresh beginning to the fullness of your Kingdom: in the Name of the Father  and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

AMEN.