St. Mary Magdalene of Loch Lloyd Missouri
Building Consecration, July 31, 2010

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Our new building was consecrated by the Right Reverend Barry Howe, Bishop of Western Missouri, on July 31. (Background information on our church is available here.)

The rain that was threatened by the weather reports never materialized and we were blessed with a beautiful, sunny day. Following The Book of Common Prayer "Service for the Dedication and Consecration of a Church" the service began with the Bishop leading prayers with the processional group waiting outside and then knocking at the door with his shepherds crook and declaring, "Let the doors of the church be opened!"

Fortunately, our Bishop's Warden was expecting him so the bishop was welcomed immediately.

The procession into the church begins. And for the first time we had a service with incense! (The Fire Marshal wouldn't allow it in our storefront.)

Representatives of all of the church's ministries were part of the procession. These are representatives of the Nursery and Children's ministries.

The clergy process in to the hymn "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken".
The congregation was ready and expectant. Many had prayed, waited and worked for this day for years.
The choir was ready, as always. They were with us as we worshiped in the store front.

The Bishop leads the prayers. "Now, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit, sanctify this place; For everything on heaven and on earth is yours."
The Bishop next consecrates the baptismal font. It was immediately used to baptize one of the newest members of our congregation.
The Bishop consecrates the ambo. "Your word is a lantern to our feet; And a light upon our path."

The Old Testament Scripture is read:
(1 Kings 8: 22-23, 27b-30). "But will God really dwell on Earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!"
The New Testament Scripture is read:
(1 Corinthians 3: 1-11, 16-17) "For we are God's fellow-workers; you are God's field, God's building."
The Bishop reads the Gospel Lesson:
(Matthew 21:10-14) "My house will be called a house of prayer."

Fr. Jason preached the sermon, opening with the perennial child's question:
"Are we there yet?" (And the answer for us is "No, we're not. Ours is a life's journey.")
The Bishop blesses the Eucharistic vessels. "Grant that all who receive the holy mysteries from these vessels, which we now consecrate for use in your Church, may be sustained by [Christ's] presence and enjoy forever his heavenly benediction, who lives and reigns in glory everlasting."
The altar is consecrated and vested, as the choir sings, "Locus iste a Deo factus est, inaestimabile, sacramentum, irreprehensibilis est." (This place was made by God; a priceless mystery and sacrament; it is beyond reproach.)

The recessional. Smell that incense!
"Christ is made the sure foundation, Christ the head and cornerstone."
 
After the ceremonies and the Eucharist, a great feast and warm fellowship awaited us.

There was time to celebrate and salute the hard work of the diocesan catering crew.
A very young celebrant, awakened from a nap is not quite sure what to make of all the excitement.
This cornerstone marks the year of our new beginning.
Real Rooted Relevant