Wednesday, June 26, 2013

A prayer for our new property

Vicar’s Voice
July 2013

In 1985, a small group of people had the vision to start a new Episcopal church to serve the growing Silverdale area. With the help of the Diocese, they bought the property we now have and chose the name, “St. Antony of Egypt.” I believe that God was working through them to make them witnesses of the love of Christ to the people in our area.

We still have that vision. We have not lost the inspiration that they had, and we continue to work to witness to the love of God through our worship, our service to our community, and our welcome and hospitality. We gather for worship, we grow in our faith, and we go out to love and serve the Lord. Gather, grow, and go!

As time has passed, it’s become apparent that our current location is not the best site to build a church, and in the last year we have found a new piece of property much better suited to our needs. I believe that God has opened the doors for us to find and purchase this new property, and God is leading us to develop this new property.

Discerning the leading of God requires much listening, silence, and prayer. If we are to move ahead with our new property, we have to listen carefully and pray faithfully. There are a lot of decisions to make, and a lot of hard work ahead if we are to do this, and we can’t do it successfully without God’s help and blessing.

I hope we’ll be in prayer about our new property so that we act in accordance with God’s guiding. In our Sunday worship, we’ll be adding a prayer for guidance, and I hope you’ll add this to your personal prayers. The verse from Psalm 127:1 seems to be an apt reminder for us: “Unless the Lord builds the house, their labor is in vain who build it.” Although God will work through us, it is really God who will build a new church.

I offer this prayer for us as we seek God’s help;
Almighty and everliving God, you have called us to be your church in this place and time. As we seek to build a new church building, help us always to remember that unless you are the builder, we build in vain. Help us to trust in your providence and grace and to listen for your inspiration, and give us the resources we need to accomplish this task. Above all, send us your Holy Spirit to direct and guide us. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.


Bill

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