Chapter 8: Pathways to Spiritual Harmony 1. A Home Dedication Service

The very fact that a family cares enough about spiritual values to put them into its program will be likely to give their home stability and a sense of high fellowship. A daily recognition of the spiritual is like looking up at the stars.

Each family must of course shape its own program of religious expression, with some elements adapted from the childhood homes of the two, and others worked out in their own experience.

The new custom of dedicating homes appeals to many persons. Such an act places an emphasis on the sacredness of the home and on the distinctness of the new family.
The dedication service which is offered here can be conducted by any homemakers who care for such a service, either by themselves or with any others they may desire to have present. Parts of the service may be assigned to the pastor or others. The parts are here divided between the husband and wife.

Musical Prelude. (Optional) Recognition.

Husband: "Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in."
Wife: We recognize Christ as the head of this house, its Guest and also its Lord.

A Beatitude for the Family.

Happy is the family that has a true home built by loyal hearts,
For home is not a dwelling but a living fellowship, In love and understanding.
And happy is the family whose members find a deeper unity
In sharing truth and beauty and devotion to the good. Their love shall be an altar fire
Burning in the temple of the Highest.

Prayer. (Members may prepare a prayer, or the following may be used.)

0 God our Father, and our eternal Friend, we recognize with joy that thou art the Source and Giver of the love that draws us together. We pray that Thou wilt be present in this home, that Thy love may enrich its fellowships, Thy wisdom be its guide, Thy truth its light and Thy peace its benediction, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

House Blessing. (May be repeated in unison, or responsively.)

"Bless the four corners of this house And be the lintel blest,
And bless the hearth and bless the board, And bless each place of rest;
And bless the door that opens wide To stranger as to kin,
And bless each crystal window-pane That lets the starlight in;
And bless the roof-tree overhead And every sturdy wall.
The peace of man, the peace of God, The peace of love o'er all."

Scripture.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (JOHN 13:34, 35 R.S.V.)
Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (I CORINTHIANS 13:4-7. The Revised Standard Version of the New Testament. Used by permission of National Council of Churches.)

Hymn. "For the Beauty of the Earth."

For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth Over and around us lies,
Christ our God, to Thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild, Christ our God, to Thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise.
--Conrad Kocher

Declaration.

Husband: We who make up this family believe that God has brought us together and that He is our Helper.
Wife: We agree to work and pray that our home may be a source of strength to its members and a place of warmth and fellowship to all who come into it.
Dedication and Candle-Lighting Ceremony. (Parts divided as desired.)
We dedicate our home to love and understanding. May its joys and sorrows be shared and the individuality of each member appreciated. We light a candle to

FAMILY LOVE
We dedicate our home to work and leisure. May it have gaiety and high fellowship, with kindness in its voices and laughter ringing within its walls. We light a candle to
HAPPINESS
We dedicate our home to a friendly life. May its doors open in hospitality and its windows look out with kindness toward other homes. We light a candle to
FRIENDSHIP
We dedicate our home to cooperation. May its duties be performed in love, its furnishings bear witness that the work of others ministers to our comfort and its table remind us that God works with us for the supply of our daily needs. We light a candle to
COOPERATION
We dedicate our home to the appreciation of all things true and good. May our books bring wisdom, our pictures symbolize things beautiful and our music bring joy and inspiration. We light a candle to
APPRECIATION
We dedicate our time and talents to live. for one another, to serve our generation and to help build a world in which every family may have a home of comfort and fellowship. We light a candle to
CHRISTIAN SERVICE
We dedicate our home as a unit in the church universal, an instrument of the kingdom of God, a place for worship and Christian training and a threshold to the life eternal. We light a candle to
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
ALL: As the flames point upward so our thoughts rise in gratitude to God for this home, and in prayer for His blessing upon it.

Prayer of Dedication. (Followed by the Lord's Prayer, all uniting.)

0 God, our Father, we thank Thee for this home, and for those other homes whose good influences remain with us. Help us so to live together here that Thy blessing may rest upon us and Thy joy be in our hearts. As we grow in love and comradeship may our thoughts go out in good will to our neighbors and to all mankind, and more and more may we know Thy love which passeth all understanding.
As we dedicate this home we pray that Thou wilt consecrate it by Thine own indwelling, that its light may so shine before men that they shall glorify Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught us to pray:
"Our Father.."

Solo or Reading, "Bless This House" by Helen Taylor.'

Bless this house, 0 Lord we pray, Make it safe by night and day; Bless these walls, so firm and stout; Keeping want and trouble out; Bless the roof and chimney tall, Let Thy peace lie over all; Bless this door that it may prove Ever open to joy and love.
Bless these windows shining bright, Letting in God's heavenly light; Bless the hearth a-blazing there, With smoke ascending like a prayer; Bless the folk who dwell within, Keep them pure and free from sin; Bless us all that we may be, Fit 0 Lord to dwell with Thee.

Hymn. "0 Happy Home."

And where among the guests there never cometh
One who can hold such high and honored place.
0 happy home, where each one serves Thee lowly,
Whatever his appointed work may be,
Till every common task seems great and holy,
When it is done, 0 Lord, as unto Thee.
--Carl J. P. Spitta, Tr. by Mrs. C. F. Alexander.

Benediction. (Or a closing prayer and benediction by the minister.)

"The Lord bless us and keep us, the Lord make His face to shine upon us and be gracious unto us, the Lord lift up His countenance upon us and give us peace. Amen."

Closing Moment of Silent Prayer. (Soft music if desired.)

If guests are present the occasion should now lose all formality and everyone should be made to feel very much at home. A song fest of old favorites would be in order, if desired; or one or more solos if persons present are prepared for them. Music may be woven into the dedication program if this is desired. When the two are alone they will express their love to each other with joy and gaiety. The home is their nest, their castle and their honeymoon continued.