May 21, 2023

Offered by Lucy Forster-Smith, Senior Associate Pastor

O God of new heavens and new earths, it is in you that we trust with all our life. Yes, when threats assail us and life seem rough, you, O God, are our help, our guide, our steady assurance. We reach to you, O God, because we know your promise is sure: that you call us into community with one another and you nurture our life together in countless ways. And for this we are ever grateful.

On this day when we celebrate Dedication Commemoration Sunday at Fourth Church, where we celebrate the anniversary of our first worship service held in this sanctuary in 1914, we give thanks for all who have made possible our place in the city from which to do ministry. And we give thanks as well for all those who have contributed to our ministry over the years and those, through our Legacy Society, who are committed to passing on the legacy of that ministry for future generations.

Indeed, your promise to sustain us through every moment of our lives, O God, is planted in the fiber of our being. In unimaginable joy that sweeps us off our feet, joy in reunion with friends and classmates, joy when family embraces and finds deep companionship with each other, joy at the discovery of our deepest passion — art, song, painting, telling jokes, slam poetry. Yes, O God, you infuse this world with goodness, pure and strong. And you draw us into your guiding and generous joy.

On this day, we lean on your promises — indeed stand on the promises that you are right here, right now, guiding us and holding us. Your promise is trustworthy that you are with us in hours of deep fear and pain.

When disease racks our bodies, wipe the tears from our eyes, most Holy One.

When our hearts break at the sight of violence, war, environmental harm, racial brokenness, mend the brokenness, most precious Lord.

When we experience loss of those we love, whether loss of memory, those who walk away from us in anger, the loss of a generation that slips out of sight, O God, be present to us.

For you are the God of resurrection hope, where death bring us to eternal life; where pain is quenched by the sparkling balm; where all things are made new through the power of your Son, Jesus Christ, who comes this day to bring fullness of life.

Draw us in the Spirit’s tether so that we might meet you in one another, light shimmering, hope fluttering, song beating through each step we take, each day we wake, each hour we make our way through. Come and walk beside us, Jesus, and give us a taste of eternity as we join together in praying the prayer you taught us, saying, Our Father …

Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church