Dedication of Narthex Doors

Shiloh United Methodist Church
November 21, 2004

“Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors! That the King of Glory may come in!” (Psalm 24:7)

Jesus said, “I am the gate for the sheep. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” (John 10: 7-9)

“Knock, and the door will be opened for you.” (Matthew 7:7)

“Listen, I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

Throughout the Scriptures, the door was seen as a metaphor for the opening up of our relationship to God. And so it is fitting this day that we begin this service of worship by dedicating these beautiful new narthex doors to the glory of God.

As we dedicate these doors to God’s glory, may we also dedicate ourselves to God’s service by opening up the doors of our church to welcome all of God’s beloved children.

May all who walk through these sacred doors find a church within that welcomes them, loves them, and empowers them to live as Christian disciples.

May all who exit our church through these doors be sent in mission to the world to proclaim the love of Christ through their words, their actions, and their lives.

And so, we present these doors to be consecrated to the glory of almighty God and for service in this church,

In memory of Richard Lewis Kluttz and Larry Dean Kluttz
By the Lewis Craven Kluttz family

In memory of Marjorie Drye Almond
By the Ralph Almond family

In memory of Harold Sumner and Geneva Kluttz Melton
In memory of Harold S. Melton, Jr.
By the David A. Hoffman family

In memory of Jerry Franklin Kluttz
By the Doris Kluttz family

In memory of Lloyd Dixon and Elizabeth Parker Veach
By their family and friends.

We accept these doors as a sacred trust, and will guard and use them reverently.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we consecrate these doors to the glory of God in memory of God’s servants.

Let us pray:

Most Loving God, without you no words or works of ours have meaning. Accept the gifts of our hands as symbols of our devotion. Grant us your blessing, as we have consecrated these gifts to your glory, that they may be enduring witnesses before all your people, and that our lives may be consecrated in your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.