![\"Church](\"http:\/\/hatfieldroadmethodist.org\/Graphics\/keys.jpg\")
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Perhaps an easy one. The Church keys represent a practical and special part of my life.<\/p>\n
Practical in having access to the church to prepare things for various activities during the week and to carry out maintenance tasks.<\/p>\n
A special part as I am able to pop in for prayer and reflection, as I feel I need, in particular for the Wednesday morning prayer meeting..<\/p>\n
The Church building is just that, an inanimate structure, but it is the location for so much community activity and fellowship means that it has a vibrant life within it.<\/p>\n
We maintain the building for all of the things we are able to do within it and not for its own sake. Not as a collection of materials no matter how beautiful. But as a beautiful place where we encounter God.<\/p>\n
So we pray for the practicalities of maintaining a church building and for the weekly activities that are possible because we have a well maintained set of buildings.<\/p>\n
Let us pray<\/b><\/p>\n
Loving God, we thank you for your Church
\nfor those who came before us in this place.
\nFor their vision and passion which built this church and fellowship,
\nhere in this part of St Albans.
\nWe thank you for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit which
\nallowed them to see a vision and pursue it.
\nFor those who have donated and generated the funds
\nto build and sustain the structures which
\nthrough the years have been,
\nHatfield Road Methodist Church.<\/i><\/p>\n
We pray for all of those who
\ncontinue to maintain the fabric of the building.
\nBoth paid and those who give their time and talents
\nfrom a love of you and all this fellowship means to them.<\/p>\n
We pray for all of the weekly activities which happen in the buildings
\nwhether secular or divine.
\nMay our open doors demonstrate our love for you
\nand the love and care we have for the community around us.<\/p>\n
We pray for your continuing inspiration
\nin the ways that we use our buildings
\nand the activities we plan and support.
\nWe pray for our reflection on the five practices study,
\nwhich we have recently undertaken.
\nFor the direction you may inspire us to take
\nthrough that study and reflection.
\nParticularly today we think of
\nthe changes we may make to the building
\nor additional uses we may plan to introduce in it.<\/p>\n
We pray for all people who enter our premises,
\nwhether for worship, fellowship or non-church related activities.
\nMay we provide a warm welcome and show our love
\nas we offer our premises to support community and family activities.
\nMay our worship in this place inspire us and draw each of us closer to you.<\/p>\n
Loving God, we pray your blessing on our fellowship.
\nLet our buildings be a blessing and not a burden
\nLet our passion be spent on you and not bricks and mortar
\nHelp us be a beacon shining in the heart of Fleetville.
\nIn Jesus’ name. Amen<\/p>\n
Some resources which might be helpful in our times of devotion.<\/b><\/p>\n
Hymn<\/b> – Singing the Faith 25 – God is here as we his people.<\/p>\n
Reading<\/b> – Exodus Chapter 31 Verses 1 – 11 – “Artisans for building the Tabernacle”.<\/p>\n
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