Liturgy On The Occasion Of A House Blessing

The following liturgy may be used in small or large family celebrations or in gatherings of the larger worshiping community. Adapt to local needs and customs.

Gathering

Leader: Dear friends, we gather in his name to give thanks for this house, to dedicate it and the people who live here to the service of Almighty God.

Hear the word of the Lord from the Gospel of Matthew: "?And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you?" (10:12–13). Let us pray. Lord, we give thanks for this house and those who make it a home. May this be a place in which your presence is known in thought, word, and deed. May the lives of those who live here be rich in joy, and may those who come under this roof be filled with gladness and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Response: Amen.

Scripture Readings

Reader 1: A reading from the Old Testament:

"?Lord, who may abide in your tabernacle? Who may dwell in your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But honors those who fear the Lord; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved?" (Ps. 15) This is the word of the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God. Reader 2: A reading from the Gospel according to John:

"?In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know. Thomas said to him, '?Lord, we do not know where you are going, and how can we know the way??' Jesus said to him, '?I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.?'?" (14:2–6).

This is the word of the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God.

(The following prayer may be said in each room or in one room representing the whole house.)

Leader: Let us pray.

Father, you who are the giver of every good and perfect gift, we acknowledge your blessing in giving us/them this place to reside. Send your Spirit into this house that it may be a place of good and not of evil, a place of peace and not of chaos. Grant that those who live here may be filled with your Spirit. Cause that in this house the ministry of love and compassion may be experienced by all who come and go from this place. And grant us all your eternal joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.