Dedication of Nelson Serenity Garden

Pastor Charles leading the litany of dedication

Suzanne explains the garden plantings

Following worship this morning, we gathered outside for the dedication of the Nelson Serenity Garden. A gathering of the family and friends will be held on June 15 @ 7:30 PM.

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Brothers and sister in Christ, let us dedicate this Serenity Garden and rejoice in its holy use. May it honor God, our Father. Heavenly Father let Your blessing be upon this Serenity Garden and grant that it may give You glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. We dedicate this garden.

For the comfort of all who mourn, we dedicate this garden. As a place of peace and refuge for those who seek solace and comfort, we dedicate this garden.

For the beauty of Your creative hand revealed in nature, we dedicate this garden.

In faith that the whole family of Christ will be inspired by love and good will to all, we dedicate this garden.

In gratitude for the labors of all who love and serve Your church, in loving remembrance of those who have finished their pilgrimage here on earth, and in the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, we dedicate this garden.

We now, the people of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, dedicate this garden in the hope that its beauty will comfort us and be a witness to the Hope that is ours. May this garden say, “Come,” to those who find their way here. May it be a place where the gift of laughter will rise above our troubles, where treasured stories will be shared to make us wiser, where the pain of loss will be embraced with arms of hope and trust. May it help, God’s servants, healing and helping each other, as those who have gone before us, healed and helped us. Amen.

Adapted from a litany from Oakhurst Lutheran Church – Oakhurst, California.