Prayer For Our 165th Anniversary

O Ancient One Who Is New This Very Moment, hear our prayers this day, as we seek your continued blessings upon Franklin Circle Christian Church at the occasion of its 165th Anniversary.

We seek to remember and honor the past, not so much to glorify it, as to learn from it; not so much to venerate its saints, as to gain wisdom from their successes and their failures; not so much to seek to live out their dreams nor fulfill their goals, as to build upon past visions to imagine new ones.

We are grateful for those who have accompanied this congregation on its journey. Some treasured companions were and are still from congregations birthed by or inspired by Franklin Circle Christian Church, some were and are still neighbors, community partners, and government officials, some were and are still sister churches of many denominations and diverse communities of faith nearby and far off. Many treasured companions are former members or pastors who have moved away or who are now with you in glory. All have been instrumental in helping to make this church a vessel of your love and your will.

The history of your people, O God, from the pages of scripture to the pages of history, is fraught with dangers, particularly the risks of becoming too satisfied with where we’ve been, and even where we are, that we fail to follow where you want us to go. Help us then, O God, over this Anniversary weekend, to be renewed for the often unsettling and most certainly unknown future you have in store for us.

Wherever you may take each and every one of us, and whatever you may ask of this congregation in the future, we are assured of only one thing: that you will be there with us. You may be guiding us, you may be simply accompanying us, or you may be pushing us kicking and screaming, but you will be with us.

So, on the anniversary of the founding of the congregation now known as Franklin Circle Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 165-years young this week, we offer to you, Friend of the Friendless, Sovereign of the Universe, God of Light and Love, our grateful praise.

Amen.
Pastor Allen V. Harris
February 17, 2007

 

Copyright 2007 -- The Rev. Allen V. Harris

Franklin Circle Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

1688 Fulton Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113-3096