Trinity Episcopal ChurchLumberton, N.C.THE ORDER OF SERVICEFORTHE DEDICATION OFTrinity Parish HouseSATURDAY, APRIL THIRDone thousand nine hundred and forty-eight7:30 P.M.
TRINITY PARISH HOUSE, A.D. 1948
The Rt. Rev. Thomas H. Wright, D. D.
Bishop of East Carolina
The Rt. Rev. Thomas C. Darst, D. D.
Retired Bishop of East Carolina
The Rev. John H. Bonner, Jr., B. D.
Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church
SERVICE OF DEDICATION
PROCESSIONAL:
| “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” | Newton |
A MEN.
OPENING SENTENCES:
O send out thy light and thy truth, that they may lead me, and bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy dwelling.
Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honor dwelleth.
O Lord, open thou our lips.
Answer: And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Answer: As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
PSALM 841. How amiable are the dwelling, * thou Lord of hosts!
2. My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord; * my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
3. Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house, and the swallow a nest, whether she may lay her young; * even thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
4. Blessed are they that dwell in the house; * they will be always praising thee.
5. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; * in whose heart are thy ways.
6. Who going through the vale of misery use it for a well; * and the pools are filled with water.
7. They will go from strength to strength, * and unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Sion.
8. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; * hearken, O God of Jacob.
9. Behold, O God our defender, * and look upon the face of thine anointed.
10. For one day in thy courts * is better than a thousand.
11. I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, * than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness.
12. For the Lord God is a light and defence; * the Lord will give grace and worship; and no good thing shall he withhold from them that live a godly life.
13. O Lord God of hosts, * blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee.
GLORIA PATRI:Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
LESSON: I Corinthians 3:9-17
CHANT: Benedic, anima mea. Psalm ciii
Praise the Lord, O my soul; * and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, * and forget not all his benefits;
Who forgiveth all thy sin, * and healeth all thine infirmities;
Who saveth thy life from destruction, * and crowneth thee with mercy and loving kindness.
O praise the Lord, ye angels of his, ye that excel in strength; * ye that fulfill his commandment, and heaken unto the voice of his word.
O praise the Lord, all ye his hosts; * ye servants of his that do his pleasure.
O speak good of the Lord, all ye works of his, in all places of his dominion; * praise thou the Lord, O my soul.
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost: The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints: The Forgiveness of sins: The Resurrection of the body: And the Life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
Answer: And with thy Spirit.
Minister: Let us pray.
THE LORD'S PRAYER:Versicles:
O Lord show thy mercy upon us.
Answer: And grant us thy salvation.
O Lord, save the State.
Answer: And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
Endue thy Ministers with righteousness
Answer: And make thy chosen people joyful.
O Lord, save thy people
Answer: And bless thine inheritance.
Give peace in our time, O Lord.
Answer: For it is thou, Lord, only, that makest us dwell in safety.
O God, make clean our hearts within us.
Answer: And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
PRAYERS AND INTERCESSIONS:ANNOUNCEMENTS:
| SERMON HYMN: “Rise Up, O Men of God” | Merrill |
| INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER: | Mr. J. Q. Beckwith |
| DEDICATION SERMON: | Rt. Rev. Thomas C. Darst, D. D. Retired Bishop of East Carolina |
| OFFERTORY: “Hallelujah Chorus” | Handel |
(The order of the procession from the Church to the Parish House will be as follows: The Crucifer, the Choir, Visiting Clergy, Local Ministers, the Vestry, the Building Committee, the Mayor, the Contractor, the Rector, the Bishops, the Congregation. The following hymns will be sung during this procession.)
| “The Church's One Foundation” | Stone |
AMEN.
| “Rejoice, ye pure in heart!” | Plumptre |
Refrain:
With all the angel choirs,With all the saints of earth,Pour out the strains of joy and bliss,True rapture, noblest mirth.Refrain:
Your clear hosannas raise,And alleluias loud;While answering echoes upward float,Like wreaths of incense cloud.Refrain:
Yes, on through life's long path,Still chanting as ye go,From youth to age, by night and day,In gladness and in woe.Refrain:
Still lift your standard high,Still march in firm array,As warriors through the darkness toil,Till dawns the golden day.Refrain:
At last the march shall end;The wearied ones shall rest;The pilgrims find their Father's house,Jerusalem the blest.Refrain:
Then on ye pure in heart!Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!Your glorious banner wave on high,The cross of Christ your King.
Refrain:
| CERTIFICATE OF LAST PAYMENT: | |
| PRESENTATION OF BUILDING: | Mr. Frank D. Hackett |
| REQUEST FOR DEDICATION: | Mr. J. C. Jackson |
| DEDICATION: | Rt. Rev. Thomas H. Wright, D. D. Bishop of East Carolina |
(Congregation will remain standing)
Be kindly affectioned one to another, with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business, fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.
Let us prayLord, have mercy upon us.Christ have mercy upon us.Lord, have mercy upon us.
Minister. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.
Answer. Who hath made heaven and earth.
Blessed be thy Name, O Lord, that it hath pleased thee to put it into the hearts of thy servants to build and dedicate this Parish House to thy glory and for the use of thy people. Accept, we pray thee, the offering of thy servants, and remember for good all who have contributed to this work. Let thy blessing rest upon this House, that it may serve the purposes for which it is
intended. Grant that here brotherly love and true fellowship may ever abound, and thy people encourage one another in all good works, to the honour of thy Name; through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Minister. Behold how good and joyful a thing it is:
Answer. For brethren to dwell together in unity.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who art the chief Cornerstone of thy Church; Bless this Building which is now completed in thy Name, and grant that its use may promote thy glory, and the welfare of thy people. Fill those who shall frequent it with a spirit of love toward thee, and toward all men. Grant that those who here shall learn the way of thy statutes, may walk before thee with a perfect heart, and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Minister. May our sons grow up as the young plants;
Answer. And our daughters be as the polished corners of the temple.
We beseech thy special blessing, O Father, on the Church School held in this House, Grant to the teachers faithfulness, diligence, and devotion, and to the scholars pure hearts and open minds, that they may be trained in thy knowledge and love, to serve thee faithfully in their generation and to find acceptance with thee at the last; through Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst take into thine arms the Children brought to thee for blessing: Bless always and in all places the children of thy Church, and thy Church in telling them of thee; that they may grow into thy likeness, keeping innocency, obedient to thy will and happy in thy house; for thy tender mercy's sake. Amen.
Then shall the Bishop say:
In the faith of Jesus Christ we dedicate this building to the glory of God; In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Visit, O Lord, we beseech thee, this place with thy mercy. Let thy holy angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace, and may thy blessing be upon us evermore through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with us evermore. Amen.
| INVITATION TO THE BUILDING: | Mr. Frank H. Saunders |
| ACCEPTANCE OF INVITATION: | Mr. Malcolm Sewell |
| BENEDICTION: | Bishop Wright |
| “Go Forward Christian Soldiers” | Tuttiett |
Amen.
Immediately following this service, a reception will be given by the members of Trinity Parish for its many friends in Lumberton and all out-of-town guests. While arrangements are being made for this reception, you are invited to inspect this building and the addition made to the Church. Members of the Parish will be glad to assist you in visiting the Church or the Parish House.
“WE ARE GOING TO BUILD A PARISH HOUSE . . .”
In May 1946, when many of us read these words on a mimeograph letter sent out by the Rector of this Parish, many of us knew it had to be a “Journey in Faith.” Then there were only 44 members of Trinity Parish. We had only $1,500.00 in a building fund. Yet we all knew that a Parish House was necessary if this Parish was to grow and take its rightful place in the community as a center of Christian life and work.
In April 1946, the Vestry of Trinity Parish authorized the Rector to appoint a building committee. At a congregational meeting on May 15, 1946, the Parish gave to this committee the power to solicit funds for this project and begin securing plans for the building. This committee, whose members pictures appear elsewhere in this program, have been the guiding force to prove to us all that a ‘journey in faith’ is not without its reward.
In 1946 over $12,000.00 was raised on this project. In 1947 $8,000.00 more was added to this amount. Since January 1st the final amount, including a gift of $1,000.00 from the American Church Building Fund has been secured. Tonight therefore this building is being dedicated free of debt and all incumbrances.
This building without furnishings, represents an investment of $22,000.00. Of this amount $10,500.00 has come from non-Episcopal sources, most of it from the citizens and Business Houses of Lumberton. The Diocese and General Church have given $2,500.00 and the Parish, which now numbers 101 baptized members has raised $8,000.00. The actual construction has been done by the Southeastern Construction Co., Lumberton Branch, of which Mr. J. L. Jones is Superintendent. This building was started on October 27, 1947 and is tonight being turned over to the Vestry by the Building Committee to become a part of the real property of Trinity Parish.
It is the hope of the Building Committee and the Vestry that this building will become not only a center of Parish Life, but a center too of Community Life. It has truly been built, to increase the Christian life of this Parish and Community.
THE BUILDING COMMITTEEMR. J. C. JACKSON, Chairman
MR. JOHN P. STEDMAN, Treas.
MR. FRANK H. SAUNDERS
MR. FRANK D. HACKETT
“THIRTY-THREE YEARS”
This Parish House, which we dedicate tonight, has become a reality only because thirty-three years ago, on March 28, 1915, Trinity Episcopal Church was consecrated. It was on June 12, 1912, that the Rt. Rev. Robert Strange, 2nd Bishop of East Carolina, met with nine men and women, six of whom were Episcopalians, to organize in Lumberton an Episcopal Church. At that meeting the Bishop appointed the first officers of the Church, to be known hereafter as Trinity Church. These men, Messrs. E. L. Holloway, R. H. Crichton, and J. Q. Beckwith, along with Archdeacon Thomas P. Noe and the Rev. J. L. Moody, the first Priest-in-charge of this Mission were directly responsible for the building of the Church in which we worship tonight.
While it has taken this Parish two years to complete the Parish House, it took that original group three years to build the Church. In those three years they raised what then was the enormous sum of $2,992.59. Of this amount they spent $1,230.40 for the purchase of this lot and $1,669.63 for the erection of the Church building. The citizens of Lumberton were just as generous in those years as they have been now toward the Parish House for they gave $549.27 for the building of this Church. Trinity Church was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Thomas C. Darst, being the first church that Bishop Darst had the privilege of consecrating after he became Bishop of this Diocese.
From those humble beginnings, the life of this Parish has followed closely the progressive spirit to be found in the City of Lumberton. In 1938 it was admitted into the Diocesan Convention as a self-supporting Parish. In 1946 it was able to call its first full time Rector. Tonight we must give thanks that the past has brought us so much, which the present and future can use.
In building this Parish House, the Vestry and Congregation have not been unmindful of the needs of the Church. When this building program is completed within the next few weeks over $2000.00 will have been spent on the Church itself. Is there any wonder that we pause tonight to give thanks for the Church which has made all our effort possible. Trinity Parish has only begun to serve this congregation and this community.
PRESENT OFFICERS OF TRINITY CHURCH| Rector | The Rev. John H. Bonner, Jr. |
| Lay Readers | Mr. R. O. Maxwell |
| Mr. Kenneth S. Harley | |
| Vestry | Mr. J. C. Jackson, Senior Warden |
| Mr. Frank H. Saunders, Junior Warden | |
| Mr. Kenneth Harley, Clerk | |
| Mr. J. Q. Beckwith | |
| Mr. John B. Stedman | |
| Mr. C. C. Abernathy | |
| Treasurer | Mr. S. R. Clary |
| Church School | Mr. Kenneth Harley, Superintendent |
| Mrs. Graham McLean, Treasurer | |
| Organist | Mrs. Thomas A. McNeil |
| Miss Evelina Beckwith, Assistant |
Woman's Auxiliary:
| Mrs. A. B. Holmes | President |
| Mrs. Joe Prevatte | Vice President |
| Mrs. Bowen Ross | Secretary |
| Mrs. John P. Stedman | Treasurer |
| Mrs. Charlotte Price | Chairman Night Chapter |
| Altar Guild | Miss Elizabeth Shaw, Sacristan |
Young People's Service League:
| Miss Eunice Saunders | President |
| Miss Betty McLean | Vice President |
| Miss Vickie Stedman | Secretary |
| Miss Sarah Alice Jackson | Treasurer |
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH, A. D. 1915
