Heavenly Father, at this anniversary we reflect on the gracious gifts that you have poured out on this congregation.  We look forward to the blessings you have in store for us in the years to come.   
We praise you for giving us the sure and certain hope of salvation through your Son, Jesus Christ.  You have preserved us with the preaching of your Word and the comfort of your sacraments.  You have used us to bring the good news of forgiveness in Christ to others in our community.
Lord, give us courage and hope as we move forward.  Be with the families of Hope.  Keep us safe from harm.  Do not allow any of your children to be plucked out of your hand.  Strengthen us in the confidence that you have already overcome our greatest enemies: sin, death, and the devil. Increase our trust in your promise that you are with us always.  Cause your Holy Spirit to work in us and through us, so that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Be with us as we strive to pass down to our children the truths that have been passed down to us.  Continue to make our congregation a beacon of the hope that only you can give in this sin-darkened world.  
Grant that this celebration of your gracious work among us in the past fifty years be only the prelude to that far greater celebration we will enjoy forever in the joy and glory of the world to come.   Still be our guard while troubles last and bring us at last to our eternal home. Amen.