A Scout is Reverent. A collection of worship services and worship helps for weekend camping.

Transcription

1 A Scout is Reverent A collection of worship services and worship helps for weekend camping.

2 A Scout is Reverent A collection of worship services and worship helps for weekend camping. The Boy Scout Oath begins with On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God. The Scout Law ends with A Scout is Reverent. All that we do in the Scouting movement is framed within the values of the Scout Oath and Law, which begin and end with our relationship to God. It is important, therefore, that we include worship as part of weekend camping events. This booklet is designed for a Judeo-Christian group, that is, for Scouts and Leaders who are Jewish or Christian. (Though Muslims and Hindus, because of their respect for and acknowledgement of the Bible as sacred writings, can use this resource as well.) There are some services specifically for a Christian group. A companion booklet of Meditations can be used with these services, or the worship leader can use his or her own meditation, as appropriate. 1

3 Mealtime Grace 4 Songs for Worship 7 21 Holy, Holy, Holy Morning Has Broken Allelu I Will Call Upon the Lord This Is The Day For the Beauty of the Earth This is my Father s World Amazing Grace I Sing Praises To Your Name Amen Draw Me Close Praise to the Lord, the Almighty America The Beautiful He s Got the Whole World in His Hands Now Thank We All Our God

4 Worship services Praise Scout Oath (1) Scout Law (1) Serving Others Like the Eagle Our Creator (1) Our Creator (2) Being a Good Example Scout Law (2) Scout Oath (2) Neighbor Help from God (1) Help from God (2) Getting Along with Others Praise and Thanks...44 Prayers 46 Meditation on the Scout Oath...46 Meditation on the Scout Law...54 Prayers for my Circumstances

5 Mealtime Grace 1 Philmont Grace For food, for raiment, for life, for opportunity, For friendship and fellowship, we thank Thee, O Lord. Amen 2 Camp Daniel Boone Grace (Tune: Westminster chimes) Morning (Evening) has come, the board is spread Thanks be to God, who gives us bread. Amen. 3 Bless Our Friends, Bless Our Food (Tune: Edelweiss) Bless our friends, bless our food Come, O Lord, and sit with us. May our talk glow with peace Bring your love to surround us. Friendship and peace may it bloom and grow, Bloom and grow forever Bless our friends, bless our food, Bless our dear land forever! 4

6 4 Johnny Appleseed Grace Oh, the Lord is good to me And so I thank the Lord, For giving me the things I need - The sun and the rain and the appleseed. The Lord is good to me! Other Mealtime Graces 5 We ask, O God, that this food would keep us physically strong, that the inspiration of our friends would keep us mentally awake, and that the desire to do your will would keep us morally straight. Amen 6 All good things come from you, O God. You have given us our food, our friends and all our blessings. Help us to have one more thing a grateful heart. Amen 7 Dear God, the giver of every good gift, we thank you for this food and for the strength it gives our bodies. Work in our hearts to make us willing to share your blessings with other people. Amen 8 Dear Father, we thank you for this food. May it give us strength to help other people. Amen. 5

7 9 God we thank You for this food For rest and home and all things good For wind and rain and sun above But most of all for those we love. 10 The bread is on our table; Bless those who have no bread, And give us grace in sharing this bounty round us spread. 11 Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow Praise Him all creatures here below Praise Him above, ye heavenly host Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! 12 Traditional Catholic Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts that we are about to receive from your goodness, through Christ our Lord. Amen 13 Traditional Hebrew Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. 14 Bless, O Lord, this food to our use and us to your service. Amen 6

8 Songs for Worship 21 Holy, Holy, Holy Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity! Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity! 22 Morning Has Broken Morning has broken like the first morning, Blackbird has spoken like the first bird. Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning! Praise for them springing, Fresh from the Word! 7

9 23 Allelu Allelu, Allelu, Allelu, Alleluia! Praise ye the Lord! Allelu, Allelu, Allelu, Alleluia! Praise ye the Lord! Praise ye the Lord! Alleluia! Praise ye the Lord! Alleluia! Praise ye the Lord! Alleluia! Praise ye the Lord! (This song works well for opening a worship service. Have half the scouts stand for Allelu and sit for Praise and the other half sitting for Allelu and standing for Praise All stand together for the last line.) 24 I Will Call Upon the Lord I will call upon the Lord, Who is worthy to be praised! So shall I be saved from my enemies; I will call upon the Lord! (continued next page) 8

10 The Lord liveth and blessed be the Rock And may the God of my salvation be exalted! The Lord liveth and blessed be the Rock And may the God of my salvation be exalted! 25 This Is The Day This is the day (echo) This is the day That the Lord has made (echo) That the Lord has made We will rejoice (echo) We will rejoice And be glad in it (echo) And be glad in it. (All) This is the day that the Lord has made We will rejoice and be glad in it This is the day (echo) This is the day (All) That the Lord has made! (Variation is to have standing/sitting during lead and echo. This is a good opening for worship.) 9

11 26 For the Beauty of the Earth For the beauty of the earth, For the glory of the skies, For the love which from our birth, Over and around us lies; Lord of all, to Thee we raise This, our hymn of grateful praise. For the wonder of each hour Of the day and of the night, Hill and vale, and tree and flow'r, Sun and moon, and stars of light; Lord of all, to Thee we raise This, our hymn of grateful praise. For the joy of human love, Brother, sister, parent, child, Friends on earth and friends above, For all gentle thoughts and mild; Lord of all, to Thee we raise This, our hymn of grateful praise. 10

12 27 This is my Father s World This is my Father s world, And to my listening ears, All nature sings and round me rings The music of the spheres. This is my Father s world, I rest me in the thought Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas, His hands the wonders wrought. This is my Fathers world The birds their carols raise, The morning light, the lily white, Declare their Maker s praise. This is my Father s world, He shines in all that s fair; In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me ev rywhere. 11

13 28 Amazing Grace Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found T was blind, but now I see. T was grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed! Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come Tis grace has brought me safe thus far And grace will lead me home! When we ve been there ten thousand years Bright shining as the sun! We ve no less days to sing God s praise Than when we ve first begun! 12

14 29 I Sing Praises To Your Name (Danny Daniels) I sing praises to your name, O Lord Praises to your name, O Lord. For your name is great, and greatly to be praised. (repeat) I give glory to your name, O Lord Glory to your name, O Lord. For your name is great, and greatly to be praised. (repeat) 30 Amen Solo counter melody: Unison chorus: Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen. See the baby, ly-in in a manger, on Christmas morning. See Him at the temple, talkin to the elders, who marvelled at His wisdom. See Him at the seaside, talkin with the fishermen, and makin them disciples. See Him in the garden, prayin to the Father, in deepest sorrow. Led before Pilate, then they crucified Him, but He rose on Easter. Halleluiah! He died to save us, and He lives forever! 13

15 31 Draw Me Close (Kelly Carpenter) Draw me close to You Never let me go I lay it all down again To hear You say that I m Your friend You are my desire; No one else will do Cause nothing else could take Your place To feel the warmth of Your embrace Help me find the way, Bring me back to You You re all I want, You re all I ve ever needed You re all I want, Help me know You are near 32 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise Him, for He is my health and salvation. All you who hear, Now to His temple draw near; Join me in glad adoration. Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him! All that has life and breath, come now with praises before Him. Let the A-men sound from His people again: Gladly for all we adore Him. 14

16 33 America The Beautiful O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! O beautiful for Pilgrim feet, Whose stern impassioned stress A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness. America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law. O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved, And mercy more than life. America! America! May God thy gold refine Till all success be nobleness And every gain divine. O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years, Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears. America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! 15

17 34 He s Got the Whole World in His Hands He s got the whole world --- in His hands, He s got the whole wide world --- in His hands, He s got the whole world --- in His hands, He s got the whole world in His hands. He s got the wind and the rain He s got you and me, brother, He s got you and me, sister, He s got the little bitty baby, He s got Everybody here 35 Now Thank We All Our God Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices, Who wondrous things has done, In whom His world rejoices. Who from our mothers arms Has blessed us on our way. With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today. O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us, With ever joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us, The one eternal God Whom earth and heav n adore For as it was, is now, And shall be evermore. 16

18 Worship services 101 Praise (Christian or Judeo-Christian) Call to Worship Leader: Oh, come let us sing to the Lord. Scouts: Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Leader: For the Lord is a great God and a great king above all. Scouts: For he is our God, and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Songs choose 6 or 7 songs to sing from the booklet or ones you know. Start lively and move to quieter songs. Leader: Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures for ever! Closing Prayer 17

19 102 Scout Oath (1) (Judeo-Christian) Call to Worship In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And God created man in his own image, in the image of God, he created him; male and female he created them. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning the sixth day. (Genesis 1:1, 27, 31) Song This is the Day #25 Responsive Reading (from Psalm 139) Leader: O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. People: You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. L: You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. P: Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. L: You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. P: Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. L: Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 18

20 P: If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. L: If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, P: even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. L: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. P: See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting Reflective time What am I thankful for? Sharing of Thanks Prayer Meditation on the Scout Oath (see Prayers Scout Oath) Song Now Thank We All Our God #35 Closing Prayer 19

21 103 Scout Law (1) (Judeo-Christian) Opening Song Allelu #23 Call to Worship The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. (Psalm 19: 1,3) Song - This is My Father s World #27 Responsive Reading (from Psalm 19) Leader: 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, People: reviving the soul. L: The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, P: making wise the simple. L: 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, P: giving joy to the heart. L: The commands of the LORD are radiant, P: giving light to the eyes. L: 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, P: enduring forever. L: The ordinances of the LORD are sure P: and altogether righteous. 20

22 L: 10 They are more precious than gold, P: than much pure gold; L: they are sweeter than honey, P: than honey from the comb. L: 11 By them is your servant warned; P: in keeping them there is great reward. Reflective time What gives me joy? Sharing of Joys and Thanks Prayer Meditation on the Scout Law (See Prayers Scout Law) Song America the Beautiful #33 Closing Prayer 21

23 104 Serving Others (Judeo-Christian) Song I Will Call Upon the Lord #24 Reading (from the Prayer of St Francis of Assisi) Leader: Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. People: Where there is hatred, may I bring love. L: Where there is wrong, may I bring the spirit of forgiveness. P: Where there is error, may I bring truth. L: Where there is doubt, may I bring faith. P: Where there is despair, may I bring hope. L: Where there are shadows, may I bring light. P: Where there is sadness, may I bring joy. L: Lord, grant that I may seek to comfort others than to be comforted myself. P: To understand others than to be understood. L: To love, than to be loved. P: For it is by forgetting ourselves that we really find. L: It is by forgiving that we are forgiven. P: And it is by dying to ourselves that we awaken to Eternal Life. Amen. Prayer 22

24 Reading: (Luke 22: 24-27) Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. Meditation Reflective time Who is God calling me to serve and how can I do that? Sharing Time How can I serve others? What attitude can I have about doing that? Closing thoughts. Benediction 23

25 105 Like the Eagle (Judeo-Christian) Opening Prayer Dear God, we come to you and ask that you open our hearts so that we may hear Your word this morning. Give us the courage and the strength to be physically fit to face the challenges ahead of us and morally equip us to do Your will. Help us to soar like eagles. We especially thank you for the many blessings you freely give us. Thank you for the opportunities we have to learn about life in Scouting and bless our Scout Leaders for their guidance. Amen. Song For the Beauty of the Earth #26 Reading (from Psalm 103) Leader: Bless the Lord, O my soul; Scouts: And all that is within me, bless his holy name! Leader: Bless the Lord, O my soul; Scouts: And forget not all his benefits, Leader: Who forgives all your sins, Scouts: Who heals all your diseases, Leader: Who redeems your life from the Pit, Scouts: Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, Leader: Who satisfies you with good as long as you live Scouts: So that your youth is renewed like the eagle s. 24

26 AN INDIAN PRAYER Oh Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds, and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me! I am small and weak, I need Your strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset. Make my hands respect the things You have made and my ears sharp to hear Your voice. Make me wise so that I may understand the things You have taught my people. Let me learn the lessons You have hidden in every leaf and rock. I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy my selfishness. Make me always ready to come to You with clean hands and straight eyes. So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to You without shame. Meditation Benediction (Isaiah 40:31) But they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. 25

27 106 Our Creator (1) (Judeo-Christian) Call to Worship: This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Song This is the Day #25 Reading (from Psalm 8) Leader: O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! People: You have set your glory above the heavens. L: From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise P: to silence the foe and the avenger. L: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, P: what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? L: You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. P: You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: L: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. P: O LORD, how majestic is your name in all the earth! 26

28 Prayer Song This is My Father s World #27 Meditation Reflection and sharing: What works of creation remind me of God? Where have I seen his presence this weekend? Closing Prayer God, our Father, we thank you for the beauty of the earth, for the food we eat and for the comforts we enjoy. Help us to love others more, to be concerned with the problems of our day, and to understand Your will in our actions. Grant us the strength to live wisely and well, to be good users of Your creation and ready and willing workers for the causes of goodness. Amen 27

29 107 Our Creator (2) (Non-sectarian) Call to Worship: All things bright and beautiful; All creatures great and small; All things wise and wonderful; The Lord God made them all! Song America the Beautiful #33 Reading (from Psalm 19) Leader: The heavens declare the glory of God; People: the skies proclaim the work of his hands. L: Day after day they pour forth speech: P: night after night they display knowledge. L: There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. P: Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the word. L: In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a like a champion rejoicing to run his course. L: It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other. Nothing is hidden from its heat. L: The heavens declare the glory of God; P: the skies proclaim the work of his hands! 28

30 Prayer Song He s Got the Whole World In His Hands #34 Meditation Reflection and sharing: What works of creation remind me of God? Where have I seen his presence this weekend? Closing Prayer We thank You, O God, for this day, for morning sun and evening star: for the flowering of trees and flowing of streams, for life-giving rains and cooling breeze; for the earth s patient turning, the changing of seasons, the cycle of growth and decay, of life and death. When our eyes behold the beauty and majesty of your world, we see the wisdom, power and goodness of our Creator. Thank you for your goodness, and for giving us a great new day! Amen 29

31 108 Being a Good Example (Judeo-Christian) Opening Song Allelu #23 Call to Worship LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is right, who speaks the truth from his heart and speaks no evil of others. Song Praise to the Lord, the Almighty #32 Responsive Reading (from Psalm 139) Leader: O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. People: You know when I sit and when I rise; you know my thoughts from far away. L: You can tell when I go out and when I lie down; you are familiar with all my ways. P: Before a word comes out of my mouth, you know it completely, O LORD. L: Search me, O God, and know my heart; P: test me and know my worried thoughts. L: Tell me about any offensive way in me, P: and lead me in the way that pleases you. 30

32 Reading (1 Tim 4: 11-12) Command and teach these things. Don t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Reading (Titus 2: 7-8) In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Reflection and Sharing Who has been a good example to me? What did they do? What can I do to be a good example for others? Closing Prayer Oh Lord, thank you for the wonderful opportunity to be here. Give us the strength to endure, the wisdom to enjoy each moment, and the courage to push ourselves further that we ever have before. Grant that we may carry out in our lives the spirit of the Scout Law, that we may teach others by living it ourselves. Help us to understand the true meaning of service to others. Help me be an example that will encourage those around me, and bless our troop and our leaders as we travel on our journey through Scouting. Amen. 31

33 109 Scout Law (2) (Christian) Song Holy, Holy, Holy #21 The Scout Law Leader: The person who is dishonest shall not live in My house; the person who is untruthful shall not stand before My eyes. (Psalms 101:7) Scouts: A scout is Trustworthy. Leader: Do not beg me to leave you or to return from following after you, for where you go I will go; and where you stay, I will stay. (Ruth 1:16) Scouts: A scout is Loyal. Leader: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Leviticus 19:18) Scouts: A scout is Helpful. Leader: Can two walk together unless they agree? (Amos 3:3) Scouts: A scout is Friendly. Leader: Honor your Father and your Mother. (Exodus 20:12) Scouts: A scout is Courteous. Leader: Withhold not good from the person to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. (Proverbs 3:27) Scouts: A scout is Kind. Leader: Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge. (Proverbs 23:12). 32

34 Scouts: A scout is Obedient. Leader: A glad heart is good medicine. (Proverbs 17:22) Scouts: A scout is Cheerful. Leader: Precious treasure remains in a wise person s dwelling, but a foolish person uses it up. (Proverbs 21:20) Scouts: A scout is Thrifty. Leader: Be strong and of good courage. (I Chronicles 28:20). Scouts: A scout is Brave. Leader: Who shall ascend the mountain of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place? The person who has clean hands and a pure heart. (Psalms 24: 3) Scouts: A scout is Clean. Leader: It has been told to you what is good, and what the Lord requires of you; Only to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8) Scouts: A scout is Reverent. Song Draw me Close #31 or Amazing Grace #28 Reading: (Gal 5: 22-26) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Benediction 33

35 110 Scout Oath (2) (Judeo-Christian) Call to Worship (Psalm 100:1 3) Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come into His presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God. It is He that made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Song Allelu #23 The Scout Oath Leader: Our honor is a quality we possess because of our dignity as human beings and children of God. Our best means to give all we have. It means to keep striving to do what we know is right, and in the Oath it means we will try to be good Scouts by fulfilling our Scout duties as expressed in the Scout law. Scouts: On my honor I will do my best. Leader: Our duty to God and country means chiefly two things: obedience and loyalty. The duties we owe to God, to our country, to our parents, to one another, and to ourselves come from the commands of God. The Scout Law sums up all the qualities a Scout should have and without which he cannot be a good Scout. Scouts: To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law. 34

36 Leader: Our Lord told us that love of neighbor was like the first law of love of God. The first children of God were known by the love they had for one another. Real love prompts us to want to help others at all times. Our Scout training will give us skills and knowledge that will put us in a better position to do this. Scouts: To help other people at all times. Leader: Scouting offers us many opportunities to grow physically. To be alert and ready requires us to give special care to those gifts of soul intellect and will that make us unto God. Morally straight means we must try to know what is right and true, and to love what is good and choose it. Scouts: To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Meditation Reflection and Sharing How have I grown up lately and who has been the good example to me a good example of the Scout Oath? Song Draw Me Close #31 Benediction 35

37 111 Neighbor (Judeo-Christian) Call to Worship: (Lev 19: 18) Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. Song He s Got the Whole World In His Hands #34 Reading (Mk 12: 30-33) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. Well said, teacher, the man replied. You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important that all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Prayer Song I Sing Praises to Your Name #29 or Draw Me Close #31 36

38 Meditation Reflection and sharing: Who has been my neighbor? How can I be a good neighbor? Closing thoughts Closing Prayer #226 or your own. 37

39 112 Help from God (1) (Judeo-Christian) Call to Worship: This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Song This is the Day #25 Reading (based on Psalm 46) Leader: God is our security and strength, Scouts: He is there to help in trouble. Leader: Therefore we will not be afraid, even if the earth should change, Scouts: Even if the mountains shake in the middle of the sea; Leader: Even if its waters roar and foam, Scouts: Even when the mountains tremble Leader: God is like a river whose streams refresh His people. Scouts: For God lives in the hearts of his people. Leader: The Lord over all things is here with us; Scouts: The God of our Fathers is our security. Leader: He says, Be still, and know that I am God. Scouts: He is to be honored among the nations, He is to be praised on the earth! 38

40 Song Amen (Christian) #30 or Now Thank We All Our God #35 Meditation Reflection and sharing: When have I had to rely on help from God? Closing Prayer God, my Father, thank you for bringing me to the beginning of a new day; thank You for the peace and rest of the night that is past. Each day gives me many opportunities of expressing my love for You; all my senses, all my talents come from you; by your power and presence help me to use them well today, doing everything for your honor. Preserve me from all that is evil, so that all I think and do and say may be pleasing to You. Amen. 39

41 113 Help from God (2) (Judeo-Christian) Song Draw Me Close #31 Reading: God is the Eternal One (Adon Olam) Leader: God is the Eternal One, Who reigned before any being had yet been created; When all was done according to God s will, Already then God s Name was Sovereign. Scouts: And after all has ceased to be, Still will God reign in majesty; God was, God is, God shall be in glory. Leader: And God is One, without compare, without being, without end; To God belongs power and dominion. Scouts: And the Sovereign of all is my own God, My living Redeemer, My rock in time of trouble and distress; My banner and my Refuge, My benefactor, to whom, in anguish, I can call. All: Into God s hands I entrust my spirit, Both when I sleep as when I wake; And with my spirit, my body also: God is with me, I will not fear (This is an eleventh century Hebrew prayer composed by the Jewish poet and philosopher Solomon Ibn Gibirol) 40

42 Song I Sing Praises to Your Name #29 Meditation Reflection and sharing: When have I had to rely on help from God? Dakota Prayer - O Almighty God, you have always been, and before you nothing has been. There is no one to pray to but you. The stars of the heavens are yours, and yours are the grasses of the earth, and the depths of the seas. You are older than all need, older than all pain and prayer. Great God, fill us with light. Give us strength to understand and eyes to see. Teach us to walk the soft earth as friends to all that live. Help us, for without you we are nothing. Amen. 41

43 114 Getting Along with Others (Christian) Call to Worship: (from Hebrews 10:22-25 ) Let us draw near to God with an honest heart. Let us hold on to our faith with confidence. And let us encourage each other to be loving and good to each other. Song Amen #30 Reading (Mark 12:28) Leader: One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, Of all the commandments, which is the most important? Scouts: The most important one, answered Jesus, is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. Prayer Song Amazing Grace #28 or Holy, Holy, Holy #21 42

44 Meditation Closing Prayer Heavenly Father, your word tells us Do not repay anyone evil for evil. And If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. These can be very difficult to do, Lord. We ask for wisdom and strength, though, so that we can do that. Thank you for your presence with us today. In Jesus name we pray, Amen 43

45 115 Praise and Thanks (Judeo-Christian) Call to Worship It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praise to your name, to proclaim your kindness at dawn, and your faithfulness throughout the night. For you make me glad, O Lord, by your deeds; at the hands of your works I rejoice! Song Praise to the Lord #32 Responsive Reading (Psalm 100) Leader: Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. People: Worship the Lord with gladness; L: come before him with joyful songs. P: Know that the Lord is God. L: It is he who made us, and we are his; P: we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. L: Enter his gates with thanksgiving P: And his courts with praise; L: Give thanks to him and praise his name. P: For the Lord is good and his love endures forever. All: His faithfulness continues through all generation. 44

46 Reflective time What am I thankful for? Sharing of Thanks Prayer Meditation Song He s Got the Whole World In His Hands #34 or Now Thank We All Our God #35 Closing Prayer 45

47 Prayers Meditation on the Scout Oath (adapted from Prayers for Scouts, by Walter Dudley Cavert) 201 ON MY HONOR Dear Heavenly Father, help me to make honor the watchword of my life. May I place the integrity of my soul above everything else I work for. Teach me that character is a priceless possession. As I wear my scout uniform, may it remind me that I have taken a vow to be a person of honor. Give me strength to be true to my promise. Lift my life above what is fake or make-believe. Give me a steadfast loyalty to the highest and best that I know. May I have the courage to stand for what I believe to be right in your eyes, no matter what others may say or do. Keep me from compromising my honor or selling my soul. May the example of Jesus be my guide. Help me to remember that he cared more for your approval than for the praise or blame of men. 46

48 202 I WILL DO MY BEST Grant, O God, that I may know the joy of doing my best. May I never be satisfied with second-rate behavior in my life. Fearlessly may I set my sights on the mountain peak and follow the trail that leads to the heights of character and achievement. May I never be afraid of your high calling. Because I do my best today, may I be able to do better tomorrow. Help me to make my life a long adventure of trying to reach an ever higher goal. Like the Apostle Paul, may I be able to say, Forgetting the past, I press on. Please forgive me when I slip and fall into doing wrong. Help me to be aware of my faults and to rely on the direction and strength which you alone can give. Help me to live as you call me to live, to work as you have taught me to work, and to love as you have shown me your love. 203 TO DO MY DUTY Heavenly Father, may duty be my friend and not my enemy. Save me from thinking I should always be allowed to do as I please. May I never run away from a task that is rightfully mine, even when I have been asked to work when I want to play. 47

49 Give me eyes to clearly see the duty on the path of my life. May I not dream about being a hero in some distant future and then neglect the work that needs to be done today. Help me to do my duty cheerfully. May my task seem lighter because I perform it gladly. If sacrifice is required of me, may I be ready to make it. Keep me from avoiding my duty because it may be unpleasant. Help me to serve in humbleness and remember the example of the One who washed the feet of his friends. Help me to serve that way, too. 204 MY DUTY TO GOD Above all other duties, O God, I place my duty to you. Make me willing to put you first in my life. May I always seek to do your will instead of my own. May nothing be able to turn me away from doing what I believe to be right in your eyes. Give me the faith to know you have a plan for your world and for each person in it. Help me to know the plan you have for me, moment by moment. Then make me glad to follow it. Each day, may I seek your guidance. Open my mind to your truth and your presence. Fill my heart with your love. Make me determined to obey you and ready to serve you. 48

50 And when I falter, may I be sincerely sorry. Give me the courage to ask for your forgiveness. And teach me to depend more on you and your strength and less on my own, for without you, I am nothing. 205 MY DUTY TO MY COUNTRY Eternal God, you are the ruler of nations as well as of men. You alone are God and King over all and there is no other. I thank you for my country. Make me grateful for all the blessings that come to me through the land I love. Help me to do my duty to my country. May I remember that a good nation can be made only out of good men and women. So teach me how to act with justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly before you. May I love my country so much that I will gladly obey her laws and seek her highest good. May I look for ways to serve my country and not try to make my country serve me. Give to the leaders of my nation the wisdom to know your will and the courage to do it. Teach them how to work together and with the leaders of other nations to create a world of peace, honor, and righteousness. 49

51 206 TO OBEY THE SCOUT LAW Dear Lord, help me to remember that the Scout Law is the foundation on which the whole Scouting program is built. If I am to be a real Scout, I must live by the high standards which Scouting holds up to me. May I realize that I am not really a Scout until I am intent on living by the Scout Oath and Law. Though I may wear the uniform and attend the meetings, my membership is only an act and I am a fake if I ignore my pledge to these things. If other members break their honor and overlook the bigger meaning of belonging to the Boy Scouts, may I still be true to what I have promised. I ask that the Scout Oath and Law may be more than words which are stored in my memory. May they be written on my heart and practiced in my daily life. 207 TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES O God, teach me the joy of helping others. May I never look the other way when someone needs my assistance. If I can be of help, may I volunteer without waiting to be asked and without expecting any favor in return. May I learn the joy that comes from giving to others. 50

52 Make me the kind of Scout who loves, and cares, and is ready to forget about himself in the service of others. May I be willing to go out of my way to help people who are old, or young or need my help in any way. If someone is lonely or sad, help me make a special effort to be their friend. Keep me from thinking that I should always have an easy life with nothing that interferes with my fun. May I learn the meaning of the words Whoever among you who wants to be great should be the servant of all. So may my life become a glad adventure of service and love. Help it to be so, dear Lord, help it to be so. 208 TO KEEP MYSELF PHYSICALLY STRONG God of all life, who has given us bodies as well as minds and souls, teach me how to live that I may keep my body at its best. Make me wise enough to study and obey the laws of good health. Help me to remember that they are your laws, that you have given them for my benefit, and that in your perfect will, you desire for each of us to be healthy and strong. I ask that even my body would be dedicated to your service. Help me to remember my body is a temple a place for you to 51

53 live. May I treat it with reverence and keep it pure and clean, so that it may be a worthy place for your spirit to live. Save me from forming habits which might injure my health. Help me in my mind to keep my body under control, to use it in ways that honor you so that both my body and my mind may be obedient to you. 209 MENTALLY AWAKE Lord, the source of all wisdom, help me to have an alert mind. In my youth, may I learn to think. Teach me how to read and study. Give me the ability to concentrate. When I am on the athletic field, I am able to keep my mind on the game. Help me to have that same power when I am studying. Keep me from being satisfied with what I already know. Each day, help me to add something new and worthwhile to my store of knowledge. I want to know the facts, but more than that, I want to understand what they mean and how I can use them in actual life. Forgive me for spending so much time on foolish entertainment that I fail to find time for homework or reading. May I accept the discipline of study because I know that high achievement is not possible without it. 52

54 May I love you, Lord, not only with my heart, but with my head, too. 210 MORALLY STRAIGHT Dear God, help me to know the difference between right and wrong. Just like Solomon prayed, Give to me, your servant, an understanding mind, that I may know the difference between good and evil. Help me to live by the Ten Commandments and the Boy Scout Oath and Law. Help me to be honorable in my thoughts, words and actions. You know that what I think eventually comes out in my words and actions. Help my mind and heart be shaped by you, so that your thoughts are my thoughts. Following your Word as my guide, may I walk in a straight path toward a worthy goal. Keep me from being distracted by foolish desires. Give me the strength to overcome temptation. Save me from giving in to those who urge me to do wrong. Help me to always stand for what is right because it is right, even if I stand alone. May I be consistent, and through my example, help me to be an influence to others to do what is right. May I not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Amen. 53

55 Meditation on the Scout Law (adapted from Prayers for Scouts, by Walter Dudley Cavert) 211 TRUSTWORTHY Almighty God, you know what is in every heart and no secret from you is hidden. Help me to be a Scout who can be trusted at all times. Since I must live with myself and the memory of all I do, help me to keep my own self-respect. Rescue me from ever trying to lie or cheat. May I never do anything that I would be ashamed about in public, or which would bring sadness to those I love. May I reject every thought of taking anything that is not mine. Help me to remember to return all that I borrow, even if it is only a pencil or a penny. Help me to be honest in all I do with other people. Keep me from being careless with the truth. Help me to never break my promise or go back on my word. Adjust me any way you need to, so that, like it says in the Psalms, I hate every false way. I hate and despise lying. 54

56 212 LOYAL Dear Father, I thank you for all the heroic people who have been loyal to the truth and to duty and to honor, no matter what. Help me to follow the example they have set. May I be loyal to my home, my friends, my country and anyone else to whom loyalty is due. Above all other loyalties, help me to be loyal to You. Make me eager and strong in my desire to do your will. Teach my that a loyalty like this will lift me above a shallow life and make my life worth living. Save me from misguided loyalty. Keep me from defending my friends when I know they have done wrong. May I stand up for what is right, simply because it is right, even if I stand alone. [Help me to be like Jesus, who never wavered in his loyalty to you, even though it took him to the cross.] 213 HELPFUL O God, I thank You for the unknown Scout in London who did a good turn many years ago. May I always remember that it was his helpfulness that encouraged leaders to bring Scouting across the ocean to the United States. Give me the ability to see each opportunity to help other people. 55

57 I don t want to be satisfied with just doing a good turn each day. Help my whole life be controlled by an attitude of helpfulness. When I choose my career, may I think about the service I can give to the world and not only about making money or being famous. Teach me that great happiness in life comes from helping others without expecting to get something in return. Help me to be willing to put you first, others second and myself last. May I become like the One who lived his life by doing good and serving the needs of others. 214 FRIENDLY Dear Father in heaven, teach me that the way to have a friend is to be one. May I be a friend to everyone and like a brother to others who try to live by the Scout Oath and Law. Help me choose friends based on who they are on the inside and not because they have money or because they a certain color to their skin. I want to always remember that you do not look at what we are on the outside, but look at what we are like in our hearts. Teach me to enjoy each friend for who he is and not for what he can do for me. Let me be unselfish and generous without expecting or asking favors in return. 56

58 Lead me into a closer relationship with you. Help me to remember that you desire to live in friendship with me, to be my best friend. May every other friendship I have be better because of my friendship with you. 215 COURTEOUS Gracious God, help me to always be a gentleman, remembering that it means gentle man. Help me remember that courtesy is not just being polite, but it is a result of having a loving heart. Make me sensitive to other people s feelings. Keep me from being rude or hurtful because I m trying to be clever or cool. May I have good manners with everyone, being as polite to a poor man as I would be to a king. In a game, help me to be courteous to my opponent, even if he wins. Help me to be courteous when I don t get my way or when I don t get some recognition I want. If I am ever unfair to anyone, give me the courage to apologize and ask to be forgiven. Help me remember that courtesy begins at home. May I never be rude to the people there. May I demonstrate the kind of love which is patient and kind, the kind of love that you have shown to me. 57

59 216 KIND O God, you created the whole world and everything in it. Help me to be kind to all the harmless creatures you have made. It doesn t matter if they run on the earth, fly in the air or swim in the water, I know that each of them belongs to you. If any pets are in my care, may I care for them in ways that are wise and faithful. Help me to remember their needs. Remind me that wild animals are to stay wild and that I am being kind by allowing them to live free. Teach me to know and enjoy the wildlife that I see each time I go outdoors. Help me to do my part to save & protect the environment. May I have a special concern for creatures who are injured or helpless. And may I remember that you know all things so that even a sparrow doesn t fall to the ground without you knowing it. 217 OBEDIENT Dear God, help me to learn the hard lesson of obedience. Keep from thinking that I should be free to do whatever I please. Remind me that even Jesus was obedient to his parents. 58

60 Make me willing to follow the instructions of those in authority over me. May I respond quickly and cheerfully without grumbling or dragging my feet. Give me respect for the laws of states and nations. May I never break them or be careless with them. Help me respect the law more than I want to be selfish or foolish. Help me to understand that you have made the universe as a place for law and order. The sun and moon and stars follow the paths that you marked out for them. In the same way, may I be willing to obey all the laws that have made for me, because I know you have made them for my good and because you care about me. 218 CHEERFUL Dear Father, help me to be in the habit of looking at the bright side of life. Keep me going around with a sad face. There is lots of unhappiness in the world, and I don t want to add to it. May the corners of my mouth turn up and not down. When things don t go my way, help me to still smile. Keep me from whining when things don t go as I want. I don t ever want to hold a grudge or carry around resentment. Help me to live each day in a way that makes other people happier because of what I have said and done. 59

61 Help me to know the secret of joy which comes from trusting you and loving those around me. As I go through life, may I have your Spirit as my companion and may my face show the joy that comes from having a friendship with you. 219 THRIFTY Dear God, give me a right attitude toward money. May I earn it honestly, save it carefully and use it wisely. Help me remember that all I have is yours. Keep me from using it foolishly. Forgive me if I ever waste money on things that would do me harm. Teach me that waste is the great enemy of thrift. I don t ever want to be careless with money or property, but instead, I want to remember that they are on loan from you. Show me how to use them in ways that please you. Make me generous to people who are in need. May I give willingly to support my church. Help me to see the joy in helping a worthy cause that is trying to create a better world. Give me the wisdom to see that my success or failure in life can depend on the way I handle my money. Help me to manage it wisely, so I will never have a reason to regret what I have done. 60

62 220 BRAVE O God, give me the courage to live by the highest and best that I know. May I be fearless in following you. Keep me from being afraid of what others may say or do. I want to be brave enough to stand for what is right, even if those around me laugh or tease me. When others need help, I want to be prepared to face danger without flinching. May I also recognize that being brave is not the same as being reckless or taking a dare. Keep me from being a quitter. If life is difficult, or if I am afraid to admit a mistake, help me turn to you for the strength you are always ready to give. Like Paul, help me know what it means when he says, I can do all things in him who gives me strength. 221 CLEAN Dear Father, help me to have a clean mind in a clean body. Keep me free from anything impure in my thoughts, words or action. Create in my a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. 61

63 I want to remember the words, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Help me to always be aware that you are present and that you are a constant source of cleansing and strength. When I have done wrong, your forgiveness makes me clean again. Make me willing to do my part toward having a clean community. Keep me from littering where ever I go. Help me to add to the beauty of your world and not destroy it. Help me to give my attention to what is pure and true. I believe you want every heart to be clean. Help mine to be clean, Lord, help mine to be clean. 222 REVERENT Grant, O God, that I will remember you each day. Every morning, I want to seek your guidance. Each evening I want to ask for your blessing. Through the day, I want to listen to you for guidance, for friendship and correction. Help me be faithful in my duty to you. Through prayer and study, help me to know what you want from me and what you want for me. I want to worship you willingly and joyfully. Each day, I want the world to see you in the way I treat other people. 62