Scout Worship Services

Worship Services


SCOUTS OWN SERVICE

(to be Conducted by Scouts)

Opening or Call To Worship:

Opening Prayer or Psalm

Suggestions:

Song or Hymn:

Sing an "Uplifting" song

Suggestions:

Responsive Reading:

A Scout should begin reading one or Litany of the responsorial readings followed in kind by the congregation.

Suggestions:

Song or Hymn

Sing a "Moderate" Song or Hymn

Suggestions:

Prayer

The Lord's Prayer

Closing Song or Hymn

A silent or "soft" song here

Suggestions:

Benediction or Scoutmaster's Minute

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all.

Amen.

Dismissal


INTERFAITH WORSHIP SERVICE

Scoutmastership Fundamentals Outdoor Training

CALL TO WORSHIP:

The Lord is in his holy temple;
Let all the earth keep silence before him.

OPENING HYMN: GOD BLESS AMERICA (PLEASE STAND)

God bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains,
To the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America,
My home sweet home!
God bless America,
My home sweet home!

INVOCATION:

CAMPER'S PRAYER (BE SEATED)

God of the mountains and hills, make me tall and strong;
Tall enough and strong enough to right some wrong.
God of the stars, make me steadfast and sure;
God of every lake and stream, flow through my life & make it clean;
Let me do nothing base or mean.
God of the trees and woods, keep me fresh and pure;
God of the rain, wash from my life all dirt and stain;
Pure and strong let me remain.
God of the seed and soil, plant in my heart thy love;
God of the darkness and day, through shadows or light, be my stay.
Guide thou my way.
God of the radiant sun, light thou my life;
God of the glorious dawn, make each day a fresh start.
God of the evening peace and quiet, keep me free from fear & strife.
God of the gay, free birds, sing in my heart.
God of the surging waves and sea, wide horizons give to me;
Help me to see the world as thou would have it be;
God of the lovely rose, make me lovely, too;
God of the morning dew, each day my faith renew.
God of all growing things, keep me growing, too.
--- George Earle Owen

HYMN:

THIS IS MY FATHER'S WORLD (PLEASE STAND)

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 Father's 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 everywhere.

RESPONSIVE READING

PSALM 8 (BE SEATED)

In unison:

O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is thy name in all of the earth!

Leader:

Who hast set thy glory upon the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou established strength.
Because of thine adversaries,
That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

Response:

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers,
The moon and the stars which thou hast ordained;
What is man, that thou are mindful of him?
And the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Leader:

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels,
And crownest him with glory and honor.
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands.
Thou hast put all things under his feet.

Response:

All sheep and oxen,
Yea, and the beast of the field;
The fowl of the air and the fish of the sea,
Whatsover passeth through the paths of the seas,
Oh Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is thy name in all the earth.

SILENT MEDITATION:

HYMN:

FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH (PLEASE STAND)

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 flower, sun and moon & stars of light,
Lord of all to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.

MESSAGE:

"WE LEARNED IT ALL IN KINDERGARTEN" (BE SEATED)

Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox. These are the things I learned:

Share everything.

Play fair.

Don't hit people.

Put things back where you found them.

Clean up your own mess.

Don't take things that aren't yours.

Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.

Wash your hands before you eat.

Live a balanced life. Learn some and think some, and draw and sing and dance and play and work every day some.

Take a nap in the afternoon.

When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands and stick together.

Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the plastic cup. The roots go down and the plant goes up, and nobody really knows why, but we are all like that. Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the plastic cup - they all die. So do we.

And then remember the book about Dick and Jane and the first word you ever learned, the biggest word of all:

LOOK.

Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The golden rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and sane living. Think of what a better life it would be if we all had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or if we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations always to put things back where we found them and cleaned up our own messes. And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

*** Robert Fulgham

OFFERING:

World Brotherhood Of Scouting

BENEDICTION: OLD IRISH BLESSING

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

DISMISSAL


NON-DENOMINATIONAL SERVICE

Worship Service For Worship In The Outdoors

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.''

OPENING HYMN

`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.
Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dewfall on the first grass,
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass.
Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning,
Born of the one light Eden saw play.
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God's recreation of the new day.

RESPONSIVE READING:

``Canticle of the Sun''

All:

O most high, almighty, good Lord God,
to you belongs praise, glory, honor and all blessing.

Leader:

Praised be my Lord God with all his creatures,
and especially, our brother, the sun,
who brings us the day and who brings us the night;
fair is he, and shines with a very great splendor;
O Lord, he signifies You to us.

Response:

Praise be my Lord for our sister the moon, and for the stars,
which He has set clear and lovely in the heaven.

Leader:

Praised be my Lord for our brother the wind,
and for the air and clouds, calms, and all weather
by which you uphold life in all creatures.

Response:

Praised be my Lord for our sister, water,
who is very serviceable to us, and humble and precious...
and very clean.

Leader:

Praised be my Lord for our brother, fire,
through whom you give us light in the darkness;
he is bright and pleasant and very mighty and strong.

Response:

Praised be my Lord for our mother, the earth,
which sustains us and keeps us, and brings forth
grass and diverse fruits and flowers of many colors.

All:

Praise and bless the Lord, and give thanks to Him
and serve Him with great humility.

SILENT PRAYER

PRAYER

God, sometimes I hold something small in my hand... a piece of moss or a budding twig,
and - peering closely at this tiny world - I feel a sudden wonder.

Help me to remember that you made these worlds, and countless others,
and...in remembering...come closer to you.

O God, we thank Thee today for the world in which you have placed us;
for the universe whose vastness is revealed in the blue depths of the sky;
whose immensities are lit by shining stars beyond the strength of mind to follow.

We thank you for the beauty of our earth, for the sweetness of the flowers,
the solemnity of the stars, the sound of streams and swelling seas,
for stretching lands and mighty mountains which rest and satisfy the soul,
the purity of dawn which calls us to holy dedication,
and the peace of the evening which speaks of everlasting rest.

Above all, we thank you for the dignity you have bestowed upon every human being
as the crown of your Creation.

Give us the grace to let the light of your glory shine through us,
in our action, words and thoughts.

Amen.

OFFERING:

For the World Friendship Fund

CLOSING HYMN:

"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 hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world. The birds their carols raise.
The morning light, the lily white, declare the Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world. He shines in all that's fair;
In the trusting grass I hear him pass, He speaks to me everywhere.

BENEDICTION

(sung to the tune: Edelweiss)

May the Lord, Mighty Lord, bless and keep you forever;
Grant us peace, perfect peace, courage in every endeavor.
Lift up your eyes and see His face, and His grace forever.
May the Lord, Mighty Lord, Bless and keep you forever.

DISMISSAL

(Excerpted from Cub Trainers'Wood Badge NE-CS-12, 8/20 - 8/26, 1983)


INTERFAITH SERVICE

INVOCATION

Be merciful to me, O God, Be merciful, for I have taken refuge in You.
In the shadow of Your wings, will I take refuge until this time of trouble has gone by.
I will call upon the most high God, The God who maintains my cause.
He will send from heaven and save me;
He will confound those who trample upon me;
God will send forth His love and his faithfulness. Amen.

HYMN

Oh beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties,
Above the fruited plain.

(Chorus)

America, America. God shed His Grace on thee,
and crown thy good with brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea.

Oh beautiful for patriot dream,
That sees beyond the years,
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears.

(Repeat Chorus)

MEDITATION

Sanctify our campsite with your presence and joy.
By the spirit of affection and service unite our Scouting families,
that they may show your praise in our land and in all the world.

RESPONSIVE READING

(Psalm 46)

(L) God is our refuge and strength,
(P) A very present help in trouble.

(L) Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved,
(P) And though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea.

(L) Though it's waters rage and foam,
(P) The Lord of hosts is with us.

(L) The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

HYMN

Kum Ba Yah my Lord, Kum Ba Yah
Kum Ba Yah my Lord, Kum Ba Yah
Kum Ba Yah my Lord, Kum Ba Yah
Oh, Lord Kum Ba Yah

Someone's crying Lord, Kum Ba Yah
. . .

Someone's singing Lord, Kum Ba Yah
. . .

Someone's praying Lord, Kum Ba Yah
. . .

SERMON

OFFERING

For World Friendship Fund

HYMN

Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah

Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah

River Jordan is deep and wide, Hallelujah

River Jordan is deep and wide, Hallelujah

River Jordan is chilly and cold, Hallelujah

Chills the body but not the soul, Hallelujah

SCOUTMASTER MINUTE

CLOSING PRAYER

Great Spirit Prayer

Oh Great Spirit whose voice in the wind I hear,
And whose breath gives life to all in the world,
Hear me.
Before you I come, one of your many children.
Small and weak am I,
Your strength and wisdom I need.
Make me walk in beauty.
Make my heart respect all You have made.
My ears to hear Your voice.
Make me wise that I may know all You have taught my people,
The lessons You have hidden in every rock.
I seek strength, not to be superior to my brother.
Make me able to fight my greatest enemy, myself.
Make me ready to stand before You with clean and straight eyes.
When life fades, as the fading sunset,
may our spirits stand before You without shame.

DISMISSAL


RESPONSIVE READINGS

I. 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.

People: 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 some command of God. The Scout Law sums up all the qualities a Scout should have and without which he cannot be a good Scout.

People: TO DO MY DUTY TO GOD AND MY COUNTRY AND TO OBEY THE SCOUT LAW.

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 human charity or 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.

People: 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.

People: TO KEEP MYSELF PHYSICALLY STRONG, MENTALLY AWAKE, AND MORALLY STRAIGHT.

II. THE SCOUT LAW 1

Leader: A true and worthy person recognizes his obligations and does them without being watched or compelled.
People: A SCOUT IS TRUSTWORTHY.

Leader: We owe much to many - to home, school, community, nation, and to God.
People: A SCOUT IS LOYAL.

Leader: The good Samaritan showed the spirit of doing a Good Turn.
People: A SCOUT IS HELPFUL.

Leader: Courtesy is the mark of all faiths. It is shown in thoughtful acts and kindly respect for everyone.
People: A SCOUT IS COURTEOUS.

Leader: Kindliness is the way people show respect for others.
People: A SCOUT IS KIND.

Leader: Life is filled with things that we must do whether we like them or not. One of the marks of growing up is our readiness to accept responsibilities willingly.
People: A SCOUT IS OBEDIENT.

Leader: Our moods make our days. If we are grouchy, our day is gloomy. If we are happy, our day is always happier.
People: A SCOUT IS CHEERFUL.

Leader: The world offers many gifts. a wise person uses them with care.
People: A SCOUT IS THRIFTY.

Leader: To each of us comes danger, difficult tasks, and temptations. In choice of courage or cowardice, may we be brave.
People: A SCOUT IS BRAVE.

Leader: Cleanliness is next to Godliness. To have a clean body, a clean mind, and a clean record is a rewarding achievement.
People: A SCOUT IS CLEAN.

Leader: Character is determined by the things we worship. If we respect ourselves and our brothers and sisters, and see them as gifts of the goodness of God, we live on a high plane.
People: A SCOUT IS REVERENT.

All: Give us clean hands, clean words, and clean thoughts, O God. Teach us to work hard and play fairly. Forgive us when we are unkind and help us to help others. Send us strength to do a good turn each day and so live after thy will.

III. THE SCOUT LAW 2

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
People: 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
People: A SCOUT IS LOYAL

Leader: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Lev. 19:18
People: A SCOUT IS HELPFUL

Leader: "Can two walk together unless they agree?" Amos 3:3
People: A SCOUT IS FRIENDLY

Leader: "Honor you Father and your Mother." Exodus 20:12
People: A SCOUT IS COURTEOUS

Leader: "With hold not good from the person to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it." Prov. 3:27
People: A SCOUT IS KIND

Leader: "Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge." Prov. 3:12
People: A SCOUT IS OBEDIENT

Leader: "A glad heart is good medicine." Prov. 17:22
People: A SCOUT IS CHEERFUL

Leader: "Precious treasure remains in a wise person's dwelling, but a foolish person uses it up." Prov. 21:20
People: A SCOUT IS THRIFTY

Leader: "Be strong and of good courage." I Chron. 28:20
People: 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 24:3-4
People: 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
People: A SCOUT IS REVERENT


Responsive Reading for Camp

Leader: Lord, we know that this world we live in doesn't belong to us: it is Your creation.

All: But sometimes we don't take care of it as well as we should.

Leader: We forget that animals and plants are living things that belong here too

All: And they also have a right to some space on this planet.

Leader: Help us to be wise in the use of our resources

All: by planting trees for those we cut down; by putting on a sweater instead of turning up the heat; by shutting off lights in empty rooms; by recycling instead of throwing away; by walking carefully through the woods to disturb as little as possible.

Leader: Help us, Lord, to respect nature and her needs, and to remember that what we take from nature was placed there by Your hand.
(from Anne Barbour, Essex, Ont.)