Suggested Interfaith Worship Service

(For worship in the out-of-doors.)

CALL TO WORSHIP:

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

OPENING HYMN:

GOD BLESS AMERICA

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: (To be read.)

CAMPER'S PRAYER

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 and 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 and strife.
God of the glad, 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 wouldst 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
 

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 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

In Unison:

O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is thy name in all the earth,
Who has set thy glory upon the heavens!

Leader.

Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou established strength,
Because of thine adversaries,
That thou mightiest 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 has 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 beasts of the field,
The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea,
Whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
0 Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is thy name in all the earth!
 

(Followed by the Lord's Prayer for Christians; or use silent prayer, each in their own fashion, if non-Christians are attending)
 

God be praised, now and forever,
for giving us minds to understand Your teachings.

God be praised, now and forever,
for hands that lift up those who fall.

God be praised, now and forever,
for ears that hear the cry of those who need help.

God be praised, now and forever,
for hearts that care about the needs of others.

God be praised, now and forever,
for eyes that see the beauty of earth and sky.

God be praised, now and forever,
for the new day and this new journey.

We praise God for all that is good, true,
and beautiful in our lives.

HYMN:

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 flower, 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 of earth and friends above; for all gentle thoughts and mild,
Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

WORSHIP MESSAGE:

OFFERING:

Collections are usually made as a friendship offering to the organization responsible for the facilities. If this is not possible then a general collection for the World Brotherhood of Scouting is made. These collections can be made to:

World Friendship Fund
International Division
Boy Scouts of America
1325 West Walnut Hill Lane
P.O. Box 152079
Irving, Tx. 75015-2079

FAITH OF OUR FATHERS

Faith of our fathers, living still
In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword!
Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy
When e'er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers, holy faith,
We will be true to thee till death!
Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife;
And preach thee, too, as love knows how,
By kindly words and virtuous life;
Faith of our fathers, holy faith,
We will be true to thee till death!

BENEDICTION:

Dear God, 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 than we ever have before. Bless our troop and its leaders as we begin our journey through Boy Scouting.
Amen.