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Inter-Faith Girl
Scout Sunday Services
Every effort should be made to hold ecumenical inter-faith service
when celebrating the spiritual foundation of Girl Scouting. The
varied personal beliefs of our members necessitate including
sensitivity towards inclusiveness when planning these types of
activities.
There is no set structure to an inter-faith service and if you have
attended more than one, most likely you have found that they
differed in theme, arrangement and elements. Yet, there are
similarities. Listed below are the "ingredients" that are usually
found in formal ecumenical services arranged by and for Girl Scouts.
1. Procession
This may be arranged many ways. Troops may proceed in first with the
flags. If readings will be taken from the Bible, Torah and/or the
Qur'an, you may want to have two girls with candles follow the
troops, followed by one girl with these texts. The rabbi, minister,
Muslim cleric, and/or priest would be last.
Upon reaching the front of the place of worship, everyone would
remain standing as the texts are placed on the lectern and the
colors are presented.
2. Presentation of Colors
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Invocation by one of the presiding clergy
This prayer should in some way
present the theme of the service.
5 Song - The song should express the theme of the service.
6. Reading by a Girl Scout
This reading, if possible, should pertain to both Girl Scouts and
to the theme of the service, i.e. readings taken from the Girl Scout
Handbook. If more participation is desired, two or more short
readings may be substituted for one. (Should not exceed five
minutes.)
7. Reading by one or more of the presiding clergy
The reading(s) should be in
accordance with the theme.
8. Song - The song should express the theme of the service.
9. Reading by Girl Scout
Again; there may be more than one Girl Scout. These readings need
not pertain to Girl Scouts -but to the theme. You may want to use
writings of famous Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Islamic, etc.
authors.
10. Group Prayer
Group prayer would be one which is either recited by all such as a
psalm, or petitions to which the group responds by a short phrase.
(Total time about three minutes.) If desired, this could be followed
by a few minutes of silent prayer during which time the troop
members could be asked to share their thoughts or prayers.
11. Sermon or Homily
The sermon or homily is given by one or all of the clergy
presiding. (The total time here should not exceed 20 minutes.)
12. Girl Scout Promise and Law
You may wish to have the Girl Scout Promise and Law follow the
presentation of colors.
13. Song
Choose a Girl Scout song or a patriotic song that is a fitting
closing.
14. Retire colors
15. Closing prayer by one of the presiding clergy
16. Recessional - The Recessional may be music or a song which
expresses the theme of the service.
The time allowance for a service which would include all the
elements
mentioned above would range from 1 hour and 15 minutes to one and a
half
hours. You may wish to adjust the program according to your
preferences and
time.
Prayers for Jewish Girl Scouts
Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.
Blessed be his Name, whose glorious kingdom
is forever and ever.
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with
all thy
soul and with all thy might. And these words which I command thee
this day
shall be in thy heart. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy
children, and shalt speak of them when thou sittest in thy house,
and when
thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest
up.
And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand; and they shall be
as
frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the
doorposts
of thy house and upon thy gates.
AMEN
O Lord our God, we ask Thy blessing upon us and upon our sister Girl
Scouts. Give us strength of character and of purpose so that we may
fulfil
our Promise and faithfully obey our Law. Teach us to understand that
by
living up to the ideals of our Movement we are helping to build a
better
tomorrow for ourselves and all people.
AMEN
Almighty God, we pray to Thee for courage to do what we know is
right.
Guide us when we are in doubt. Grant us strength to resist
temptation and
gentle hearts to help those who are weaker than ourselves. Keep us
in health
and strength and let us always be a source of pride and satisfaction
to our
parents and to all whom we love and respect.
AMEN
O God, we thank Thee for the opportunity of gathering together in
friendship. Grant that we may ever be understanding and so
considerate of
our companions that we may be a help and example to them by our work
and our
sympathy. May we always remember that we are doing Thy will.
AMEN
Prayers for Catholic
Girl Scouts
Dear Jesus, without your grace we can do nothing, and with it we can
do
all things. We implore you that we Girl Scouts may ever be strong in
the
Faith and fight the good fight, and win the battle of our salvation.
Make
our hearts like your Sacred Heart, so that in all things we may do
your
will. Help us to think widely, to speak rightly, to act kindly, to
live
purely. Bless us in soul and body, and make us a blessing to our
comrades.
Whether at home or abroad, may we ever seek your glory and the
extension of
your kingdom. May the thought of your presence be always with us to
save us
from sin, to strengthen us in life and comfort us in death. And
through the
prayers and example of your Blessed and Immaculate Mother, who is
the Leader
of all Girl Scouts, may we never cease to seek and to find you, Our
Lord and
Savior, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God,
world without end. AMEN
Dear Jesus, we ask you to bless us and all other Girl Scouts.
Give us grace to serve you and our country and to keep our Girl
Scout
Promise & Law.
Make us humble and friendly, eager for adventure, alert and prepared
for
service.
Give us courage to dare to do right; make us both strong to fight
and
steadfast to endure; and may our lives be filled with joy that
spreads
happiness everywhere.
Grant us these graces through the prayers of your Blessed
Mother.
Our Lady, Leader of the Way, pray for us. AMEN.
Prayers for
Christian Girl Scouts
Lord Jesus, we ask you to look after all the Girl Scouts and leaders
who
live all over the world.
You were good and kind in your home at Nazareth and you were always
ready
to help other people.
Help us to be like you to love everybody, and to be honest,
truthful, and
obedient at all times.
AMEN
O God, our heavenly Father, Help all Girl Scouts to know and look
after
the wonderful world you have made,
the sky and sea, the trees and flowers, the birds and animals.
Help us to love all the people in it, that in love we may help them,
and
to serve you.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
AMEN
Dear Father in heaven,
We know we are your children,
We want to serve you faithfully,
We want to keep our Girl Scout Promise.
Help us to listen to your voice;
Help us to be willing and quick to do your work;
Help us to be friendly and loving;
And help us to thank you every day for all your gifts to us.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
AMEN
Grant O Lord, we pray Thee, that Thy blessing may rest upon us and
all
other Girl Scouts.
Help us, with Thy grace, to serve our country and to keep our Girl
Scout
Promise and Law.
Make us humble and friendly, eager for adventure, alert and prepared
for
service.
Give us the courage to dare to do right. Make us both strong to
fight and steadfast to endure,
And may our lives be filled with joy that spreads happiness
everywhere.
Grant this we pray Thee, for the sake of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our
Lord.
AMEN
Dear God, we feel your nearness
By a brook and midst the trees,
Round a fire when we are camping
You're the guest we sing to please.
For Your praises we serve others,
With Your blessings, live our Law.
The good feeling of fulfillment
Is a Girl Scout's just applause.
Keep Girl Scouts forever near You.
Guide their steps along life's way.
As they strive to keep their Promise
Hold their hands in Yours, we pray.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
AMEN
A Prayer for Girl Scouts
God, help us keep our Promise bright,
Show us how to do things right
Help us all be Girl Scouts true,
That we may have more to offer you.
AMEN
A Creed for Girl Scouts
God, help each Girl Scout to be
Ready to give of themselves wisely.
Honest, friendly, respectful, fair;
Providing service to show we care.
What is right, may we possess,
What is wrong, refuse to do,
What is evil, seek to shun,
This we ask for everyone.
Hindu Prayer for
Peace
O Lord God almighty,
May there be peace in celestial regions.
May there be peace on earth.
May the waters be appeasing.
May herbs be wholesome, and
May trees and plants bring peace to all.
May all beneficent beings bring peace to us.
May your Vedic Law propagate peace all through the world.
May all things be a source of peace to us.
And may your peace itself bestow peace on all, and
May that peace come to me also.
A Reading for Muslim Girl Scouts
From the Qur'an
Abraham said to his father Azar, "Do you take idols for gods? I
surely
see you and your people in evident error."
And likewise he showed Abraham the power and the laws of the heavens
and
the earth that he may be of those who have certitude.
When the night covered him, he saw a star and said, "This is my
Lord."
But when the moon set, he said, "Unless my Lord guides me, I will
surely be
among those who have gone astray."
When he saw the sun rising in splendor, he said, "This is my Lord;
this is
the greatest of all." But when the sun set, he said, "O my people!
I am
indeed free from your guilt of giving partners to Allah."
"For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards the One who
has
created the heavens and the earth, and I will never ascribe partners
to
Allah."
Responsive Reading of the Girl Scout Law
(For Use at Christian Girl Scout Programs)
Ldr: The Girl Scout Law is a guiding light out millions of girls
throughout the world today, but the principles of the Law have been
brought to us from Ancient times.
Ldr: I will do my best to be honest and fair
Proverbs 16:8 and Micah 6:8
All: It is better to be poor and do what is right then to be
wealthy and unfair. The Lord has told you what is good. He has told
you what he wants from you: Do what is right to other people. Love
being kind to others. And live humbly, trusting your God.
Ldr: Friendly and helpful
Proverbs 18:24 and Deuteronomy 15:11
All: Some friend may ruin you. But a real friend will be more
loyal than a brother. There will always be poor people in the land.
So I command you to give freely to your brothers. Give freely to the
poor & needy in your land.
Ldr: Considerate and caring
Proverbs 16:24 and 16:15
All: Pleasant words are like a honeycomb. They make a person
happy and healthy. A king's kindness can give people life. His
kindness is like a spring shower.
Ldr: Courageous and strong
Psalms 3:3 and Romans 15:1
All: But, Lord, you are my shield. You are my wonderful God who
gives me courage. We who are strong in faith should help those who
are weak. We should help them with their weaknesses, and not please
only ourselves.
Ldr: Responsible for what I say and do
Proverbs 10:31,32 and 11:3
All: A good person says wise things. But a liar's tongue will
be stopped. Good people say the right thing. But the wicked tell
lies. Good people will be guided by honesty. But dishonesty will
destroy those who are not trustworthy.
Ldr: Respect myself and others
Psalm 24:4,5
All: Only those with clean hands and pure hearts. They must not
have worshiped idols. They must not have made promises in the name
of a false God. It is they who will receive a blessing from the
Lord. The God who saves them will declare them right.
Ldr: Respect authority
Proverbs 28:7
All: The son who obeys what he has been taught shows he is
smart. But the son who makes friends with those who have no self
control disgraces his father.
Ldr: Use resources wisely
Proverbs 6:6
All: Go watch the ants, you lazy person. Watch what they do and
be wise.
Ldr: Make the world a better place
Psalm 24:1
All: The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord. The
world and all it's people belong to him.
Ldr: Be a sister to every Girl Scout
Romans 12:9
All: Your love must be real. Hate what is evil. Hold onto what
is good.
Revised by Sarah Winzer, Girl Scout Troop 518
Native American
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 I 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---myself.
A Buddhist Prayer
When someone is wronged he must put aside all resentment and say, My
mind shall not be disturbed;
no angry word shall escape my lips; I will remain kind and friendly,
with loving thoughts and no secret spite."
A Japanese Prayer
Oh, make my heart so still, so still,
When I am deep in prayer
That I might hear the
white-mist-wreaths
Losing themselves in air.
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