I-YOUniverse

A Service of Blessing

For the Reverend Dr. Jean-Emile Ngué

6 May 2008

Each of us is invited to participate in words or in silence.

Opening Prayer

With hope and joy in our hearts we celebrate being friends one with another. With trust in the grace and love of the Almighty we part, not in heart or spirit, but geographically for a time.

Scripture

The Lord loves those who hate evil,
guards the life of the faithful,
rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
Light dawns for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to God’s holy name! Ps 97.10-12

(Book of Common Prayer, Psalm prescribed for today)

Petitions

Response: You, Lord, are the beginning and the end.

Be with Jean-Emile as he returns to his ministry in Cameroon, we pray. Response

In the challenges that may arise, calm any fears and anxieties that he may have, we pray. Response

May the grace and sharing of all the Companions in Hope surround and protect Jean-Emile, we pray. Response

Common Prayer

In silence or words of your choice

Sharing of Blessing in the Bread and Cup

Bread

We do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Deut 8.3

God commanded the skies above,
     and opened the doors of heaven;
you rained down on them manna to eat,
     and gave them the grain of heaven.
Mortals ate of the bread of angels;
     you sent us food in abundance.   Psalms 78:23-25

Cup
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
     our God is merciful.
The LORD protects the simple;
     when I was brought low, you saved me.
Return, O my soul, to your rest,
     for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
For you have delivered my soul from death,
     my eyes from tears,
     my feet from stumbling.
I walk before the LORD
     in the land of the living.

What shall I return to you, LORD,
     for all your bounty to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
     and call on the name of the LORD. Psalms 116:5-9,12-13

The Lord’s Prayer

Laying on of Hands

All
The Lord bless you and keep you!
The face of the Lord shine upon you, the Lord be gracious unto you!
The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace! Num 6.24-26

AMEN – Sung (from The Lilies of the Field)

Adapted from a book of family worship celebrations called The Blessing Cup. All scripture from NRSV; masculine pronouns referring to God omitted or changed to 2nd person. Not all persons present wished to partake of Christian communion; therefore Hebrew Bible selections were chosen.