Memorial Day Scout's Own service
I'm planning the Scout's Own service for this Sunday morning at the Cub Scout campout. Our pack is very multicultural, and I'm trying to find something appropriate for Memorial Day and remembering our fallen soldiers that isn't too religious. It's Cub Scouts, so it's technically ok to mention God, but most of the examples I've found are much more religious than that.
Does anyone have any example readings, songs, or messages that they think would work well for this? Generally we gather with a song, have a responsive reading, have one or two people read lessons, sayings or poems, have a message which is like a sermon in church, and then close with a song.
--Beth
Here's an example responsive reading I've found:
Leader: The Scout Law is a guiding light to millions of boys and men throughout the world today, but the principles of the law have been brought to us from ancient days. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbors. (Exodus 20:13)
Group Response: A Scout is Trustworthy.
Leaser: He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least, is also unjust in much. (Luke 16:10)
Group Response: A Scout is Loyal.
etc. for the values of scouting. It's a nice idea, but every quote is from the Bible. If I use common quotes from the Bible do I have to cite the sources? I guess I don't "have" to do anything, but I don't like plagiarism.
--Beth
Resources I've found:
Cut text from speech from President Obama:
During World War II, millions of Americans contributed to the war effort -- soldiers like my own grandfather; women like my grandmother, who worked the assembly lines. During the Vietnam War, just about everybody knew somebody -- a brother, a son, a friend -- who served in harm’s way.
Today, it’s different. Perhaps it’s a tribute to our remarkable all-volunteer force, made up of men and women who step forward to serve and do so with extraordinary skill and valor. Perhaps it’s a testament to our advanced technologies, which allow smaller numbers of troops to wield greater and greater power. But regardless of the reason, this truth cannot be ignored that today most Americans are not directly touched by war.
As a consequence, not all Americans may always see or fully grasp the depth of sacrifice, the profound costs that are made in our name -- right now, as we speak, every day. ...
Let it be our task, every single one of us, to honor the strength and the resolve and the love these brave Americans felt for each other and for our country. Let us never forget to always remember and to be worthy of the sacrifice they make in our name.
May God bless the fallen and all those who serve. And may God continue to bless the United States of America.
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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!
==================
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.
==================
Does anyone have any example readings, songs, or messages that they think would work well for this? Generally we gather with a song, have a responsive reading, have one or two people read lessons, sayings or poems, have a message which is like a sermon in church, and then close with a song.
--Beth
Here's an example responsive reading I've found:
Leader: The Scout Law is a guiding light to millions of boys and men throughout the world today, but the principles of the law have been brought to us from ancient days. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbors. (Exodus 20:13)
Group Response: A Scout is Trustworthy.
Leaser: He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least, is also unjust in much. (Luke 16:10)
Group Response: A Scout is Loyal.
etc. for the values of scouting. It's a nice idea, but every quote is from the Bible. If I use common quotes from the Bible do I have to cite the sources? I guess I don't "have" to do anything, but I don't like plagiarism.
--Beth
Resources I've found:
Cut text from speech from President Obama:
During World War II, millions of Americans contributed to the war effort -- soldiers like my own grandfather; women like my grandmother, who worked the assembly lines. During the Vietnam War, just about everybody knew somebody -- a brother, a son, a friend -- who served in harm’s way.
Today, it’s different. Perhaps it’s a tribute to our remarkable all-volunteer force, made up of men and women who step forward to serve and do so with extraordinary skill and valor. Perhaps it’s a testament to our advanced technologies, which allow smaller numbers of troops to wield greater and greater power. But regardless of the reason, this truth cannot be ignored that today most Americans are not directly touched by war.
As a consequence, not all Americans may always see or fully grasp the depth of sacrifice, the profound costs that are made in our name -- right now, as we speak, every day. ...
Let it be our task, every single one of us, to honor the strength and the resolve and the love these brave Americans felt for each other and for our country. Let us never forget to always remember and to be worthy of the sacrifice they make in our name.
May God bless the fallen and all those who serve. And may God continue to bless the United States of 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!
==================
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.
==================