Blessing of the Toys and Tools of summer based on Psalm 66

In Alaska, the summers are short and intense.  On the last Sunday of May I have a blessing of the toys of summer.  I place a blue adhesive "Prayer Dot" on the items to remind them of God's presence and blessing with them as they enjoy these gifts.  I also encourage them to offer a prayer for the congregation whenever they see the blue dot as a reminder that we are all part of the family of God in this place and also a reminder to return from time to time over the summer and in the fall.  I also remind them of our on-line giving, our 10W worship which they get through email on their smartphones, and our web radio where they can tune in to worship on computer or smartphone.   

Blessing of the Toys and Tools and final Benediction

Closing Litany based on Psalm 66: 8-20

Worship Leader: Come all you people, let us praise the Lord our God.  Let the sound of our Praise be heard over all the land and in every heart.

Congregation: For the Lord has preserved our lives and keep us from slipping off the path of grace.  The Lord has made us pure as fine silver by testing us with this world of self-help and busy business.

Worship Leader: You gave us toys, entertainment and other shinny things to try that can at times draw us away from your grace.

Congregation: You let others catch our eye and our heart and lay the burden of abundance on our backs, tempting us to leave you behind as we sought only the god of self. 

Worship Leader: I will not succumb to these temptations but rather spend time in your presence O Lord and fulfill the vows I spoke in times of trouble. 

Congregation: I will give back from the abundance you have given me, offering up to you my heart, my treasures, and my time.

Worship Leader: Come gather and hear all you who walk as the children of God, hear what the Lord has done for us.  We raised our voices in Praise before our God, and the Lord God heard our praise and blessed us.  If we had cherished only sin and selfish desires, our noise would have drowned out the word of God’s grace and we would still be longing, seeking for something more in life, trying to fill the void with only our toys and tools. 

Congregation: We acknowledge your grace in the gifts you have given us and we will praise you O Lord our God with our voice, our time, and our deeds, for the Lord has heard our prayers and has responded with love and grace. 

Worship Leader: Bless these gifts O Lord that you have given us for the enjoyment of your creation. 

Congregation: We will care for and nourish the gift of this world, and remember You each day O Lord our God as the creator of the universe. 

Worship Leader: You have been given the gift of enjoyment of this beautiful summer.

Congregation: We will bless each day with prayer and see in every stroke of the gulf club, fish on the line, every mile driven and in the beauty of every sunset, a gift given to us by God.

Worship Leader: Remember therefore, all we have, all we love, every moment of beauty, time with loved ones, relaxation and enjoyment in life is a gift of God.

Congregation: As we go into the world this summer we will love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind.  We will love our neighbor as ourselves, and we will remember every smile in our heart as a gift from God, remembering God’s grace and remembering our Christian family in all that we do.  Amen!!

Worship Leader: Let the Summer Begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!