Blessings
© Beki Greenwood 2010Before our meals, we gather, usually outside, for grace. Then, someone will lead us in a personal blessing, someone will read a blessing from a book of them kept in the Dining Hall, or we will recite or sing a group blessing together in unison. Many of these unison graces are traditional camp blessings that have been used at the Assembly for decades, some of them since the very beginning. Others are more recent blessing that have quickly also become well-loved and often repeated.
Here are some of our current favorites:
1. The Blessing Psalm (Psalm 103:1)
Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forgot not all His benefits. Amen.
2. O Give Thanks (Psalm 107:1)
O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever. Amen
3. The Johnny Appleseed Song
Oh, the Lord is good to me
And so I thank the Lord
For giving me the things I need,
The sun and the rain and the apple seed.
The Lord is good to me.
And every seed I sow
Will grow into a tree.
And some day there'll be apples there
For everyone in the world to share.
The Lord is good to me.
4. The Lord's Prayer exerpt
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Give us this day our daily bread.
Amen.
5. This Is The Day (song)
This is the day, this is the day
That the Lord has made, that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice, we will rejoice
And be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this the day
That the Lord has made.
6. Oh That We Would Praise the Lord (Psalm 107:8,9)
Oh that we would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. Amen.
7. For Health and Strength (a round)
For health and strength and daily bread we praise thy name, O Lord. (2x)
For health, and strength, and daily bread.
8. Hallelu (song)
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, halleluja,
Praise ye the Lord!
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, halleluja,
Praise ye the Lord!
Praise ye the Lord, halleluja.
Praise ye the Lord, halleluja.
Praise ye the Lord, halleluja.
Praise ye the Lord!
9. Be Merciful
Be merciful unto us, O Lord, and bless us, and feed us evermore with the bread of life. Amen.
10. The Above/Below Blessing
Good Lord in heaven above,
Blessings on all here below.
Blessings on this meal
And peace in the world.
11. The Addams Family Blessing
Na na na na *snap snap*
Na na na na *snap snap*
Na na na na Na na na na Na na na na *snap snap*
We thank the Lord for giving
This food we are receiving
We ask thee for thy blessing
Upon this food we eat!
Na na na na *snap snap*
Na na na na *snap snap*
Na na na na Na na na na Na na na na *snap snap*
We fill our plates and dishes
With food that is delicious,
And all we really wish is
To thank You very much!
Na na na na *snap snap*
Na na na na *snap snap*
Na na na na Na na na na Na na na na *snap snap*
© FNCA 1930s