Birthday prayer service 1

Birthday Prayer Service

The Lord has been infinitely good to us and brought us to the dawn of this day. Let us offer our praises to him as we listen to the invitatory psalm.

Hymn from The Cassette

Introduction

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget none of His benefits.”

“Because Thy loving kindness is better than life, my lips will praise Thee”

“I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Thy name forever.”

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord, Praise the Lord!”

This medley of Psalms stirs the reverent mind. Their words prompt us first to identify God’s many blessings, and then to treasure them. Surely God is worthy of intelligent praise. When we bless God, we are doing more than praising Him. To “Bless” is to praise with affection and gratitude.

It is always appropriate to give thanks to God, but especially so on the occasion of a birthday. The birthday celebration provides an opportunity for acknowledging and giving thanks to God as the author and giver of life.

Each year as we celebrate another birthday we recall the gift of life which we have received from God. This day we give thanks for our parents and all those who have loved, nourished, and taught us of God’s Love.

Each child that is born is a gift from God who created every person in His own image and likeness breathing His own life into us. Thus, we share God’s own life. Everyone is born for a purpose. God has a plan for each one of us and every one of us to play a definite role in His plan of love. This morning is a joyful one because it has a message to give and recall the mystery of life that came into this world. We thank our gracious Father in a very special way for Sr…. who celebrates her birthday today.

Hymn: C 77

Now let us meditate on the parable of a pencil, which invites us to make a pact of confidence and a bond of intimacy with the creator.

The Pencil Parable

Things to Always Remember and One Thing to Never Forget

Dear Sr…. your presence is a present to the world.

You’re unique and one of a kind.

Your life can be what you want it to be.

Take the days just one at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles.

You’ll make it through whatever comes along.

Within you are so many answers.

Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don’t put limits on yourself.

So many dreams are waiting to be realized.

Decisions are too important to leave to chance.

Reach for your peak, your goal, and your prize.

Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way.

Remember that a lot… goes forever.

Remember that friendship is a wise investment.

Life’s treasures are people… together

Realize that it’s never too late.

Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.

Have health and hope and happiness.

Take the time to wish upon a star.

And don’t ever forget…

For even a day…

How very special you are…  

Hymn:​C56

Reading

Let us listen to the quotations from the Bible through which the Lord wants to tell Sr….that He loves her and cares for her.

Isaiah 43:4 You are precious in my sight, and have honoured you and loved you.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not; for I am with you: do not be dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; Yes, I will help you. Yes. I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  

Romans 12:12 Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble and prayerful always.

Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Isaiah 49:1 – 5 See I will not forget you I have carved you on the palm of my hand.

Hymn D 113

Dear Sr…. each day, life offers you a blank page in the book of your existence. Your past is already written and you can’t change that, in its page you can find your history, some pages have soft colours, others darker shades. Beautiful remembrance of happy times.

Today you have the opportunity to write another page. It’s up to you to choose the colours it will have, for even in adversity, you can ass soft pastels of serenity to turn it into a beautiful experience.

It all depends on you will and optimism to transform today’s page in the book of your life into a page that you will treasure as a beautiful remembrance in the future.