= FINAL BLESSING 1

Loving God,
	my time of service is now ended,
	but before I return to my daily life,
	I ask Your Blessing.

Bless me, God, with a desire to serve others
	not only in an official capacity
	but whenever and wherever I meet those in need.

Remind me as I return home
	that I serve You best
	by seeking holiness in my personal life,
	holiness in my home and lifework.

Show to me that in Your Eyes
	all service is an act of love,
	a sign of devotion and dedication.

Reveal to me how all service is an act of faith,
	a testimonial to the truth that You, my God,
	are present in all whom I serve.

Finally, allow me to see
	that each act of service is an act of hope,
	that in humble but loving deeds of assistance,
	Your Realm will come into our world.

Be patient, my God, as I struggle to learn
	these ancient but ever-youthful truths

I ask this in your name.

Amen
					From:  Prayers for the Servants of God

= FINAL BLESSING 2

Leader	Go in peace and proclaim to the world the wonderful 		works of God.

All	:	We go forth in faith and hope to love and serve, secure in 		the knowledge that God is with us always.

= FINAL BLESSING 3

Sisters and brothers, Rise for the benediction
Grasp the hands of the persons on either side of you

Go forth in the name of the living, caring God
who by nature is female and male

Go forth to hear the wisdom in the stories
of our foremothers and forefathers

Go forth to confront all that enslaves
the spirits of children, women, and men

and,
Go forth rejoicing that we have each other
for the renewal of our spirits.

AMEN
					Phyllis Tyler Wayman

= FINAL BLESSING 4

May the blessing of the Holy One who gives us life,
the blessing of the Human One who redeems our life,
the blessing of the Spirit who enriches our life, 
be with us all.   Amen.

= FINAL BLESSING 5

May we grow in the power of the Spirit, to be caring members of our communities.  May our hearts be filled with the spirit of Jesus, to guide and build a just and loving world.  Amen.

= FINAL BLESSING 6

Our God,
we come to you at the ending of this gathering with thankful hearts, to commit ourselves and those we love to your care and protection.

Lift from our minds every burden, every anxiety, every fear.  Give us strength to go out into the world to keep building your reign on earth.  Amen.
= FINAL BLESSING 7

(Leader):  Let us affirm the goodness in each other, the integrity and beauty of our bodies, the insights of our minds.

	(All): We stand together.  (Repeat after each verse.)

(Leader)  Let us acknowledge the pain in each other, the strain of struggle, the sorrow of defeat and death					(All:   We stand together)

(Leader)  Let us uphold the daring in each other:  the boldness of spirit, the resoluteness of action.				(All:  We stand together)

(Leader)  Let us esteem laughter and joy in each other:  the irony of circumstances, the delight of relationships.				(All:  We stand together)

(Leader)  Let us go forth empowered from this space and time knowing that as we bless each other so we are blessed in God and with God and by God.  (All:  We stand together)

= FINAL BLESSING 8

Oh mysterious and loving God,
guide our community as we try to follow Jesus and his teachings.  Fill us with love for those in need of our help, and open our hearts to all.  Teach us to live lightly and with justice on the earth.  May we become all that we are able.  Amen.

= FINAL BLESSING 9

O God on whose grace even the smallest amount of faith totally depends, help us to believe in the Resurrection of Jesus as a sign of your love and a promise of the triumph of our own lives over death.  Strengthen, deepen, and enrich our faith so that the joy and confidence of our lives may help bring the Good News of your love to the ends of the earth.  Amen.

= FINAL BLESSING 10:  A Prayer to Seek the Pearl of Great Price 									(Andrew Greeley)

God of Wisdom, you who presided over the wonders of the universe in their construction and ordering, help me to find the most wonderful surprise of all, the pearl of truth and love which you have revealed through your Son Jesus and grant that I might dedicate myself to the life-long search for this precious jewel.  I ask this in the name of the same Jesus.  Amen.