Loving Presence - A Blessing for my Great Aunt Louise's 100th Birthday

          When I was studying to be a Deacon, we were taught that one of the most important ministries we would ever perform is the “ministry of presence” – simply being there for people.  Well, as I was preparing this blessing, I realized that what I appreciate the most about you, Aunt Louise, is your powerful ministry of presence in our lives.

 

Let’s just think about it for a minute, for many of us here, Aunt Louise has been present for our entire life, and for some of you, that’s a really long time!  But Aunt Louise, you haven’t simply been present in our lives; you've been lovingly present in our lives.  You’ve been lovingly present in our triumphs and in our failures; you've been lovingly present in our sickness and our good health; and you've been lovingly present in our mourning and in our rejoicing.  What a tremendous gift your loving presence is to us.

So I offer you God’s blessing in honor of your 100^th Birthday, and I thank him always for your loving presence in my life.

Let us pray:

God of all creation,

we offer you grateful praise for your many gifts.

We thank you especially today for Louise, your servant,

as we celebrate her 100^th birthday and rejoice in your gifts of life and love, family and friends.

Bless her with your presence, as she has been lovingly present to us throughout our lives; and surround her with your love that she may enjoy many more happy years, all of them pleasing to you.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen

May the Lord bless you and keep you;

May the Lord let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

May the Lord look upon you with kindness and give you peace.

And may almighty God bless you all,

            The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen