Hands of Christ

The Service of the Blessing of the Hands is an adaptation of a service that was originated by the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church in Kingstree, and they have graciously shared it with the other member churches of the Hands of Christ.  It is meant to be a time of coming together of the volunteers, allowing us to center on the One who has called us, the children and families who we will serve, and the sharing of Christ’s love with one and all during the coming hours that we will be together.

 

It is meant to be a service of reverence allowing us to focus on the tasks before us.

Welcome

 

Scripture Reading

 

Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs."  And he laid his hands on them and went on his way…

                                             Matthew 19:13-15

 

Litany of Blessing

 

Blessed be the hands that touch young lives.

Blessed be the hands that guide the youth.

Blessed be the hands that grow stiff with age.

Blessed be the hands that embrace others with compassion.

Blessed be the hands that greet the stranger.

Blessed be the hands that fill out paperwork and receive information.

Blessed be the hands that help clothe the naked.

Blessed be the hands that fill bags with pencils, paper, and your holy word.

Blessed be the hands that teach and instruct the minds of children.

Blessed be the hands that prepare meals.

Blessed be the hands that wash dishes, clean floors, and arrange flowers.

Blessed be the hands; for we hold the future in these hands.

Blessed be our hands, for they are the work of your hands, O Lord.

God has given us holy hands. May God bless all our hands as we serve others.

 

 

Service of Blessing

Please come forward for the Blessing of Hands. 

 

Please meditate on the poem below while you wait.

 

Christ has no body now but yours.

No hands, no feet on earth but yours.

Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world.

Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.

Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.

Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”

Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

 

Prayer of Dedication

 

Dismissal