China scouts provide morning worship on Boy Scout Sunday

Front row, from left to right, Isaac Audette, Sam Quick, and Brady Newell. Second row, Chuck Mahaleris, Nathan Choate, Kameron Rossignol, Nicholas Choate, Sam Boynton, and Scoutmaster Christian Hunter. Back row, Sean Boynton, Bruce Rueger, Matt Bodine, Michael Choate, Derek Rossignol, and Ronald Emery. Absent from photo are Scott Adams, and Priscilla Adams. (photo courtesy of Ron Emery)

by Ron Emery

On February 5 – Boy Scout Sunday – the Boy Scouts from Troop #479, along with some of their leaders, provided the Morning Worship Service at the China Baptist Church. The scouts, under the leadership of Scoutmaster Christian Hunter, have taken part in Scout Sunday Worship service for 30 years (Missing 2019-2021 because of COVID restrictions). Very few Boy Scout troops in the Kennebec Valley District are provided this opportunity. The scouts from Troop #479 were invited to prepare some of the worship service by Rev. Ronald Morrell. Under Rev. Morrell’s direction and with assistance from the Committee Member Ronald Emery, the worship service gave each of the scouts a chance to participate in the Sunday Morning Worship, as follows:

Call to Worship, by Scout Nathan Choate;
Invocation and Lord’s Prayer by Scout Sam Quick;
Responsive Reading, The Scout Law by Scout Kameron Rossignol;
A Scout Remembrance and Tribute In memory of Scout Rémy Pettengill, by Chuck Mahaleris Kennebec Valley District Chairman;
Preparation for Prayer by Scout Nicholas Choate;
Pastoral Prayer by Scout Sam Boynton;
Children’s Message, The Five Finger Prayer by Scout Leader Derek Rossignol;
Scripture Reading, The Scout Beatitudes by Scout Isaac Audette;
Offering: Nicholas Choate, Nathan Choate, Sam Boynton, Kameron Rossignol;
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication, by Scout Isaac Audette;
Message ‘IF GOD COULD SPEAK’, by Scout Leaders Mike Choate and Ronald Emery;
Benediction by Scout Brady Newell;
Invitation and Prayer for Refreshments by Scout Leader Ronald Emery

The twelfth point of the Scout law, a Scout is Reverent, was exemplified by the scouts. A large congregation including boys and leaders in uniforms enjoyed the Sunday service. Fellowship hour was hosted by Troop #479 in the vestry.