KEYWORD

VERSE

All through this year you’ve been so very loyal

Giving your best and never taking less

You've been an inspiration and our wishes

Are for a future filled with happiness.

You never can tell when you do an act

Just what the results will be.

But with every deed, you were sowing a seed,

And now its harvest you can see.

When we measure the work of our ______

All through the years that have passed on their way,

We can see why our _________ has so splendidly grown,

 From its humble birth until today,

Why its principles true we accept as our own

As we recall them in ‘Memory’ now.

Birthdays are filled with yesterday’s memories, today’s joys, and tomorrow’s dreams.

God bless you with sunshine

And cheer that will stay

With bluebirds at your window

To sing to you each day.

There is a destiny that makes us brothers,

None goes his way alone,

All that we send into the lives of others

Comes back into our own.

You’ve urged me on to greater goals,

With courage, faith and pride.

In time of stress or happiness

You’re always at my side.

Friendship opens many doors that lead to visions wide,

And there we find such loveliness, when once we step inside.

Companionship and happiness, and all life’s finest things,

Faith and trust and hope renewed, the joy that sharing brings.

Your words of encouragement have helped me too

To make each task seem light and easy to do,

Life always seems glad and skies always seem blue,

With a real, fine friend like you.

God put us all upon this earth

That we might serve His ends

And then to give the world some worth

He made some of us friends.

The chain of fraternal friendship

Has links of purest gold,

Links that we hold and cherish -

Our Friends – both new and old.

You’ve been thoughtful, you’ve been kind,

You’re the type that’s hard to find,

You’re so nice and understanding too.

I feel lucky having friends like you.

With all my heart I am hoping

That whatever life may send

Throughout the years that lie ahead

I’ll always have you for my friend.

Friendship is just a little word

It’s something warm and glowing

And I hope that through the years

Ours will keep on growing.

What made us friends when we first met? I think I know.

The best in me and the best in you hailed each other because they knew that always, since life began, our being friends was a part of God’s plan.

Here’s to the hand of friendship,

Sincere, twice tried and true,

That smiles in the hour of triumph,

And laughs at its joys with you.

When good friends walk beside us,

On the trails that we must keep,

Our burdens seem less heavy

And the hills are not so steep.

The weary miles pass swiftly

Taken in a joyous stride,

And all the world seems brighter

When friends walk by our side.

Friendships grow more precious,

More warm, sincere and true;

And I will always cherish

This friendship shared with you.

A friend is like an old song grown sweeter thru the years;

A friend is one who shares our joys and wipes away our tears,

A friend will look for good in everything we do;

A friend will know our faults, but find our virtues too;

A friend will share a crust of bread or help to lift a heavy load;

Happy am I to have found such a friend along life’s road.

There are no friends like old friends,

We greet them when we meet them;

No other friends are dearer

Though born of kindred mold;

And while we prize the new ones

We treasure more the old.

With all my heart I’m hoping

That whatever God may send,

Throughout the years that lie ahead

I’ll always have you for my friend.

A friend is a light

On life’s pathway.

A friend is a guiding Star,

A friend is a gift to treasure.

Bless you for the kind friends that you are.

Your friendship is the sweetest gift

That life could ere impart

A gift that time increases

And that miles can never part.

A gift that just grows clearer

More warm and sweet and true,

And I’ll cherish this sweetest gift

Sharing this year with each of you.

I’m wishing for you a golden path

That is long, sunny and wide,

And at each bend, may you meet a friend,

And countless blessings along each side.

Your friendship, kindness and thoughtful deeds

Will be treasured deep and true;

Our memories will hold most pleasant thoughts

Of these days we worked with you.

All along life’s bumpy paths there are so many tears and laughs

That in the corner God tucks friends; so when we go around the bends

We get a lift, perhaps a smile; they’re little things, but help a pile.

Friendship is a chain of gold

Made in God’s own perfect mold.

Each link a smile, a laugh, a tear

A clasp of the hand, a word of cheer

No matter how far or heavy the load

Sweet is the journey on friendships road.

There’s a deep sort of joy that we all understand

In the ring of a voice and the clasp of a hand

In the warmth of a smile that is friendly and true

And this, ___________, we received from you.

Your friendship, kindness and thoughtful deeds

Will be treasured deep and true;

Our memories will hold most pleasant thoughts

Of these days we worked with you.

Let us build and plan for the future

Without hope of personal gain;

That our Star’s rays may grow brighter,

And our Order will achieve and attain.

I want you to know as the years go by

That the ties of the past hold true,

And deep in my heart there’s a place set apart,

That I’ll always keep for you.

May God bless both of you

No better wish I know,

In every way. On every day

And wherever you may go.

There’s a deep sort of joy

That we all understand

In the ring of a voice

And the clasp of a hand.

In the warmth of a smile

That is friendly and true-

And this, ___________,

We received from you.

We would like to make you happy,

We would like to bring you cheer

And to keep you smiling merrily

All the time that you are here.

May the days that lie before you,

Many gifts of gladness hold,

And the skies that bend above you

Never lose the tint of gold.

And while your Star is shining

We hope that heaven will bless

Your path, where’er it takes you,

With joy and happiness.

I want to feel at the set of sun

That some little deed of good I’ve done,

As I pillow my head at rest

I want to feel I have done my best.

Joys are brighter when they’re shared,

Cares are lighter, too.

Paths are smoother, laughter warmer

Skies a deeper blue.

For just by sharing life’s good things

We learn their true extent.

So may you know how much to us

Your being here has meant.

May sweet contentment be yours today,

Peace and joy possess you,

And nothing that the Poets write

Is sweeter than – God Bless You.

We cannot change yesterday, that is clear,

Nor begin tomorrow until it is here.

So all that is left for you and me

Is to make today as happy as can be.

I like your cheery and pleasant way,

I like your friendly smile,

I like the kindly things you do,

To make this life worthwhile.

May the good God who looks down on all his people,

To weigh them in body and mind

Be careful to lose not your pattern,

But make many more of your kind.

It’s the little things you do and say

That make one never doubt you,

A certain something you display,

A magic way about you;

A way that seems to win a soul

However big or small,

A way that helps to gain a goal,

Just your sweet way – that’s all.

May His Star in the East illumine the way,

All a long your path with pure shining ray,

May every step in your life’s journey bright

Help you to stand for truth and right.

May Bethlehem’s bright Eastern Star,

Be a beacon at this time

To lead you where the blessings are

Of peace and joy sublime.

My love to all of you,

You’ve certainly been kind

A nicer bunch of folks

Would sure be hard to find.

May love and peace and joy

And all that makes life dear

Abide with you each day

And bless you year by year

It’s folks like you, who keep the old world smiling,

It’s folks like you, who drive the cares away

It’s folks like you when troubled clouds are piling

It’s folks like you, who always have some cheering word to say

Oh, what would folks like me, I wonder do

Without the love and help of folks like you.

If life would come to me one day

With outstretched hands and say

Which of these gifts do you desire?

I’d smile at life, and make my choice

Scorn lavished gifts she’d send, and say,

Of course, I want a gift,

I’ll take and keep you as my friend.

May God bless both of you

No better wish I know,

In every way, on every day

And wherever you may go.

May the links Grand representatives add to friendship’s chain

Grow brighter each year and forever remain

You are the ones that bind fraternal love near and far,

With our Sister Jurisdictions, through the realms of Eastern Star.

We’d like to bring you greetings

And we’d like to bring you cheer

And May God the Father bless you

As you stand before us here.

We’d like to bring you greetings

And we’d like to bring you cheer

And May God the Father bless you

As you stand before us here.

Just a little greeting, that's trying to express,

A great big thanks and a wish for happiness.

It’s the love we give to others;

The good that we may do.

The helping hand we offer,

That will give happiness anew.

The road to daily happiness

Is not so hard to find-

It’s what we do for others

That brings true peace of mind.

It’s so nice to say “Hello”

To those visiting us from afar

The faith and the love that we must have

For our Wonderful Eastern Star.

Here’s to the very best people

In the very best chapter I know,

Where we meet and greet,

And life’s more sweet

For each friendly ‘Hello”.

Hello, only lasts for a minute,

It’s a short, queer little word.

But say, there’s a lot of cheer in it;

It’s like the chirp of a bird

In spring, when the hilltops are greening,

Right after the cold and the snow.

I think when it comes to real meaning

There isn’t a word like “Hello”.

And along with my gratitude

Is this sincere prayer-

That you’ll never be sorry

My name’s written there.

Mary had a little lamb

It would have grown into a sheep,

But it joined the Eastern Star

And died from the lack of sleep.

Of all the husbands in the world

The sweetest one is you.

Now don’t just get in a lather

‘Cause you know full well it’s true.

Begin the day with God,

Kneel down to Him in Prayer

Lift up thine heart to His abode

And seek His Love to share

When glad thoughts sing through happy words

‘Tis like the notes of woodland birds,

That call the world to come and share

The joy that’s waiting everywhere.

I know that you’ve been lonesome

For I’ve been lonesome, too.

But in a few short hours

I’ll be home again with you.

I love you just as you are

You’re everything that is nice,

You never could improve yourself

But to be twice as nice.

To our Brother Masons our tribute we pay,

We owe them more than words can say

They gave us the privilege of following the Star

We honor them for what they are.

Hand in hand these Orders should go

Along life’s toilsome road,

Both lending aid to weary ones

Who falter ’neath their load;

Both giving help to pilgrims weak

When traveling from afar;

The one by compasses led straight,

The other following the Star.

May the giver of all wisdom

Guide each of you through next year,

Give you strength for all your duties;

Keep your vision bright and clear.

May the love of friends surround you,

Bringing joy and comfort too,

Though the load be sometimes heavy,

May all your dreams come true.

As you climb the hill of your year

May you travel on high and never shift gear

With plenty of spark and never a knock,

And a joy filling station in every block.

Just a little prayer today

For bringing us together;

It’s friends like you who bring the rainbows

No matter what the weather!

All through this year you’ve been so very loyal

Giving your best and never taking less

You’ve been an inspiration and our wishes

Are for a future filled with happiness.

I can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.

There is a road called remembrance

Where thoughts and wishes meet,

We take that road in thought today

To the one we cannot greet.

Somehow it cheers a fellow up

To receive such a hearty greeting,

It makes us feel we’re glad we’ve come

To attend this splendid meeting.

May the service you have given,

And the hours that you have spent

Be forever a memory of a very happy event.

When sorrow comes, as sorrow must,

All that can help us is Time and Trust.

Time-The Great Healer of grief and sorrow,

Trust in the thought of a brighter tomorrow.

We do not walk alone in sorrow

For God is by our side.

So we may gather courage

From the strength He will provide.

He has passed to that realm above,

Out of a world of strife.

To receive through our Father's infinite love,

The reward of a well-spent life.

There is no time we could set

For parting; we who remain

Are never ready for such pain.

Ever our prayer would be – “Not yet”.

We thank you for what you’ve done,

We thank you for what you are

We thank you for the service you give

To our wonderful Eastern Star.

Your friendship, kindness and thoughtful deeds

Will be treasured deep and true;

Our memories will hold most pleasant thoughts

Of these days we worked with you.

Just a little greeting, that’s trying to express

A great big thanks and a wish for happiness.

The inner side of every cloud

Is always bright and shining

And so I turn my clouds about

And always wear them inside out,

To show the silver lining.

You have granted me every wish,

With sweet accord and pleasure

My heart is filled with thankfulness

And gratitude that knows no measure.

The simple words “I thank you

”Would never, never do

To tell you of the gratitude

I feel toward all of you.

That Friendship is a treasure

Is as plain as it can be,

And the way that you have shown it Means the world and all to me.

And may success and joy attend you

As you travel far and near

And faith and love direct you

All through the coming year.

Be at home, be happy while you are here.

And do try to come back again next year.

It’s so nice to say “Hello”

To those visiting us from afar

The faith and love that you must have

For our wonderful Eastern Star.

We are glad that you are here

May happiness fill your way

We hope you feel so very welcome

And have a pleasant stay.

We know some are from miles away,

Here, just to attend our meeting,

We hope you’ll take to your

Chapters back home____________ friendliest greeting.

Just a little prayer today

For bringing us together;

It’s friends like you who bring the rainbows

No matter what the weather!

We’re glad you have come to ____________

Our hearts with welcome glow;

We can tell it when we see you

That you’re mighty nice to know.

As we share this work of service

May our friendship grow more dear,

Then you’ll come back to __________

Not one-but every year.

Just call up all the welcomes

That memory’s thought commands;

And you will have the welcomes

That we to you extend.

May your feet tread the paths of long delight

May your eyes see beauty, your soul see light;

May your lips know a smile, your heart a song,

May our love go with you, your whole lifelong.

The chain of fraternal friendship

Has links of purest gold,

Links that we hold and cherish-

Our friends – both new and old.

We Just shake hands in meeting

With many that come nigh.

We nod the head in greeting

To many that go by.

But we welcome through the door-way

Sisters and Brothers like you so true.

Our hearts rejoice, and straight-way

There’s open house for you, my friends,

Wide open house for you.

_________ greets you in harmony and love,

And our doors are open wide;

We bid you a very warm welcome

While within these four walls you abide.

I wish for you health and happiness

And success in all you do

Love, true friends, laughter

And God’s blessing upon you.

One wish is in our hearts today,

And now to you is sped away

May happiness crown all you do,

And life be full of joy for you.

May God bless both of you

No better wish I know,

In every way, on every day

And wherever you may go.

I’m wishing for you a golden path

That is long, sunny and wide,

And a t each bend, may you meet a friend,

And countless blessings along each side.

A wish made on a penny

Is a wish said to come true,

So here’s my penny and a wish

Made especially for you.

May peace and love surround you

No strife nor discord mar,

May you live in the light and splendor,

Of our beautiful Eastern Star.

May the love you have given to others,

Follow you where-e’er you go.

May the lives you have cheered and cherished,

Warm your heart with a hallowed glow.

May you always have peace and gladness,

For the good that you have done,

For your Eastern Star devotion,

And the lasting love you’ve won.

We wish you health

We wish you well,

We wish you gold in store,

We wish you heaven.

After that, what can we wish you more.

All through the year you’ve been so very loyal.

Giving your best, and never taking less;

You’ve been an inspiration, and our wishes,

Are for a future filled with happiness.

Here’s a wish that every morning

May greet you with a song,

That rosy hours of gladness

May keep you all day long,

That the eventide may bring you

A mind that’s free from care,

With Eastern Star friends about you

And God’s blessing everywhere.