A Coming Out Ceremony

Psalm 100

Raise a shout for Adonai, all the earth
Worship Adonai in gladness
Come into God’s presence with shouts of joy.
Acknowledge that Adonai is God;
God made us and we belong to God.
God’s people, the flock God tends.
Enter these gates with praise,
These courts with praise,
Praise God!
Bless God’s name!
For Adonai is good;
God’s steadfast love is eternal;
God’s faithfulness is for all generations.

From Psalm 81:1-3, 7,8

Sing joyously to God, our strength;
Raise a shout for the God of Jacob.
Take up the song,
sound the timbrel,
the melodious lyre and harp.

I relieved his shoulders of the burden,
his hands were freed from the basket.
In distress you called and I rescued you;
I answered you from the secret place of thunder
I tested you at the waters of Meribah.

Recite the following blessing:

Blessed are you, Adonai our God, creator of the Universe who made me according to Your will.

ָּבָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשַׂנִי כִּרְצוֹנוָָּּ

Baruch Atah Adonai, Elohaynu Melech Ha-olam She-asani kirtzono

Read Genesis 1:26-27

“Personal Statement”

Recite Shehechayanu prayer

Praised are you, Adonai our God, Creator of the universe, who has given us life, sustained us and brought us to this joyous time.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶהֶחֶיָינוּ וְקִיְימָנוּ וְהִגִיעָנוּ לַזְמַן הַזֶה

Baruch Atah Adonai, Elohaynu Melech Ha-olam, shehechayanu, v’kimany, v’higianu lazman hazeh.

Anonymous

A resource of the Jeff Herman Virtual Resource Center,
Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation, Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion
www.huc.edu/ijso/jhvrc