Replace “Almighty God” with “Spirit of Community,” “Source of All Good,” or “Our Shared Conscience.” The story’s lantern metaphor remains intact.
“To our country—” All: “AND TO THE PEACE AND PROSPERITY IT DESERVES!”
The story goes that during the first Lions convention in Dallas, 1918, a charter member from Canada stood up. The world was still bleeding from the Great War. Empires had fallen. Trust was fractured. And this Lion said: “Before we toast our own success, we must first toast something larger than ourselves. We must toast the nation that shelters us, the flag that unites us, and the peace we are sworn to defend.” Lions Club Invocation And Loyal Toast
Part Three: The Closing – Why Both Matter (The speaker lowers their glass, smiles, and addresses the room warmly.)
You may wonder: why an invocation and a toast? A prayer and a pledge? Empires had fallen
Fellow Lions, there is a second object on that imaginary table with Melvin Jones’s lantern. Not a lantern—a cup. A simple, unadorned cup.
Almighty and gracious God, or Spirit of Goodwill by whatever name you are known, We thank You for this gathering of hands and hearts. Bless this meal—not for our comfort alone, but as fuel for our labor. Sharpen our eyes to see the needs that hide in plain sight. Strengthen our hands to lift the fallen, to fit the lens, to fill the empty plate. Remind us that we are not a club of speeches, but a club of deeds. Grant us the humility to serve without fanfare, and the courage to lead without fear. And may everything we do tonight—every laugh, every plan, every quiet nod of understanding— Reflect the simple truth that “We Serve.” Amen. (Softly:) The lantern is lit. Now, let us turn to the cup. Part Two: The Loyal Toast – The Unbroken Chain (The speaker gestures to the head table. Wine glasses, water glasses, or empty cups are raised—in Lions tradition, any beverage may be used, but the act of toasting is sacred.) We must toast the nation that shelters us,
And tomorrow, let us go out and be Lions.
