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BACKPACK BLESSINGS
This blessing was shared at Calvary Lutheran Church, Grand Forks,
as a way of celebrating and blessing the beginning of a new school
year.
At the close of the service, apples were given to all the Sunday School
staff in the
narthex and a "chex-mix" snack was given to all the children. It
was a wonderful way to mark the beginning of the school year.
Blessing of the Backpacks
During the summer of 2002, Diane R, our shared ministry coordinator,
brought an article from The Lutheran to our attention. This article dealt
with ritual in everyday life and the front page picture was of a pastor
blessing backpacks. A backpack blessing seemed like a wonderful way to
bless part
of
our everyday lives, to connect Sunday and the rest of the week, and to
lift up gifts and vocation. We decided to have a "blessing of the backpacks" on
the Sunday before school started. This was also to be a blessing of the
many students, teachers, school administrators, and other school workers
in our
congregation.
The backpack blessing was lifted up in the announcements for
several weeks beforehand so that all the kids would be ready with their
backpacks on that Sunday. On the blessing Sunday LOTS of kids showed
up with their
backpacks, full of excitement. During the children's time in worship
the kids were
invited
to come up front with their backpacks. The kids' time message dealt with
vocation (Kids' Time). We then divided the kids into three
groups and each
pastor gathered with one of the little groups and laid hands on each
backpack and its owner, offering a prayer. We then commissioned
school
professionals and all worshipers to support and encourage our children.
It was a Sunday of excitement, joy, and blessings!
BACKPACK
BLESSINGS - [ TOP ]
Sunday, August 25th
August is here! For many families that means school is just around
the corner! Shopping for school supplies, books, and fall clothes
becomes
a part of everyone's
schedule. Here at Calvary, on Sunday, August 25, we want to celebrate and bless
the beginning of another school year.
Students, preschool through adult, bring your backpacks or lunch boxes to worship
services at 9:00 or 10:30. The services will lift up children and students of
all ages, dedicating them to God's glory as we begin a new school year.
Teachers, aides, principals, administrators, secretaries, cooks, librarians,
janitors, and bus drivers…come to church to be blessed, affirmed in your
vocation, and encouraged as you serve children and families in your daily work!
Join us for this Celebration Sunday! Everyone is encouraged to bring school supplies
to church also. School kits will be assembled for Lutheran World Relief and shipped
around the globe to children in October.
Blessing of Backpacks
Kids' Time - [ TOP ]
When does school start? How many of you are excited? Are any of you
a little
scared? Why do you have to go to school?
God gives all of us jobs; things to do that help us to serve God in the world.
This is called our vocation. You have a vocation, and one of your vocations right
now is to go to school. You can serve God by going to school and learning about
God's world, by being with other people, by being loving toward others. And you
learn things you need to know for whatever vocation you might have later in life.
And you learn things you need to know for whatever vocation you might have later
in life. And you're not just learners. You are teachers; kids have lots of stuff
to teach grown-ups about God. You can teach us about faith and love. We need
you in school, and we need you here with us at church. So now we want to say
a special prayer for you, asking God's blessings as you get ready to start your
vocation of being in school. Listen to this story from Matthew's book in the
Bible, "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."
God, bless this bag and the child who will use it. Let him/her not
be scared, be with him/her as he/she learns and grows this year.
Show him/her how to serve
you and help him/her to teach us all about your love. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Have all school workers stand:
Read Romans 12:4-8. The school system that teaches children and helps
them to live out their vocation requires a body of people with different
gifts. We bless
you now as you begin your vocation of helping children. Let us pray, "Lord
God, we ask your blessings on these women and men who serve you in so many different
ways. We pray that you would give them patience, wisdom, and a sense of humor.
Use them to show children your love and to guide children as they grow in the
body of Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen."
Have everyone stand:
We all are called to support, encourage, and pray for the children
who are members of the fellowship we all share with Christ Jesus.
We are all called to be teachers
and learners with children; we are to teach them about God's love, and also to
learn from what children have to teach us. We bless you now as your support these
children. Let us pray. "Lord God, bless all the people you have gathered
here today. Especially bless them as they support, protect, and encourage the
children among us. May they, with the children, be both teachers and learners.
In Christ's name we pray. Amen."
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