Pastor’s Note:
It is the end of summer and the beginning of fall activities. It is my prayer that the entire congregation will recognize the importance of nurturing faith---your own faith and the faith of those around you. Faith Formation is life-long!
As a parent, grandparent, guardian, or neighbor, please make the commitment to bring your children/grandchildren and neighbors to worship. (They just need to be invited!!!) In addition, the GIFT program will begin on the third Wednesday in September this is an excellent place for kids/youth to gather for learning, food and fun. The activities will be centered around faith formation resources/materials and how this faith is lived out in daily life! Confirmation, First Communion and High School youth group are beginning and provide some excellent faith formation opportunities.
Below see also an adult education opportunity as well as some prayers I share for the beginning of a new school year (and throughout).
ADULT EDUCATION
I have had a few inquiries regarding the possibility of having some time for adults to gather for bible study and conversation. I believe that faith formation is an on-going practice of Christian people. Faith Formation is life-long and I would be happy to facilitate/lead/encourage adults/young adults who might be interested in some time in fellowship and learning. I would like to invite adults to an organizational conversation on Sunday, September 17th at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship area around a cup of coffee. At that meeting we can look at time, frequency or meeting and topic. Just come as you are!
A prayer for children going to school.
Dear Jesus, thank you for promising to be with me always. As I go to school today, bless my going and coming. Be with me as I learn and while I am in recess and lunch. Protect me from fear and keep me safe. Be with me and my friends, and new friends I haven’t met yet! Today and everyday give me joy. Thank you for loving me just as I am, head to toe. In your name I pray. Amen.
A prayer for high school and college students.
O Lord, thank you for your promise and reassurance that you will be with me always. Today, be with me as I begin my schoolwork. Keep me in good health and protect me from harm. In all that I do and say, may I love you with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength, and may I love my neighbor as myself, so that I might fulfill my baptismal promise and your calling on my life as a student. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
A prayer for parents.
O Lord, thank you for your promise you to protect and to guide us through the wilderness of parenting. Protect me/us through the storm, we/I ask that you would make me/us wise when we/I cannot clearly see the way forward, make us/me brave when we/I feel afraid, keep me/us strong in the face of our/my weakness, so that I/we might joyfully entrust ourselves and our children into your tender care in these trying and troubling times. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
A prayer for teachers.
O Lord, you who are the Good Teacher, I ask that you would help me to love my students well this day and to be patient with things that don’t go according to plan. May I help my students to feel the wonder of the subject matter, to be gracious with themselves in the light of mistakes that they may make, to delight in things newly discovered, and to love the truth with all their hearts and minds, so that they might be wise and compassionate citizens of this world that you so love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
BLESSING OF BACKPACKS! Children, youth, adults. Sunday, September 17th Pastor Carol will have a special “Blessing of the Backpacks” for anyone going to school or work (adults/teachers/other) who carry a backpack or briefcase/tablet/computer for work). Bring your “pack” and there will be a blessing/prayer and special gift for you!!! BRING A FRIEND with their backpack/briefcase!
