moved

for new posts go to http://thevicarofhogsmeade.wordpress.com/

RevGalBlogPals: Friday Five: Extreme Random

Friday Five: Extreme Random 

as posted by  revkjarla

Hi there~~
Happy Friday to all of you.  Today's Friday Five has no theme, other than randomness.
That's o.k., right?
So, just to get to know each other a little bit (even more) here is the meme:

1.  What is the first thing that comes to your mind (right now) that you want to share about yourself.


1st, I'm moving. That is the thing most dominant in my thoughts so that is the first thing that came to mind. I think that is pathetic. But nonetheless that was the first thing that came to mind when I read that question. Ask me again in July.  


2.  What is your favorite piece of jewelry or accessory? Why?


I have a simple, crystal cross that was a gift from The Entertainer. It was the first present she purchased on her own for me and was so well thought out. I love it for its beauty. I also love that it represents her growth and maturity in that part of childhood. A true treasure.

3.  If you could have a starring role in a T.V. show/movie/series, which one would it be, and what would your character be like?


My character doesn't exist. :( She would need to be some kind of combination of C.J. Craig (West Wing), Minerva McGonagall (Harry Potter), Margaret Pynchon (Lou Grant), and M (James Bond, being "male" is a cover). Not the star but an integral part of the story which would be significantly more dull without her sharp wit and obvious intellect. :)

4.  What is one thing you will eat this weekend?


Since there is a "typical female brunch" thing at church for the consumer driven day so I'm pretty sure I'll have quiche and fruit. It's a bit dainty and froo-froo for me. Too bad for the "guys" day, they don't do ribs. As the Pastor, I would *so* crash that party!

5.  How do you waste time? (If you do, that is...)

It depends. If I am waiting for a meeting or to pick up a kid, I'm usually on my phone with facebook, twitter, Words with Friends (when it works AUGH). I also read real books with paper pages (usually because the battery on my phone is dying). I finish more books when I listen to them while driving but I'm not sure that counts as wasting time. I like to watch TV some of it might contribute to the loss of brain cells so I crochet while I watch TV in order to recapture them before they disappear completely. I also pretend like I'm doing something very important by going Geocaching. 

And now, for a small amount of time, I will not be the last blog on the blogroll of RevGalBlogPals. :)

A story for Ascension

I heard the story from someone who’d read it in the works of Abba Sayah …He admits that it’s a pretty shaky story when it comes to reality but there is no doubt whatsoever that it’s true.

As the gospels tell us, after forty days of resurrection appearances, Jesus knew it was time to leave his disciples – his mother, his brothers and sisters, all his companions in the Way. It was hard to say goodbye, but he knew that the time had come. After all, he was the Truth and we humans can only take so much of that.

So Jesus called them all together on the mountain top, and made his farewells. It was a tearful moment. Mary was crying. John was crying. Jesus was crying. Even Peter, the immovable rock, was reaching for his handkerchief.

They knew that Jesus had said he would always be with them. But they also knew it wasn't going to be the same. There would be no more breakfasts by the seashore, no more late night discussions around the campfire, no more unexpected jugs of wine…and so they wept.

Jesus was sad too, but he was glad to be returning to his Father, and he knew it was all part of the plan. And so he began to ascend.

As Abba Sayah told the story, as Jesus began to rise, slowly and gracefully into the air, John just couldn't bear it. He grabbed hold of Jesus' right leg, and refused to let go.
"John?" said Jesus “What are you doing?”
And John shouted back,
"If you won't stay with us, then I'm coming too."

Jesus calmly continued to rise, hoping that John would let go. But he didn’t. And then, to make matters worse, Mary suddenly jumped up and grabbed hold of Jesus' other leg.
"I'm coming too," she shouted.
By now, Jesus’ big exit had obviously been ruined, but he looked up into heaven, and called out:
"Okay, Father... what do I do now?" And a voice came out of the clouds, deep and loud like the rumbling of thunder in the distance.
"Ascend!" the voice said.
"Ascend?" Jesus asked
"Ascend!" the voice replied.

So Jesus continued to rise through the air, with John and Mary holding on until they too were lifted off the ground. But the other disciples couldn’t bear to be left behind either, so they too jumped on board…and within moments there was this pyramid of people hanging in the middle of the sky. Jesus at the top. John and Mary next. The other apostles hanging on below. Quite a sight, if anyone had been watching...

And then - what was this? Suddenly all kinds of people were appearing out of nowhere…friends and neighbors from around Galilee, people who’d heard Jesus’ stories, people whom he had healed, people who just knew that he was something special…Young and old,- men, women, children, Jews and Gentiles…a huge crowd – and they too refused to be left behind…So, they made a grab for the last pair of ankles and hung on for dear life. One way and another there was quite a kerfuffle -people squealing “Wait for me” -then startled yelps as they felt themselves seized by the ankle -and above it all the voice of God calling out, “Ascend!"

But all of a sudden, from the bottom of the pyramid, there came the voice of a small child.
"Wait!” he shrilled, “I've lost my dog! Wait for me”
"I can't wait," Jesus called back, "I don't know how this thing works."

But the little boy wasn't going to be left behind, and he was determined his dog was coming with him. So, still holding on with one hand, he grabbed hold of a tree with the other, and held on with all his might.

For a moment, the whole pyramid stopped dead in the air - Jesus pulling upwards, and the little boy holding on to the tree, scanning the horizon for his lost dog. But Jesus couldn't stop. The ascension had begun, and God was pulling him back up to heaven.

At first it looked as if the tree would uproot itself. But then the tree held on, and it started to pull the ground up with it. Sort of like when you pull a rug up in the middle, the soil itself started moving up into the sky. And hundreds of miles away, where the soil met the oceans, the oceans held on. And where the oceans met the shores, the shores held on. All of it held on, like there was no tomorrow.

Jesus DID ascend to heaven, He went back to his natural habitat, living permanently in the presence of God’s endless love and care and wholeness and laughter. But, as Abba Sayah tells it, he pulled all of creation – the whole kit and caboodle – everything that ever was or is or ever will be – he pulled it all up into heaven with him.

There's a sense in which we can think about the Ascension as “Christmas backwards”. At Christmas, we concentrate on Jesus coming to earth to transform us with the presence of God. At Ascension, we focus instead on Jesus taking earth back with him into heaven…

Whichever way you look at it, the work of Jesus was to transform us and the world we live in by infusing everything with the presence of God. Heaven meets earth; earth is drawn into heaven.

And, as Abba Saya said. that's where we've been ever since.

If you have a source for this let me know and I'll be glad to credit it. I have no idea where I got it.

Friday Five: All about Cars!

Friday Five: All About Cars!

as posted by SingingOwl

Maybe it's just me, but I often remember how long ago something occurred or something about it by recalling the car we had at the time. For today's Friday Five, tell us about the cars in your life. Maybe we can even tempt some of the guys of the ring to join us. Specifically, tell us about:

1. The earliest recollection you have of a family car

I remember laying in the very back (we called it the rumble seat even though it was not a seat) of our VW bug looking out the window at the stars as we traveled to and from the various relatives houses.

2. The first car you drove when you could (legally) get behind the wheel yourself.

It was a Gremlin with Levi denim seats. I had a key but it wasn't mine. My first car was an American Motors Rambler.

3. A memorable road trip

The Rambler took groups of friends to Denver and Dallas during breaks from school. On the Denver trip, I got two speeding tickets within two hours.

4. The car you drive now. Love it? Hate it?

The car I have now has 230,000+ miles & I love it! Toyota 4Runner

5. An interesting story that involves you and a vehicle. (No, I do not have a dirty mind!)

When I turned 16, the driver's test rotated among the small towns in the area. The test was not in my town on my birthday. It was in a little town that was between my grandparent's and my home. It really was about 1/3 toward me and 2/3 away from them but my grandfather brought his car to the test site because his was an automatic and the Gremlin was a manual transmission. He thought it would be easier to take the test in his car. I passed the test with flying colors and got my license on my birthday thanks to grandpa!

Bonus: What's your idea of good "car music?"

It all depends on who is with me and where we are going. If someone is being obnoxiously loud with their music, I'm very likely to roll down my windows and crank up the Beethoven or Mendelssohn or Schubert or ...

Friday Five: New Year's Eve

Friday Five: New Year's Eve

as posted by SingingOwl

I'm not a big fan of New Year's resolutions, but it does seem a good time for some reflection and planning. For the last few days I keep thinking of Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Among other things, that seems to say that reflection is in order if we want to learn and grow.

For some of us, this has been an incredibly difficult year; for others it has been a year of many joys. For all of us, there have been challenges and questions and there have been blessings and--maybe even an answer or two! As we say our goodbyes to 2010 and look towards 2011, share with us five blessings from 2010 along with five hopes or dreams for 2011.

5 Blessings (not in rank order) of 2010

1. Another year in the same church!

2. My kids. They're both teenagers so we have some "moments" but far and away most of the time I am proud of them.

3. Insurance to pay for this chronic disease that makes my RA dr use her training and stay on top of the current information to keep my body moving on most days.

4. Friends who more than once were gifts from God if not God incarnate

5. More confidence in cooking. I'll never compete on Top Chef but there are more options on our menu.

Hopes for 2011

1. a finished dissertation??? Please dear God help me!

2. a child with a driver's license. I need her to drive to help calm the chaos.

3. more events/ministries that help the church connect to those around us, people excited about doing those things, and hopefully, growing more and more into the church God is calling us to be.

4. a successful transition for the kid who will start high school in the fall

5. calm, uneventful health

RevGalBlogPals Friday Five: we who sing pray twice

as posted by MaryBeth



Music is a part of the human experience, and part of religious traditions the world over. It is evocative and stirring, and many forms of worship are incomplete without it.

Our title comes from a quote popularly attributed to St. Augustine: "He who sings prays twice." A little Googling, however, indicates that Augustine didn't say exactly that. In fact, what he said just doesn't fit well onto a t-shirt. So we'll stick with what we have.

Note: This is the rabbit chasing section.

I have to say that this comment sent me on a wild goose chase across the internet searching for what was said. The last time I read this much Augustine was 1994 for a class on City of God.

Here is what I found considering my lack of desire to go to the nearest theological school to search the volumes of text and my non-existent ability to read Latin for myself.

The quote which St. Augustine actually said was:

"For he that singeth praise, not only praiseth, but only praiseth with gladness: he that singeth praise, not only singeth, but also loveth him of whom he singeth. In praise, there is the speaking forth of one confessing; in singing, the affection of one loving."
(St. Augustine, Commentary on Psalm 73, 1)

Apparently this has been abridged to "He who sings prays twice" over the centuries.

The quote is referenced in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1156:

1156"The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as a combination of sacred music and words, it forms a necessary or integral part of solemn liturgy." The composition and singing of inspired psalms, often accompanied by musical instruments, were already closely linked to the liturgical celebrations of the Old Covenant. The Church continues and develops this tradition: "Address . . . one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart." "He who sings prays twice."21

The corresponding footnote references St. Augustine, En. in Ps. 72, 1: PL 36, 914;. (The reason why the Catechism says Psalm 72 instead of Psalm 73, is because the Catechism is using Psalm numbering from the Septuagint, which fused two of the earlier psalms, meaning the numbering of the later psalms is out of sync with the usual modern listing).

I also found:

"Cantare amantis est" which is variously translated as "Singing is what the lover does," or "Singing belongs to one who loves," or "Singing is loving."

And:

According to one website, the more famous quote is cited as occurring in Sermon 336 as Qui cantat, bis orat.

Now, back on task.


"Singing reduces stress and increases healthy breathing and emotional expression. Singing taps into a deep, age-old power available to all of us. When we find our voice, we find ourselves. Today, sing like you mean it." And let's talk about the role music plays in your life and worship.

1) Do you like to sing/listen to others sing? In worship, or on your own (or not at all?)

Music in several forms is present daily. I am very often humming something without even realizing it until someone asks me what song it is. A dear friend noticed that the SportsQueen does it, too.

2) Did you grow up with music in worship, or come to it later in life? Tell us about it, and how that has changed in your experience.


Music has always been a part of worship (and everyday life). I grew up in a church with a very rich music program that started with Kindergartners and went through Adult choir with no gaps. There were choir programs twice a year from 4-6th grades, youth (7-12), and adult choirs. It was not extraordinary for a 20+ piece orchestra to be included with the adult choir. More than once Handel's Messiah was preformed either before Christmas or Easter. I had no idea how spoiled I was with the extensive music program I took for granted.


3) Some people find worship incomplete without music; others would just as soon not have it. Where do you fall?

Music, music, music!

4) Do you prefer traditional music in worship, or contemporary? That can mean many different things!

I like a lot of different kinds of music in worship (and outside of worship, too). When it comes to kinds of music, I agree with Leonard Bernstein. (I remember watching this live and how profoundly his thoughts about music struck me.)




5) What's your go-to music ... when you need solace or want to express joy? A video/recording will garner bonus points!


My go-to music depends on the circumstance or situation. Here's one option: (from my camera phone live!)




Here's another option







but those are not the only ones

remembering

There's a guy in Florida who has garnered a lot of attention this week for a proposed act for September 11 that doesn't match well with "They will know we are Christians by their love."

This morning I pulled up old sermons to glance at them before heading out to an all day training. I thought it might be a good idea to have those thoughts rumbling around in my head even though I won't be able to focus on the task of sermon writing until much later.

I was struck at the dramatic juxtaposition of this story and the guy from Florida. This story is copied exactly with names intact from an Ecunet meeting I joined many years ago.


Note #87292 from ROB NEDBALEK to RURAL AND SMALL CHURCH:


My niece sent this to me today. This is from the Facilities Manager at her sister's place of employment, in Fort Collins, Colorado. I hope it touches you, as it did us, to see what REAL Americans are about. God Bless You All, Rob
________________________________________________

As this long and horribly tragic week comes to an end, I can not finish my work here today with out expressing to this company some feelings (after discussing it with management).

As you know, I am an American citizen from an Arabic origin and of Muslim faith. Watching the media paint the Islamic world as all hateful toward America and all she stands for, and here in the land of the free, my wife has not left the house for fear of retribution and my children ask, as Americans, are they going to be safe too, just as President Bush promises?

I know as a Muslim, there is nothing in my religion that says it is ok to kill innocent people. So, I am proud to be part of this faith.

And then at noon today something happened that made me even prouder to be a Muslim American.

As with every Friday, around noon, I went to our weekly service at the Fort Collins Mosque (our church building). All of the Islamic females in the community have not been able to attend this week out of fear.

When I arrived, I was completely touched by what I found there. Our Mosque was completely surrounded by members of the Fort Collins Christian community, forming a human shield, with white carnations in their hands.

Tears came to my eyes, and I saw beautiful light shining through the darkness that has covered us this week.

As we went in to worship, I said extra prayers that we are so lucky to be living with this kind of people. I have never felt as proud as an American Muslim, as I did today.

As goodness is not a monopoly for any one race or religion, neither is darkness.

As I grew up in locations all over the world, and settled the last 26 years in America, I truly know what a great place this is to live.

United we stand, Divided we fall.
Thank you,
Your facility manager at your service,
Hani




Rob Nedbalek
Poplar/Brockton Lutheran Parish in Northeastern Montana
Saint John's Lutheran Church - Poplar
Our Savior's Lutheran Church - Brockton
Zion Lutheran Church - Rural Brockton

buy in

There are a multitude of ways to build relationships with teenagers when you are a high school teacher. But one of the most effective ways to jump start that relationship building is to create "buy in." You, as the teacher, create an opportunity for the students to emotionally invest in your class, or in you, while at the same time, you, the teacher, do the same thing for the students. Some might argue that teachers have already demonstrated their "buy in" by being teachers. But we have all experienced teachers who were present but not invested and "buy in" is all about being invested. You know, caring about the things that matter to someone else. So, for high school teachers, caring about the things that teenagers care about.

The teacher for advanced placement United States History (A PUSH as it's known to the Juniors who take the class) announced on the first day of class that anyone who sang the Star Spangled Banner during the next class would get a "free" homework pass. A particular student who plays trombone convinced the A PUSH teacher to let the band kids (a flute, 2 french horns, and the trombone) play the Star Spangled Banner for that credit. Teacher said, "fine."

Great buy in for both the band kids, who have been playing in band for 5 years, and the teacher.

But wait, there's more.

Side note: Band kids playing instruments outside of band class or pep rallies or other band sanctioned events risk fines and imprisonment. Well, really, they'll get in trouble with the band director. I don't know if the history teacher knew this fact. Regardless, permission to play instead of sing helped with the buy in.

So, on the appointed day, 4 band kids bravely sneak their instruments, three of which are kind of hard to hide, to the A PUSH class and play the Star Spangled Banner. Keep in mind they have been playing this song almost weekly during football season for years. They can play it well from memory in their sleep. So, of course, they do a fabulous job. Amazingly, to the band kids who consider this task one of the easiest things ever, the class cheers! The teacher cheers loudest of all.

Then, he says, "Hey, can you do that again?"

The band kids shrug, "duh."

"Come with me," as the teacher leads them across the hall to the AP European history class (Seniors only), interrupts class and says, "Hey Mrs. History, you all have to hear this!" Where the band kids, play again. And the European history class cheers and claps.

It was the highlight of the first week of school for the SportsQueen.

She bought in.

RevGalBlogPals Friday Five: Storms of Life Edition

As posted by Martha Hoverson


I'm listening this morning for word of Hurricane Earl. Is he coming to visit, or will he bypass my part of Maine and move further Downeast, or veer toward Nova Scotia? Should I buy those bottles of water, just in case wind brings branches and power lines down? And how many times will the tracking map change today?

Herewith, a Friday Five about the storms of life:

1) What's the most common kind of storm in your neck of the woods?

I have two girls ages 16 and 13. It is an understatement to say the drama of adolescence is the most common kind of storm both in my neck and other body parts.

But if you want to know about the weather ...

Everywhere I have lived, I have lived in "Tornado Alley." That means thunderstorms with high winds, hail, and enough rain to cause significant flooding. And in the winter, ice storms are the major threat.

2) When was the last time you dealt with a significant power outage?

The last significant power outage was experienced at my sister's house (also in tornado alley but in a different state where I have never lived). It was summer and she had maybe one flashlight but a billion candles. So we lit candles. And remembered that candles have fire which give off heat. And we created our own indoor heatwave.

The time before that was an outage of more than 3 days when the 16 yo was 1 and there was no 13 yo. That was quite an adventure! The storm still makes the news when they are talking about the "worst" ones in this area.

3) Are you prepared for the next one?

Other than having multiple gallons of water on hand, as prepared as we could be in advance.

Wait, I take that back. All of my tools and tarps and ladders are still at the church after being borrowed for the last worktrip. I probably should get those home.

4) What's the weather forecast where you are this weekend?








5) How do you calm your personal storms?

With as many friends and fun things to do as possible! ... or if I can't make that work, burying myself in a book only coming up for enough food and drink to carry me through the next chapter.

RevGalBlogPals Friday Five: Dorm Life Edition

as posted by Martha Hoverson

Yesterday I returned my middle child for his second year of college. He's an experienced dorm resident, having spent two years at a boarding high school. In the lounge at the end of his floor I found a suite of This End Up furniture that took me back to my years in the Theta house at William and Mary. I remember polishing that furniture with my sorority sisters every spring, just before we headed off for Beach Week at Nags Head.

Mindful that many others are heading off to further schooling or delivering their loved ones to the institutions that provide it, here are five questions about dorm life.

1) What was the hardest thing to leave behind when you went away to school for the first time?

A private bathroom. I lived in an "old school" (pun intended) dorm with a common bathroom and shower in the middle of the hallway. My dorm room was the closest to the bathroom/shower so my roommate and I left our door open almost all of the time so we could talk to everyone as they traveled up and down the hall.

2) We live in the era of helicopter parents. How much fuss did your parents make when you first left home?

I was an incredibly independent child in spite of my mother's attempts to be an helicopter parent before anyone knew that terminology. However, my school was 5 hours away and my sister was 8 so my mother didn't really want to drive 10 hours round trip. So, she didn't. I moved all of my stuff by myself into the room in the middle of the hallway on the top floor of the dorm. While I could've used a little help moving the TV, I was thrilled not to have my mother with me.

3) Share a favorite memory of living with schoolmates, whether in a dorm or other shared housing.

The college roommate with whom I continue to stay in contact have several stories about which we could say "you can't rat me out because you'd be in trouble too." However, one publicly tell-able tale is that just after the completion of I-435 at about 11:30 pm one night, we decided that we should drive the entire loop. So, windows down, jamming to the tunes, we did.

4) What absolute necessity of college life in your day would seem hilariously out-of-date now?

Floppy disks, both 5.25 and 3.5 with dot matrix paper.

5) What innovation of today do you wish had been part of your life in college?

Laptops and online library databases/catalogs.

Bonus question for those whose college days feel like a long time ago: Share a rule or regulation that will seem funny now. Did you really follow it then?

10:00 pm curfew to be in the dorm. Nope. Due to my on-campus student job, I had a dorm key. I regularly used it for both legitimate and illegitimate access after hours.

The Commissioning of Sunday Church School Teachers and Staff and Blessing of the Backpacks and Lunchboxes

The Commissioning of Sunday Church School Teachers and Staff

&

Blessing of the backpacks and Lunchboxes

Grace Lutheran Church

Springfield, Illinois

Pastor Juli Lejman-Guy

Commissioning of Sunday School Teachers and Staff

In Christian love, you, the parents and families of this congregation, presented your children for Holy Baptism just as you yourself were Baptized. In baptism, sacred promises are made. It is your calling to keep these scared promises:

� To faithfully come AND bring others to the services of God’s house.

� To study AND teach the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed and the Ten Commandments.

� To use the Holy Scriptures AND to share those with those who do not know the stories.

� To take the opportunities to be instructed AND to provide for the instruction in Christian faith.

One of the ways we, as a congregation, help you do this is through our Sunday Church School Program. Sunday Church School is an important part of the life of a Christian, from birth until death, because it is here that you grow in your faith, learn the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and Ten Commandments. You learn the stories of our faith and you join with other Christians as we build up the body of Christ. Today we commission our Sunday School Teachers and Staff.

At this time I would like to invite all of our Christian Education staff members to come forward as your names are read:

Teachers: ____________________________

Staff: ____________________________

Worship Staff: ___________________________

P: Our Lord, who came along among us as a servant, calls us to faith and a life of loving service to our neighbor. You stand among us as one called to render a particular service, a gift from God to inspire us to love and good works.

For as in body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, {5} so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members of another. {6} We have gifts that differ according to the grace given us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; {7} ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; {8} the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8 NRSV)

The Minister questions the teachers:

P: Will you assume this ministry in the confidence it comes from God?

R: I will, and I ask God to help me.

P: Will you teach in accordance with the Holy Scriptures and the Confessions of the Lutheran Church?

R: I will, and I ask God to help me.

P: Will you be diligent in your study of the Holy Scriptures and faithful in your use of the means of grace and prayer?

R: I will, and I ask God to help me.

P: Will you trust in God’s care, seek to grow in love for those you serve, strive for excellence in your skills, and adorn the Gospel of God with a godly life?

R: I will, and I ask God to help me.

P: Almighty God, who has given you the will to so these things, graciously give you the strength and compassion to perform them.

C: Amen

P: I now declare you teachers in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen**

The teachers and staff may sit in the front row until during the children’s sermon portion.

P: Will all of our students join us and bring your backpacks and lunchboxes with you.

BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS AND LUNCHBOXES

Invite all students (preschool through post graduate) to come forward.

Who can tell me what a vocation is?

A Vocation is a call to a specific job. For example: some people are called to be doctors, some teachers, and some even pastors. A vocation is the job that you are naturally good at doing. Our moms and dads have their jobs. They are parents, but they also get up in the morning and go someplace to work. Hopefully, the job they are doing is the job God intends for them. Do you know how we know that? If they love what they are doing and they are good at it then chances are they have found their calling. For example: Mrs. Christell is a schoolteacher. She loves children and is excited about finding new ways to teach you here at church about God and her school kids about English. That’s her vocation.

Now, do you know what it means when we say we are called to be something?

Being called means that God has given you special gifts that are different than others in order to do something special. The Bible tells us that we have all been called to serve God.

OK, if our vocation is that thing we are called to do~ what is your vocation right now in your life? To be students. God wants us to be the best students we cam be. And, God wants us to be the best Christians we can be. In Matthew 5:16 we are told to “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Then other people will learn about God through you.

What are some gifts that you have as students? Eyes to read, ears to hear, teachers, schools, tools, books, computers….Even our backpacks and lunchboxes. PULL OUT TOOLS (paper, pens/pencils, folders, rulers…) and our lunchboxes carry the food we need to stay strong and healthy. We know we need to eat to keep our brains working and our energy level up. Maybe you like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and carrot sticks for lunch. But if we eat healthy, we take care of one of the best gifts Gods has given us-our body.

Now, one more question: What is a blessing? A blessing is a way that we bring God into our daily lives. When we get new songbooks we ask that God will help us to use them to sing praises to God. Today we are going to pray that God will help us use these tools- our backpacks and lunchboxes-to make us be the best students we can be.

So let’s lay all of our bags and boxes on the floor together, I’d like for you to place your hands on someone’s backpack and lunchbox. Let us pray. Dear God. Help us to use the tools you have given us in our job as students. We especially ask that you bless these backpacks and lunchboxes to your service. May they remind us always that you have called us to do our best and to be a light for you no matter where we go. Amen.

Now, we are going to bless you as students. Will the adults in the congregation raise your hands as if you were laying them on the head of our young people. Let us pray. Gracious God, we give you thanks for the opportunities to learn. We ask that you bless these students. Give them wisdom to learn; patience in their studies, courage to face new things and compassion for all those they meet that they may let their light shine each and every day. Amen.

Now, will all of the teachers, Sunday Church School and public, come forward and kneel at the altar. And will the children come up here with me and place your hands on the teacher’s heads. Let us pray. O God of wisdom, in your goodness you provide faithful teachers for your whole Church. By your Holy Spirit give all teachers insight into your Word, holy lives as examples to all, and the courage to know and do the truth; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

And to help you remember you are a child of God to be the best you can be every day no matter where you are I have something for you to take as a reminder. (Stickers/pencils)

**Ending when there is no blessing of the backpacks and lunchboxes

P: I now declare you teachers in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

The teachers may kneel:

P: Let us pray, O God of wisdom, in your goodness you provide faithful teachers for your Church. By your Holy Spirit give all teachers insight into your Word, holy lives as examples to us all, and the courage to know and do the truth; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

C: Amen

The minister blesses the teachers:

P: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, guide, bless, and keep you that you may be faithful in the ministry to which you have been called.

C: Amen

***Commissioning Service is adapted from the Lutheran Book of Worship Occasional Services

"Litany of the Blessing of the Backpacks" and "Backpack Blessing"

At this time, I do not have a source in order to give appropriate credit for these works. If anyone can identify the source, I will gladly edit this post in order to give appropriate credit.


Litany of the Blessing of the Backpacks

Left: Crayons,
Right: Pencils,
Left: Scissors,
Right: and glue
Leader: Backpacks, school bags, pencil boxes, too.
Left: Getting up early,
Right: Walking,
Left: So very much to learn.
Right: So many to help:
Left: Teachers, counselors, principals
Right: Bus drivers, secretaries
Left: Cooks, librarians and janitors, too.
Leader: God is with us in our learning and in all that we do.
Left: Riding
Right: or taking the bus
Leader: New teacher, new classmates; new subjects to learn.

Unison Prayer: We thank you, God, for the resources and school supplies
that help our children and students of all ages learn. We thank you for
children and all involved in our children's education. We ask you to
bless workers with children, the children of this extended community, and
persons of all ages who seek to learn and to grow. Amen.

Backpack Blessing
To be used with "Bless-A-Pack, Share-A-Pack,"

L: This Sunday, before the school bells ring, we invite all children who will be returning to school this week to come forward for a blessing. Those of you who have your hearts full of hopes, uncertainties and dreams for this new year, come forward, along with those who have also brought their new supplies and backpacks today.

[Children come forward.]

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Youth: Amen

L: In the book of Romans, St. Paul encourages us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we may discern what is the will of God – what is good, acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2b). When Jesus was twelve, he went with his parents to Jerusalem. He stayed in the temple, listening to and asking questions of the teachers there. Will you do your best to listen and learn from the teachers in your school this year? If so, please say: "We will and we ask God to help us!"

Youth: We will and we ask God to help us!

L: Proverbs 3:5 tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not to rely on what we think we know. If we remember the Lord, the Lord will show us the right way. Will you trust God and look for signs of God’s presence as you go through your school day? If so, say, "We will and we ask God to help us."

Youth: We will and we ask God to help us!

L: (Lifting a backpack) For all the good things God has provided for us, let us join in praise and thanksgiving. For pens, pencils, crayons and markers,

Youth and Congregation: Thanks be to God!

L: For notebooks, paper and folders, calculators and student planners,

Youth and Congregation: Thanks be to God!

L: For these special students: in preschool, elementary, junior high or middle school, in senior high school, college or vocational school; for all their different talents and gifts; and for their insights and commitment to learning,

Youth and Congregation: Thanks be to God!

L: (To the students) As you prepare to go back to school this week, you can bring to God your fears, wonderings and uncertainties about what this new year will bring. Will you invite God to walk with you as you encounter each new day? If so, please say, "We will and we ask God to help us."

Youth: We will and we ask God to help us.

L: Will you pray for those who prepare for school without backpacks to fill and those throughout the world who have only a dream of being a student some day? Will you pray for them, share what you have with them, and offer kind and encouraging words? If so, then say, "We will and we ask God to help us."

Youth: We will and we ask God to help us.

Unison: We thank you, God, for the resources and school supplies
that help our children and students of all ages learn. We thank you for
children and all involved in our children's education. We ask you to
bless workers with children, the children of this extended community, and
persons of all ages who seek to learn and to grow.