Blessing Backpacks for the New School Year
Along with our Sunday School Kick Off, last Sunday we prepared our kids for the new school year with a backpack blessings. We also gave our new third graders their Bibles.
Look below for the blessing liturgy so you can do it yourself at home.
Backpack Blessing Liturgy
Leader: When I ride the bus, a car, my bike, or walk on my way to school,
People: I will look for the things that bring me joy.
Leader: When I arrive in my classroom each morning,
People: I will greet my teacher and classmates with joy.
Leader: When my schoolwork feels hard or overwhelming,
People: I will take deep breaths to find peace as I ask for help.
Leader: When it’s time to head to the playground for recess,
People: I will delight in the joy of the Lord.
Leader: When I notice a friend feeling hurt,
People: I will be a beacon of God’s joy for others.
Leader: When I feel overwhelmed, or sad, or scared,
People: I will look for ways to receive Christ’s peace.
Leader: When I see a new face in the school building this year,
People: I will share God’s peace.
Leader: When I wake up in the morning for a new school day, a chance to start over again, another opportunity to be the best version of whom God has created me to be,
People: I will delight in the joy of the Lord.
Leader: When I go to sleep at night, thankful for another day of learning,
People: I will thank God for leading me out with joy and covering me with peace.
Leader: Holy God, we thank you that you are with us as we start the new schoolyear. We bring our hopes, dreams, fears, and joys to you so that we may feel your peace. We prepare our backpacks so that we have what we need for when we’re in school. Now help us prepare ourselves for all the wonderful things in store this year. Hear now our prayers, Lord.
May these crayons help me to recognize
the rainbow of diversity in all whom you’ve created.
May these pencils remind me
that you’re always writing words of love on our hearts.
May this tablet keep me connected to my classwork,
but also remind me to remain connected to my classmates, too.
May this lunchbox encourage me
to invite a new friend to sit by me in the lunchroom,
and remind me to make sure everyone has enough to eat.
May this eraser be an example to me
that mistakes happen, but God’s love will never leave me.
May this paper help me open my mind
to all the new things I’ll learn and,
may it provide me space to compose
my words of kindness, peace, hope, and joy for all of God’s children.
When I feel the weight of this backpack that I carry,
may I never forget that your Holy Spirit is always with me.
And, God, when I zip everything into this backpack to use at school each day, let me feel secure that you’re there with me, holding everything in place, and making sure that I know that with You, I have everything I need
Leader: In Jesus’ name we pray,
People: Amen.