A Blessing for the New School Year

🌟 Children’s Message

It’s the start of a brand-new school year! Today, we’re going to share a very special blessing for everyone who is learning and teaching, whether at home, at church, or at school.

Later in our worship, just before we share God’s peace with one another, I’ll join our Church Council and Church Staff to pass on God’s blessing to all of you. Then after worship, we’ll send everyone out into the world, beyond the church walls, to be a blessing.

To be a blessing to everyone! No one gets more. No one gets less. Everyone receives the same full blessing from God. But how does that work?

Let’s start by talking about the word blessing. What does blessing mean?

• A blessing is a gift from God.

• A blessing is God’s favor & God’s way of saying, “I’m with you.”

But God’s gift isn’t always the same. It can change depending on where we are, who we’re with, and what we’re doing.

So today, let’s unwrap God’s gift for the new school year.

God has three special gifts for each of you:

🎁 Gift #1: Be Loved

What does it mean to be loved? [Let’s hear from our little ones—what beautiful answers might they share?]

Their answers will help us open the next gift...

🎁 Gift #2: Be Kind

What does it mean to be kind? [Again, let’s listen to the wisdom of our children.]

Their thoughts will lead us to the final gift...

🎁 Gift #3: Be You

What does it mean to be you? [Let the children name it in their own words. Let them feel the joy of receiving God’s blessing.]

🌈 Repeat-After-Me Prayer:

[Leader says one line at a time, children repeat aloud.]

Dear God, 

Thank You for this new day. 

Thank You for school, home, and church. 

Thank You for loving me—always.

Help me be loved. 

Help me be kind. 

Help me be me.

Let your blessing go with me, 

wherever I learn, 

wherever I play, 

wherever I grow.

Make me a blessing to others, 

just like You bless me.

In Jesus’ name, 

Let all God’s children say, "AMEN!"