Driver's License - Keys to the Future
Learning to drive is all about getting the “keys.” This Milestone helps parents and new drivers explore the “keys” to gaining greater freedom and responsibility. Parents and students meet together to work through “Keys to the Future”. A Worship Blessing is held during worship.
High School Graduation - Stepping into the Future
Not the end, but really the beginning of a life in faith with Christ and others. As students graduate, celebrate with families and recognize the ways youth move toward independence. This is an exciting time for family in so many ways. This Milestone gives parents the opportunity to bless their sons and daughters who will soon be stepping into a new stage of life and may be leaving home. May God bless you as you walk this important path together with family, the church and high school graduate.
First English, Spencer Contributed by DCE Bonnie Kabrick
Board of Youth hosts a Senior Recognition Breakfast typically the Sunday before graduation.
We introduce our seniors during both Sun. morning church services and then invite the congregation to a continental breakfast which is normally fresh baked cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit salad and beverages. I always “spoil” our seniors and let them pick their own breakfast menu.
I also send out a one page questionnaire to each senior and then we type up a page for display for each graduate along with attaching a wallet sized photo. We normally keep the display up for about 3 weeks.
Basic agenda:
Welcome
· Meal prayer
· Breakfast
· Seniors introduce themselves and tell of their future plans
· Pastor gives a short “baccalaureate” type message
We then do a very informal question/answer period of fun questions - such as favorite high school memory, most embarrassing moment, favorite memory of church activities, advice for underclassmen, where they see themselves in 10 years, 20 years, etc. We get some interesting answers!!
Then we open up the microphone where guests in attendance can ask questions or give their best advice for the graduating seniors.
· Board of Youth gives each graduate a gift.
· Closing prayer
Zion, Sioux Falls, SD Contributed by Janice Haas
As a way to honor our graduating seniors we do a breakfast for them and their families. During the breakfast they are given a gift of a quilt which is made by our Sewing and Growing group (which this year consisted of seven ladies). They are also given a key ring and a calendar devotional. During the worship service they are recognized and brought up front. This year the pastors had the parents drape the quilts on their graduating senior. The blankets are a symbol of the congregation wrapping them in their love as they uphold them with prayer.
SENIOR QUILT PRESENTATION AND PRAYER
(Students and Parents and families to come forward.)
Pastor: Dear Lord, as our seniors stand before Your altar wrapped in their quilts with their parents and family beside them, may this day remind all of us of being wrapped in and surrounded by the promises of Your Word and Sacraments and the fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ.
People: For surely, O Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12)
People: You are my hiding place, You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7)
People: Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trust in Him. (Psalm 32:10)
Pastor: Lord, may these quilts also remind our seniors of being clothed with Christ in their Baptisms.
People: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were Baptized into Christ Jesus have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27)
Pastor: As our seniors prepare to leave their childhood home, may these quilts be a reminder of the protection and security that You give us through the promises of Your Word.
People: Our prayer is not that You would take them out of the world, but that You would protect them from the evil one. Protect them and set them apart through the truth. Your word is truth. (John17:15, 17)
Pastor: Thank You, Lord for the Christian faith of our seniors and for all who have encouraged and nurtured them in the faith so far in their lives: Parents, grandparents, sponsors, Sunday school teachers, camp counselors, friends, family, pastors, the members of this congregation and others.
People: Lord, help us to remember our seniors and to continue to love, encourage, and pray for them as they may leave home for college, work, military service, or some other path.
Pastor: Wherever our seniors may go, Lord, may the warmth which these quilts provide, remind them of their church home and their brothers and sisters in Christ and that they will never be alone for You have promised to be with them always in Your Word and Sacraments and in the fellowship of the Holy Christian Church. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
People: Amen.
Board of Youth hosts a Senior Recognition Breakfast typically the Sunday before graduation.
We introduce our seniors during both Sun. morning church services and then invite the congregation to a continental breakfast which is normally fresh baked cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit salad and beverages. I always “spoil” our seniors and let them pick their own breakfast menu.
I also send out a one page questionnaire to each senior and then we type up a page for display for each graduate along with attaching a wallet sized photo. We normally keep the display up for about 3 weeks.
Basic agenda:
Welcome
· Meal prayer
· Breakfast
· Seniors introduce themselves and tell of their future plans
· Pastor gives a short “baccalaureate” type message
We then do a very informal question/answer period of fun questions - such as favorite high school memory, most embarrassing moment, favorite memory of church activities, advice for underclassmen, where they see themselves in 10 years, 20 years, etc. We get some interesting answers!!
Then we open up the microphone where guests in attendance can ask questions or give their best advice for the graduating seniors.
· Board of Youth gives each graduate a gift.
· Closing prayer
Zion, Sioux Falls, SD Contributed by Janice Haas
As a way to honor our graduating seniors we do a breakfast for them and their families. During the breakfast they are given a gift of a quilt which is made by our Sewing and Growing group (which this year consisted of seven ladies). They are also given a key ring and a calendar devotional. During the worship service they are recognized and brought up front. This year the pastors had the parents drape the quilts on their graduating senior. The blankets are a symbol of the congregation wrapping them in their love as they uphold them with prayer.
SENIOR QUILT PRESENTATION AND PRAYER
(Students and Parents and families to come forward.)
Pastor: Dear Lord, as our seniors stand before Your altar wrapped in their quilts with their parents and family beside them, may this day remind all of us of being wrapped in and surrounded by the promises of Your Word and Sacraments and the fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ.
People: For surely, O Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12)
People: You are my hiding place, You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7)
People: Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trust in Him. (Psalm 32:10)
Pastor: Lord, may these quilts also remind our seniors of being clothed with Christ in their Baptisms.
People: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were Baptized into Christ Jesus have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27)
Pastor: As our seniors prepare to leave their childhood home, may these quilts be a reminder of the protection and security that You give us through the promises of Your Word.
People: Our prayer is not that You would take them out of the world, but that You would protect them from the evil one. Protect them and set them apart through the truth. Your word is truth. (John17:15, 17)
Pastor: Thank You, Lord for the Christian faith of our seniors and for all who have encouraged and nurtured them in the faith so far in their lives: Parents, grandparents, sponsors, Sunday school teachers, camp counselors, friends, family, pastors, the members of this congregation and others.
People: Lord, help us to remember our seniors and to continue to love, encourage, and pray for them as they may leave home for college, work, military service, or some other path.
Pastor: Wherever our seniors may go, Lord, may the warmth which these quilts provide, remind them of their church home and their brothers and sisters in Christ and that they will never be alone for You have promised to be with them always in Your Word and Sacraments and in the fellowship of the Holy Christian Church. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
People: Amen.
