While visiting with members of my extended family in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area over Labor Day weekend, I was delighted to have the opportunity to join my mother, sister, and two nieces for Sunday morning worship at First Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor, where they are all members.
Because Michigan school children go back to school a good deal later than their counterparts in Louisville, Kentucky, Sunday’s service featured a unique and wonderful litany entitled, “Blessing of the Backpacks,” which the church’s interim pastor, the Reverend Larry Farris, has given me permission to reprint here. It was exciting to watch as all of the church’s elementary school-aged children and middle school youth brought their school backpacks forward to have them blessed. Larry modified the children’s litany from one created by the Reverend Karin Fowler, a retired Presbyterian minister who served at First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven, Michigan. Larry is the author of the congregational litany.
Blessing of the Backpacks
Children’s Litany
Leader: When it’s the night before going to school, and I’m picking out my clothes and making sure I have all my school supplies…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m waking up and eating a healthy breakfast to start the day…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m getting on the school bus or being driven to school...
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I meet my teachers and new friends in my class…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m playing with my friends at recess…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m finding the right school bus to ride home…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m telling my family about my day at school…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: When I’m praying at night and thanking God for my family, my friends and my school…
Children: Jesus is with me.
Leader: Let’s pray together:
All: Thank you, Jesus, for always being by my side. I know that if I get nervous or afraid, you will be there with me. When I see the cross on my backpack, I will remember that you are always with me. I know that I can talk with you any time – day or night – and for that I am so thankful. I pray this all in your name. Amen.
Congregational Litany
Leader: O Holy God, the time is come when school begins. As these your children begin their studies, we ask a blessing on their backpacks in which they carry the books and note books, markers and pens and pencils they will use to learn. O Lord of Life and Love,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: Bless, O God, all who will teach our children in the coming days and weeks and months. Give them the wisdom to find inspiration for each child. Give them the energy and creativity and love that will make their work a blessing to our children. O Lord of Life and Love,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: Bless, O God, all school administrators that they may be faithful stewards of the resources entrusted to their care. Make them fair and merciful, able to do their crucial work with a spirit of grace and compassion. O Lord of Life and Love,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: Bless, O God, each one gathered here that we will seek every opportunity to grow in our knowledge and love of you – in our church school classes, our 2:42 program, all our classes for youth and students and adult learners. Grant that we may see you more clearly, love you more dearly, follow you more nearly. O Lord of Life and Love,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: And bless, O God, these our cherished children, those whom we have promised to love and nurture at their baptism. Keep them safe, keep them excited, keep them ever seeking to learn more and to develop their gifts. Grant that through their study, they may gain the tools to grow in love and faith and service, all their days. O Lord of Life and Love,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: Bless, O God, these backpacks and the children who carry them. O Lord of Life and Love,
People: Hear our prayer. Amen.
What a great way this was – and is – to remind our children that Jesus and the church are in their lives at all times and in all places, even in their school classrooms and at their lockers! During the litany, each child received a sign of that very blessing in the form of a cross to clip to their backpack. Seeing the cross on their backpacks everyday will bring this church’s children a tangible reminder of the congregation’s prayers for a great year at school. May it be so for all of God’s children!
