It's the First Day of School in Oconee County, and other schools in our area will soon follow. Today seems like a good time to let you in on a little secret about me. I absolutely love shopping for school supplies! There is nothing like a fresh bunch of sharpened pencils, a new set of colorful crayons, or the crisp click of a new three-ring binder. Yet, each year as I shop for school supplies, I am reminded that some school supplies don’t come from the store. Indeed, the most essential school supplies that students, teachers, and school staff need come from God! I am talking about school supplies like courage, patience, flexibility, kindness, perseverance, protection, and grace.
Our students, teachers, and school staff need our prayers. During the month of August, let's be united in praying for students, teachers, and school staff daily. Ask God to provide courage, patience, flexibility, kindness, perseverance, protection, and grace to all who learn and serve in schools. Let’s ask God to provide these important school supplies in abundance this year.
This Sunday, we have a special opportunity to pray for students, teachers, and school staff during our annual Blessing of the Backpacks in morning worship. This Sunday is a great day to invite the students, teachers, and school staff you know to join you at Union. During worship, we will share a blessing tag for school bags and backpacks as a reminder of the many prayers that will continue to go with those who learn and serve in our schools this year.
Thank you for being a praying church! I love being your pastor!