August 2025
“Backpacks and Blessings”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)
Dear Beloved Family in Jesus Christ,
As August unfolds and the summer sun begins to soften, a new season approaches. You may notice that the stores have changed their displays—once filled with playful toys, camping gear, and fishing tools, they are now stocked with pencils, notebooks, and backpacks. You can hear it in conversations about schedules and school supplies, and sense it in the quiet anticipation—or nervous excitement—of students, teachers, and parents preparing for the year ahead.
Our church is also joining in this season by collecting school supplies to support local children through our mission project. Thank you for your prayers and your generous, supportive hearts!
In just a few weeks, our schools will open their doors again. Children will step into classrooms with backpacks slung over their shoulders—backpacks that will carry not only books and lunches but also hopes, questions, and dreams. Teachers and staff will greet them with open arms and open hearts, ready to nurture and guide. Parents will wave goodbye and whisper prayers for courage, learning, and friendship.
So, our parish is planning to hold a joint worship service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 24th—just as we’ve done in past years at the end of August, before the school year begins. What a perfect time to gather together before a new season starts! We’re calling it “A Blessing Service at the Park.” Atlas UMC will be hosting and preparing lunch. During this special service, we will come together to bless our students, their backpacks, their teachers and parents, and even their pets—those loyal companions who offer comfort and joy at the end of a long school day.
It will be a joyful time of worship and commissioning, a reminder that none of us walk into a new season alone.
Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” This scripture encourages us to trust not in our own understanding, but in God’s faithful guidance. These words are a promise for students stepping into unfamiliar hallways, for teachers planning lessons with care, and for families navigating change. When we trust in the Lord, acknowledging God in all our ways, we are led—not aimlessly, but purposefully—along paths of grace.
As we prepare for this special service, I invite you to bring your whole self to God: your prayers, your concerns, your excitement. Let us surround our young people and their families with love and support. Let us bless our teachers and school staff who pour their wisdom and compassion into the lives of others. Let us give thanks for pets who offer unconditional love and companionship along the way.
May this new school year begin with prayer and joy, and may it be filled with growth, discovery, and grace.
With every blessing,
Pastor Jenny