God cares for us all the time. He knows every detail of our lives, and wants us to walk with him and worship him at all times. So when we celebrate a special occasion in our learning communities, God is present.
You may like to include events which are significant to your learning community in your devotions and worship. These may be occasions which are recurring parts of the school calendar, or secular (worldly) events which have significance in the community.
As with all worship and devotions, it is important to keep the focus in worship and devotions on what God is doing and his word.
You may also like to explore the Seasonal Resources for church-related special occasions.
The Planning Resources page includes template you can use to schedule in regularly recurring special occasions like the start and finish of the school year, Sports Day etc.
Beginning and Ending
Many learning communities mark the beginning and ending of the year with special services. A formal rite (set pattern of speaking and praying) is often used for official or significant occasions in the life of a learning community. Some of these, such as the installation of a new principal, are organised and conducted by the Education Office in each region.
Others may be used by the Principal together with the School Pastor/Chaplain, or as part of worship with a supporting congregation. These include the installation of new staff, the installation of student leaders, and welcoming new families to the learning community. Some sample formats for these are provided below.
Start of School Year
Welcome to New Students
Induction of School Leaders/New Staff
Close of School Year
Farewell to Graduating Classes
Resources
Grow Ministries Resources: Growing Faith Moments
A gentle way of bringing God into everyday life. Growing Faith Moments are designed to mark a significant moment or milestone along our lifelong journey of faith with prayer and blessing. This set has been specifically designed to encourage children and teenagers and include these special moments:
- First Job
- High School Graduation
- Kids and Money
- Leaving for camp
- Losing your first tooth
- My body, God’s gift
- Preschool Graduation
- Primary School Graduation
- Receiving a Driver’s Licence
- Back to school
- Beginning Confirmation
- Beginning High School
- Beginning school
- Beginning Year 12
ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day
LCA Resources
ANZAC Day Resource from the Worship Planning Page. A month before ANZAC Day, you will find a full range of service resources including prayers and music suggestions at https://www.lca.org.au/worship/wpp/
Other Resources
Assembly Run Sheet including hymns and prayers from Soldier On https://soldieron.org.au/anzac-day/
Commemoration Service for ANZAC Day from the ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee. Includes options for hymns and prayers and a service outline.
Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week
LEA Resources
Reconciliation page
LCA Resources
You can find updated resources for Reconciliation Week on the Seasonal Resources page of the LCA Worship Planning Page.
The LCA Reconciliation Action Plan page includes lots of helpful resources.
Other Resources
Season of Creation/Environment
Seasonal Resources page of the the LCA Worship Planning Page for Season of Creation worship resources.
Other events and occasions
Sports Day
Sports Day message idea –
No matter whether we win or lose at Sports Day, Jesus has won the ultimate victory. 1 John 5
Grandfriends’ Day
