Diana DavisIt’s a significant milestone for teens in your church family. Looking for fresh ideas to honor your church’s high school graduates? Try some of these:
Blessing Book. Print “Don’t open ’til May 2010” on the cover of a journal for each graduate. Ask church leaders and friends to write a personal note and seal their page edge closed with rubber cement.
List. Print graduates’ names on the bulletin, church newsletter or a laminated bookmark, with a challenge for members to pray for them.
Senior Wall. Take an annual group photo of your graduates, add a scripture and hang it on the “senior wall” in the church’s youth area.
Event. A lunch after the school graduation ceremony, a Saturday reception, Sunday breakfast, barbecue, tea, or banquet can allow grads and families to share memories and blessings.
Gift. Some churches present a scripture magnet, a Christian bookstore gift certificate, a Bible signed by church leaders, a Christian book, or a flashlight inscribed with their name and Matthew 5:14-16.
Bible. A friend of mine bought a Bible for his son and asked church leaders and friends to highlight a favorite passage and write an encouraging note.
Suggestions for senior recognition in worship:
Attire. Ask grads to wear caps and gowns and sit on the front pews.
Before and after. Use a pre-service audiovisual with baby photo, senior photo, and a quote by a church leader about each student’s walk with God.
Stand up. As students are introduced, ask church members to stand who have invested in that graduate (i.e. family, Bible teachers, youth workers, etc.).
Commission. Read Matthew 28:18-20 as a challenge to change the world. Parents and leaders surround graduates for a commissioning prayer.
Thanks. Each graduate receives a flower to present to an adult who has been a Christian encourager to them.
Testimony. Graduates’ testimonies could be printed as a bulletin insert.
Receiving line. Form a line in the foyer after worship.
You’ve invested many years preparing Christian students for this launching day. Celebrate!