Past Sunday pack · August 23, 2026

A free weekly pack for Sunday, August 23, 2026: bulletin words, social posts, colouring pages, youth activities and prayers. Change the [brackets] and use any of it again.

Open Bulletin Helper

For Sunday, August 23, 2026: Back to School and the Blessing of the Backpacks

School bells are ringing again. This Sunday we gather to pray over students, teachers, school staff and parents as a new year begins. Bring your backpack, your lunchbox or your laptop bag, and let's ask God to go with every one of us into the classroom and the workplace.

This pack is for Sunday, August 23, 2026. Everything here is free to copy, paste and adapt for your church.

The week at a glance

Coming up: Labor Day, Mon Sep 7 · Grandparents Day, Sun Sep 13 · See You at the Pole, Wed Sep 23 · Pastor Appreciation Month starts Oct 1

Announcement ideas

1. Blessing of the Backpacks: This Sunday every student is invited to bring a backpack to the front during the service for a prayer of blessing. Teachers, aides, bus drivers and school staff, please come forward too.
2. Backpack tags: Every child will receive a small tag to clip on their backpack as a reminder that God goes with them. Extra tags are at the welcome desk for anyone who missed out.
3. Teacher thank-you basket: Help us bless the teachers at [Local School]. Drop school supplies, gift cards or notes of encouragement in the basket in the lobby by [date].
4. Fall programs start soon: Sunday school, youth group and midweek kids' programs restart on [date]. Pick up a fall calendar at the welcome desk or find it at [link].

Verse of the week

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5, KJV)

1. Bulletin (ready to paste)

Copy everything in this box into your bulletin. Replace anything in [brackets].

Welcome to [Church Name] School bells are ringing again. This Sunday we gather to pray over students, teachers, school staff and parents as a new year begins. Bring your backpack, your lunchbox or your laptop bag, and let's ask God to go with every one of us into the classroom and the workplace.

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Order of service - Welcome and call to worship: [Leader] - Songs of praise: [Song 1] · [Song 2] · [Song 3] - Scripture reading: [Reference] read by [Reader] - Prayer: [Leader] - Message: "[Sermon title]" with [Speaker] - Response song: [Song] - Offering and announcements - Benediction

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Announcements - Blessing of the Backpacks: This Sunday every student is invited to bring a backpack to the front during the service for a prayer of blessing. Teachers, aides, bus drivers and school staff, please come forward too. - Backpack tags: Every child will receive a small tag to clip on their backpack as a reminder that God goes with them. Extra tags are at the welcome desk for anyone who missed out. - Teacher thank-you basket: Help us bless the teachers at [Local School]. Drop school supplies, gift cards or notes of encouragement in the basket in the lobby by [date]. - Fall programs start soon: Sunday school, youth group and midweek kids' programs restart on [date]. Pick up a fall calendar at the welcome desk or find it at [link].

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Verse of the week "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5, KJV)

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A prayer for this week Lord, go with every student, teacher and school worker this year. Give them wisdom, patience and friends who are kind. Keep them safe, and help them trust you with all their heart. Amen.

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Upcoming dates - [Date]: Sunday school and youth group restart - Sun, Sep 6: Labor Day weekend service, [time] - Sun, Sep 13: Grandparents Day - Wed, Sep 23: See You at the Pole, [time] at [school]

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[Church Name] · [Address] · [Phone] · [Website] · Pastor [Name]

2. Social posts (Instagram and Facebook)

Three ready posts. Each has an Instagram caption with hashtags, a Facebook version and a one-line brief for whoever makes the graphic.

Post 1: Blessing of the Backpacks invite

• Instagram caption: Bring your backpack to church this Sunday! 🎒 We're praying a blessing over every student, teacher and school worker as the new year begins. "Be strong and of a good courage... for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1:9)
• Hashtags: #BlessingOfTheBackpacks #BackToSchool #ChurchFamily #PrayForStudents #Joshua19
• Facebook: This Sunday at [time], bring your backpack to church! We'll pray a blessing over every student, teacher, school staff member and parent as the new school year begins. Kids will get a backpack tag to remind them that God goes with them all year. Everyone is welcome. [Church Name], [address].
• Image brief: Bright flat-lay of a colourful backpack with pencils and an apple on a wooden table, soft morning light, space at top for the words 'Blessing of the Backpacks'.

Post 2: Teacher thank-you

• Instagram caption: To every teacher, aide, coach and bus driver starting a new year: thank you. 🍎 We are praying for you this week. Tag a teacher who made a difference for you!
• Hashtags: #TeacherAppreciation #BackToSchool #PrayForTeachers #ThankATeacher #Church
• Facebook: Teachers and school staff, we see you and we're praying for you! This week we're filling a thank-you basket for [Local School]. Drop school supplies, gift cards or a handwritten note in the lobby by [date]. And tell us in the comments: which teacher made a difference in your life?
• Image brief: Close-up of a red apple on a stack of books beside a handwritten 'Thank you' note card, warm cream background.

Post 3: Verse for the school year

• Instagram caption: A verse to pack for the first day: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5) ✏️ Save this one for the mornings that feel hard.
• Hashtags: #Proverbs35 #VerseOfTheWeek #BackToSchool #TrustGod #KJV
• Facebook: New school, new teacher, new routine? Here's a verse to carry with you this week: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5) Share it with a student who needs it.
• Image brief: Simple typographic verse card in navy and gold on cream, with a small hand-drawn pencil and notebook doodle in one corner.

3. Sunday school colouring pages

Three pages for different ages. Print the one that fits your class, or all three for a mixed group.

Page 1: Jesus blesses the children · Simple (ages 3 to 5)

• Bible story: Jesus welcomes the little children (Mark 10:13-16).
• Verse to print on the page: "But when Jesus saw it , he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:14, KJV)
• Line-art brief: Jesus sitting on a large rock, smiling, with two small children beside him, one holding a backpack. Very thick outlines (about 4 pt), one large central figure and no more than 3 or 4 big shapes in the background. No small details. Black line art only, no shading or grey fill. US Letter portrait (8.5 x 11 in) with 0.5 in margins. A 'Name: ________' line at the top, a band about 1.5 in tall at the bottom with the verse in a clear, friendly font, and a small 'christiankits.com' credit in the bottom corner.

Page 2: Boy Jesus in the temple · Medium (ages 6 to 8)

• Bible story: Twelve-year-old Jesus listens and asks questions in the temple (Luke 2:41-52).
• Verse to print on the page: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2:52, KJV)
• Line-art brief: Young Jesus seated among three teachers in the temple courtyard, scrolls open, pillars and an archway behind them. Medium outlines (about 2.5 pt), a main scene with 2 or 3 figures and some background detail such as plants, clouds or buildings, all with open areas big enough for crayons. Black line art only, no shading or grey fill. US Letter portrait (8.5 x 11 in) with 0.5 in margins. A 'Name: ________' line at the top, a band about 1.5 in tall at the bottom with the verse in a clear, friendly font, and a small 'christiankits.com' credit in the bottom corner.

Page 3: Daniel and his friends learn in Babylon · Detailed (ages 9 to 12)

• Bible story: Daniel and his friends study in Babylon and stay faithful to God (Daniel 1).
• Verse to print on the page: "As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams." (Daniel 1:17, KJV)
• Line-art brief: Daniel and three friends at a long table with scrolls, clay tablets and bowls of vegetables, Babylonian brick walls with patterned tiles, palm trees through a window. Fine outlines (about 1.5 pt), a full scene with patterns, textures and smaller details to fill (borders, fabric patterns, leaves, stones) for older children who enjoy a longer colouring task. Black line art only, no shading or grey fill. US Letter portrait (8.5 x 11 in) with 0.5 in margins. A 'Name: ________' line at the top, a band about 1.5 in tall at the bottom with the verse in a clear, friendly font, and a small 'christiankits.com' credit in the bottom corner.

Teacher tip: Have each child colour while you talk about one thing they are nervous or excited about for school, then pray for those things together before they go.

4. Youth group activities

Game: Backpack Relay Split into two teams. Each team gets a backpack and a pile of items (book, water bottle, lunchbox, hoodie, pencil case). One at a time, players run, pack one item, zip it and run back. First team to pack everything and zip it closed wins. Talk afterwards about what we 'carry' into school that isn't in our bag: worries, hopes, friendships.

Game: Two Truths and a Summer Each person shares two true things and one made-up thing about their summer. Everyone guesses the made-up one. A quick, easy way to welcome new students.

Discussion questions Read Joshua 1:6-9 together first.

1. What makes the start of a new school year exciting, and what makes it scary? (Joshua 1:9)
2. God told Joshua to be strong and courageous before a big new season. Where do you need courage this year? (Joshua 1:6-7)
3. What does it look like to trust God instead of leaning on your own understanding? (Proverbs 3:5-6)
4. How can you be a light to someone new or left out at school? (Matthew 5:16)

Optional challenge: Lunch table challenge This week, sit with or say hello to one person at school you don't usually talk to. Share how it went next week.

Prayers for This Week

Free to use in your bulletin, slides or newsletter. Copy, paste and adapt to fit your church.

1. Opening prayer for Sunday worship Faithful God, we come to you at the start of a new season. Calendars are filling up, alarms are set earlier and routines are changing in many of our homes. In the rush, help us stop and remember that you are our rest and our guide. Open our hearts to your Word this morning and gather us together as one family. We trust you with all that lies ahead. In Jesus' name. Amen.

2. Blessing of the Backpacks Lord Jesus, you welcomed the children and blessed them. Bless these backpacks and the children and young people who carry them. Fill them with curiosity and courage, kindness and joy. When they feel nervous, be their peace. When they are left out, be their friend. When the work is hard, give them strength to keep going. May they learn, grow and shine your light in every classroom. Amen.

3. Prayer for teachers and school staff God of wisdom, we thank you for every teacher, aide, principal, counselor, coach, cafeteria worker, custodian and bus driver. Give them energy for long days and patience for hard moments. Help them see each child as someone you made and love. Protect their health, refresh their spirits and remind them their work matters to you. Amen.

4. Prayer for parents and caregivers Loving Father, be close to every parent and caregiver this week. Some are excited, some are anxious and some are just tired. Give them wisdom for busy mornings, peace on the drive to school and grace for the evening homework table. Help our homes be places of love, prayer and encouragement. Amen.

5. Closing blessing Go now in the peace of Christ. May the Lord bless you and keep you; may his face shine upon you and give you peace. Wherever this week takes you, at home, at work, at school or on the road, may you know you are loved and never alone. Go and serve the Lord with gladness. Amen.

More ways to share this week's posts

Blessing of the Backpacks invite

• Text message: This Sunday is Blessing of the Backpacks! Bring your school bag at [time] and we'll pray for the year ahead. 🎒
• Slide line: Bring your backpack Sunday: we're praying for the school year!
• Email line: Students, teachers and parents: bring your backpack this Sunday for a special prayer of blessing.

Teacher thank-you

• Text message: Help us thank our local teachers! Drop supplies or a note in the lobby basket by [date]. 🍎
• Slide line: Thank a teacher: drop supplies or notes in the lobby basket by [date].
• Email line: We're blessing the teachers at [Local School]. Add supplies or a note to the lobby basket by [date].

Verse for the school year

• Text message: Verse for the week: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart. (Proverbs 3:5)
• Slide line: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart. Proverbs 3:5
• Email line: This week's verse to carry into the school year: Proverbs 3:5.

Kids and Sunday school extra

• Memory verse: "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1:9, KJV)
• Activity: Backpack tags: give each child a card tag with 'God is with me' printed on it. Let them decorate it, punch a hole, add a ribbon and clip it on their backpack.

Tip of the week

Take photos for the whole year. Ask a volunteer to photograph the backpack blessing (with parent permission). You'll use those photos again for the end-of-year celebration and next August's invite.

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