Past Sunday pack · September 13, 2026

A free weekly pack for Sunday, September 13, 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, September 13, 2026: Grandparents Day: Faith Passed Down

Happy Grandparents Day! Today we honor the grandparents, great-grandparents and 'adopted' grandparents who have prayed for us, cheered for us and passed down the faith. If you're here with a grandparent, give them a hug. If yours have gone home to be with the Lord, we thank God for their legacy with you.

This pack is for Sunday, September 13, 2026. Everything here is free to copy, paste and adapt for your church.

The week at a glance

Coming up: See You at the Pole, Wed Sep 23 · World Communion Sunday, Oct 4 · Trunk or treat planning starts now

Announcement ideas

1. Grandparents Day photo booth: Stop by the photo booth in the lobby after the service for a free family photo with grandparents (or grandfriends).
2. Adopt-a-grandparent: Some of our older members don't have family nearby. Sign up to send a card, make a call or share a meal this month. See [Name] or the welcome desk.
3. See You at the Pole: Students, mark your calendar: See You at the Pole is Wednesday, Sep 23, at [time] at your school flagpole. Join students across the country praying for their schools.
4. Trunk or treat hosts: It's not too early! We're looking for trunk hosts and candy donors for Trunk or Treat on [date]. Sign up at [link].

Verse of the week

"One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts." (Psalm 145:4, KJV)

1. Bulletin (ready to paste)

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

Welcome to [Church Name] Happy Grandparents Day! Today we honor the grandparents, great-grandparents and 'adopted' grandparents who have prayed for us, cheered for us and passed down the faith. If you're here with a grandparent, give them a hug. If yours have gone home to be with the Lord, we thank God for their legacy with you.

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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 - Grandparents Day photo booth: Stop by the photo booth in the lobby after the service for a free family photo with grandparents (or grandfriends). - Adopt-a-grandparent: Some of our older members don't have family nearby. Sign up to send a card, make a call or share a meal this month. See [Name] or the welcome desk. - See You at the Pole: Students, mark your calendar: See You at the Pole is Wednesday, Sep 23, at [time] at your school flagpole. Join students across the country praying for their schools. - Trunk or treat hosts: It's not too early! We're looking for trunk hosts and candy donors for Trunk or Treat on [date]. Sign up at [link].

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Verse of the week "One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts." (Psalm 145:4, KJV)

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A prayer for this week Lord, thank you for grandparents and older saints who have passed down the faith. Bless them with health and joy, and help every generation in our church learn from one another. Amen.

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Upcoming dates - Wed, Sep 23: See You at the Pole, [time] - Sun, Sep 27: [Event] - Thu, Oct 1: Pastor Appreciation Month begins - Sun, Oct 4: World Communion Sunday

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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: Happy Grandparents Day

• Instagram caption: Happy Grandparents Day! 💛 Thank you for the prayers, the stories, the hugs and the faith you've passed down. Tag a grandparent (or grandfriend) who blessed you!
• Hashtags: #GrandparentsDay #Legacy #FaithfulGeneration #Psalm1454 #ChurchFamily
• Facebook: Happy Grandparents Day! Today we honor the grandparents and older saints in our church family. Share a photo or a favorite memory of a grandparent in the comments. Stop by our photo booth after the service, too!
• Image brief: Grandparent's hands holding a child's hands over an open well-worn Bible, soft golden light, text space above.

Post 2: Adopt-a-grandparent

• Instagram caption: Some of our older members don't have family nearby. 💌 This month, send a card, make a call or share a coffee. Sign up at the welcome desk.
• Hashtags: #AdoptAGrandparent #LoveYourNeighbor #ChurchFamily #Kindness
• Facebook: Our older members have given so much. This month, we'd love for families and students to 'adopt' a grandparent: send a card, make a call, or share a coffee. Sign up at the welcome desk or with [Name].
• Image brief: Child handing a handmade card with a hand-drawn heart to an older woman sitting in a chair, both smiling, cozy home setting.

Post 3: See You at the Pole save the date

• Instagram caption: Students, save the date! 📅 See You at the Pole is Wednesday, Sep 23. Meet at your school flagpole at [time] to pray for your school.
• Hashtags: #SYATP #SeeYouAtThePole #PrayForSchools #StudentMinistry #Pray
• Facebook: Save the date for See You at the Pole on Wednesday, Sep 23! Students across the country will gather at their school flagpoles before class to pray. Parents, please pray with your students that morning.
• Image brief: Low-angle shot of a school flagpole against a bright morning sky, with a group of silhouetted students in a circle at the base.

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: Grandma Lois and Timothy · Simple (ages 3 to 5)

• Bible story: Timothy learns faith from his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5).
• Verse to print on the page: "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." (2 Timothy 1:5, KJV)
• Line-art brief: An older woman reading a scroll to a small boy sitting on her lap. 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: Ruth and Naomi · Medium (ages 6 to 8)

• Bible story: Ruth stays with Naomi and they travel to Bethlehem together (Ruth 1:16).
• Verse to print on the page: "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:" (Ruth 1:16, KJV)
• Line-art brief: Ruth and Naomi walking together on a dirt road, holding hands, with bundles on their backs and wheat fields beside 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: Simeon and Anna meet baby Jesus · Detailed (ages 9 to 12)

• Bible story: Old Simeon and Anna praise God when they meet baby Jesus in the temple (Luke 2:25-38).
• Verse to print on the page: "One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts." (Psalm 145:4, KJV)
• Line-art brief: Elderly Simeon holding baby Jesus, Anna beside him with raised hands, Mary and Joseph looking on, temple columns, steps, lamps and doves. 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: Invite kids to colour a page to give to a grandparent or an older church member after the service.

4. Youth group activities

Game: Guess the Decade Play short clips or show photos of things from different decades (phones, cars, songs). Teams guess the decade. Invite a few older members to judge and share what they remember.

Game: Ask Me Anything panel Invite two or three older members to answer students' questions: what was school like, how did you come to faith, what do you wish you'd known at 15?

Discussion questions Read 2 Timothy 1:3-7 together first.

1. Who passed down faith to Timothy? (2 Timothy 1:5)
2. Who are the older believers who have shaped your faith? (Psalm 145:4)
3. What can younger and older people learn from each other? (Titus 2:2-7)
4. How can you show honor to older people this week? (Leviticus 19:32)

Optional challenge: Interview a grandparent Call or visit a grandparent or older church member and ask them how they came to know Jesus.

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 Everlasting God, you have been faithful from generation to generation. We worship you today alongside those who have walked with you for many years and those who are just starting out. Bind our generations together in one song of praise. Open our ears to your Word and our hearts to each other. Amen.

2. Prayer for grandparents Heavenly Father, thank you for grandparents and every older friend who has loved us like family. Thank you for their prayers, their stories and their faith. Give them health, strength and joy in these years. Comfort those who are lonely or far from family, and help them know they still have so much to give. Let their faith keep shining for the next generation. Amen.

3. Prayer for grandparents raising grandchildren Lord, we lift up grandparents who are raising grandchildren. Give them energy, patience and provision. Surround them with a church family that helps carry the load. Bless the children in their care with security and love. Amen.

4. Prayer for those missing a grandparent God of all comfort, today brings memories for many of us. We thank you for grandparents who are now with you. Comfort those who grieve, and help us carry on the faith they taught us. 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

Happy Grandparents Day

• Text message: Happy Grandparents Day! Stop by the photo booth in the lobby after the service. 💛
• Slide line: Happy Grandparents Day! Family photo booth in the lobby after the service.
• Email line: This Sunday we celebrate grandparents. Bring yours, and visit the photo booth after the service.

Adopt-a-grandparent

• Text message: Adopt a grandparent this month! Sign up at the welcome desk to send a card or share a coffee.
• Slide line: Adopt a grandparent: sign up at the welcome desk.
• Email line: Help us love our older members well this month by adopting a grandparent. Sign up at the welcome desk.

See You at the Pole save the date

• Text message: Students: See You at the Pole is Wed Sep 23 at [time]. Bring a friend!
• Slide line: See You at the Pole: Wed, Sep 23, at your school flagpole.
• Email line: Students, save the date for See You at the Pole on Wed, Sep 23.

Kids and Sunday school extra

• Memory verse: "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." (Exodus 20:12, KJV)
• Activity: Grandparent cards: fold cardstock into cards and have kids draw a picture and write 'Thank you for loving me' to give to a grandparent or older friend.

Tip of the week

Get permission before posting photos. If you post photo booth pictures, ask families first and never tag children by name.

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