New Beginnings

The new year brings a great time to celebrate New Beginnings. A great way to mark events in the lives of youth as well as families is to use a blessing. Below you will find a copy of what the LYO Board does as a blessing of their new year together. It was modified from the book "For Everything a Season: 75 Blessings for Daily Life." It can be easily adapted to fit a new year! More blessings can be found in the book "For Everything a Season: 75 Blessings for Daily Life" by the Nilsen Family. It can be purchased on Amazon or from Vibrant Faith Ministries.

Synod LYO Blessing on New Beginning

**Adapted from 75 Blessings for Daily Life by the Nielsen Family

Prayer: Dear Lord, give to the members of the LYO Board direction during this time, clear focus on the possibilities for their new beginning, help in the many preparations and meetings and trust that all will work out well in Your name. Amen.

Read Philippians 4:6-7

Reflection Time: Have everyone have a piece of paper and writing utensil. Have each youth finish these four sentences quietly:
I hope that…
I worry about…
I will be disappointed if…
I am excited about…

I gave them the option of sharing if they wanted to and had a few share, but not required.

Ritual: Individually, the youth came up to the fire and said: “I give all my hopes and worries to God who wants only what is best for me” then put their piece of paper with their answers into the fire, signifying those worries and hopes being given to God.


After everyone finished, pastor stands and says:
Let us end our night together with a blessing. Make the sign of the cross and say with me: God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over you. Amen.

We pray the prayer you taught us to pray: (Lord’s Prayer)

We confess our faith together in the words of the Apostle’s Creed. (Apostle’s Creed)

Let us pray: I give thanks to you, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have graciously protected me today. I ask you to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously to protect me tonight. Into your hands I commend myself, my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.