Prayer for Bridging (Youth Graduating from Sunday School)

Spirit of Life, God of Many Names, and One Transforming and Abundant Love,

We pause this morning to take a breath before the changes before us,

both great and small,

for the changes that are stunning, that are obvious,

that bring us excitement, and joy,

and those that stagger us, that carry with them fear, and trembling.

We pause before those changes that come to us unbidden, and unknown.

In every moment the world grows into new directions

that are both clear and hazy.

We recognize that our vision helps us only so far,

that our expectations have but limited relevance,

and that our dreams only frame what is possible.

Gather this community together this hour,

May every candle lit, hold witness to our hopes and silences;

hold witness to the love that is before us,

and the stories that have brought us this far.

Our youth are beginning their next step along the path of life.

May the walking be for gladness, and possibility;

May they know,

whether they remain close, or travel the world,

that they are loved.

This community had a part in helping to form our newest adults,

and our youngest adults, here for a few years, or 18,

had a part in forming this community;

for both these gifts, we are grateful.

May we treat the gift of spending a childhood together,

as the honor that it is;

knowing that these doors remain ever open – to each of us.

RevWho