Youth Recognition Sunday Liturgy

written by the Rev. LeeAnne Watkins

Please contact her for permission to use

Officiant:Who are these young people who stand before us?

Presenters:We present ____________________(full name)

Officiant to Presenters:What is it you seek?

Adults: We seek God's blessing for our children as they enter adolescence and for us as we walk with them.

Officiant to young people:(Name), you are made in God's image. God has held you in the palm of God's hand every day of your life, and always will. The years in front of you will be a time of great change as you leave your childhood and walk toward your adulthood. As you travel this road, know that some things do not change. God knows you, delights in you, and has invested in you gifts needed for the healing of the world.

As you step toward maturity, will you promise these things?

Will you make decisions that honor your body and your spirit?

Young person:I will with God's help

Officiant:Will you include the outcast, love the lonely, and practice mercy?

Young person:I will with God's help

Officiant:Will you respect your elders?

Young person:I will with God's help

Officiant to adults:As adults especially charged with the nurture of these young people, will you promise these things?

Will you respect their dignity, listen to what they tell you, and allow them to make mistakes?

Adults:We will with God's help

Officiant:Will you be patient, practice forgiveness, and retain your sense of humor?

Adults:We will with God's help

Officiant:Will you set appropriate boundaries intended to keep them safe?

Adults:We will with God's help

Officiant:Will you be faithful in attending church, the study of scripture, and in saying your prayers?

Adults:We will with God's help

Officiant, to congregation:Will you, their Christian community, commit to these young people?

Congregation:We will notice you. We will accept the gifts you bring. We will sing and pray with you. We will challenge you to be generous and compassionate, and to live a life in the service of Christ. Will you do the same for us?

Young people:We will, with God's help.

Celebrant: All holy God, source of every blessing, we give you thanks for the blessing these your children have been to us. And as you begin this transformation of their bodies and their spirits into those of mature men and women, confirm in us a sense of joy and wonder in these and all your works. This we ask in the name of the Holy Trinity, one God. Amen.