School’s Out!

“For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” Ephesians 2:10

We made it! Today, Day 68, is the final day of e-learning! This certainly wasn’t the school year we imagined when it started last August, but God has led us safely through.

Today I give thanks for Grace Lutheran School. I give thanks for our staff and faculty, who have been knocking e-learning out of the park since the middle of March. I’m thankful for the parents of our students, who have been wearing multiple hats, making sure that learning happens (it’s not easy, but I think I finally got the hang of second-grade math). I’m grateful for our students, resilient examples of God’s amazing handiwork.

The scripture passage for today is the class verse selected by our graduating eighth graders. Truly, they have been handmade and specially selected by God to do amazing things in the world! Thank you for blessing Grace School as leaders and servants during your years with us. We can’t wait to see what God does in your lives. God bless you, graduates!

Today we also give thanks for Mrs. Clauss, who is retiring at the end of this school year. I am so thankful that our Greta got to learn from you. In gratitude, I’ll even cheer for your Cubbies (as long as they’re not playing the Royals, of course). You are a gift, Mrs. Clauss, and Grace School wishes you every blessing!

In a little while, I’ll head up to Grace to lead our last chapel of the school year. One of my favorite traditions is taking an all-school selfie during closing chapel. I won’t be able to do that (or if I do, it will be a fairly empty picture), but I will get to speak my other favorite last-day-of-school tradition:

Rooted and built up in Christ, we have heard the Word of God and give thanks for God’s generous goodness that comes to us each day. I hereby declare the 2019-2020 academic year to be closed in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Closing chapel starts at 11:00. I hope you’ll join us for worship.

Be well, Grace Vikings. You are loved.

God of Grace, you have brought us this far along the way. Continue to guard and guide us as we move from the school year into the summer. Bless our students, especially our graduates. Do good works through them. Bless Laura, as she begins retirement. Thank you for the saving grace of Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Image: Greta and Anders on the first day of school, August 2019 (photo by E. Lyle).