Backpack Blessings

​Local Church Combines Prayer and Service to Help Scottsdale Students Succeed Sunday, Aug. 13th, 2023 @ 10:00AM SCOTTSDALE, AZ – As a new school year begins, North Scottsdale United Methodist Church is inviting the community to celebrate more than the first day of school. On Sunday, August 16, at 10:00 a.m., the congregation will gather to bless students, educators, backpacks, and school devices while launching a year-long commitment to pray for every child, teacher, and school staff member throughout the academic year. For members of North Scottsdale United Methodist Church, the Blessing of the Backpacks is not simply an annual tradition—it is a promise. Throughout the school year, the congregation intentionally lifts students, teachers, administrators, and school employees in prayer, asking God to grant them wisdom, courage, protection, and peace as they learn, teach, and grow. Every student attending the worship service will receive a free backpack tag as a daily reminder that they are never alone. Whether they're facing a difficult test, navigating friendships, or celebrating accomplishments, the tag serves as a reminder that God walks beside them and that an entire church family is praying for them. The congregation is also putting its prayers into action through its annual Back-to-School Supply Drive benefiting Vista del Camino Community Center. Church members and community supporters are collecting new backpacks and essential school supplies to help local students begin the school year with the tools they need to succeed. "Prayer changes hearts, but it also inspires action," said Rev. Leah Bergstrom. "Our hope is that every child knows they are loved—not only by God, but by a community willing to invest in their future." Donations collected through the supply drive will support families served by Vista del Camino, a Scottsdale community resource that provides assistance with food, clothing, emergency services, youth programs, and other essential resources. While hundreds of students receive school supplies each summer, the need continues long after distribution events have ended, making ongoing community support vital for many local families. The Blessing of the Backpacks and the school supply drive are free and open to the public. Families from throughout the community are invited to attend, whether they have children entering preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, college, or are educators preparing for another year in the classroom. North Scottsdale United Methodist Church offers Sunday worship at 10:00 a.m. both in person and online. The church provides ministries for children, youth, and adults, including Sunday School, Bible studies, mission opportunities, music, fellowship groups, and community outreach designed to help people grow in faith while serving others. For more information about the Blessing of the Backpacks, the Back-to-School Supply Drive, or other ministries at North Scottsdale United Methodist Church, please contact the church office at (480) 948-0529, [email protected]; check out their website or find them on Facebook or Pinterest. ###

Event Links

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3722661-0

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