Scripture: Philippians 4: 4-9
Message: Celebrating our 2026 Graduates
This Sunday we’ll be celebrating our Graduating High School seniors, their accomplishments, and life long faith formation. While I’m a little biased (one of these graduates is my own Ethan!), I have to say that this is one of my favorite traditions of the UPA.
When I first arrived here 5 years ago I remember someone mentioning this tradition. “We ask the High School seniors to offer a sermon so we can celebrate them.” Admittedly I had a hard time believing any of these newly free, over stressed 18 year olds would say yes to such an offer. I soon found out how wrong I was. In fact, in that first year we needed 3 Sundays to get through all of the senior’s sermons! As each one took their turn, each testified to the impact their church family had on their faith formation, maturity, and even their future hopes and dreams. Each one was so grateful for the church AND so grateful to have the opportunity to share this gratitude in this way. I was floored! … and moved… and inspired by each one.
Each year that has followed has been such a gift to me and to us. I brag about this Sunday to my colleagues and friends and they can’t believe it either. And yet here we are – raising young people in faith and love and imagination and hope. AND raising them to be able to share this good news outwardly as well! I hope you’ll join us this Sunday to show our support for these incredible young people!
See you Sunday!
Peace,
Cheryl