I spoke at a high school baccalaureate service in the 1990s. I brought a camo fanny pack used for deer hunting as an object lesson. I discussed the meaning of the pack’s contents, including a whistle, compass, knife, bandage, and lighter.

My best friend and fellow pastor, Glenn Ethridge, developed the idea into a creative series of Graduate Sunday sermons. He dressed up as different characters each May and shared Godly wisdom with the congregation’s seniors.

I decided to reborrow the idea at Northside Church. I have spoken to our high school seniors on the first Sunday of May wearing various guises:

• 2018    Camos and boots with my original hunting pack
• 2019    Two Atlanta Braves jerseys featuring a pro’s name and my own
• 2020    Suit and tie delivering a David Letterman Top 10 List
• 2021    1970s, 100% polyester, bright orange, leisure suit
• 2022    State Farm’s Mayhem with black suit, tie-bar, bruises, and bandages
• 2023    Top Gun’s Maverick flight suit
• 2024    Indiana Jones with leather jacket, fedora, and whip

This year Senior Sunday coincides with Star Wars Day: May the 4^th be with you! The sermon is titled Soul Wars: May the Faith Be with You. Check out the Northside Church’s social media platforms for videos starring yrs trly as Obi Wan Bill Burch.

I hope you’ll join us onsite or online this Sunday, May 4 at the 9:00 Contemporary Service as we honor our seniors. Visit the church’s website for the live stream at www.northsideumc.org. The sermon will be archived for future viewing, too.