Middle School Students Lead During Week of Worship

Mount Aetna Adventist School held a student-led week of worship from Oct. 12-15.

Middle school students from Mount Aetna Adventist School in Hagerstown, Md., led the school’s annual week of worship from Oct. 12-15. 

Students in grades 5-8 performed daily skits and paired up with lower-grade students to complete fun activities illustrating the week’s theme of “nature shows us God’s love.” 

“The goal was to get everyone actively involved,” says middle school teacher Jackie Benton. “I tell the big kids to show the younger kids in the school how much Jesus loves them.” 

Every middle school student held a leadership role during the week. They organized and set up games and activities and cleaned up and put away equipment at the end of each day. Students led song service, participated in group skits, and shared daily object lessons.

Each older student worked with a “buddy” from the lower grades to visit outdoor nature stations, where they completed a game or activity together and shared a spiritual lesson. 

“It was a good bonding experience,” says 5th-grader Noah on the opportunity to lead out during the week of worship.

Nature stations included a scavenger hunt, kite flying, a creation story nature hike, leaf rubbings, rock painting, bird feeders, and mud play. Elementary students had a great time and looked forward to meeting their middle school partner each day. 

“I liked that we got to play with bubbles, eat snacks, and go on nature walks. It was cool that my 8th grader wanted me–she wanted me to be her partner,” says Maddie, 2nd grade. 

Third-grader Wyatt enjoyed all the hard work the older students put into making the week special. “I liked the skits and how they performed,” he says.

The teachers and staff believe the student-led week of worship will positively impact the rest of the school year. 

“It’s my favorite thing we do all year,” Benton says. “I tell the big kids to get excited every time they see their little person in the hallway or at chapel, and that it will make a really positive impact. So that’s what they do, and it lasts all year!”