Celebration Guidelines for the Local Church

The annual graduation ceremony is called a Girls Clubs Celebration. All clubs can participate in one ceremony. However, if you have large clubs, you can recognize Rainbows through Prims in one service and Stars through Girls Only in another. The purpose of the Girls Clubs Celebration is threefold:

• To recognize all girls and their achievements at the time of promotion to the next club
• To provide an evangelistic service for unchurched parents, family, and friends
• To bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ our Lord through a time of commitment
  (See charges below —these should be the pinnacle of the Celebration.)

Suggested Ideas

• Honor Star, Friends Graduate, and Girls Only Graduate can be escorted by father, parents, Royal Rangers, etc.
• Special music—songs representing commitment to Christ
• Present each girl with a white flower (representing purity) with a ribbon corresponding to the appropriate club-level color
• Annual Theme Bulletin Cover: inside left-order of service; inside right-names of girls and sponsors; outside back-charges)
• Recognize and honor leaders
• Reception—Display girls' books, projects, pictures of Adventures, etc.

Guidelines for Attire

Sunday attire or white dress is recommended. Backless, slits above the knee, strapless, and wedding gowns are not appropriate. Modest length and neckline are desired.

Suggested Planning Schedule

• 6 months prior—Plan event with pastor or appropriate staff and finalize all arrangements for church
• 3 months prior—Send applications to district Girls Ministries coordinator and order all awards (see order form)
• 6 weeks prior—Send invitations; organize volunteers for reception 3 weeks prior-Prepare order of service
• 1 week prior—Prepare all decorations and reception; Organize awards; Send final reminder home with girls; Hold a rehearsal with all participants

All elements of the ceremony must be approved by the pastor and/or Girls Clubs coordinator.

Suggested Order of Service

Honor Star Charge

"In Stars Club you have been taught and trained in Christian principles and doctrine. May the Scriptures you have memorized give you a strong foundation and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ—unmovable and unchangeable regardless of what comes your way in life. You have great choices ahead of you. Always consider what Jesus would have you do and follow His leading. I charge you to stand firm as an Honor Star, to keep your eyes on Jesus, and to remember your pledge."

Honor Stars respond – "Having accepted Jesus as my Savior, I will follow Him in service, in testimony, in attitude, and in relationships; striving always to glorify my Lord as an Honor Star."

"Jesus has a special purpose and plan for your life. He will never fail you. Keep your eyes on Him and your hand in His. Walk close to the Lord."

Honor Stars respond – "I will follow Jesus."

"May your commitment to follow Jesus direct your every step."

Friends Graduate Charge

"In Friends Club you have committed yourself to Jesus Christ, Christian values, family, friends, and the Church. You've promised to encourage and provide accountability to one another. Through Scripture memorization, study time, and Bible reading, you have been taught what it means to be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by His decrees, and to obey His commands."

"I now charge you to be fully committed to God throughout your high school years and beyond. This ring symbolizes your desire to fulfill this commitment to Jesus Christ, Christian values, family, friends, and the Church. May it serve to remind you that no temptation is worth compromising your relationship with Jesus Christ. Most importantly, may the eternal value of this commitment direct you in every decision from this point on."

Friends Graduates respond – "As Friends we will be committed to Jesus Christ our Lord, Christian values, family, friends, and church; promising to encourage and provide accountability to one another. We are committed to God."

Girls Only Graduate Charge

"In Girls Only Club you have been challenged to reflect God in every part of your life: spiritual, social, emotional, and physical. You have promised to stand firm in your commitment to Him, both now and in the future. May every Scripture verse you've memorized, every project you've completed, and every godly relationship you have built during your time in Girls Clubs help to guide you throughout your life."

Girls Only Graduates respond – "I pledge to reflect God in every part of my life: spiritual, social, emotional, and physical; and to stand firm in my commitment to Him, both now and in the future."

"I now charge you to uphold the truths you have learned in Girls Clubs and be a witness for Christ to everyone around you. May this necklace serve to remind you to 'Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.'"

Girls Only Graduates respond – "Every day in every way I will boldly live for God."

Copyright ©1998-2008 The General Council of the Assemblies of God
National Girls Ministries, 1445 Boonville Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802-1894. All rights reserved.