2026 - 27 School Year Theme and Verse

by Principal Brandy Vizmanos-Garcia

Have you ever taken the time to look up at the night sky? Even with the naked eye, the enormity of the tiny fraction of the universe that we observe leaves me awestruck. The brilliance of a full moon, the thousands of stars twinkling above, the smoky path of the Milky Way, the planets illuminating the darkness, or the sparkling trail of a meteor are all evidence of our Creator's handiwork. Earth, the heavens above, our galaxy, and the trillions of galaxies that make up the infinite universe are a record of being “Surrounded by His Glory.” David sang in Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” As you look at the skies and heavens and all creation, remember, your God did this for you.

The heavens and skies are visible to everyone on Earth. They are a reminder of God’s eternal goodness and immeasurable greatness. They provide us with the means to experience night and day, seasons, days, and years, as well as the warmth we receive from the sun. The existence of life on Earth is due to the perfection of how everything in the universe works together. The life-giving water that covers 70% of Earth’s surface, the exact distance the Earth is from the Sun, the stability of the Sun, our planet's atmosphere, the magnetic field that protects us, a moon big enough to stabilize our axial wobble, and so much more are evidence of an intricate designer who formed the Earth to support life. Isaiah conveys to us God’s intent for the earth to be inhabited: “It is I who made the earth and created mankind on it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.” Isaiah 45:12. He created the earth so that mankind might have a place to have a relationship and fellowship with him.

Just as God had a purpose in forming the Earth, he has a purpose for each of us. He has equipped us to fulfill that purpose, and we are called to seek his will and faithfully walk in obedience to it. Jesus is a perfect example of a life lived according to God’s design, bringing glory to the Father through complete faithfulness. As Jesus declared in John 17:4, “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” Throughout his years of ministry and ultimately through his death, Jesus’ every word and action demonstrated unwavering obedience and revealed his commitment to glorifying God. We are called to follow in Christ’s footsteps by living a life marked by faithful obedience, mirroring God’s character, and honoring him in all that we do.

God created us, and all of creation reflects his beauty, power, and majesty. He has provided us with a general revelation that is obvious in creation, our minds, and hearts. Paul reveals this truth in Romans 1:20: “ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Creation itself bears witness to a Creator, making us responsible for believing in God and giving him glory. He finds joy in revealing himself on a daily basis, and there is no excuse not to recognize the One who spoke everything into existence. The universe and everything in it is not the product of chance, but of the intentional work of our all-powerful and loving God.

The Maker of the heavens and the earth has created each one of us with a specific purpose to further the Kingdom. May we honor him and reflect his love to those around us as we pursue his will in our lives. Just as the skies proclaim the works of his hands, may our lives magnify his goodness and bring glory to him this upcoming school year.

Foundational insight provided by Pastor Skip Heitzig, July 14, 2014, “Say Something” message on Psalm 19, and Pastor David Guzik, June 22, 2020, “The Heavens, the Word, and the Glory of God” message on Psalm 19.