VBS is coming soon!

And finally, to whichever little guy left the Block Party without his size 6 Garanimals sandals, we found them and would be happy to return them to you.

Did you know that our Vacation Bible School is coming July 21-25? That’s less than four weeks away! Good thing they don’t give me much to do. Just show up, hang out, smile and look pretty. I think I can get three out of those four things done anyway. 

Let me encourage you to plan on bringing your K-6^th grade children for a terrific week of VBS. We might do it a little differently than when you were a kid, but there’s still upbeat music, tasty snacks, fun crafts, crazy rec games and solid Bible stories. 

Here are two things I can guarantee will happen.

One, we will show the love of Christ to your children. We’ll show it by words and actions of kindness and respect toward your children. We’ll reflect it in the way we enjoy the time getting to know them. We’ll display it in our attitudes of servant leadership. We’ll do it by providing a safe environment with proper behavioral boundaries. We’ll do it by praying for your children and by sharing the good news of salvation with them. We’ll model it in the 1 Corinthians 13 style of biblical, Christ-like love.

No, we’re not perfect, and we won’t love perfectly. Honestly, it’s not even in our human nature to love others like Jesus. But we have been given a new nature in Christ, and in the power of His Spirit abiding in our hearts we let Him live in us and do the loving through us. So we can’t even take the credit if we get this right. If we love well, then to God be the glory, and that’s our number one desire anyway!

Two, your children will come home and drive you crazy with continual singing of the songs they’ll be learning. Not that driving you crazy is our goal, you understand. Just saying you may have to raise your own crazy bar higher to allow your children to sing at home, in the car, at the grocery store, in the doctor’s office or wherever else they may be when the urge to unloosen the tongue hits.

Remember, while such singing may start pushing the needle on the crazy-meter into the yellow (I’m a parent, too, and I have my limits, as well), these songs are rich with the truths of God’s Word that you want them to hold in their hearts. Think about it. You may not have a single verse in the Bible memorized, but you can probably sing “Jesus Loves Me” and “Amazing Grace” and others word for word. Music drives the message home and helps it stick. Praise God for what our children will be learning through those songs that may drive you and me crazy!

So, if I haven’t deterred you from bringing your children or grandchildren or nieces or nephews or stray neighborhood kids you happen to find along the way, we’d love to invite you to come to Vacation Bible School! The dates again are July 21-25, Sunday through Thursday, from 6:00-9:00 each night. The last night will include a Family Night opportunity for you to come and see what the kids have been doing all week. It will be held at the First Baptist Church, 103 W. Sangamon Ave., just one block west of the only stop light in town.

Speaking of VBS, many of our former VBS children are now in our youth group and are continuing to learn and grow in the faith and serve others for the sake of Christ. This Sunday, June 30, why not come and hear from many of them about their recent mission trip? Some of them will also be leading in music. We are blessed with leaders who invest in our young people for the advancement of the kingdom of God, and youth who have a heart to follow after Jesus. Join us in worship this Sunday at 10:45 a.m. for a special time of encouragement in the Lord!