Thinking about VBS

Thinking a little about Vacation Bible School today. Parents, please mark your calendars for the week of July 17-22 and plan to bring your children for a “Big Apple Adventure.” If you already have something going on that week, you’ll need to cancel those arrangements and make sure to attend VBS. We’re also planning a fun Kick-off / Registration event on Thursday, July 14, on the church grounds.

My favorite part of VBS when I was young was the recreation time. Of course, recess was always my favorite part of school, too. If there was a game of kickball going on, any kind of relay races or dodge ball, that’s where I wanted to be.

Last year Ben and Terra Moye were in their rookie season as rec leaders, but did a wonderful job of helping the children have a very enjoyable experience. I knew it would be good the day I saw Ben drive up with a water tank in the back of his truck. I’m already looking forward to what they have planned this year.

Another highlight of VBS is snack time. Karen Cathy, Becky Newton, Gladys Moye, Barb Casey, Claudette Raymer, Kim Kanipe and others go out of their way to make sure the treats are creative, delicious and always served with a smile. All I remember from my childhood days are cookies and Kool-Aid. We’re way out of that league now. Some of our kitchen folks could have their own TV show displaying their abilities. Maybe I’ll contact WSIL and see if we can make that happen.

Then there’s the music. I’ll admit that I miss some of the songs that we used to sing when I was young, but the new songs are pretty catchy. And the lyrics the kids learn always help reinforce the lessons they hear each day. Music is a terrific teacher. Chances are that you recall some of the songs you sang in Vacation Bible School even if you don’t remember a single Bible story.

It’s like when we go out to the nursing home every 4th Sunday to lead a worship service. There’s a great joy to see and hear some of the residents there singing and not missing a word to songs they’ve known all their lives, even though they may not remember much else! Music is a powerful, effective teaching tool! And we have excellent leaders in VBS who help the children sing with understanding. Apologies to parents whose kids drive them crazy singing the VBS songs at home and in the car for the next several weeks.

By the way, our VBS music leader, Jill Rhine, is also stage/set designer extraordinaire. In just the time I’ve been here we’ve seen such sights as airplanes soaring out from the baptistery, waterfalls sparkling over the choir loft, scoreboards lighting up the stage and an entire western ranch operation come alive. This year you’re going to feel like you’re walking among the skyscrapers of downtown New York City.

And who can forget the fun of making things in craft time? I remember the girls very carefully cutting out things and gluing their projects together, while us boys glued our hands and tried to gross out the girls by peeling off the dried glue. I guess with the invention of the glue stick that doesn’t happen much anymore. Probably for the best.

Annette Jones and her helpers always make sure the children create and bring home crafts that serve as visual reminders of the Bible stories and VBS experience. If your children have been in Vacation Bible School, you might still have decorations or pictures hanging on your refrigerator, as we do at our home, or proudly displayed on dressers or doorknobs.

Finally, I’m excited this year about the stories your children will be learning. You can be confident that our teachers teach their students the Word of God. They’ll hear about the compassion of Jesus for the hurting. They’ll learn about His forgiveness and love. They’ll hear about the salvation He offers to whosoever believes in Him. They’ll see His miraculous power to heal, His mercy for the outcast and despised, and His grace toward those who trust Him.

Our team of teachers is among the best you’d find anywhere. I’m grateful to work alongside them and thankful my own boys have the opportunity to learn from them. In a future article I’ll mention them individually.

And I’m grateful for our administrative help. Without the leadership of Sheryl Woods and Theda Miller we’d be in trouble. We’re just two months away. Who’s ready for a Big Apple Adventure?