Prayer Requests for VBS 2008!

Hello folks!

It will be a while before we find ourselves back at the Grove so in the mean time here are some somethings we can pray about. Gospel Light has a theme that may be a good fit for us. It is a theme park idea centered around making choices centered on Jesus called "SonWorld." It has an outdoor feel and we could rent some of the big inflatables from Grandma's for a big finale or for fun after the Unity Service. please visit the website and pray for God's guidance.

Another prayer request is concerning a 3 day VBS. Due to busy kids, group leaders and the August heat we may want to consider only 3 days instead of 5 for VBS. We would pick the lessons that are most relevant and the best games, snacks and crafts as well. The teen helpers continue to grow as a support to the elementary children and we would like to have a Christian band one night as an outreach and a way to say thank you to those teens. We could do the VBS from Wednesday through Friday with the concert on Saturday night and Unity Service on Sunday. Pray about these ideas and please share some of your own at the bottom of this blog by clicking on the comment link.

Finally, I was wondering what would it look like if we started the summer off with a VBS as well as ending it with one? Hear me out before you log off this blog! Gospel Light in association with Athletes in Action has a really cool VBS called "PowerZone" that is set up like a sports camp. Why not encourage more kids to come sign up to play t-ball and softball by teaching fundamentals while sharing the good news! We could have our own Grove Sports Camp! I love baseball and have often thought about starting a pick-up game on Saturdays as an outreach at the Grove, playing ball and lovin', livin', and learnin' about Jesus! Would this not also be a great way to get more men involved in ministering to children? As Pete Rose would say "you bet it would!"

Pray about all this stuff, these are just my ideas but it is all our churches ministry that Jesus has given to us as an outreach to our community and His will is way more important than my ideas! God bless you all and thank you for all your involvement, support and prayers!

Water Project a Big Success and more!

The total for the African Water Project is in and it is a good one! The children raised $219 during VBS and the Unity Service Sunday donation was $216! That is a total of $435 plus some extra change! Great job everyone and to God be the glory! This money will be sent to World Vision to assist in providing life giving water to African children.

Speaking of children, our highest total of attendance for one night was 111 kids and 31 teens! The overall average was approximately 1oo kids and over 25 teens per night. Thanks again to everyone and praise God for the spreading of the Gospel to kids in our community.

Please pray for God's direction next year for a three night VBS. This idea is under consideration because of leaders and children's busy schedules. As we continue holding VBS outdoors in August the heat tends to wear folks down over five days. So please pray for the leadership so that God would lead us in the right direction.

Finally, there has been an increase in teens attending VBS and we are praying for God to help us put together a ministry plan for them. It would be nice each evening for a special devotional for teens that corresponds with the VBS theme lead by local youth ministers. I would also like to see us close out the last night with a youth concert by a Christian band jamming for Jesus in the Grove! There are some good bands in our area, help us pray for the right one and if the concert would be part of God's plan for the VBS.

Thanks everyone for all your prayers and help. Before you know it we will be right back at the Grove for VBS 2008, see ya then!

More Unity in the Community!

PRAYER AROUND THE FLAG POLE

Once again it is time to bring our community together in prayer for our children, and school staff, as they start another school year!

Please join us as we gather around the flag pole at Union School on Sunday, August 12, at 1:00p.m. for a time of prayer and fellowship.

PRAYER: It may be said that prayer is an indication of the spiritual condition of the soul; It being to the soul what breath is to the body.

With Love in Christ Jesus

An Answered Prayer

Did you realize that we were part of an answered prayer on Sunday? Yes we were, and not just any prayer. We were answering Jesus prayer for His church:

I'm praying not only for them But also for those who will believe in me Because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. The same glory you gave me, I gave them, So they'll be as unified and together as we are— I in them and you in me. Then they'll be mature in this oneness, And give the godless world evidence That you've sent me and loved them In the same way you've loved me.

John 17:20 - 23 MSG.

The pastors did a great job as well as the kids! I thank God for His Spirit working in us to bring about the ministry of College Corner Community VBS. It is through Christ, by Christ and because of Christ that we are all in the family of God. Thank you all so much for your hard work and time spent in obedience to Christ prayer that we be one!

One to Remember

VBS 2007 has come and gone and I would have to say this was one of the best! From the planning back in February through to the last day here in August it has all went incredibly smooth. The fire department showing up to hose down the kids at the very end will make it one to remember.

My prayer is that the kids would remember these few warm days with the heart full of thankfulness to God many years from now. I pray all the volunteers and leaders will remember these hot days in late December and January and their hearts would be warmed with the love of God. When it is all said and done and we all sit down in Heaven with the Father we will look back with Him and remember with joy the songs we sang and the service we gave to these children. All that we did it was done unto Him!

(P.S. An overview of 2008 VBS curriculum's is in the "Cool Links" section next to this post)

One More Round!

All right folks, one more round! We are fighting the good fight of faith! Some time in the heat and chaos of VBS one can begin to wonder if all of this is working? Are they listening? Do the kids understand the message? Is this just a big fun and games thing?

The truth is the kids don't listen sometimes. The message is sometimes over their heads. A big part of VBS is fun and games.

The Apostle Paul said in Romans 1:16:

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:

When we proclaim that Christ is God's son, that He lived, died and rose again the power of God is moving among the kids and when they believe salvation happens! Our job is to preach it and then God takes it from there bringing salvation to whomever, whenever and wherever and He chooses.

So let us fight the good fight of faith through the heat, through the humidity, through the bugs, through the sweat, through the loud music, through the short attention spans, through the water squirted on your back, let's keep fighting the good and wonder-working fight of faith for one more night!

Prayer Needs Surfacing

Hello folks,

We are three days into VBS and amidst all the fun and water the needs of some kids and adults are coming to the surface. We had a child who has a learning disability feeling overwhelmed, a teenage helper having issues with another teenager who is not attending VBS. There is a Lifeguard who had to miss day 3 due to a recurring health problem with an immediate family member. We had one adult volunteer overcome by the heat and one boy who keeps wanting to leave on his own each night before VBS is over (we contacted his mother).

As God pours out joy let us ask and believe that He will also pour out His healing virtue on these souls and others as their needs surface.

Running Smoothly

Hello all you beach bums! Day 2 is over and a lot of the bugs have been worked out and VBS seems to be running smoothly! Kids got wet and one boy in particular got soaked big time! Our offering to help bring clean water to Africa is growing and kids were giving even as we packed up at the end of the night! Good solid Bible teaching and illustrations are pouring out of Bible Land Bay! Get some rest folks and we will see you on day 3!

What Just Happened!

Day 1 is in the books and hats off to River of Life congregation that was hit with a tidal wave of pre-schoolers! There were over 50 little Water Wings, a record number of pre-k for VBS! Great job all who helped with these little folks! Everyone did a great job for a large number of kids on the first night. If you are shell shocked hang in there and things will smooth out.

Remember when the disciples were overwhelmed by the hungry crowd and did not know what to do? Jesus said you give them what you have. They said "you got to be kidding! There is so many of them and so few of us with very little food." But Jesus prayed and took what they had and a miraculous feeding of a multitude was the result. Everyone was left with a "what just happened" look on their faces!

We may look at all these kids and say "there is so many of them and so few of us!" But God will take us and our little gifts and meet the needs of all these thirsty kids! Jesus is praying for us, the Bible says He is constantly interceding on our behalf! That is way cool!

Get some rest people and get ready for day 2!

Hit the Beach!

Day 1. Are you ready!
As we get ready to hit the beach here are reminders for all Lifeguards (group leaders):

1. Pray for the kids, the leaders, the weather, the message of Christ to be received, God to be exalted and the Spirit to guide you all week.
2. Read the "Game Plan" post on this site.
3. Arrive at the registration table by 6:00 pm.
4. Head to "Life Spring Lagoon" (main stage area)
5. Familiarize yourself with your groups scheduled order of rotation.
6. Introduce your self to the kids in your group as they arrive. We will then plunge into praise songs and prayer and then send you off to your next stop on your schedule. We will finish up each night back at the Lagoon with more praise songs and a closing prayer.
7. Have Fun!

The Grove will become a Water Park where kids Plunge into the Bible and how Jesus used water to teach important lessons that will last an eternal life time!

The key verse for the VBS is:
the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

Thank you for being an important part of VBS 2007!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

For some of us VBS is more fun the Christmas (and cheaper too!) Our teen leader loves VBS and changed the words around to give us a Summer VBS version of "the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." So hum a few bars as your reading along with these new verses:

It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the most wonderful time of the year With the kids running a-muck and everyone telling you "Be of good cheer" It's the most wonderful time of the year

It's the hap-happiest season of all With those mo-squitos biting and chaos igniting When kids come to call It's the hap- happiest season of all

We’ll wish we were coasting But feel like we’re roasting Singing out in the grove There'll be Biblical stories Great tales of His glories of His wonders long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year There'll be much game playing & water guns spraying When love ones are near It's the most wonderful time of the year

There'll be crafting for kiddies & drinks without liddies & singing out in the grove There'll be Biblical stories Great tales of His glories of His wonders long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year Jesus will hear our praising Our hearts will be raising When love ones are near It's the most wonderful time It's the most wonderful time It's the most wonderful time It's the most wonderful time of the year

Game Plan!

Hello folks!
VBS 2007 is closing in fast and it is time to go over our game plan!
"Take the Plunge" is the theme of our VBS that has a water park theme. Jesus used water to teach some powerful lessons and that is what the kids will experience each night:

• Monday is the Miraculous Catch of Fish


• Tuesday is Jesus and the Woman at the Well


• Wednesday Jesus calms the Storm


• Thursday Jesus Walks on Water


• Friday Jesus washes the Disciples Feet

The kids will use the water theme to learn who Jesus is, what He did and what He asks His followers to do. Our key verse is Jesus' words in John 4:14, 'The water that I give shall spring up to everlasting life."

Group Leaders Info

Adult group leaders will guide a group of kids each night are called "Life Guards." this year kids will be grouped by the school grade they will be entering in the fall. To find their group check out the July blog (located in the blog archive next to this post), find their church and there you will find their assigned grade level. You will be given a red VBS t-shirt to be worn to help you stand out in the crowd. You will be given those t-shirts and a bag to hold the kids name tags and "stuff" on Monday night, hang on to these because you will need them each night. Please try to arrive by 6pm each night to pick up stuff and move to the main stage area that we are calling "Lifespring Lagon." The kids for each group will be directed to that area from the registration area. Inside each groups bag you will find a rotation schedule for crafts at "Craft-Away Cove," games at "Oceans of Motion" and food at the "Snack Shack."The pre-school kids will be joining us for the opening and closing sessions but enjoying their activities at their own private pool party located by the ballpark playground. Lifeguards have rules around the pool and so do we at VBS. 1. Listen when a teacher is talking or another child is speaking. 2. keep your hands and body-parts to your self. 3. Have fun! Our behaviour policy is a "three strikes yer out." Lifeguards will warn a child of unacceptable behavior 2 times and the 3rd time they will be escorted out by a helper and the child will have to set out with an designated adult until the next event and then return to their group.

Lifeguards Mission

The Lifeguard job is to oversee the kids as they experience the good news of Jesus during VBS week. We want the kids to dive into the Spirit and get soaked in Jesus while enjoying the love and safety of the wonderful volunteer leaders from the community churches. The Lifeguards help nurture the life of the Spirit in these kids souls. For more on how important the group leaders are read the April blog in the archive entitled "Who is the Greatest?" Thanks to all that are volunteering to be a Lifeguard. Pray for the kids in the group, invite un-churched kids to visit the lifeguards church or visit one of their friends who are regular attenders. Encourage church kids to make new friends and invite kids to join them at their house of worship. The mission of Community VBS is to share the good news of Jesus through an unified body to the kids in the community, the Lifeguards are the humble servants that make help make this happen! So lets Pray, Play and Display the joy of Jesus! If you have any questions, concerns, complaints, ideas or testimonies please write them in the "comment" area at the bottom of this post and future ones. Oh yeah, I forgot...prepare to get wet! Bring a towel each night because we are going to plunge into Jesus in a very real way!

Get Ready...

Hi Folks

We are almost ready to start VBS 2007 in just a couple weeks! I ask that you would pray for God's Spirit to pour out on the kids and that many kids will ask Jesus to be the Lord of their lives. Please pray for our station leaders and our Bible teacher to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. Speaking of Bible teacher, Debbie Smith has graciously agreed to be our Bible teacher for this years VBS. Kathy Flatt (our Bible teacher last year) has allot on her plate this summer so please keep her and her daughter, who is recovering from back surgery, in your prayers.

Listed below are the age groups and snack needs as they were divided among the churches involved. Also included are the names of this years life guards who will shepherd the children each night. Please pray that these group leaders will invite children and their families to visit the local churches after VBS.

River of Life

Arlene Nichols

Lisa

Brad Nichols

Monica Schlicter
Faye

Trinity

Cindy Neal

Rev. Neal
Bob Beckett

Presbyterian

Doris Lewis

Michelle Wehner

DJ & Meriah Price

Susan Bantz

Randy Porter (?)

Gary Minges (?)

Methodist

Shirley Hellem

Danielle Long

Missy Gesell

Sarai Chaney

Charlene Bake (?)

Brad Abbott (?)

Gary Moore from the Nazarene and Light House Church of God couldn’t make the meeting, so please get volunteer names to Dave.

Please have phone numbers for all your volunteers by the next meeting.

It was decided that the age groups would be assigned to a specific church. If there were more kids than lifeguards for a particular age some of the larger churches will help out where needed. The assignments are as follows:

K and under River of Life (along w/ Cindy from Trinity) - Water Wings
1st Grade Trinity - Pool Noodles
2nd Grade Nazarene - Goggles
3rd Grade Presbyterian - Squirt Guns
4th Grade Methodist - Beach Balls
5th Grade Church of God - Snorkels

Dave Hampton reported that all workers will sign the “Commitment Sheet” and training is still being worked out. Doing something through the VBS Blog is being considered as well as visits to churches before the event.

Julie Abbott assigned snack days to each of the churches. She asked that all snacks be delivered to The Grove prior to the evening they are needed. They can be dropped off the evening before during VBS or the night of, between 6:00-6:30 PM.
They assignments are as follows:

Day 1 Methodist Day
Day 2 Nazarene
Day 3 Presbyterian

Day 4 River of Life

Day 5 Trinity

Laura Lacy reported that no supplies will need to be donated from the churches for crafts. The budget will cover all crafting expenses.

Belinda Cross explained the Youth Helper program. Any teens who would like to help should contact Belinda Cross. She will lead them in devotions before VBS every night and will assign them their tasks for the evening. They also will be signing a “Pledge” before they may participate. Each evening there will be nominations for “Outstanding Youth Helper.” They will be entered into a nightly drawing and the winner will receive a Cold Stone Creamery gift certificate.

Stacey Minges suggested there be a decorating committee for VBS. This would be for folks who can’t stand the heat, but would like to help out before the event. All churches were asked if they would think about folks they would like to ask for this project. Belinda Cross said her teen group could be responsible for the set-up and tear-down each evening of the decorations and tents.

Dave Hampton will be in charge of the opening and closing ceremonies. He will have at least four “motion leaders” help him teach the songs. If anyone knows of some outgoing young men or boys who would like to participate in this part of the program, please see Dave. Dave is working out the details of the water offering and the competition between the boys and girls. They will get wet!

It was suggested that the churches tell their own kids who will be attending to make sure they pre-register (Stacey Minges will get the forms to the churches) and also to suggest they wear their bathing suits under their clothes.

Mick Miller of the Methodist Church will be coordinating with all the pastors of the participating churches for the Unity Service. Because of the conflict with Church Softball Games it was decided that the Unity Service will be from 11:00-12:00 PM and there will be no cook out this year. It will be announced during our service everyone is welcome to come back at 1:30 for the Softball Pitch-in, Christian Music and Softball Games later that day.

The next meeting will be at the Trinity Church behind Union School. It will be at 10:00am on July 21st.

VBS Water Project

Hello folks, it won’t be long until we are at the Grove with lots of kids having a blast at VBS. Some of the things that make the outdoor VBS work so well is the spraying that keeps the mosquitoes away and the always necessary restrooms! Speaking of restrooms, did you realize that when you flush a toilet just once at the Grove you have used more water than rural African families use for one day of washing, cleaning, cooking and drinking. Here are some more sad facts about the lack of clean drinking water in Africa:

· Every fifteen seconds someone dies of a waterborne illness that is 5,760 people a day, or over 2 million people a year. Most of these are children.

· Each year, water-related diseases kill more people than AIDS and cancer combined.

· Integral to this horrible cycle, sickness and disease resulting from the consumption of contaminated drinking water destroy the strength and development of African families and communities. This leads to extreme poverty, lack of education, tremendous inequities, and greater illnesses, creating conditions ripe for the continued spread of HIV/AIDS. Caught in this downward spiral, it becomes difficult, and most cases impossible, for individuals to progress out of their terrible plight.

· Although circumstances vary, water wells can be dug for as little as $2000. On average, as little as $10 can provide one person with clean water for an entire lifetime.


Our VBS this year is “Take the Plunge! Make a Splash with Jesus,” we are going to have a blast with this water park theme so why not take this opportunity to bless kids in need of water? We have decided at our last meeting to have the boys and girls compete each night to see who can raise the most money to donate to the water and sanitation ministry of World Vision in Africa. Through their offerings they can give life giving water as they learn about the Jesus and have a blast getting wet at VBS. The money is used by World Vision to dig wells, manage sanitation and irrigate crops. Please check out the websites in the "Cool Links" section of this blog to see what a blessing and opportunity there is for the kids to make a huge splash for Jesus in the lives of needy children! Encourage your kids to visit the “Water Matters” link so they can meet some kids they are going to bless!

VBS Update!

Breaking News!


This is a VBS schedule update! I apologize, in my oversight I had not contacted the Grove earlier in February and the Grove is booked for Sunday July 29th. Our new schedule is for Monday July 30 through Friday August 3rd.

The Unity Service will be on Sunday August 5th but changes in the times will be announced at a later date.

Again I apologize for this error and I promise we will be scheduled for the first week of August well in advance for next year.

Please continue to pray for many kids to follow Christ, that God would bring volunteers with love and patience and great weather.

Any questions? Please don't hesitate to contact me.

God bless
Dave

Who is the Greatest?

I want to take a moment to ponder this question, who is most important in VBS? Here are some possibilities:
1. The leaders who meet and plan everything. 2. The leaders of the pre-school,crafts, games, snacks, bible lesson and music. 3. The people who purchase all the stuff for the snacks. 4. The folks that help mow and spray the Grove. 5. The pastors who share during unity service. All these are super important and I thank God for each and everyone, because without them VBS would be a mess.

Now the kids we are ministering to are what it is all about, they are the future of the body of Christ. They are our example of what we are to be like to be partakers of the kingdom of God-

(Jesus) said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3

Since the kids are the focus it makes sense to me that the most important are the group leaders who are with the kids for the whole week. They are there one-on-one being Jesus in the skin to these little ones. They have the privilege of being with these kids when they hear the gospel for the first time! They get to see the awe and wonder in the face as they get to hear stories of Jesus walking on the water, healing the sick, raising the dead, for the first time in their life! They have the privilege of praying with these little guys as they walk with them into the throne room of God. They sweat with them, play with them and eat with them. They are Christ to them. We all are Christ to them. Let us pray that God will continue to bless us with great volunteers and great group leaders this summer!

Zero Tolerance

Hello VBS folks,

I recently heard some statistics that I wanted to pass on to everyone. 1 out of 3 girls in America are sexually abused. 1 out of 5 boys are sexually abused. 10% to 15% of kids in the church are victims of incest. 98% of sexual abuse that happens to children is perpetrated by someone they know.

This is some very sad information that surely breaks the heart of God. So the reason I bring this up is so that we are aware of problem and sin around us. Community VBS should be a safe place for kids to come and hear the gospel and so far we have had no abuse incidents being reported. I thank God for everyone who loves God, loves kids and gives up valuable time to serve in VBS each summer. But to take a stand against child sex abuse, I am planning to ask the VBS committee to require all adult helpers (myself included) to sign a pledge to protect VBS kids and bring them no harm . I would love to be able to afford police background checks on all adult helpers to insure the kids safety, but it is unfortunately too expensive. This pledge would simply be the voice of Community VBS making a stand that we will not tolerate abuse, be it sexual or physical.

We continue to have leaders keeping an eye out for adult strangers hanging around the Grove during VBS and we ask them to move on for the kids protection. Now we want to make a simple statement with everyone involved that we will love and respect the children that God brings to VBS. A pledge of zero tolerance of child abuse.

I look forward to our meeting this Saturday morning (April 7th at 10AM at the Methodist church), I will answer any questions in relation to the pledge. We will also pray about leaders and helpers and overview this summers VBS. See you then!

Let's get this party Started!

Hello folks

It is actually above freezing and moving towards VBS weather, finally!

Last meeting went well and it is official that we will being doing Take the Plunge! from Standard publishing. You can check it out from here in this blogs "Cool Links."

if you have trouble viewing this site please let me know. We chose this because the entire focus is consistent; Jesus is the main theme, the story have a continuous theme and the water theme lends it self well with our outside venue. We will be using lots of water this summer Instead of fighting the heat and rain we will just go with the flow!

The dates for VBS are:

July 29th - August 2nd with the Unity Service on August 5th.

Some super good news! God has blessed us with an anonymous financial gift for VBS!!! It is to cover the cost of smaller congregations involved and remove the Unity Service offering. This is a great blessing allowing this VBS and future ones to be free to the community, grace with no strings attached.

The next meeting (#2) will be April 7th at 10AM at the Methodist church. We will meet again in June and twice in July.

Wow! VBS is on the way and God is going to be exalted in our community and Jesus will proclaimed in song, prayer, bible lessons, crafts and snacks! Please pray for:

God to be exalted, Jesus proclaimed clearly and with grace, unity in the churches, the right leaders in all areas, weather and kids. Lots of kids, to be loved and have ears to hear and hearts to receive Jesus.

Live well
David