Thursday - Day Four

God's Word is Life-changing.

Bible Story:

Peter and John teach us about Jesus.

(Acts 3:1 - 4:12)

Bible Buddy:

Salty the Pelican

The captain needs a wheel to change the ship's direction.  God's Word will change the course of your life - it's life-changing.

"Give me life through your word."

VBS is a great way to have fun and get our children to learn about the the teachings of our Lord.  Typically what goes along with it is lots of silliness, plenty of giggles and a touch of gentle seriousness.  Today, through the skit administered by Pastor Derek, Vacation Bible School became more about a deep understanding of who Christ is and how we can allow him into our hearts.  Four rounds of the same skit produced the same result from each:  Where the children normally ran from their skit to the next activity, today they walked.  The Crew Leaders, usually jubilant and joyous, were following the kids with swollen eyes and a slight smile.

Today's skit was a quiet, powerful demonstration of how the Lord has saved us and washed us of our sin so that we may live a life as close to His as we so desire.  Derek spoke of how He has given us life, and now it is up to us, as people, to make positive decisions and to withstand the forces that work against a Christ-like life.  We must make the choices, but He is here to guide us and show us the way.

On a dark stage, each child was 'untied' from sin and draped their faith on the arms of the cross.  Soft music played in the back ground.  Wiggly children sat still while they silently watched each other drape the promise of faith on the arms of our saviour and every now and then, as a child carefully cast their ties, you could hear him whisper, "God has saved me." 

One of the coordinators for VBS was talking with me about the work that goes into organizing a whole week's worth of activity, snack and worship - the manpower alone is so staggering. 

People have asked, "Is it worth it to do all this work?" 

Her inherent answer was,

"Absolutely.  If we reach one child in this week, it will be worth it.  And for all the others, you just never know what kind of impact this could have for them down the road."

Her words are so inspiring and her passion for these children is what makes a week like this so successful.

See below for a few other snippets from last evening's events.

Two new additions to the Devonshire Family.

and

two future VBS participants.

Sir Anthony of Surrey

taking a moment from his ball tossing excursion to point his toe and throw me a most debonair glance.

Girl Power at its finest.

Today's Creative Nibblet

is in homage of our dirty sin (chocolate cookie crumbles)

overwhelmed by the purity of God's love (whipped topping)

and then washed away by His blood (cherry topping)

Today's craft...

Two campers contemplate God Time teachings.

For these two, the pews were just too confining...

Dancing needs to be done in the aisle!

After I took this shot, Mason (right), a child of modern day technology, asked to see the picture.

When I showed it to him, I said, "Look at you!  You're such a cutie!"

His response:

"Yes!  I am!"

Forget Silly Bands... I think we can see here what the latest craze is.

 An aerial view of some of our Vacation Bible School campers...

Tomorrow is the last day of this glorious week...  Volunteer Dinner starts at 5.30, followed by a parent's tour through our lessons and then finishing with an ice cream social in Fellowship Hall.

See you there!