Family Vacation Bible School
F
amily Vacation Bible School was held at Immanuel August 7th through the 10th. Approximately 100 children, teen helpers, parents, grandparents, and adult volunteers participated in these four days of music, lessons, crafts, and games all related to this year's theme, Rome: Paul and the Underground Church. Bob and Pat Neros were the chairpersons for VBS, Bob and Ruth Sandin led the lessons each day with Elynn Niles providing an introduction. Donna Radinovich and Holly Hunter directed the crafts, Claudia Tessmer was in charge of
the
kitchen and Jill
Mattson was the director of the games. Pastor
Paul led the music for
both the opening
and closing each day. There were many teen volunteers and many adult volunteers helped in the kitchen each day. North Country Cafe provided meals for two days and Maucieri's provided meals for the other two days. Thank you to both of these businesses for their great generosity.
Each day had a Bible Point and a Bible Point. The games and the crafts for each day were based on these.
Day 1 Bible Point: God's love is a gift.
Bible Verse: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our L
ord." Romans 6:23
Games: We met Festus who thought himself to be a wonderful athlete but really hadn't won any prizes at the olympics.
Like God's love, he was awarded the gift of a laurel wreath even though he hadn't earned it.
We apprentices did the shot put with various balls and we had a high jump contest. Everyone was a winner!!
Craft: Prayer Journal, a daily journal of prayer. participants placed a sticker and wrote a memory each day.
In Rome a scribe was a prestigious occupation because not a lot of people knew how to write. Today we learn to write and can write to God in our prayer journals.
Day 2 Bible Point God's love changes us.
Bible Verse: "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Romans 12:2
Games: We learned how the Romans had a hard time accepting God's love. Roman fathers were
not loving like our God. Paul encouraged the Roman Christians to not be like your neighbors who foolishly offered sacrifices to idols. And it's more than just your actions that should be different - let God change your heart. We played "knuckles and bones" toss and had a rolling hoop race.
Craft:
Laurel Wreath. Romans wore laurel wreaths on their head when they wanted to dress up or when they were being honored. Emperors never went anywhere without it.
Day 3
Bible Point: God's love is always with us.
Bible Verse: "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love." Romans 8:38
Craft: A take home decoration of each day's Bible verses.
Games: We had "chariot races" around the "coliseum". The "horses" got tired!! We learned how daring the charioteers were and what little protection they had. We learned that God is always with us, even in challenges in our lives.
Day 4 Bible Point: God's love saves us.
Bible Verse: "But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8
Craft:
Necklace
In Rome, leather was used to make clothing and jewelry. The Apostle Paul worked as a
leather worker atone time. Roman children wore necklaces to make good things happen.
Games: God saved us by sending His Son Jesus to die for our sins. Because of Jesus we can live forever! We learned how firefighters save people and we put out the fire by hauling water. And we also knocked down the walls to stop the fire from spreading. Then we rebuilt Rome (in one day?).
Thank you to Jill Mattson, Donna Radinovich and Holly Hunter for the information about the crafts and games. Thank you everyone who helped in any way to make this event a success.
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