Final Day of Vacation Bible School

Well, Vacation Bible School is over for another year.  The theme of the night was God is in Charge.  Our schedule was abbrieviated due to the kids had to put on a presentation for their parents, so everything was rushed.  The kids all wanted to see the ending of Chaddar's Wild West Adventure, so that went really well.  We had some storms in the area last night and attendance was down by a few.  I hope that was the reason for the decline.  I thought VBS was organized very well so, I don't think it was that.  I think the staff was glad to get it done because how many times can you hear the children's songs before it's burned into your brain? :)  

Fourth Day of Vacation Bible School

Last night's theme was God Is Awesome and the kids for the most part seemed to understand what we were trying to teach them.  Of course, the younger ones wanted to see the new installment of Chaddar's Wild West Theatre, but we also talked about how Jesus died for our sins and what we needed to do to have our sins forgiven.  I was surprised how the little ones payed close attention.  It gave me a warm feeling inside that the kids listened to such an important message.  Did we reach someone who will become a Christian?  Only time will tell, but I know at least some that listened.  We wrap things up tonight and the parents are invited for the grand finale, so it should be interesting.

Third Day of Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School went well again last night.  Becky (my wife) got to do an experiment with the kids using a hair dryer and a ping-pong ball to show how we need to connect with God through prayer.  First, she played dumb and tried to use the hair dryer without plugging into the wall.  Once she showed that it wouldn't work, she got the kids to tell her she needed to plug the hair dryer in and did the experiment right.  She explained with the hair dryer connected with electricity, the ping-pong ball floated with the air on.  Therefore, if we pray to God, we are connected to him and we can use his strength in our time of need.  The kids had a great time with it and Becky enjoyed interacting with them.

Tonight's theme is God is Awesome.  I've been studying the material and I think it will be a special lesson as I explain how Jesus died for our sins.  I just hope everyone survives the heat outside before we go in for our lesson.

Second Day of Vacation Bible School

I was pleasantly surprised to see more kids last night at Vacation Bible School.  We showed the second installment of Chadder's Wild West Theatre and the kids loved it.  What is really encouraging is seeing that the kids are taking the daily challenges seriously.  Tonight's theme is God is Strong with the film part only 2 and a half minutes long.  We will be doing an experiment with the hair dryer and ping pong ball and connecting it with being in contact with God.  I'm having a great time with this and I'm letting my wife do more interaction with the kids tonight so that she doesn't feel like she's just there.  She's been adding things to the presentation and I'm so glad to have her in my room.  

Vacation Bible School and more

Last night was the first night of our vacation bible school.  The theme is Avalanche Ranch and me and my wife were put in charge of Cheddar's Wild West Theatre.  To be honest, when I signed up to help out with vacation bible school, I was expecting to help with the crafts or something else.  I wasn't really wanting to teach since that's what I do as my career.  After some careful thinking and praying, I realize now that God wanted me to teach the kids.  I felt really good teaching the Word of God to the kids and even though after seeing the first segment of the movie 4 times makes it tedious, it was a great feeling to talk to the kids about how God is real and he's the creator of all things. I'm looking forward to the rest of the week as we continue with the film and related materials.

Yesterday was also the first Sunday with our new minister.  He and his wife sat with our adult Sunday school class and listened while the teacher talked about comparing people.  I thought the teacher did a great job and honest discussion was given what the fears of the congregation.  Most of the fears was how was he going to do his sermon and how was he going to handle Children's Church.  I didn't plan on speaking up, but I felt compelled to say that when I accepted Christ and our former pastor planned the baptism, he found out a week later he was going to move.  Sure, everyone was upset because he had been here a long time and someone asked me I must be devastated since I just became a Christian.  I said to that person, yes, I'm upset that he was leaving, but I worship Christ, not the pastor.  Jesus is the head of the church, not the minister.  In regards to our new minister, I have a good feeling about him.  I thought he did a wonderful job with the kids and his sermon was about how he became a minister and how we are all priests of God and that we work together to build the church as a group, not one person.  How so true.

On a side note, I was planning on blogging last week about preparing for vacation bible school, but I did a dummy and tried to life an air conditioner.  Something snapped in my back and I had to go to the emergency room.  I'm still on anti-inflammatory medication, but I'm doing better.