Greetings, dear church family!
We hope this message finds you filled with joy and gratitude for the incredible week we experienced at Vacation Bible School (VBS). Our theme this year, “Heroic Adventures,” took us on an unforgettable journey, where we explored the remarkable stories of courage, faith, and community found in the pages of the Bible. From June 7th to June 10th, we embarked on a grand adventure together, discovering what it means to be true heroes in God’s kingdom.
Throughout the week, our VBS welcomed a total of 24 energetic and enthusiastic children, with an average of 16-17 kids joining us each day. The excitement was palpable as we gathered in the evenings for our lively worship rallies, filled with skits and old-fashioned Bible school songs that brought back cherished memories.
Following the worship rallies, we embarked on four engaging rotations: Games/Snacks, Bible Lesson, Crafts, and Guest Heroes. Each rotation provided an opportunity for our young heroes to learn, create, and grow in their faith. The lessons centered around the Bible verse for the week, 2 Timothy 1:7, reminding us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
On Wednesday, we explored the awe-inspiring story of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac. Through their lives, we witnessed the powerful combination of courage and faith. Our young heroes discovered that just as Isaac displayed bravery, we too can trust in God’s promises and step out boldly in our own lives.
Thursday’s lesson focused on the Judges of the Old Testament—Deborah, Gideon, and Samson. Their tales of triumph over adversity and their unwavering trust in God left a lasting impression on our heroes. To further enrich their understanding, we were joined by Trooper Clark from the West Virginia State Police and Captain Peters from the Central Regional Jail. They enlightened us about the importance of standing against bullying and even allowed the children to explore their police cruiser, fostering a sense of safety and community.
As we approached the end of the week, we delved into the remarkable story of Daniel. Our young heroes were captivated by his unwavering commitment to God, even in the face of great adversity. To bring this lesson to life, we had the honor of hosting a real-life hero, Dr. Snuffer. He shared his experiences as a soldier, a doctor, and emphasized the significance of being a responsible member of the community—a true inspiration to our aspiring heroes.
Saturday marked a memorable conclusion to our VBS adventure as we learned about the greatest hero of all, Jeses. Unlike the other evenings, we held this session during the day, providing a fresh and exciting atmosphere. The day began with an inspiring lesson led by Ron, captivating the attention of the entire group. However, the surprises were far from over as we welcomed special guests: Jesus and Spider-Man! Their presence added an extra layer of excitement and joy to our time together.
Following the lesson, we ventured outside for an extraordinary experience. Trooper Hensley from the West Virginia State Police delighted us with a demonstration by his remarkable police dog, Barry. Our young heroes were fascinated as they witnessed Barry’s incredible tracking and drug-detection skills. Deputy Jones from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department was there to assist and provide valuable insights into their vital work.
But the excitement didn’t stop there. We were honored to have Lt. Hedrick and Sr. Firefighter Barnet from the Jane Lew Fire Department join us, bringing along two impressive fire trucks for the children to explore. The kids eagerly climbed aboard and even had the chance to try on the firefighters’ gear, igniting dreams of heroism within their hearts. Additionally, Mr. Starkey from the Lewis County Emergency Squad showcased an ambulance, offering a glimpse into the invaluable work they do during emergencies.
After this remarkable outdoor adventure, we gathered for a well-deserved hotdog lunch, accompanied by delicious ice cream treats. The laughter and fellowship shared during this time reminded us of the beautiful community we have in our church.
Earlier in the week, we witnessed an extraordinary moment of faith and commitment. One of our participants, chose to accept Jesus into their heart. In a touching ceremony, we went to Kathy Snow’s house to baptize this young hero, celebrating their new journey with Christ.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated volunteers who made this Heroic Adventures VBS possible. Your selfless commitment to investing time and energy in the spiritual growth of our children is deeply appreciated. A special thank you goes out to Ron and Nancy Asbury, Veda Cantrell, Joyce Collins, Alisa Eubank, Judy Garber, Derek, Mike, and Brenda Garrett, Olivia Helmick, Chris Hayhurst, Allyson Lewis, Laura Logan, Erica and Lonzo Martin, Marilee Rinehart, Karen Rogers, Sandy Coffindaffer, and Janet McIntyre. Your contributions have left an indelible mark on the lives of our young heroes.
As we reflect on the incredible week that was, let us carry the lessons we learned and the stories we encountered within our hearts. May we continue to be heroes in our daily lives, embracing courage, faith, and love as we navigate the challenges that lie ahead.
Until we gather again for our next grand adventure, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to serving God and one another.
We hope this message finds you filled with joy and gratitude for the incredible week we experienced at Vacation Bible School (VBS). Our theme this year, “Heroic Adventures,” took us on an unforgettable journey, where we explored the remarkable stories of courage, faith, and community found in the pages of the Bible. From June 7th to June 10th, we embarked on a grand adventure together, discovering what it means to be true heroes in God’s kingdom.
Throughout the week, our VBS welcomed a total of 24 energetic and enthusiastic children, with an average of 16-17 kids joining us each day. The excitement was palpable as we gathered in the evenings for our lively worship rallies, filled with skits and old-fashioned Bible school songs that brought back cherished memories.
Following the worship rallies, we embarked on four engaging rotations: Games/Snacks, Bible Lesson, Crafts, and Guest Heroes. Each rotation provided an opportunity for our young heroes to learn, create, and grow in their faith. The lessons centered around the Bible verse for the week, 2 Timothy 1:7, reminding us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
On Wednesday, we explored the awe-inspiring story of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac. Through their lives, we witnessed the powerful combination of courage and faith. Our young heroes discovered that just as Isaac displayed bravery, we too can trust in God’s promises and step out boldly in our own lives.
Thursday’s lesson focused on the Judges of the Old Testament—Deborah, Gideon, and Samson. Their tales of triumph over adversity and their unwavering trust in God left a lasting impression on our heroes. To further enrich their understanding, we were joined by Trooper Clark from the West Virginia State Police and Captain Peters from the Central Regional Jail. They enlightened us about the importance of standing against bullying and even allowed the children to explore their police cruiser, fostering a sense of safety and community.
As we approached the end of the week, we delved into the remarkable story of Daniel. Our young heroes were captivated by his unwavering commitment to God, even in the face of great adversity. To bring this lesson to life, we had the honor of hosting a real-life hero, Dr. Snuffer. He shared his experiences as a soldier, a doctor, and emphasized the significance of being a responsible member of the community—a true inspiration to our aspiring heroes.
Saturday marked a memorable conclusion to our VBS adventure as we learned about the greatest hero of all, Jeses. Unlike the other evenings, we held this session during the day, providing a fresh and exciting atmosphere. The day began with an inspiring lesson led by Ron, captivating the attention of the entire group. However, the surprises were far from over as we welcomed special guests: Jesus and Spider-Man! Their presence added an extra layer of excitement and joy to our time together.
Following the lesson, we ventured outside for an extraordinary experience. Trooper Hensley from the West Virginia State Police delighted us with a demonstration by his remarkable police dog, Barry. Our young heroes were fascinated as they witnessed Barry’s incredible tracking and drug-detection skills. Deputy Jones from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department was there to assist and provide valuable insights into their vital work.
But the excitement didn’t stop there. We were honored to have Lt. Hedrick and Sr. Firefighter Barnet from the Jane Lew Fire Department join us, bringing along two impressive fire trucks for the children to explore. The kids eagerly climbed aboard and even had the chance to try on the firefighters’ gear, igniting dreams of heroism within their hearts. Additionally, Mr. Starkey from the Lewis County Emergency Squad showcased an ambulance, offering a glimpse into the invaluable work they do during emergencies.
After this remarkable outdoor adventure, we gathered for a well-deserved hotdog lunch, accompanied by delicious ice cream treats. The laughter and fellowship shared during this time reminded us of the beautiful community we have in our church.
Earlier in the week, we witnessed an extraordinary moment of faith and commitment. One of our participants, chose to accept Jesus into their heart. In a touching ceremony, we went to Kathy Snow’s house to baptize this young hero, celebrating their new journey with Christ.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated volunteers who made this Heroic Adventures VBS possible. Your selfless commitment to investing time and energy in the spiritual growth of our children is deeply appreciated. A special thank you goes out to Ron and Nancy Asbury, Veda Cantrell, Joyce Collins, Alisa Eubank, Judy Garber, Derek, Mike, and Brenda Garrett, Olivia Helmick, Chris Hayhurst, Allyson Lewis, Laura Logan, Erica and Lonzo Martin, Marilee Rinehart, Karen Rogers, Sandy Coffindaffer, and Janet McIntyre. Your contributions have left an indelible mark on the lives of our young heroes.
As we reflect on the incredible week that was, let us carry the lessons we learned and the stories we encountered within our hearts. May we continue to be heroes in our daily lives, embracing courage, faith, and love as we navigate the challenges that lie ahead.
Until we gather again for our next grand adventure, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to serving God and one another.
Derek Garrett
2023 VBS Director