Vacation Bible School Report

Once again we invited EVERYONE to join us for a five-day evening program, this year we hiked to Camp E.D.G.E! At camp we learned to Experience, Discover God Everywhere in our lives. This multi-generational program began on Monday, July 13th and continued through Friday, July17th. Asbury Hall was transformed into a campsite complete with tents, hiking gear and a campfire. Each night we began at 6 PM and concluded each evening with dessert and music by 8 PM.

We started the program with dinner. We prepared most of our family friendly meals here at church. The first night was the only purchased meal. We bought all of the left over pizzas from Jazz in Julyl On Tuesday the VBS crew made Spaghetti. Wednesday we had barbecued hot dogs prepared by Jeff Faria. Thursday we tried something new and made baked potatoes, and had a salad and potato bar. On Friday, Scott and Paulette Cooper treated us to tri-tip, baked beans and homemade ice cream. Each night after dinner the children went into Asbury Hall for their curriculum and the adults stayed in the Social Hall for theirs.

Pastor Dave took the adults on a journey through the Bible. He explained how various journeys in the Bible lead us to Christianity today. The curriculum starts with the journey of the tribes of Israel through the desert and ends with Jesus on the Cross. All the way we Experience and Discover God Everywhere in the stories.

The children met in Asbury Hall for a Bible lesson with Dawn Mallory, around the campfire. Each night the children received a "dog tag" to put on their carabiner with the days Bible Scripture on the back. Rebecca Somers taught them many new songs and dance moves, as they learned how to sing, Left Right in God's Sight, before breaking up into two groups, to participate in crafts with Denice Watling and recreation with Sarah Snyder.

This year Pastor Dave used adult curriculum purchased by the Christian Education Committee as part of the pre-formatted VBS program for the children. This format allowed a large group of adults and children to become more familiar with the Bible.

The curriculum purchased for the children offered many wonderful programs. There were even science centers that were incorporated into Summer Sunday School. Each night there was a theme for the children's lessons. Monday-God is with me, Tuesday-God guides me, Wednesday-God teaches me, Thursday-God loves me and Friday-God sends me. We had parent and family volunteers each night to run the program. We also had help from our junior and senior high students.

Our Camping trip ended with an extreme day on the front lawn of the church, complete with a 2-story high rock wall. The children took turns with the harness and attempted to climb the wall. It was a much bigger challenge then it appeared. Though many tried only a few could reach the edge of the mountain.

We had an average of 68 guests in attendance each night. We peaked at 75. Of that total we averaged 22 children each night. We had an average of one child in the nursery all week. The majority of the attendees were members of this church; some of the children invited friends to join in the fun.

On Sunday with pictures taken by Jon Terry and others, Jim Hull created a slide show presentation using our church's new video displaying equipment. Both services enjoyed a visual treat as two large images projected scenes from our week on the back wall. Pastor Dave's sermon wrapped up the week, as we reflected on the Rascal Flats song, Life is a Highway. The song illustrates that God is with us on our journey in life. We just need to let him drive so we can live on the E.D.G.E.

Our VBS Team Decorations: Cheryl Brager, Abbie Brager, Sarah Snyder, Teddy Snyder, Lisa Sharping, Megan Speckman and Dawn Mallory.

Food: Cheryl Brager, Ruth Terry, Scott & Paulette Cooper, Jeff Faria, Sarah Snyder, Amy Phillips, Barbara Evers and Denice Watling

Cleanup - Anthony Brager, Jeff Faria, Christian Ed Committee

Crafts: Denice Watling, Dawn Mallory, Crystal White, Cristina Rodriguez and Ruth Terry

Recreation: Sarah Snyder, Teddy Snyder and Abbie Brager

Photography: Jon Terry

Audio/Visual: Jim Hull

Nursery: Connie Colburn & Allison Backlund

Music: Rebecca Somers

Adult Leader: Pastor Dave Thompson

Bible Lesson/Scripture - Dawn Mallory