Atlas Twp. – When Georgia Westover’s daughter Kelly heard about this summer’s Vacation Bible School, her face lit up.
‘She absolutely loves it, she gets excited about going every year,? said Georgia of 11-year-old Kelly, who’s looking forward to her third year at Atlas Community Baptist’s VBS.
At least eight area churches are planning crafts, games, stories, puppets, snacks, even ice cream socials and hayrides to help make Bible lessons a fun summertime tradition.
While many churches hold VBS during morning or afternoon hours, evening hours are also becoming popular. Some churches are considering offering after-work services for adults while the children learn in their own way.
VBS programs are often based on specific themes, which range from Olympic games to road rallies to exotic locations.
This is the fourth year Atlas Community Baptist volunteer Patty Candela will work with VBS kids.
‘It’s important because we reach out to the community,? said Candela. ‘We’re able to minister in a way that reaches out to the kids through songs, games, crafts. It kind of brings it to their level, and we’re able to bring them the message of Jesus and his love.?
According to Christianity Today, the tradition of VBS, also called Summer Bible School, may be traced to the late 1800s, when the Methodist Episcopal Church offered summer Sunday school institutes to the general public near Lake Chautauqua, N.Y.
In July 1898, Walker Aylette Hawes of the Epiphany Baptist Church rented a saloon to house a six-week-long Bible school for immigrant children living in New York City’s east side, with a program of worship music, Bible stories, scripture memorization, games, crafts, drawing, and cooking. By 1901 Hawes presided over seven separate schools.
VBS programs quickly spread throughout the country. Currently, more than five million children in numerous countries look forward to Vacation Bible School each year.
Want your child involved in this summer’s VBS fun? Check out these area Vacation Bible Schools.
Atlas Community Baptist Church will hold ‘Road Quest? with inflatable bounce equipment, hayrides, etc. sending pics, at barn on property, 9490 Perry Road in Atlas Township from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 11 to 15.
Christ Lutheran Church in Goodrich is hosting ‘Lava Lava Island? featuring crafts, games, stories, snacks and music from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. June 21 to 25 at the church, located at 5245 Hadley Road, north of Oakwood Road in Hadley.
Crossroads Church of the Nazarene will hold ‘SonGames? from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 12 to 16 at 5366 S. State Road with activities, arts, crafts, music, sports, drama, puppets, and a water day. Donations are being collected for research for Kearns-Sayre syndrome, an incurable disease afflicting a local child.
Cornerstone Baptist Church will hold a VBS Aug. 2 to 6 at the church, located at 3060 E. Seymour Lake Road in Ortonville including games, Bible lessons, snacks.
Lakeview Community Church in Goodrich will host ‘Mission Possible? from 1 to 4 p.m. June 21 through June 24, and 1 to 2:30 p.m. June 25 for children entering kindergarten through sixth grade this fall at 10023 S. State Road in Goodrich. Call (810) 636-7541 to register.
Oakwood Community Church, located near Oakwood and Baldwin roads in Ortonville, will hold a VBS ‘Lava Lava Island? from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 12 to 16. Children must be registered at the first session. Preschool (separate program) through sixth grade.
Ortonville Baptist Church is holding ‘Far-Out, Far-East, Rickshaw Rally-Racing to the Son? from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. June 21 to 25 at the church, located at 173 Church Street in Ortonville. Children who have finished kindergarten to sixth grade are welcome.
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church will hold a VBS ‘Construction Inc? from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. June 21 to 24 at the church, located at 270 Grange Hall Road in Ortonville. An ice cream social is also planned.