Family Faith Companion

It’s day 4 of our Everest Expedition — AKA Vacation Bible Camp or VBC, and we are…

Conquering challenges with God’s mighty power!

Our day started at Base Camp Sing & Play with lots more of us getting bolder about accepting our Sherpa’s request to come up and join her in leading singing! Your child can be up-front this coming Sunday as we’ll be singing a couple of songs in the church service at FUMC. Put on your VBC t-shirt and please do join us at 9:30!

Today’s Bible Point is…

God has the power to forgive!

Our Bible story for today in found in Luke 22:47-23:56. Our story today is about how God sent his son Jesus to do the most powerful and loving thing — for us!

Our Bible Buddy for the day is Pike. Pike is a mighty mountain goat called a marcher. Marchers such as Pike have spectacular spiraling horns that are sharp! Sometimes people say sharp words or do things that hurt. When that happens, it’s good to know that God has the power to forgive. Pike can help us remember words from the Bible…

 You are a God of forgiveness.
Nehemiah 9:17c

 
We’ve been visited every day by Trek Rockrambler. Today, at first we couldn’t find him. Oh, he was trying to hide! It turned out he was unsure that his new crew would forgive him for making all of them sick. What if they miss their chance to climb Mount Everest? Our Sherpa helped Trek to see that he needed to ask for forgiveness.

 

The preschoolers went off to Preschool Peak and did the following…

• Bible Adventures – We heard about how Jesus overcame sin and death. We thanked God that he has the power to forgive us.
• Games – We played a game that taught us about forgiveness. It was called “Try Again.” We weren’t all perfect at tossing bean bags into a target. We were given a second chance!
• KidVid Cinema – Today our video was about Philip who forgave his brother Timothy when he broke Philip’s special toy.
• Craft & Play – We got to see what can happen to paper when it gets stained. Just like our sins can stain us. Then we got to see a different type of paper where those stains were just wiped away!

Meanwhile elementary kids visited the following stations…

• Bible Expeditions – Today we visited with Peter, and we placed our fingerprints on a cross. We heard about how God forgives us.
• KidVid Cinema – Today our video was about Philip who forgave his brother Timothy when he broke Philip’s special toy.
• Imagination Station – We decorated the traditional crew photos. A keepsake.
• Glacier Games – We played two games. The game “Nobody’s Perfect” reminded us that we all make mistakes and need forgiveness. The game “Yak Relay” taught us how sometimes a task (like going through life) is easier with a helper (porter Jesus?)

Will you look at all of that cereal! I hear we’ve collected 104 boxes so far! What a great gift to the Bryant Community! We also heard the report that we’ve collected so far $190.36 for RAWANA Youth Camp in Liberia. Thank you!

Our “older” elementary kids — the Grad Group — today were split in half. (It is such a large group!) One half delivered the first load of cereal to Bryant Community Center (BCC). While there they assisted with food distribution and other BCC projects. The other group heard about L.O.V.E. Thy Neighbor program at FUMC. Then repackaging food to be distributed in the lunches.

 

We all gathered for snack at Mountaintop Treats. Our snack was called “Summit Sponge Cake.” It was decorated with a cross! During our snack time, the Elementary kids talked about God Sightings. (The Preschoolers talk about them during Bible Adventure.) A God Sighting is not “I see God in that pretty flower.” God Sightings are seeing things that God has created, or allowed, or provided ,or things God has done, or revealed to us. Flowers can be a God Sighting because they point out God’s creativity and power. God created flowers; what an awesome God!

At the end of our morning everyone gathered together again for Summit Celebration. There was a huge chunk of ice up front! Our Sherpa told us that the ice was sort of like us. It becomes broken up by our sins, like a hammer chips away at an otherwise smooth block of ice. But the good news is that Jesus came to earth to collect our broken pieces of ice and make us whole again. It was a powerful demonstration of God’s powerful love.

      

Continue the learning at home!

Here are a couple of questions to talk about around the family dinner table:

• What is sin? (Sin is anything we do that pushes God or other people, away.)
• Why does it matter that Jesus died for us? (It means that God showed us that he would not hold our sins against us. God’s love is more powerful than anything and is still there, even when we sin.)
• Why did Jesus have to die? (Sin creates separation from God. To bridge this separation Jesus died so that all of our sins could be forgiven. As a result of Jesus’ death, we can have a restored, close relationship with God!
• Wasn’t there some other way; did Jesus have to die on the cross? Jesus had a choice! He could have run away from his oppressors. God sent Jesus into the world not to die, but to love. It is all part of God’s movement to restore relationship; pouring out his divine love over us!

Enjoy this video taken on Monday. (I’ll bet we’ve gotten much better at this song since then.)

If reading this in an email, you may need to watch the video at this link.

Check back to yesterday’s post, because additional photos were added to that slideshow.

See you tomorrow!

~~ Carol, on behalf of the VBC Team

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Photo credits:
Everest and Bible Buddy images used by permission of Group Publishing.
Rest of photos courtesy of various volunteers at VBC!

It’s day 3 of our Everest trek — AKA Vacation Bible Camp at FUMC and we are…

Conquering challenges with God’s mighty power!

It looks like we can’t wait to get to Base Camp! Our Grad Group helps to escort kids into the Sanctuary. I see you remembered to donate some cereal; great job!

   

Each day we start off at Base Camp Sing & Play, eager to learn another way in which God is powerful. Today we learned that:

God has the power to heal!

Our Bible story for today is found in 2 Kings 5. God heals a man named Naaman (pronounced NAY-uh-muhn). Naaman had a skin disease known as leporsy. I wonder how God will heal Naaman.

Our Bible Buddy for the day is a Bar-headed Goose named Mallory. Bar-headed geese are special because they are the highest flying fliers around. They can even fly over Mount Everest! Since Mount Everest is the Earth’s highest mountain (29,029 feet), that is very high flying! I wonder how they do it? And I wonder how that will help us remember our Bible verse, which is…

 He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. Psalm 147:3

Trek Rockrambler seemed to be over her sickness, but now she has spread her illness to her new climbing team! She was working so hard to try to heal them in a hurry! (They want to get to climbing.) Our Sherpa explained to Trek that sometimes you have to wait for things to happen; sometimes you need to let God be in control.

 

The preschoolers went off to Preschool Peak and did the following…

• Games – We played a game called “Bandage Buddy.” You might not want to play this one at home.
• Bible Adventures – We learned the Bible story about Naaman. We washed away spots and discovered how God’s power healed Naaman.
• KidVid Cinema – We watched a video about Cole, who had to rely on God’s healing power when his dad suddenly got sick.
• Craft & Play – We talked about how when we get cut, over time, our skin seems to “fuse” together to heal. We watched special sand particles “heal” together to become something incredible: Incredi-Balls that bounce!

Meanwhile elementary kids visited the following stations…

• Imagination Station – We talked about how when we cut our skin, over time, our skin seems to “fuse” together to heal. We watched special sand particles “heal” together to become something incredible: “Incredi-Balls!”
• Glacier Games – We played fun games called “Climbing Team Chase” and “Getting Warm.” You’ll have to ask your kids about that last one (it involved putting on frozen T-shirts.
• Bible Expeditions – We heard about how Naaman was told to dip seven times in the Jordan River to heal his leprosy. Would it work to “heal” our spots?
• KidVid Cinema – We viewed a video about Cole’s dad getting really sick. Cole and his brothers had to hold on to God’s mighty power.

Our “older” elementary kids in our Grad Group took advantage of the sunshine to work outside with the City of Ann Arbor NAP (Natural Area Preservation) in West Park. Everyone in the group walked to West Park and helped to remove invasive species. First we got a lesson in how to identify the bag guys and then we went to work!

 

We all gathered for snack at Mountaintop Treats. Our snack was called “A Heart -y Snack.” Once again, during our snack time, the Elementary kids talked about “God Sightings.” God can seem at times to be distant or impersonal. We have to make it a habit to keep an eye out for daily evidence that God is doing great things all around us… everyday!

At the end of our morning everyone gathered together again for Summit Celebration. We talked about healing broken hearts, and how mended hearts come from Jesus.

 

And we covered our hurts with a big bandage prayer.

   

Continue the learning at home!

Here are a couple of questions to talk about around the family dinner table:

• Naaman was told to take a dip into the Jordan River, seven times. Well, that seemed silly! What’s the silliest thing anyone has ever told you?
• After Naaman was healed he went home and told others about God’s healing power. How can you tell others about God’s power?
• Sometimes God doesn’t heal someone we love, even when we pray really hard. Sometimes God doesn’t heal us here on earth. Sometimes we have to wait to be healed until we get to be with Jesus in heaven. But God always heals our “hearts” meaning the way we think or the way we act. Is there some sort of healing that you need in your heart?

Enjoy the slide show! (And check back with yesterday’s post because some additional photos were added to that slideshow.) See you tomorrow!

~~ Carol, on behalf of the VBC Team

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Photo credits:
Everest and Bible Buddy images used by permission of Group Publishing.
Rest of photos courtesy of various volunteers at VBC!

Welcome back to highlights of our Everest trek – day two! It’s Vacation Bible Camp (VBC) at FUMC and we are…

Conquering challenges with God’s mighty power!

We started our day with our Sherpa Jess, at Base Camp Sing & Play. We engaged in rowdy singing. Then we were introduced to today’s Bible Point!

God has the power to comfort!

Our Bible story for today is about a time when God comforted Elijah. (Yes, the same Elijah he heard about yesterday.) Today’s story about Elijah involves some crazy weather and then God providing comfort in an unexpected way. Can your child tell you about what happened? (You can read about it in First Kings 19.)

Our Bible Buddy for the day, Cliff, is a marmot. Marmots are relatives of squirrels and groundhogs. Marmots at Everest burrow deep into the mountain to stay safe and warm. The way the mighty mountain wraps around Cliff can remind kids that our mighty God has the power to comfort! The Bible tells us:

 
 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.
2 Corinthians 1:4a

Trek Rockrambler was back. She had found another crew to climb with but, now Trek was feeling very sick. She was in need of some powerful comfort to make her feel better. A blankie, or a stuffed animal. What do you grab when you need some comfort?

 

The preschoolers went off to Preschool Peak and did the following…

• Games – The rain didn’t stop us. We could play “Climbing Comfort” indoors. When our climb got difficult we were able to provide comfort to our friends.
• Bible Adventures – We experienced how God comforted Elijah.
• KidVid Cinema – We saw a video about twins Ben and Sam who create homemade soft, stuffed monsters to comfort kids.
• Craft & Play – We made and played with Bubble Boosters. Softly colored bubbles!

Meanwhile elementary kids visited the following stations…

• Bible Expeditions – Today we hid from a windstorm, an earthquake and fire! We were comforted by God’s powerful love. He whispers “I love you!”
• Glacier Games – We moved our game playing indoors due to the rain. Regardless, we had fun playing games.
• KidVid Cinema – We saw a video showing twins Ben and Sam create soft, homemade stuffed monsters to comfort kids who are hurting. It makes you think, I could do that!
• Imagination Station – We created a surprising “Bubble Booster” as a reminder of God’s comforting power.

Our “older” elementary kids in our Grad Group continued working on mission projects. Today half of group went to our Green Wood site to take care of the garden and spruce up outdoor areas. (Yes, the rain did not stop us!) The other half of the group worked on FUMC service projects: repairing hymnals & bookmarks and designing placemats for the FUMC Visitation team to give to folks who need some cheering up.

Mid-way through our time this morning we all gathered for snack at Mountaintop Treats. Our snack was called Rock Rambler’s Parfait. Yum! During our snack time, the Elementary kids also work on God Sightings. We can’t see God but we can see evidence of God at work! That’s what we are calling “God Sightings. I wonder what God Sightings your child will report to you?

At the end of our morning everyone gathered together again for Summit Celebration. We watched an unusual demonstration of how God’s comfort is overflowing. A few kids shared times when they needed comfort. As each one shared our assistant Sherpa, Carly, added food coloring to some liquid. As more and more needs for comfort were shared, the water got dark and scary looking. But then, something amazing happened.

    

Sherpa Carly explained that it was a way to show us how God’s powerful comfort can soften the bad times. God’s comfort is always available to us. It is overflowing!

Continue the learning at home!

Here are a couple of questions to talk about around the family dinner table (or where ever your family gathers):

• All of us experience times when we need comfort. Tell about a time when you received comfort when you were hurting.
• Our world can seem crazy and scary at times. What is a good way to remember that you can turn to God who provides comfort?
• Today you heard a Bible story about a time when God spoke to Elijah when he was feeling very sad and afraid. What did God’s voice sound like? (It was a whisper!)
• Do you suppose God speaks to us today? What do we sometimes need to do in order to hear God?

Enjoy the slide show! (And check back with yesterday’s post because some additional photos were added to that slideshow.) See you tomorrow!

~~ Carol, on behalf of the VBC Team

This week it’s Vacation Bible Camp (VBC) at FUMC where we are learning about…

Conquering challenges with God’s mighty power!

First some important stuff for the adults…

Each year we choose a mission for kids to support. This year we have two projects to choose from:

All offerings can be turned in at the start of VBC each day at the front of the Sanctuary. Thanks!

Now, here’s what your kids did today…

First, we all gathered with our Sherpa in the mountainous, wonderfully decorated Sanctuary at Base Camp Sing & Play. We learned our theme song, “My God is Powerful.” (If you are viewing this in an email you may need to go to YouTube to watch this music video.)

We had fun learning other new songs, with motions to go along with them. These tunes will stay in your head!

What else did we learn? Today’s Bible Point!

God has the power to provide!

We said that a lot today! I bet your kids remember it. We also met a couple of very interesting characters: Trek Rockrambler and Klymer, the Snow Leopard.

Trek is a world-famous mountain climber. But she didn’t hear her alarm and her climbing crew left for Mount Everest without her! I wonder what she will do?

Who is Klymer? Klymer is our Bible Memory Buddy for the day. It looks like God provided Klymer just the right stuff to keep warm and protected on high, snowy mountaintops. Hey! Klymer can remind kids that God has the power to provide! All week long, we’ll get to know cool Bible Memory Buddies who will help us remember our Bible verses. Today’s Bible verse is…

 And God will generously provide all you need. 2 Corinthians 9:8

Your child received a Klymer Bible Memory Buddy with the verse printed on it! With Bible Buddies we’re sending scripture home! All of these Bible Memory Buddies will be coming home on Friday. And… there is a free app for your smart phone or tablet that can continue the fun with these Buddies. (I tried it out and it is cool!) Search “Everest Bible Buddies” in your app store.

 
We also found out that each day we would get to experience an exciting story from the Bible when we visited the drama station. Today, we learned about how God provided for Elijah. Ask your child to tell you today’s story. Read about it in 1 Kings 17

The preschoolers went off to their special rooms in Preschool Peak and did the following…

• Games – Played “Ravens Run,” “Overflowing Nests,” and “Brook Drinks.”
• Bible Adventures – God provided Elijah water to drink. We tried out drinking from a “brook” just like Elijah.
• KidVid Cinema – We learned about kids named Hudson, Benjamin, and Deacon. We watched God provide for these brothers in an amazing way.
• Craft & Play – We made ravens!

  

Meanwhile, elementary kids visited the following stations…

• Bible Expeditions – We drank from a rook and received food from ravens (big birds)! We got to talk about ways God provides for us.
• Glacier Games – We played some fun games including “Everest Relay.”
• KidVid Cinema – We watched a video about three Ukrainian brothers who needed a home. Would some adopt all three of them?
• Imagination Station – We watch snow grow from “seeds.” Just like our snow seeds grew, God provides for us abundantly.

  

Our oldest elementary kids in our Grad Group are working every day this week on various mission projects – both local and global! Today, they got to know each through ice breakers, learned about our Liberia mission project, did some work to organize the week’s mission projects, made “bubble boosters” (that will be used by everyone on Tuesday), and spoke to everyone at our finale about mission projects. A great first day for our large grad group!

We get hungry on our adventures, so at 10:25 each day, we gather in Mountain Top Treats for a delicious snack; today we had Trail Mix. We also spent time getting to know our crews a bit better and recorded some of our “God Sightings” — evidence we noticed that God is doing great things all around us!

At the very end of our day, we all come together for the Summit Celebration. Of course we sang more songs and an Everest-pack-checker discovered that our Sherpa had mixed up “needs” vs. “wants.” Ask your kids what sort of silly stuff our Sherpa had in her pack. (I don’t think that a stuffed animal will work.)

 

Continue the learning at home!

Here are a couple of questions to talk about around the family dinner table:

• What would you take with you if you were going to climb Mount Everest?
• Have everyone share a story of their favorite trip. What did you bring along on this trip that you really wanted to bring, but didn’t really need?
• Do you suppose that God provides everything you want or everything you need?
• Tell about a time when you needed something. Did you turn to God? What can help you remember to turn to God next time?

See you tomorrow!
~~ Carol, on behalf of the VBC Team

Enjoy the slide show!