The Lighthouse - July 7, 2015

Vacation Bible School

It is difficult to find the words to sum up how awesome Vacation Bible School was this past week. Again this year, we had a fantastic group of kids eager to learn and to have fun, and we had a fabulous team of volunteers who pitched in wherever it was needed to make things happen. Thanks be to God for this opportunity to show so many the love of Jesus!

I expect that we have a lot of tired folks this week catching up on chores and such at home (and maybe even a little sleep). So many of you not only gave your time and your talent to VBS but also sacrificed your ability to rest, to enjoy the summer days, and to simply take care of your own business. Your sacrifices for VBS do not go unnoticed or unappreciated. I pray that, even as you made your sacrifices last week, you were blessed by your time with the kids and with other volunteers. I know there are moments that I spent teaching the lesson to the kids that I will remember for a long time because they opened my eyes and taught me even more. Likewise, I thoroughly enjoyed the time that I had to talk with many of you as we passed in the hallway or chatted in gym. I am exhausted this week, but my cup still runneth over with the blessings of a week well-lived.

To see some of the highlights of our VBS, check out our VBS 2015 page. To see even more of the wonderful happenings of this past week, check out our picture album on Facebook.

As always, blessings on the journey, Pastor Jim

VBS 2015 by the Numbers

• 237 children & youth participants
  
• 195 average attendance each night
  
• 140+ volunteers
  
• 1,336 meals served
  
• $1,512.77 raised for Imagine No Malaria
  
• 151 lives saved
  

The New Bus Is Here!

Our new bus arrived just in time for this year's Vacation Bible School! Thank you to our New Bus Team and to everyone who has committed financial support to help make this purchase. Through pledges and reserves, we are blessed to have this bus to continue and grow our ministry. If you made a pledge to the bus fund, please continue with that commitment through the end of the year to help us raise the needed funds. Thanks again for your support and prayers.

Living in Community

• Thank you to each and every person who helped at VBS last week!  
• A special thank-you goes out to Susie Hardy and Dinah Watson for serving as directors of VBS all year long to bring it to fruition!
• Thank you to all the parents who brought their kids out each night for VBS!  We appreciate your dedication.
• Thank you to South River Elementary for use of their facilities and sharing classrooms with us!
• Thank you to the Boys and Girls Club for sharing the space at South River and for helping us transfer children between programs so smoothly!

Upcoming Events

July 11 - 5:11-10:30 pm - Youth Pool Party/Flashlight Tag
July 16 - 10 am - Sunshine Seniors at the Park

Looking Ahead

August 4 - SPRC Meeting
August 11 - Wednesday at the Port & Council Meetings