Community Bible School planned Aug. 4-7
By Kathy Thomson
Members of the Albany Ministerial Alliance are hosting an evening Vacation Bible School the first week in August, and children throughout the community, from those entering kindergarten this fall to those who are going into seventh grade, are invited to attend the “In the Wild” VBS.
The Alliance-sponsored event will take place at First Baptist Church from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday through Wednesday, Aug. 4-7.
Dinner will be served at 5:00 p.m. for all children and teachers participating in VBS.
“Many people have expressed a sincere desire to help with VBS, but were unable to do so because they work during the day,” said coordinator Ginger Bumguardner. “And some of the kids have had scheduling conflicts also. Those of us who have been involved with VBS in the past wanted to make some ‘tweaks’ to see if there just might be a better VBS format.”
Bumguardner is hoping more local parents will be able to help with the evening format.
“If you would like to help with VBS this year, please contact your church’s pastor or call me at 325-660-5420,” said Bumguardner. “We are hoping that more men can get involved this year, too. Specifically, we will need church vans, busses, drivers, and co-pilots.”
For those needing a ride, transportation to and from VBS will be available from various designated pick-up and drop-off sites around town including Rose Addition, Matthews Street, Albany Village Apartments, Albany Garden Apartments, and Gordon Street.
To register a child for one of the pick-up/drop off locations and/or to pre-register a child for VBS, call Carolyn Waller at 325-762-2019.
Family Night
A new family activity has been planned for the final night of VBS.
“On Wednesday night, the VBS kids will put on a program for their families,” Bumguardner said. “There will be a VBS musical followed by fun carnival-type activities including bounce houses, games, a photo booth, and various food stations. You don’t want to miss this!”
The program will be held in the Bank Park at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7.
“All families that come to the program will be given tickets for free food and games, and they will be entered in a drawing for a free bike, said Bumguardner. “We hope our Albany parents will make plans for their age-appropriate kids to participate with us.”
“In The Wild”
The motto for the 2019 VBS is “Zoom in! Focus on Jesus!”
The theme verse is John 20:31. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
“Throw on your camera strap and buckle your seatbelt; VBS 2019 takes you on a wild adventure with elephants and egrets, polar bears and penguins, cockatoos and crocodiles,” said the publisher LifeWay. “As you seek out exotic animals, you’ll also find snapshots of real-life encounters with Jesus in scripture. Kids go from bewildered to believing as they get ‘In The Wild’ at this summer’s VBS.”
