Community VBS to start Sunday
By Melinda L. Lucas
Children from pre-K age to those who have completed sixth grade are expected to have some “wild” and “Amazing Encounters with Jesus” during next week’s “In the Wild” Community Vacation Bible School.
Representatives from most of the churches in town are already busy with decorations and other plans for the upcoming event, which is set for Sunday through Wednesday, Aug. 4-7.
First Baptist Church is hosting this year’s VBS, which is supported by the Albany Ministerial Alliance and coordinated by Ginger Bumguardner.
A meal, open to all participants and workers, will kick off each evening’s activities at 5:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall, followed by music, crafts, recreation, and Bible study/activities from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
All children who will be four by Sept. 1 up through those who have completed sixth grade are welcome to attend.
There is also a special Family Night event on Wednesday, Aug. 7 in the FBC sanctuary, followed by food and fun at the Bank Park.
Transportation
Transportation is available for all children, with five pre-arranged pickup sites around the community, including Rose Addition, corner of Gordon & 11th, corner of Conrad & 11th, and both apartment complexes.
“We have a team of churches that are providing a driver and copilot to pick up kids in the various neighborhoods,” said Bumguardner. “We would really love it if parents would call 325- 762-2019 to sign up for a ride so that we make sure to send the largest vehicles to the areas of most need.”
She added that if any children need to be picked up at other locations, organizers will do their best to arrange rides.
Bumguardner plans to place signs in yards so that parents know where the children should gather for pickup each of the four evenings.
“The vans will be in place by 4:40 p.m. each day and leave that spot by 4:55 p.m. in order to get to church on time for dinner,” she said.
On the first night especially, drivers will check with parents to make sure children are registered and find out how they will get home.
The vans should be back at the same spots by 8:15 p.m.
Family Night Plans
Culminating the 2019 VBS will be Family Night, starting at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7 in the FBC sanctuary.
“We want everyone in town, especially our participants’ families, to come hear them sing,” said Bumguardner. “We will be at the Bank Park afterwards for hot dogs, nachos, cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn, a dunking booth, bounce houses, Gaga ball, and lots of other games.”
Day Camp VBS
Because the Community VBS was scheduled later in the summer than usual, several volunteers took a “mini VBS” to Day Camp participants in July.
“I’d like to report that we had a wonderful time at the mini-VBS we took to day camp!” said Bumguardner. “We learned about our identity in Christ and did an activity or two each day to reinforce the Bible lesson.”
She added that the material used for the Day Camp version was completely different from that being presented next week.
“We really want all those children and more to join us for VBS,” Bumguardner said. “Our volunteers are working hard to prepare activities and material that could change their lives.”
VBS Details
The theme for Community VBS 2019 is “In The Wild: Amazing Encounters with Jesus!!” The memory verse is from John 20:31, “But these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and that believing you might have life through His name.”
In addition to FBC, local churches that are involved in the Alliance’s Bible School are Albany Church of Christ, Bethel Assembly, First Christian, First United Methodist, Friendship Baptist, and Matthews Memorial Presbyterian.
Organizers from each congregation helped with decorations and will take turns with meals, as well as rotate groups through music, crafts, and recreation, and provide Bible study and Bible activities for their assigned age groups.
“We sure hope families will take advantage of this opportunity to ‘zoom in and focus on Jesus’,” said Bumguardner.
She reminded parents to call Carolyn Waller at the First Baptist office, 325-762-2019, on Thursday or Friday of this week to pre-register and to sign children up for transportation.
