Battlement Mesa & Parachute Sun

August 2003

By Charlie Hornick, Pastor Grace Bible Church

Over fifty children in the community had a whale of a good time at Daily Vacation Bible School at Grace Bible Church the week of June 23-27. The youth at the church, along with some help from adult sponsors, went overboard to provide an excellent program from 9 am until noon each day.

The theme was "Jonah and the Great Fish." The church was decorated with props depicting a ship at sea and the city of Nineveh where Jonah preached. One hallway was decorated as the inside of a great fish with pink top and sides. The teeth of a great fish in front gave the children an idea of what it must have been like to be Jonah when he got swallowed up by the great fish God had prepared.

Each day the children would meet in the church sanctuary for a time of singing and drama. Songs such as "Jonah's Journey" and "Love Overboard" were enthusiastically led by the teens. Also each morning, during the opening exercises, the children watched a costumed drama that told the story of Jonah from the Bible. The children would also hear Bible lessons from the book of Jonah, make interesting things related to their Bible lessons during craft time, have a time of recreation, and eat some great refreshments made by the ladies of the church.

The children also participated in such things as "fishing day" in which they came to VBS dressed as fishermen. One day was also a "backwards day;" they came dressed up backwards as possible.

They also earned prizes for such things as scripture memory and bringing friends with them.  On Friday, the children, along with their parents, had lunch, which included fish sticks.

The VBS ended with the children watching the Veggie Tales movie, "Jonah." Valuable lessons on the importance of trusting Christ for salvation, of obeying God, of praying when in trouble, and of God's love going overboard for us. All were presented through the week.