Summer comes

with many rites ­ traveling, swimming, vacationing, loafing, reading,

playing, picnicking, sweltering, etc. But there's one more rite of summer

that deserves mentioning, and it's one that ranks right up there at the

top of all summer traditions ­ Vacation Bible School. What a great

thing! VBS!

I know that

Sunday School "was invented" in England in the late 1870s. That's

only about 120 years ago. We think of Sunday School as something that

has always been, but it really is relatively "new" on the scene.

However, I don't know when Vacation Bible School came along. Maybe someone

out there can enlighten me. I'd sure be happy to find out!

Regardless

of its exact genesis, I know VBS has been around my whole life, and I

know it has been a great tool in the recent history of The Church for

both outreach and inreach. (Sorry for the "churchy in-speak"

those are church terms for telling the story of Jesus to those who have

not yet heard it, and for strengthening the faith of those who are Christians

already.)

I learned last

year how precious and important VBS is because, for probably the first

time in my entire life, I did not go to VBS last summer. Our parking lot

here at Prince of Peace was torn up for construction and big cranes were

swinging steel beams all over the place, so it was impossible for us to

have VBS. I thought I was going to "shrivel up and die" without

my summer fix of kids and crayons and songs and skit, and growth in faith,

and new converts for Christ! I survived by substituting other functions

of ministry, but I sure missed VBS!

This summer

­ in fact this week ­ we've had VBS, and I couldn't be happier!

I couldn't be more thankful! And I couldn't be more pleased with this

great opportunity to be involved in something that is everything that

is good about God and church! Boy, I love Bible School! Get the picture?

I am so thankful

to God for using these wonderful days of summer to remind us of His great

love for us! I am so thankful to God for using the joy and excitement

of music and memory verses to get His Message across and out and in! Thank

You, God!

And I'm especially

thankful to God for the women, men, and youth who step up to the task

of teaching, and helping, and pouring juice, and playing games, and singing

songs, and telling Bible stories, and showing how to make crafts, and

decorating classrooms, and counting kids, and counting cookies, and stuffing

envelopes, and just doing what Jesus Himself would do if He were to run

Bible School. I thank and honor ALL of you in our community who "put

on" and "pull off" these fantastic fun weeks of getting

a little closer to God and to each other!

So, if you've

had Vacation Bible School this summer already, you know exactly what I'm

talking about. If you still have it to look forward to, you'll be blessed.

I promise! And just in case you and your family haven't been a part of

a Bible School this summer and probably won't be, don't let next summer

escape without giving yourself this great big gift, wrapped in fun, excitement,

and joy!

God bless VBS!

Kollmeyer is

Pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fayetteville, located on

Hwy. 314 between The Pavilion and Lowe's. He invites anyone without a

church home to come and try a Sunday worship service: 8:15 Early; 9:30

Contemporary; or 11:00 Pipe Organ Liturgical Service. This is a church

for the whole family. Please come!

Back

to News Home Page |