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| |  Posted 4/1/2008 6:17:07 AM | |
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| | We run VBS 6 nights--Sunday thru Friday. Sunday thru Thursday we run the 5 day program. On the 6th day we invite families..We start out singing as usual then we split to our area--We do it grade wise instead of mixed so we only have 4 groups plus 2's and 3's(who have there own area). The kids take the parents to there asigned areas-then the parents rotate through with them every 10 minutes--Parents get to met the leaders and helpers that kids have talked about all week and the kids each get to say good bye--Also they review all the stories with the teachers (we have 2)--Our PAstor always acts out whoever the crazy person is--Last year he was Eugene BUtterbottom-Remember him?? And we keep that with our lesson, WHen the kids go to the book area they get to collect there books and reread over there favorite parts--LAst year they took this opertunity to let the kids autograph each other books. OFf to crafts were they collect all there crafts from the week--This is a fun time becasue every year on day 2 we tye dye shirts--This is the first time the kids get to see there creatation!! Then off to snacks--Here the kids will prepare a snack from the week parents can also--LAst year we went overboard and did hotdog --IT was way to much and messed up our schedule. We also do a fun room--this is an area the kids enjoy so much but they must earn there way into it....Learning the Bible Verse..We normally add this into the rotation also--This way each area on the last evening gets a brake!! This year it will be the Mad Scienist Lab--And on day 6 he will be up front for closings. After everyone has done there rotation it's back up front--We sing a song to get everyones attention--Then off to the offering contest. WHo collected the most money??? Who ever did gets to pie the other contstant!! After that they usually recognize the directors (This part we can do with out--there is a reason I don't like being up front)-They want the parents to meet them as well!! Then we will have our mad scientist come upfront and do his little fun thing with the kids--He's looking for an awesome experiment where he can use the bapistry--It's Ok he's also the clean up guy-and my husband!! The pastor usaually make us some kind of lttle chant with the kids and by now they know it by heart and are ready to shout it!!! After doing it If time has not came our song leader will ask who wants to sing...All the kids get excited and well sing one or two songs. (Oh yeah one of the best parts is last year our sound guy was busy doing something and didn't realize they were ready to start so our song leader shouted HIT IT PAT!! It has now become one of the kids most favorite parts. The kids even did it this past wednesday night--we were singing Praise the Lord from AR and the Praise Leader called them all up--It was funny cause she said how does it start?? And we even had 4 year olds saying HIT IT PAT!!!--Anyhow PAstor then gets up Chats a few minutes and Prayers-- We are then dismissed!! Everyone is invited back for sunday Of course. We ask all the kids to wear there shirts--Yeah I get to wear jeans that day!! And then all the kids sing for our congregation and Parents!!! Every year this has grown--Since we started to do this every year we have had a family or 2 start attending church with us, and seeing parents acepting the Lord. It makes all the long hours asnd hard work worth it all!! Hopes this helps!! Blessings, Jenn in PA |
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| | | Posted 4/2/2008 7:40:25 AM | |
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| In the past, we have had a closing program for parents after the last day (Friday). We have a usual VBS day and then the kids share some of the songs and we show a slide show of things that have happened during the week for the families to see. The kids love to see themselves on the "big screen" Then the kitchen crew puts together some snacks and drinks for all the families to enjoy and a time of fellowship.However, this year we are going to try something different. We have had such an increase in "unchurched" kids and families over the past years that we wanted to find a way to get them into a regular church service... so we are going to have our closing program on Sunday morning during service. Same idea, have the kids sing some of the songs and show some slides in hopes that some of these families will get into the church and hear the word of God perhaps for the first time! We are so excited for this change!
Janet
VBS Co - Director
FEFC, Maine |
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| | | Posted 4/2/2008 1:52:46 PM | |
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| We completely change our format on Day 5. We have the Opening, Snack, Games, and Crafts. Then, the kids head to the sanctuary, where their parents are welcome to see what they've been up to for the past week. The Bible story is done in front of everybody, and so is Chadder. Then the kids perform songs for the parents. We even have a balloon drop at the end! It's a lot of fun, and a nice way to wrap-up a great VBS!
God bless,
James in PA |
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| | | Posted 4/3/2008 6:20:06 AM | |
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| | We've had a "closing" program every year (at least since I've been the Director). In the past we've had plays. This was always tough for me because in order to practice, the children needed to be at our evening "activity time" and I always felt bad about not having a "speaking" part for some of the children that attend VBS but not church. Last year (Avalanche Ranch), I decided to use the Spotlight Drama as our closing program. Instead of showing the slide presentation each day, we used it as our closing program. Between each "day", the children sang one of the songs from VBS (we also opened and closed the program with songs). This actually was a great stress reliever for me because I didn't have to worry about preparing the program, choosing children for parts, and leaving anyone out. I made sure we had pictures of every child that attended VBS in the presentation. The kids loved it; the parents loved it; everyone loved it! After the program, we had a hot dog cookout. I will probably do this again this year. |
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| | | Posted 4/3/2008 8:35:22 AM | |
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| | We always have the usual schedule on the last night exceprt we shorten each session by about 5 minutes so that we can all gather together in the sanctuary. Our Pastor is there, shares the plan of salvation and then gives an invitation. ON the Sat. following VBS, we have a huge party of some sort. In the past, we have had swim parties, county fairs or something to go with our VBS them. This year, we are having a huge carnival for the church and community. The kids will earn tickets all weeek for attending, learning Bible verses etc, and can use them at the carnival. Our big finale is Sunday evening when we have our VBS program. the kids do their songs, memory verses and the highlight of the evening is a video or power point slide presentation of the weeks activities. |
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