Missions Project Totals
Total offering raised for school in India = $22,989
Kindergarten collected 9,317 pencils, erasers, small pencil sharpeners
1st grade collected 3,545 markers
2nd grade collected 5,523 colored pencils
3rd grade collected 777 metric rulers
4th grade collected 3,466 blue/black pens
5th grade collected 361 protractors/compasses

Click here to see photos from Saturday’s baptism.

Click here to see Friday Night’s photos in the photo gallery.

Click here to see Friday’s photos in the photo gallery.

Click here to see Thursday’s photos in the photo gallery.

Day 4 was a great one in the Land of Excalichantia. We learned that God will always be with us. In Bible today, we saw and heard the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were thrown into the fiery furnace, but even there God was with them, and they emerged to prove God’s power, strength, and faithfulness to His people.

The kids are really working hard to raise the funds for our missions offering which will go to the Bethany school in India. In addition to bringing in school supplies depending upon their grade, they are also coming up with some creative ways to raise money as groups and individuals to reach our collective goal of $20,000. Here are just a few of the successful ways that kids are relying upon God to help them.

Alexander, a 5th grader was inspired to research on the internet more about India. He put together an information packet that he took to his neighbors on his street. Going door to door he was able to raise more than $100, explaining why we were collecting the offering, and where it was going. He then proceeded to search out all the cans and bottles he could, to take to the recycling center, and last explained that he had gotten some money from his grandparents, ½ of which he was going to use at Staples to buy the protractors and compasses they needed. He was very excited to see the impact that he could make, and to see how God honored his commitment.

Betsy a guide this week, said her 3 kids wanted to have a lemonade/water stand yesterday. She felt it would probably only bring in a few dollars, as they only had ½ hour before they needed to go to an appointment. She promised that she and her husband would match dollar for dollar what they raised, never imagining that it would amount to very much. Her Kindergartener, 1st grader and 5th grader, prayed with her that God would provide just what He wanted, and within that 30 minutes, they were able to raise $52.77. One neighbor saw them but couldn’t stop so she gave them an additional $5 this morning. Since each of them were promised, to bring in the same amount, she had to go to the bank that afternoon! Not one of the kids thought to ask if they could use the money for anything else, they were excited to plant seeds of faith through the money that was raised. What a blessing it is to see the faith of our kids, knowing that God would provide just exactly what was needed.

Layne, Erika, and Jessica in group D-30 decided to have a bake sale. They were able to bring in $189.00 this morning for the offering! I know there are many other stories of how kids are working to reach their goal of $20,000 for the school in India. If they succeed, Pastor Trisha and Worship leader Cristi Thomas will be slimed at the Celebration Concert on Friday night at 7pm.

Everyone is invited for the fun at our Celebration Concert. In addition to the wonderful music of Jana Alayra, we will have the drawing for the Angel Game, Bat Boy/or Bat Girl along with some other fun prizes, and a short drama with Princess Grace and her friends to cap off the week in the Land of Excalichantia. We will find out exactly what was raised in offering between our two teams, the Red Knights, or the Blue Dragons, and hopefully watch a sliming! Parents you won’t want to miss it, so come, it’s free, your kids will love it and so will you. The barbeque before the concert is from 5-6:30pm. If you haven’t bought tickets yet, we will only sell tickets until noon on the patio, we are almost sold out!

This weekend, have your kids wear their T-shirts to church and be sure to arrive extra early. Check them into Port Mariners, and the elementary grades will be brought over right after the service starts to have the opportunity to sing in the services with the adults.

See you tomorrow at our last day in the Land of Excalichantia!

Click here to see Wednesday’s photos in the photo gallery.

Our adventure through the Land of Excalichantia is getting more exciting each day! As Princess Grace, Duchess of Lilliput, and Gulliver travels through Excalichantia, they meet three new friends that live in a special garden – the Kindergarten. As they get to know their new friends – Lily of the Valley, Chrysanthemum and Rose, or more commonly known as Lily, Chrissie and Rose – Princess Grace and Gulliver learn more about God and discover that they are God’s creation. Princess Grace invites the three flowers to join them in their adventure and encourage Lily, Chrissie and Rose to leave their comfortable garden where they’ve always lived and start a new life beyond what they’ve always known. Princess Grace and Gulliver lead them off for their next day of the adventure when they find out… Oh wait! You’ll have to come tomorrow to find out what happens next!

Today was a great day at VBS. In Bible, kids heard the story of Zacchaeus and how Jesus came to his house and had a meal with him. Zacchaeus believed in Jesus and Jesus changed his life forever. Just as Zacchaeus admitted to Jesus that he had done wrong things, confessed his sins to Jesus and chose to follow him, many kids did the exact same thing today at VBS. Over 300 kids made Jesus their “forever friend” today! Can you just imagine the party in heaven?

The theme song of Excalichantia by Jana Alayra sums up today very well: “It’s so good to know, every where I go, You will never, never leave me Lord. It’s so good to know no matter where I go, to the right, to the left, turn around, straight ahead, You are always with me Lord.”

See you on Day 4 of our great adventure!

Offering Video - Wednesday

Click here to see Tuesday’s photos in the photo gallery.

Excalichantia! The kids know how to say this at the top of their lungs. You should hear them in the Worship Center. This is such a special week for kids and adults alike! We want you to hear some of the fun things that are going on, and hear about lives that are changed at VBS. Each day we will tell you fun moments and great stories, and we would love to hear from you if you have a story to share.

Today was Day 2! Another successful day. Especially for one group of triplets. They had been invited to attend VBS before, but it never worked out until this year. These young boys, brought by their neighbor, had a great time yesterday and could not wait to make the trek to Excalichantia today for one very exciting reason! The reason…to make Swords in crafts! We are so happy to have a program that is fun and relevant and allows us to speak with the kids about God’s love and protection for them. And of course making a sword is not too shabby either! (Don’t worry it was made out of paper.)

We also know the children are learning God’s words and His desires for us. During Bible, the Adam and Eve story was told by our wonderful Bible actors. And Eve who was tempted by Jake the Snake was just about ready to take a bite out of that apple, when out of the audience a Kindergartener shouted “NO, DON’T DO IT! DON’T TAKE A BITE, EVE!”. They are getting God’s message for them.

Our program not only touches the kids attending, but the younger volunteers have the opportunity to begin their service to others in a big way. A parent shared how touching it is to observe their child step up and lead others and do things that may be difficult for them. To see your child maturing in service to God is a wonderful gift to us from God through VBS.

Tomorrow the kids will hear the A-B-Cs of salvation, we hope to hear many stories of life change and to see God at work. Tell us more, we would love to hear about it.
Offering Video - Tuesday

Click here to see Monday’s photos in the photo gallery.

It was so great to see so many familiar faces back at VBS!! We all had such a wonderful day. One of my favorite things about our church is our committed volunteers. We have had a team of people working diligently, some for months and months, to prepare for this week. Well today was the day when it all fell into place and we had the privilege of seeing the joy on the faces of the kids who attended. Every person has a special story to share. My sister in law, Sharon, travels from Arizona every year to work the whole week with us as a volunteer because she loves to be here and she loves to bring her two boys. We had one lady come up today, who had wanted to serve but thought she could not, and then her plans changed and she came. God is so good and He supplies for all our needs! Our prayer team walked our campus yesterday, praying in each area and asking the Lord to do great things this week. We can’t wait to see what He has in store!
Offering Video - Monday