|
Hello St. John’s Family,
It’s beginning to look a lot like… V-B-S! To borrow a few lines from the classic Christmas song, everywhere I go, there are tell-tale signs of the impending arrival of our summer week of Vacation Bible School, when the St. John’s family pulls out all the stops to extend the fun, excitement, and love of Jesus to children of our community and congregation. This year’s theme is Stellar, and we’ll be traveling to space to Shine Jesus’ Light for all to see. Even now, our Education Wing, Classrooms, and Fellowship Hall are being transformed into the far reaches of the galaxy as stars, planets, and comets; spaceships, landing modules, and lunar rovers; and, of course, interesting new friends are ready to shine brightly with the light and love of Christ.
While the props are now being moved into their positions and the final details are being completed, the preparations for this week began long ago. Last November, the first planning meeting was held. Then on February 1st, a group of faithful leaders gathered to determine what was required to get preparations underway. Since that February meeting, many faithful servants have gathered on Monday nights (and often in the daytime too) to plan, design, and build the awesome props and decorations that make VBS come to life. The results are amazing – our facility will feel like outer space as it shines with the light of Christ!
Yet so much more has happened during the many work sessions and planning meetings. Members and friends of St. John’s who didn’t know each other are now friends. Long-time friendships have strengthened, and new ones have formed, as workers have shared conversations, laughs, an occasional frustration while building one particularly challenging landing module… and have seen gifts and talents in each other come together to create an amazing outcome.
Over the course of many weeks, I’ve been able to watch all this take shape from a distance. I’ve seen the detailed plans, excellent props, and cool decorations come together while the people of God have come together: helping, strengthening, encouraging, and working together with each other for one purpose - to share God’s love with others. It has been a joy to see God at work in your efforts; thank you to all who have given of their time and talents to bring VBS back at St. John’s.
As preparations enter the final stretch before liftoff, please keep the week of VBS in your prayers. Pray for all the final details to come together well. Pray for each person who will be serving during VBS, that they will have the energy, patience, guidance, and joy needed to extend Christ’s love to the children who attend and to their families. Pray for each child who attends, that their hearts are open to experiencing the light and love of Christ, and that we may form meaningful relationships with new families. And pray for our leaders, that they will be granted the wisdom and insight needed throughout a very wonderful – and very hectic – week.
I hope you’ll join us for worship this Sunday, as we continue to explore the Apostle Paul’s teachings on how our relationship with Christ makes us free. Anyone who has ever experienced the frustration wanting to do what is right yet doing the exact opposite of what you intended to do, despite your honest and best efforts, will appreciate Romans 7:15-25 – where Paul notes how he has the same struggle. Join us and see how Paul was freed from captivity to his impulses through Christ. I hope to see you in worship on Sunday-
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
| 
