VBS students ‘dive deep’
By JESSICA ALLEN Staff writer
Pastor Paul McKim welcomes students to the second day of VBS at Laura Street Baptist Church. The opening session includes prayer, an offering, and several songs that the kids will perform for parents at the family cookout tonight at 5:30.
From 9 a.m. to noon each day this week, Laura Street Baptist Church is opening its doors and inviting kids in preschool through eighth grade to “dive deep” into the Bible.
The theme for this year’s vacation Bible school is “Submerged: Finding Truth Below the Surface,” perhaps a fitting theme for a soggy week.
The theme is based on the biblical passage Psalm 139:23-24 which, in the Holman Christian Standard Bible translation, reads, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.”
Although the church is high and dry, you can still find a wide assortment of sea creatures, submarines, and coral inside its hallways and classrooms this week.
Coordinator Shari Booth, who has helped with VBS at Laura Street for more than 20 years, said more than 180 kids in preschool and elementary school showed up for the first day.
Middle school students participate in a separate program throughout the week led by Youth Pastor Tate Walker.
The students in his class Monday brought the total number of kids in attendance to more than 200, a high turnout according to Booth.
“We usually do it later in the summer, but right now kids are between the end of school and the beginning of summer school and family vacations,” Booth said. “It’s a good window of time to have it.”
It takes a large number of volunteers to put on a production for so many kids. Nearly 70 church members are involved to help teach, supervise crafts and games, or act as crowd control.
“I really love being around the kids,” Booth said of her involvement. “They get so excited.”
The younger students gather each morning in the church sanctuary to pray, take an offering, watch a video, and sing several songs, complete with actions.
In keeping with the underwater theme, students are divided into 14 groups bearing the names of sea creatures such as dolphins, jellyfish, starfish, eels, sharks, and stingrays.
Melissa Jackson’s third grade class of “lobsters” began the morning by painting small treasure chests in the fellowship hall before moving on to their classroom for the day’s Bible study, which centered on an account from the Gospel of John with the lesson that “Jesus knows my worth.”
Though the skies threatened more rain, the precipitation held off Tuesday morning, allowing the students to participate in a game of kickball outside.
Booth encouraged families to bring their children to the remaining sessions this week.
“We’d love to have kids come even if it’s just for one day,” she said.
Tonight the church will host a family cookout from 5:30-8:30 p.m. featuring a free meal, worship service, and games. The students will also demonstrate the songs they’ve learned during the week so far.
Laura Street Baptist Church is located at 120 S. Laura St.
By JESSICA ALLEN Staff writer
Students in Melissa Jackson’s third grade VBS class are eager to answer questions during the Bible study portion of the morning.
By JESSICA ALLEN Staff writer
The rain held off Tuesday, allowing students to burn off some energy outside with a game of kickball.
By JESSICA ALLEN Staff writer
Students at Laura Street Baptist Church’s vacation Bible school paint treasure chests during craft time Tuesday morning. This year’s VBS theme is “Submerged: Finding Truth Below the Surface.”
