Ministries:
Adult | Teens | Children

Pastor's Pen's:
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

Sermon Series:
Following Jesus
Earthly Cross
His Name Is
Apostles Creed
Dealing with Feelings
Jonah
Get Real
Promised Land Living

Grace Church
257 Kendall Street
Burlington, WI 53105

(262) 763-3021

Email:
Pastor Scott Carson

Secretary Patti Hall

PASTOR'S PENS 2003

Grace Church of Burlington August 3, 2003   " Man is a history-making creature who can neither repeat his past nor leave it behind." W.H. Auden On Sunday night, August 10th, our church has the opportunity to be part of something historic – Vacation Bible School!!             Vacation Bible School as we know it today was the idea of Mrs. Walter Aylett Hawes, a doctor's wife. It got its start more than 20 years later on New York City's East Side. Mrs. Hawes of the Epiphany Baptist Church observed a rapid increase in the number of immigrant children in the slums. In July 1898 she rented the only place available, a saloon, to run a Bible school for six weeks during the summer. Mrs. Hawes structured her program around worship music, Bible stories and Scripture memorization, games, crafts, drawing, cooking, etc. And the idea took off!! Mrs. Hawes was presiding over seven separate schools by the time she retired from her work in 1901.             Dr. Robert Boville, who worked for the Baptist Mission Society, picked up where Mrs. Hawes left off, and the movement grew to include 17 schools by 1903. Fours years later, schools opened in Philadelphia and Chicago, and in 1911, Dr. Boville established the Daily Vacation Bible School Association as a national organization. In 1923, he left to promote VBS internationally and founded the World Association of Vacation Bible Schools. (And for those of you who think that a week is a long time, you’ll be interested to know that back then VBS was usually a 4-week event!)             It's interesting to note that VBS is not only an American phenomenon but a worldwide outreach. One of many international examples is the VBS pioneered by the South India Bible Seminary. In 1952, the seminary's staff and students introduced VBS to 75 children in Kovilpatti, Tamil Nadu. Four years later, seminary students designed their own course, and in 1961, over 33,000 students enrolled in 100 VBS centers across the country of India. Explosive growth continued through the 1970's, totaling 1,420,000 students by 1980. The Mar Thoma church became so enthusiastic it sponsored a missionary VBS venture into Kuwait in 1984, beginning with 750 students and 60 teachers.             Foolishly, back in the 1970's, critics suggested the movement had exhausted its potential. History, though, is on the side of VBS. One of the most exciting events here at Grace last year was our VBS!             While most of us don't need an introduction to VBS, like many good programs it is too easy to forget its primary purpose. VBS is not for us or even for church kids, though it will certainly be a blessing and help to them. The purpose of VBS is evangelization. It’s another powerful tool that helps us fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). What an exciting thing to see kids come to know the Savior through VBS!! Now that’s something historic!!             Typically, vacation Bible schools are offered by churches once every summer, starting usually on a Monday and finishing up that Friday. They center around a single theme, involve kids in games and crafts, but most importantly, seek to share the Gospel with them and teach them Biblical truths.             For a week parents and church kids become very aggressive "missionaries" inviting other children, their friends and relatives who do not know the Lord. Those who otherwise would never bother with church. And evangelism becomes easy during the often dull summer time when parents and kids are looking for something to do. In many communities VBS is a summer highlight.             So, what can you do to prepare for next week? 1) Pray – for leaders and children – pray that many young people and their families will come to Christ. 2) Volunteer – see Pastor Scott and ask where you can get involved! We’ll need teachers, greeters, craft people, snack people – everyone can do something! 3) Invite – invite lost relative’s children to come, have your children invite their friends. This is a very easy opportunity for all of us to be involved in God’s plan of redemption!             Who knows what young people will come to Christ next week!! What a fantastic opportunity to see youngsters come to Christ!! Will you be part of it?