Today marks the triumphant end of VBS week—a culmination of months of meticulous planning, elaborate set decorations, and spiritual battles. It’s been a week of remarkable achievements. With a total of ninety-five enthusiastic kids, we’ve conquered water slides, not without a few scraped knees. Julia, in particular, faced a health scare with appendicitis, but thanks to swift emergency surgery, she’s on the road to recovery. Today, these resilient kids are given the golden opportunity to ‘Follow Jesus.’

The lesson of the week was simple yet profound. We are all invited to the heavenly party, and Jesus, in his suffering, has paved the way for us to be there with Him if we choose to ‘follow him.’ We also explored the parables of the lost sheep and the prodigal son. This morning, we will delve into the concept of being the ‘light of the world.’

All of the above are very typical VBS activities and messages, but what has left me speechless is Joy—not my joy since my back has been in severe pain since 6 am on Tuesday, but the joy of the kids who have come. Something intriguing occurred this year at VBS. Not many kids came from the school next door, as many of them went to camp this week. But the remarkable fact is about 50% of the kids who have joined us this year are not attending church.

The joy and love that permeated VBS this week was truly remarkable. The kids, many of whom were not regular church attendees, came to Vine & Branch and were embraced by the love of our volunteers. Each day, they left filled with this love and joy, which they eagerly shared with their parents along with the Bible lessons they had learned.

If you have helped in any way at VBS this year, please accept my thanks; without each of you, this would not have happened with ninety-plus kids. Kids went home tired, volunteers went home exhausted, Bibles went home with each child, and gallons of water were splashed, all in the name of Jesus. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

This Sunday, we will celebrate Fathers on Father’s Day. I am excited to spend my day with three generations of Muetteries as we celebrate. Before we get to the BBQ, we must open the word and examine our hearts, which will bring joy to our Heavenly Father.
I look forward to seeing all the dads on Sunday at 9:30 am.

In Him,
Pastor Chris