Trusting in God’s Love
By Rev. Frank Mansell
For the third consecutive summer, we were blessed to host the Bi-Lingual, Bi-Cultural Vacation Bible School of Whitewater Valley Presbytery at John Knox Presbyterian Church from July 31-August 4, 2006. “Stories of God’s Love” was the theme, and each evening the children learned more about one of five of Jesus’ parables. In English and Spanish, they heard the story told to them, they talked about its meaning, they sang songs which spoke of God’s love for them, they made crafts which reflected the story for that day, and they enjoyed much fun and fellowship around snacks and games led by adults and youth. 50 children came throughout the week, and over 30 adults volunteered their time, talent, and energy to help the coordinating team lead a wonderful week.
There are times in the church when we wonder what it might have felt like on the Day of Pentecost, when the Spirit blew through the room of apostles, and they were given the strength to serve their Lord. For me, this week each year is my personal witness to Pentecost. Men, women and children from different cultures who speak different languages come together, and within the fellowship of the Body of Christ are united as one. It is my reminder that we are blessed and strengthened as the church when we celebrate our diversity, rather than viewing diversity as a sign of weakness.
One of the unique traits of this week each year for us has been it has preceded the Sunday of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. As a result, we have had worship on Saturday night, the day after VBS has ended on Friday evening. The young men and women from Northern Quintana Roo share the message for the service, and we invite the children to come with their families to sing the songs they have learned during the week. It has become an evening which our entire congregation looks forward to every year, for in our prayers, our singing, our proclamation of the Word – in all of those things we witness the power of God to build bridges across anything which divides us. To Jimena, Gabriel, Elizabeth, Manuela, and Juanito – I thank you for sharing God’s love with us in such a joyous way. And to Felipe Martinez and Fabio Socarraz – I thank you for helping us to discover the benefits of taking risks in ministry for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
For the third consecutive summer, we were blessed to host the Bi-Lingual, Bi-Cultural Vacation Bible School of Whitewater Valley Presbytery at John Knox Presbyterian Church from July 31-August 4, 2006. “Stories of God’s Love” was the theme, and each evening the children learned more about one of five of Jesus’ parables. In English and Spanish, they heard the story told to them, they talked about its meaning, they sang songs which spoke of God’s love for them, they made crafts which reflected the story for that day, and they enjoyed much fun and fellowship around snacks and games led by adults and youth. 50 children came throughout the week, and over 30 adults volunteered their time, talent, and energy to help the coordinating team lead a wonderful week.
There are times in the church when we wonder what it might have felt like on the Day of Pentecost, when the Spirit blew through the room of apostles, and they were given the strength to serve their Lord. For me, this week each year is my personal witness to Pentecost. Men, women and children from different cultures who speak different languages come together, and within the fellowship of the Body of Christ are united as one. It is my reminder that we are blessed and strengthened as the church when we celebrate our diversity, rather than viewing diversity as a sign of weakness.
One of the unique traits of this week each year for us has been it has preceded the Sunday of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. As a result, we have had worship on Saturday night, the day after VBS has ended on Friday evening. The young men and women from Northern Quintana Roo share the message for the service, and we invite the children to come with their families to sing the songs they have learned during the week. It has become an evening which our entire congregation looks forward to every year, for in our prayers, our singing, our proclamation of the Word – in all of those things we witness the power of God to build bridges across anything which divides us. To Jimena, Gabriel, Elizabeth, Manuela, and Juanito – I thank you for sharing God’s love with us in such a joyous way. And to Felipe Martinez and Fabio Socarraz – I thank you for helping us to discover the benefits of taking risks in ministry for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
posted by NQR Team @ 4:12 PM
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