VBS is a hit!
Vacation Bible School kicks off with food, music,
learning, fun and a lion (well, sort of)
“The best day at church ever!”—Lucy Jacobson, age 5
In what Pastor Kristen Jacobson described as a “hands-on, plugged-in, colorful safari of experiencing God’s grace,” Central’s 2010 version of Vacation Bible School (VBS) opened Wednesday evening and, as promoted and promised, Central’s VBS is not just for kids anymore. Eighty nine persons participated: 28 children, 8 junior and senior high students serving as shepherds (and one in the band), and 50 parents, adults and teachers!
Central is joining with other congregations throughout the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in offering the latest innovation from Augsburg Fortress Publishers, “Baobab Blast,” a VBS experience “set” in the expansive African savannah. Baobab (bä´ōbăb) is a gigantic tree found in Africa that creates its own ecosystem. A baobab tree’s hollowed-out trunk, leaves, foliage, nectar, fruit, and bark provide basic
life needs for many different creatures. The enormous tree can grow to 98 feet tall and 36 feet wide. Baobab trees are one of the world’s oldest life forms. The baobab tree serves as a meeting place for many people to gather, discuss, and share stories.
Children gathered around Central’s own Baobab tree in the Community Room to learn storytelling from Sean Nolan, who created the tree with the help of his brother Scott.
Following a picnic on the patio, an opening worship time was led by the 2010 VBS band, which includes Chris Stanley, Charlie Duarte, Karl Jacobson and, this week, Pastor Rick Nelson, filling in for Simon Husbands. Then it was off to the Community Room for the children, where the day’s lesson, “trust”—based on the biblical story of Abraham trusting God’s leading to a new land—was experienced at “stations” that included storytelling, art and even science.
As the children made their rounds through the learning stations, adults gathered in the Elbow Room for some discussion with Pastor Kristen about Christian discipleship, using scripture readings from the upcoming Sunday.
The evening concluded as the VBS participants joined others for the summer Wednesday worship service—nearly 100 strong! The VBS band provided the musical accompaniment.
Animals also play significantly into the themes for each of the five evenings of VBS, starting with “Faye the Zebra” today. A different African animal will be featured each time, as suggested by the curriculum. But, Central took the experience a bit farther as “Leeu the Lion” warmly welcomed children and adults alike. Leeu was portrayed by Deuce, the 90-pound German Shepherd belonging to youth and family ministry intern Matt Bratlie. Deuce, pictured here with Lucy and Sam Jacobson, is a certified reading therapy dog.
VBS continues on July 14, July 28, August 11 and August 25. more information is here
Vacation Bible School kicks off with food, music,
learning, fun and a lion (well, sort of)
“The best day at church ever!”—Lucy Jacobson, age 5
In what Pastor Kristen Jacobson described as a “hands-on, plugged-in, colorful safari of experiencing God’s grace,” Central’s 2010 version of Vacation Bible School (VBS) opened Wednesday evening and, as promoted and promised, Central’s VBS is not just for kids anymore. Eighty nine persons participated: 28 children, 8 junior and senior high students serving as shepherds (and one in the band), and 50 parents, adults and teachers!
Central is joining with other congregations throughout the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in offering the latest innovation from Augsburg Fortress Publishers, “Baobab Blast,” a VBS experience “set” in the expansive African savannah. Baobab (bä´ōbăb) is a gigantic tree found in Africa that creates its own ecosystem. A baobab tree’s hollowed-out trunk, leaves, foliage, nectar, fruit, and bark provide basic
life needs for many different creatures. The enormous tree can grow to 98 feet tall and 36 feet wide. Baobab trees are one of the world’s oldest life forms. The baobab tree serves as a meeting place for many people to gather, discuss, and share stories.
Children gathered around Central’s own Baobab tree in the Community Room to learn storytelling from Sean Nolan, who created the tree with the help of his brother Scott.
Following a picnic on the patio, an opening worship time was led by the 2010 VBS band, which includes Chris Stanley, Charlie Duarte, Karl Jacobson and, this week, Pastor Rick Nelson, filling in for Simon Husbands. Then it was off to the Community Room for the children, where the day’s lesson, “trust”—based on the biblical story of Abraham trusting God’s leading to a new land—was experienced at “stations” that included storytelling, art and even science.
As the children made their rounds through the learning stations, adults gathered in the Elbow Room for some discussion with Pastor Kristen about Christian discipleship, using scripture readings from the upcoming Sunday.
The evening concluded as the VBS participants joined others for the summer Wednesday worship service—nearly 100 strong! The VBS band provided the musical accompaniment.
Animals also play significantly into the themes for each of the five evenings of VBS, starting with “Faye the Zebra” today. A different African animal will be featured each time, as suggested by the curriculum. But, Central took the experience a bit farther as “Leeu the Lion” warmly welcomed children and adults alike. Leeu was portrayed by Deuce, the 90-pound German Shepherd belonging to youth and family ministry intern Matt Bratlie. Deuce, pictured here with Lucy and Sam Jacobson, is a certified reading therapy dog.
VBS continues on July 14, July 28, August 11 and August 25. more information is here
333 South Twelfth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-870-4416