I’m not exactly sure how to report on last week’s Vacation Bible School. As I have often stated, I am overwhelmed at times by the number of volunteers we have. I am just as overwhelmed by the diversity of the ages of our volunteers. This diversity reflects the diversity of ages that make up our congregation. Some were retired, some took vacation time from work, some were college age, some were in jr-sr high school, some were not church members, some were guests, and some were men (young men and old men).  Without these volunteers VBS would not be possible. Again I say, “Thank You for your service and ministry!”

The one quality that I observed from all our volunteers was their desire to serve. Each one had a passion for VBS, children, and sharing Jesus’ love.

VBS is the one major outreach event that we are involved in each year. This year four children received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, while the others heard God’s message of love through Jesus Christ. Many seeds were planted.

A few VBS statistics:

A total of 147 were registered (49 faculty and 98 learners). High attendance was Tuesday with 120. Average attendance was 114. ( 40 faculty, 74 learners).  31 learners were added to our prospect list for follow up.

Thank you for your prayers and support. Without the consistent giving of God’s tithe and your offering Vacation Bible School would never have happened.

We Labor together With God,

The ABC Way

Colossal Coaster World begins promptly at 9 AM on June 10th. I am amazed at the number of volunteers we have every year and the focus and attention Walnut Street Baptist Church places on Vacation Bible School.  I remember my first year as interim pastor. I was unable to be here for VBS due to other work obligations. Imogene Piland served as VBS director. Her planning and involvement reflected the priority VBS had in her life. Thank you, Imogene for stepping up, and making such a crucial commitment to VBS which had a powerful affect on this pastor! All the efforts of those who served before us continue to influence and impact the Kingdom of God for many years in the future.

Everyone is expected to participate in VBS at Walnut Street Baptist Church. No one is called to be on the sidelines.  Here are a few suggestions. Choose one or more.

• Pray daily for the VBS leaders, learners, and families.

• Invite children in your neighborhood, family members, and friends to VBS.

• Bring them. After you invite them offer to bring them. Perhaps it may take you a few miles out of your way. It may mean leaving home a little sooner and getting back a little later but isn’t it worth the sacrifice?

• Encourage our VBS leaders this week give them a call, send them a text, or write them an email. Here is a novel idea. Use paper and pen, sit down and write a note of appreciation and send it in the mail.

• Attend the “VBS prayer walk” on Sunday night and the “Colossal Family Fun Night” on Friday evening. Your attendance is encouraging to all.

• Make Connections when you attend the Friday night event. Stay away from your friends so you can connect with the families of the children who are in attendance.

• Look for the good. I promise you we will make mistakes, miss opportunities, and mess up. However, I challenge you to look for and focus on all the good that this week holds. And, remember whenever we surrender ourselves to the Lord the outcome is always good.

We Labor Together With God,

Luke 7:1-10 Join us Sunday at 10:15 AM
“Our greatest need for healing is not physical”

The coming Memorial Day weekend is the official kickoff of summer! I believe this is the last week for almost all of the area schools. Unfortunately the meaning and purpose of Memorial Day becomes secondary to the summer kickoff.

Memorial Day was created as an occasion to honor those who have paid the ultimate price to ensure our freedom. It is our opportunity to stop and give thanks for the many that have died protecting that freedom. I hope you will take time during your busy weekend to do just that.

With the beginning of summer many churches pull back and plan for the “summer lull”. You know what I mean; everything slows down because everyone is headed off on their summer holidays.

Well … we may get hit with the “summer lull’ but we refuse to plan for it. In fact, this is going to be an exciting summer of worship, fellowship, serving, teaching, and sharing the gospel. Read on and you will see some of the plans we have in store for this summer!

I encourage you, when you are in town to make it a priority to be in worship on Sundays. When you have guests visiting make it a priority to bring them with you. When you have plans for Sunday afternoon don’t skip out early. Make it a priority to be here for the complete worship service.   After all, you are not walking out on me. When you are out of town on Sunday make worship a priority wherever you are and bring me a bulletin. When you do miss worship make it a priority to fulfill your financial responsibility before you leave.

We Labor Together With God

Wednesday I viewed a webcast hosted by LIFEWAY entitled “Why Aren’t More People In Your Small Groups”. Several of LifeWay’s top dawgs (Ronnie Floyd, Eric Geiger, and Ron Edmundson) presented a challenging goal of connecting unconnected people, strengthening families, and discipling people through small groups.

To assist in achieving this goal LifeWay is re-launching its most popular line of ongoing Bible study curriculum for use in churches beginning this fall: Bible Studies for Life.

This summer our Sunday school leaders will receive an overview of the positive changes this new series brings. Because it will present the same topic in each age group, each Sunday, allowing for family discussion each week, I am recommending that ALL of our Sunday school classes use this series beginning this Fall.

Eric Geiger presented three reasons from LifeWay Research why there are not more people in our small groups. At Walnut Street Baptist Church we identify our small groups as Sunday school.

Reason 1: Most church members don’t believe small groups are important in our church.

Reason 2: People don’t believe small groups are that important to them. Their life is already full and they need to make connections and see how the Bible passage applies right now, today.

Reason 3: They have not yet been invited to attend a small group.

Small groups (Sunday school) is important at Walnut Street Baptist Church. Our Sunday School teachers strive to make Bible study relevant, applicable, and fun. And, if you have never been invited to attend one of our small groups on Sunday morning I present you with a personal invitation right now.

Further, if you have questions about Sunday school please communicate with me. I am always glad to sit down with a cup of coffee, a cup of “Cool Spoons frozen yogurt”, and/or a Wendy’s sandwich and discuss Sunday school!