Like most Vacation Bible Schools, this week has been fun, loud, frenetic, exciting, crazy...and tiring. It's been a great "big" week with the kids, and I am excited to see all the fruit that will be borne over time through this incredible time of ministry. I am especially thankful for all the adult and youth workers who gave of themselves to serve in this year's VBS, and for those who donated and reached out to neighbors and prayed for the week. It has certainly been worth the effort. 

It is always a unique challenge for me, to get my weekly tasks done as a pastor in a busy VBS week while also making the rounds and staying involved in the lives of the children and workers who attend. Add to that the fact that we have four groups that cycle through each morning into the area outside my office for their turn at the Bible study station, and each group fills up just about every square inch of that entire area--so that I have to make the choice of either being out of my office during that time slot, or basically sequestering myself behind my office door. 

When I have been in my office during those times this week, it's still been hard to get much done, because of the noise outside. I hear the voices of two energetic adult leaders, inspiring about 30 children per group, and their youth leaders to know and read their Bibles, while teaching some cool Bible facts, learning some Scripture verses, making application and singing songs. I have been reminded more times than I can count the words of a simple song, that "at a time like this, I need the Lord to help me." I bet you didn't know you could study the Bible while singing about a funky chicken, among other things, but I know for a fact that it is true!

But it is Vacation BIBLE School after all (and not Vacation Butterfly School, or Vacation Banana School--it's an inside joke). And to hear the voices of, for me, anonymous children on the other side of my office door, answering questions about the Bible and sharing their experiences with God's word has been quite the blessing for me. Or, hearing them recite--and over a few days, learn--their memory verse for the week on the other side of the door, which I have memorized along with them: "But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness." (Psalm 86:15)

Between the "Wows" and the "Whoas” and the "big God who has big plans for me" in our worship time, to the wacky shrunken adventures of Dr. Goof, Zoey and Frank--not to mention the fun and games and crafts and snacks of our daily VBS routine--it's been a very blessed and memorable week. Our theme, as you have probably picked up by now if you've been paying attention, is that we serve a "big" God who loves us with a humongous love. He is always able, always present, and bigger than any problem or struggle we face. And the amazing thing that we have been reminded of daily is that though He is God--the awesome Creator of the ends of the earth--He is also compassionate and gracious, and abounding in love toward us.

You know, it's a crazy world out there, and it seems to be getting crazier by the day. It's no secret that our society has, by and large, turned its back on God and lost its way, and we have been in a steady downward spiral morally and culturally for a while now. Which makes a week like this, when we return to the simple truths of Vacation Bible School, all the more meaningful. We are reminded every day that God is still bigger than all of this, and that "at a time like this, we need the Lord to help us."

I am also encouraged that as we teach the truths of the Bible to this next generation, and as they hear and respond to the gospel, we can trust that the Lord will work in and through their lives. That is a reminder that even in these crazy times we have the promise of hope for our future, because our "big" God is in control. THAT's why we do Vacation Bible School.

What a privilege it is to serve such a wonderful church. I'm praying for you, as I hope you are for me, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, for one combined service together, at 10:30.

 --Pastor Ken