Thankful Thursday

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Today I am thankful for our church family. Oh, my.. how they have blessed our lives since we joined several years ago. This church family has a heart for reaching out to the community, for being a praying church, for being a committed church.

This week is VBS and I am once again reminded what awesome people make up this church. The last attendance count I heard was approximately 1100 children! Do you know what a HUGE commitment this is by so many members of our church??!! Over 500 church members have stepped up to volunteer their time and money to make this happen for, not only their own children, but so many other children throughout our community that attend.

In order to make this happen our VBS director (one awesome lady herself!) begins planning in the fall, which means she spends most of her year planning for the next VBS. During the week of VBS we run 3 sessions each day (morning, afternoon, evening) for 3 hours in each session. On the final night all that attended are invited, along with their families, back to the church for dinner and a big 'ole celebration in our sanctuary.

My husband and I both volunteered to help out this year and as I've walked around the church, watched the excitement of the children (as well as seen and heard first hand the excitement from my own children) I am just amazed at the awesomeness (is that even a word?!... smile) of this church family and what we can all do together as a family.

Oh, Lord, thank you for a church that is committed to children in such a HUGE way!

26 Thoughts Shared:

Unknown said...

Melanie,

Your church ROCKS.... I loved VBS as a child. We don't have it here where I live today.

This is an awesome praise for this Thankful Thursday. Hugs!

Aisha said...

That's amazing how she prepares the VBS. Such a long time and I'm sure it's really an awesome one. Would be nice to volunteer in one.

Anonymous said...

Oh just imagine...if only one of those children trust in the Lord as their Savior, it is worth it. How wonderful!!
Gina @ Gina's Public Diary

Addicted to Beadz said...

Melanie,

How awesome to have 3 services daily for VBS. I'm in awe. Isn't it great that there are so many people who give of their time to help in VBS.

I teach 1st grace SS. I love spending time with the kids and seeing them give their life to the Lord.

Blessings!
Cheryl

Cheryl said...

Wow! What a huge church!! It is wonderful that you have so many volunteers. Sounds like they are greatly needed! Happy Thankful Thursday!!

Denise said...

May God bless you, and your dear church family.

i said...

What a lovely thankful post! 1100 children? That's truly amazing! Have a blessed weekend ahead!

Anonymous said...

it's a nice feeling to be able to help for the glory of our gracious Lord. blessings!

Love Bears All Things said...

VBS is such a special time! I haven't volunteered in a few years but I know how much work, prayer and time goes into that week of teaching and having fun with children. Your church has been blessed with a wonderful opportunity to reach out not only to those children in the community but through them to their families as well. I ask God to bless the people in your church, to give you all extra strength and energy this week.
Mama Bear

Laurie Ann said...

May God bless you and your church family for reaching out through VBS ministry. I remember going each year as a child and on into teaching as I got older...there's nothing like it! I cannot imagine a VBS as big as the one you mentioned, though! God definitely is at work!

Anonymous said...

I love being in our church too because people are nice and friendly. Hope you have a nice day. Happy TT!

Mine is here

Kristi said...

I'm sure your church and the children are thankful for you too! VBS is such a wonderful ministry to be a part of.

Darlene said...

WOW! That is a lot of children at VBS! My congrats to your church on all the volunteers and success of VBS!

Have a fabulous week!

Natalie said...

VBS is such a valuable ministry to children and cannot be done with out the volunteer work from the church! Definitely something to be thankful for!

Joyful said...

Melanie, thanks for visiting my blog, and for your sweet words.

WOW - your VBS sounds AMAZING! You must attend a very large church. Our VBS is still a couple of weeks away, and then it is followed by 3 weeks of church Day Camp. Lots of opportunities for serving and ministering to children.

Enjoy the rest of your week!
Joy

Tanja said...

Melanie, that is so cool! Your church sounds huge, but what a great way to use that size... three VBS sessions in one week. That's great.

Oh, side note... check my blog tomorrow. There will be something there for you.

Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for stopping by the blog; Sounds like you and your husband had a great time at VBS...we missed out this year due to a last minute work schedule change for hubby but hoping to participate next year.

You have such a wonderful TT post!!

Erica said...

What a great idea to have it multiple times a day. That allows more people the opportunity to participate. What a blessing! Thanks for sharing. I wrote about VBS today as well!

Tricia said...

What a huge VBS! I can not even imagine having to be in charge of that. Our church is smaller and I thought our VBS was work, we had 150 or so kids.

Have a great day!

Tammy said...

Wow!!!! How awesome is that!!!! We have ours in a few weeks. This is wonderful.

blessings

eph2810 said...

Wow - 1,100 kids attending our VBS - that is total awesomeness!!!! I can't even imagine what all goes into planning such a huge event. I am glad that so many of your church families stepped up on helping.
Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us.

Blessings to you and your wonderful family.

bp said...

That sounds like one wonderful church family to be part of, Melanie! VBS is a lot of work on a small scale but for that large it must take very special people to work together for that! Praise God!

Irene said...

How I'd like to join you! I am thankful for you and for your church and for spreading the message of true freedom.
Thank you for your thoughtful and kind comments. I always enjoy being in touch with you.

Anonymous said...

I think your church was what Christ had in mind when He said He was the Head and the Church was the body...you do sound like one united body. God bless you!

Sharon

Beth K. Vogt said...

My daughter just finished a week at VBS at a local church. I too am thankful for all the workers who made the week so wonderful for her and all the children!
Beth@TheAccidentalPharisee

southmsmomof4 said...

Great TT post! A church family that pulls together and reaches out for others is truly worth being thankful for. Thanks for sharing. Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving the sweet comment behind. Be blessed,
Stacy