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NorthrichBaptistChurch was especially excited about vacation Bible school this year. Along with all the normal preparations for VBS, they were also preparing for “Celebration Saturday,” a family-friendly water day that was held the Saturday after VBS. “Quite a few of the kids that attend VBS are visitors, so we planned this event as an opportunity to get to know their parents,” said Mike Nelson, pastor of Northrich. “We also invited other members of the community to come and enjoy the day with us.”
In preparation for the VBS week, which was held during the week of July 14th, moms, dads, youth, and kids turned out to help transform the rooms and hallways into “SonWorldAdventurePark.” The main hallway boasted an 80-foot roller coaster as well as park benches, birds, trees, and lamp posts. One of the rooms that “wowed” the kids had a carousel in the corner of the room and a concession stand that was stocked with clever creations of cotton candy, drinks, and popcorn. “There was a lot of excitement and creativity in the preparations this year,” said Trish Smith, Director of Children at Northrich. “I’m just so proud of everyone who helped.”
Each evening began at 6:30 p.m. with lively songs, crazy videos, and a skit performed by members of the youth group. The kids were challenged daily to “make the right choices in a world full of options, " and the week culminated with the kids being challenged to choose Jesus. “We were so pleased that ten children did make that choice,” said Pastor Mike.
Throughout the week, the boys and girls enjoyed a friendly competition to see who could bring the most in loose change to donate to a mission outreach of the church. By the end of the week, the boys claimed victory, and 52.5 pounds of change was collected that will be given to the Russian church plant that meets at Northrich.
Holly Hill and her family had visited Northrich only once when she decided to send her son to VBS. “It’s just so warm and inviting here and everyone makes you feel like you belong. I knew Hayden would have a great week.”
“Celebration Saturday” began inside the church with both kids and parents enjoying a presentation of VBS highlights and a slideshow of the week’s events. Preschoolers sang songs and the older kids recited Bible verses. Awards were given and drawings were held to see which lucky kids would get to throw a pie in the face of five good-natured volunteers.
The celebration went into full swing when everyone moved outside to enjoy water slides, an obstacle course, and the very popular dunking booth. The lines were always long when Pastor Mike was sitting in the booth. He “encouraged” others to take a turn in the booth and before long there were quite a few wet adults who had taken a dip. Both kids and adults enjoyed the summer-time treats of hot dogs, soft drinks, cotton candy, popcorn, and snow cones. Sitting in the shade with her husband Joel, Holly Hill was all smiles when she said that they “really enjoyed meeting so many new people. It’s just been wonderful.”
