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Mathews United Methodist Church was better
known as the “Circle G Ranch” – where God is at the center
and the love never ends – during the week of June 13-17 as
we conducted our annual Vacation Bible School. Under the
exciting leadership of Libby Joseph, we had an average of 27
children attending each of the five evenings of fun,
learning, and growth. With 22 adult leaders and workers, we
had an average nightly attendance of 49.
Lesley Coffee, Brandon
Coffee, Patti McClain and Shelli McClain taught the 3, 4, &
5-year-old class of 6 children. Libby Joseph taught the 1st
and 2nd grade class, also with 6 children. Ann
Landis and Harriett Snelling taught the 3rd, 4th,
and 5th grade class, with 7 children. Chip
Snelling, David Joseph, and Beau Lockaby taught the Youth
class, with 13 youth in attendance. Chris Lollis led
the Adult class. Seven of our wonderful women worked the
entire week in our kitchen, providing snacks every night,
and a hamburger supper on Friday.
Using the curriculum
produced by Cokesbury, on Monday we learned about the
Shema: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord
alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might”
(Deut. 6:5). Tuesday we studied 1 Samuel 1:1-18 where we
read about Hannah, a woman of faith, a beloved but barren
wife, who makes a pleading bargain with God – if God will
grant her a son, she will give the child back to God to
serve God. On Wednesday we met an unnamed, penitent woman
in Luke 7:36-50. We know little about her except that she
was a “sinner” who responded elaborately to the mercy she
had received from Jesus. Thursday brought us the story of
the ten lepers healed by Jesus. We learned that only one, a
Samaritan, returned to thank Jesus for his healing – showing
us the importance of gratitude toward God in our lives. On
Friday we were with Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail as
they chose to sing praises to God even from the depths of
their prison.
It was an exciting week
– and we invite you to join for next year’s Vacation Bible
School – where we will again encounter God’s love for us. |
