“Thanksgiving is a very important holiday. Ours was the first country in the world to make a national holiday to give thanks.” – Linus in Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving. In this season of gratitude, Linus reminds us how important it is to give thanks. We are blessed as a nation to have a national holiday to give thanks to God for all things. “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; his love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34) As we gather with our families for Thanksgiving, let us remember to thank God for the many blessings we receive.
A Word About Fall
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Fall is here! This season brings shorter days, beautiful autumn leaves, boots, warm clothes, apple cider, bonfires, and smores. It is a season of gratitude! Let us start each day with a grateful heart. Enjoy the season and give thanks to God for your many blessings.
A Word of Thanks
At Athens VBS, many volunteers from CABC shared the love of Christ with approximately fifty children and youth from our church and community. It was a fun week learning about “Paul’s Dangerous Journey to Share the Truth.” Families were able to travel together to worship, make an art craft, play arena games, explore the Marketplace, and visit Paul in his tent-making house. They also ate snacks together and learned new songs. A few new faces joined our VBS program from the community and families from our church attended.
Each year we are very thankful to receive VBS materials and resources from other churches doing the same VBS program. This year Richmond’s First Baptist Church shared their VBS resources with us. I would like to thank Candi Brown, Minister to Children at FBC, for making it all happen. I would also like to thank Steve Brown for picking up the VBS materials and for working on the columns. He worked really hard to make them look nice and pretty for us up on the stage. After VBS, he also returned all of the items to FBC with his truck. Thank you, Steve! I would also like to thank our decorating team for spending several hours decorating the gym and hallways. The decorating team consisted of Joy Minozzi, Adam Raskin, Luke Minozzi, Caitlyn Smith, and Steve Brown.
It takes many volunteers to make our VBS program successful. I would like to personally thank each volunteer who served including: Nursery: Allison Lushao and Diane Fulwider; Preschool (Rome): Nancy King and Joy Minozzi; Antioch: Rosa Coleman and Millie Collins; Berea: Maristela Araujo and Pete Collins; Colossae: Judy Bendle and Brenda & Ronald Gilliam; Corinth: Jeff Minozzi and Tara Croom; Ephesus: Steve Brown and Sandra Beale; Galatia: Lynne Lilley and Sandy Beale; Iconium: Caitlyn Smith; Lystra: Adam Raskin and Margaret Robinson; Paul: Allen King and Dionysus: Wayne Conner; Sound: Howard Germany; Music: Joy Minozzi; Crafts: Peggy Coddington and Lee Germany; Arena Games: Scott and Cora Hackenburg; Snack Leaders: Sheliah Dowdy, Linda Pickering, and Virginia Baker; Security and Bell Ringer: Woody Johnson; Registration: Betty Johnson and Howard Germany; and Missions: Nancy King and Maristela Araujo. I would also like to thank Caitlyn Smith for inviting our VBS participants to Sandston Pool on August 16. We had 16 VBS participants attend. Everyone had a great time swimming in the pool together.
This year we raised money in our VBS program for a mission project called “More Than Nets.” This mission project is made up of Virginia and Ghana Baptists who are working together to reduce malaria and plant churches in Yendi, Ghana. Together, we were able to raise $101.08 to support this mission project in Africa. Thank you to everyone who donated money to support this cause.
Athens VBS
Athens: Paul’s Dangerous Journey to Share the Truth
This summer we will be traveling to Athens at Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church to be a part of Paul’s dangerous journey to share the truth. You are invited to come and be a part of this exciting experience. Athens VBS is scheduled for August 11-15 from 6-8 pm. It is for children (3 years old – potty trained) through adults. We will have a nursery available for our VBS workers. Would you like to serve as a VBS volunteer? We can use your help! Please let Claire know if you can serve.
There is still time to register for Vacation Bible School. To register, please visit our church website at www.cabc.org and download a VBS registration form and family letter. Fill out the form with a pen and drop it off in Claire’s mailbox.
I would like to give a word of thanks to those of you who helped distribute flyers around our church neighborhood on July 31 and August 1. Thank you for spreading the word about our VBS program to our community. What a great way to spread the love of Christ! Our VBS Decorating Team will meet at the church on Saturday, August 10 at 3 pm to decorate the gym. I would like to remind all family group leaders that you will need to decorate your own classrooms. The prayer room will be set up with a few leftover items that you can use to decorate your classrooms.
This year we are adding an additional component to our VBS Program, a fun evening at the Sandston Pool. VBS participants are invited to a pool party on Friday, August 16 from 6-8 pm. Families will need to bring $4.00 to go swimming. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Other events happening this month are Picnic at the Park at Osborne Landing at 6 pm on Wednesday, August 21. Out- door Movie Night will be on Friday, August 23 at 8:30 pm. We will watch Charlotte’s Webb. It is a great child friendly movie. Refreshments including lemonade and pop-corn will be served. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the show! Please make plans to attend these events!
Claire
Happy July 4th!
Happy July 4th! God Bless America! On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted by the delegates from thirteen colonies and America became one nation under God. Enjoy celebrating our nation’s freedoms including religion, worship, and prayer. Have a great time watching fireworks and celebrating our nation’s birthday.