BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR JESUS 2012

  
   What a great morning we had at our annual Birthday Party for Jesus on Saturday, December 22nd. Well over 100 kids packed our cafeteria and enjoyed a morning of breakfast, Grandpa Lou, a visit from the Grinch who stole various Christmas items and games. The best part of the morning for the kids was an opportunity to go on the castle bounces, obstacle course and slide we had available in the gym. All of the kids who came had a blast!

MISSIONS CAMP

  What a tremendous week we had at our 9th annual Missions Camp. Just when you think you have seen it all, God does something amazing!
   At this camp we had 4 countries which were Italy, Germany, Haiti and France. We also had various missionary share such as the Care Center and helping Hand Rescue Mission. Our campers also learned how to do drama under the incredible tutelage of Cassandra Mulligan and puppets under the teaching of Jacob Mathai. They also did crafts for 4 days and did International cooking on Wednesday morning. The highlight of the week had to be the Closing Program which was on Friday evening. With only 5 days of learning how to do puppets and drama, our campers hit a "grand slam" when they ministered...even to the point of many adults in tears after watching their presentations!
   It was a great week and we look forward so much to 2013 and what God has in store!

Friend, Nebraska Mission Trip

  
   From July 28 - August 4, a team of 11 kids and 4 adults traveled halfway across the United States of America to help run and assist with a Vacation Bible school program @ Friend Christian Assembly in Friend, Nebraska. On Sunday morning Pastor Dave had the opportunity to preach a message and we began our VBS at 9 am the very next morning. The VBS program ran from Maonday through Friday from 9 am to 12 pm and we had about 35 + kids attend this fun week. On Wednesday night our team had the privilege of ministering to the Youth Group which they call Elevate. Magic Vinny used his creative gift of magic and illusions and spoke on masks that we wear. He also did a message using a straight jacket, which he escaped out of. Vinny and Pastor Dave shared briefly and a altar call was given. The altars were flooded with young people wanting to seek God and be closer to Him!
Our VBS concluded on Friday with a mini-Closing Program where the kids had the opportunity to sing songs they learned at music time. The kids also had the opportunity during the week to hear a bible story, go to recreation and make crafts each day. Our team also helped paint the outside of  a Thrift Store in 105 degree weather,, which took 2 days! Boy was it hot!!
Some of the fun things we did during the week were as follows

• Go to a Lincoln Saltdogs baseball game
• Go swimming at the Friend and Exeter community pools
• Go to the Homestead Museum
• Go to Lincoln and visit the Capital Building
• While we were in Lincoln, we went to an ice cream store that was absolutely fantastic!

   It was a great week of ministry, fun, being stretched and serving Jesus!!

VACATION BIBLE CAMP 2012

  
   Although we are only halfway through our VBC week, we are so blessed to see the many new faces of children who are enjoying a week of bible stories, recreation, crafts, music, snacks and fun.
Our theme for 2012 is Sonrise National Park. We are so blessed by the many adult helpers and teen helpers. Our program in the late morning featured Magic Vinny, our worship team, the daily promise video starrring Buddy the Bear, Grandpa Lou, Shelton the Shark and Buster the Basset Hound as well as Ricky the Raccoon and Axel.

TOWN OF SMITHTOWN MEMORIAL DAY PARADE - May 28 2012

  
   We had an absolutely gorgeous day for our 22nd Parade. Even though the temperature was rising and we were all sweating up a storm, it did not put a damper on our day!
   Or float, which was designed by artist extraordinaire Silvina Mastrogiacomo featured our VBC theme for 2012 "Sonrise National Park." The float included animals such as a bear, wolf, chipmunk, deer and eagle. There were also huge tall forest trees as well as a log cabin. Our puppeteers had puppets out of each window going down Main Street lip syncing to some Christian and patriotic music.
   Bob Kogut was our master carpenter who built our float and attached it to the trailer with the help of Jacob and Matthew Mathai. It was a privilege to go down Main Street with such an awesome float! Our team handed out pens to families to help promote our ministries this coming summer. We also had the Missionettes, Rainbows, Royal Rangers and SCS Cheerleaders follow our float to help advertise their ministries.All in all it was a great day!!
  

MISSIONS CONVENTION 2012 - The Trip Around the World

  
   Our Missions Convention continued on Sunday evening with our Annual Trip around the World...actually our 22nd in a row! This year our imaginary airline "Missionary Airlines" flew to 2 countries...Malaysia and Haiti! Each of our kids who entered our "airplane" held onto their tickets and passports, were given "safety instructions" and awaited our takeoff. After takeoff we gave out complimentary beverages and snacks and then descended for our final destination of Malaysia and Haiti. After exiting our imaginary aircraft, our kids enjoyed hearing from these two great countries then headed back to the plane for prize giveaways!

MISSIONS CONVENTION 2012 - Let's Make a Deal or No Deal

   
   On Sunday morning May 20th, our Children's Ministry hosted our 2nd Annual Game Show "Let's Make a Deal or No Deal" featuring classic game show games that have been on television "back in the day." These games were from classic game shows such as Wonderama, Deal or No Deal, Let's Make a Deal and Wheel of Fortune. Our Game Show host Jacob Mathai did a fabulous job (doing 2 programs by the way) as we asked questions from 2 parables in the bible. The Parable of the Lost Son and the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
   Everyone who attended received a free "clapper" and some even left with lots of prizes!!