Where do I park?

Park in the back half of the Yellow lot closest to the Gatheria (east side of the building nearest the Gatheria).  Leave the front half of Yellow, Green, Red and Blue lots for families to utilize during student drop off and pick up.

Where do I enter the building?

Volunteers should enter through the Yellow Parking glass doors (through the Gatheria).

What if I have children with me who are attending VBS?

They will stay with you until drop off begins in the Worship Center at 8:45 am, at which time they can move to their assigned group location.

What if I have a preschooler to drop off?

Proceed to the preschool area to check in your child.  If you have older children with you, do not leave them unattended.  Either have another volunteer supervise them or have them accompany you.

What do I do with my purse?

If you choose to bring any personal items, plan to carry them with you throughout the day.  There will be no secure place available to store them.

What is in the Small Group bag?

Student Attendance roster for the week & class list
Pencils and a black marker
Any materials that need to go home to parents

What do I do if a child gets injured?

ANY emergency that requires MORE than an alcohol wipe or band-aid must be referred to the nurse in the Preschool area.

ARRIVAL TIME

Arrive by 8:15 a.m. and check in with your grade level Team Leader in the Worship Center. One Tour Guide should sit on each end of your assigned pew to aid with the monitoring and discipline (if necessary) of all activities in your group.Preschool parents: You may drop off your child in Preschool classrooms at 8:30 a.m.

SCHEDULE

A daily schedule with the rotations will be provided to you. You will be responsible for the movement of your group through rotations. Please supervise your campers throughout all the rotations.

NAMETAGS

All volunteers will be given a special VBS nametag. Be sure to wear your nametag all week for security purposes and to help you make some new friends.

NAMETAGS FOR CHILDREN

Each child must have on a wristband before they arrive at their assigned Worship Center pew each morning.
Nametags will be in the pew packet.

PEW BAGS AND ATTENDANCE

• Attendance roll will be made available in your pew bag in the Worship Center the first morning of VBS. This bag will contain attendance roll, class list, nametag and any correspondence that needs to go home with the children.
• Seat children in their assigned pew and take attendance. Check each child’s wrist band and write their number next to their name on the class list
.• After you take attendance, place registration and attendance on the pew. Always leave the attendance sheet on the pew when you leave the Worship Center. Please keep the class list with you.
• Attendance rolls will be collected each day after Worship Rally by the Registration Team and then returned to your pew before the next day.

PROTECTING THE CHILDREN AND YOURSELF

A child should never leave your group. Please plan a restroom break sometime in your daily schedule for your group. During the snack rotation would be a good time for a restroom break. Please make sure you are using appropriate touch at all times. Make sure you do not carry a child for any reason. This includes piggy-back rides and sitting in laps.

RAINY DAY PLAN

In the event of rain, we will observe our Rainy Day Plan schedule. Instead of children going to the Recreation Rotation, they will remain in their small group room with alternative rec activities.

DRESS CODE

Dress modestly (no short shorts or cut up t-shirts). Please wear your VBS volunteer t-shirt as is. Do not alter the t-shirt in any way. i.e. “knotting” making them ride up.

CELL PHONES

Please keep cell phones out of sight and refrain from calling or texting during VBS unless there is an emergency. Please keep cell phones on vibrate mode.

DISMISSAL

Return to Worship Center by 12:05 p.m. daily. Please stay with children in the pew until parents pick them up. Release children ONLY to the guardian that presents the matching number tag to the child’s wristband. Adhere to all safety and security standards. If they do not present the number tag, they must go to Welcome Center 2. Any children who have not been picked up by 12:45 p.m. should be escorted to the front of the Worship Center. As soon as possible, please allow Preschool parent volunteers to pick up their children

COMMUNITY SERVICE LETTERS

Sign up for community service letters at Welcome Center 1/Volunteer Central. These can be picked up at the same location on the last day of VBS.

EMERGENCY ABSENCE

Make sure that you have coverage for your team in case of an emergency or required absence. Please make sure you notify your Team Leader in case of an emergency.

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

• Know you are being prayed for: “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you;” (Numbers 6:24-25)
• Pray for your team.
• Thank God for every person He brings into your path, especially the children that will be in your group. Allow God to use you during the week to share His love.
• Plan early. “The plans of the Lord stand firm forever.” (Psalm 33:1).
• Organize all materials in advance.
• Keep your personal schedule light during the afternoons of VBS.
• Prepare clothing the week before for the entire family.
• Go to bed early and have clothes set out for the next day.
• Prepare meals in advance. This will be a great help.
• Keep breakfast simple.
• Try to rest every afternoon.

ENJOY! RELAX! VBS only comes around once a year!

Prevent them by ...

• Preparing your teaching material thoroughly and prayerfully.
• Preparing the room in an orderly fashion.
• Securing ample supplies for all students.
• Having something for children to do at all times.
• Giving the child options to choose from (only if you are willing to accept their choice).

How to deal with minor discipline problems:

• Use a calm voice. This shows that you are in control.
• Ask for God’s help in every problem situation.
• Show Christian love, kindness, and courtesy.
• Remember: some restlessness and indifference come with the natural process of growth and development in children.
• Deal fairly with all children – no favorites.
• Be firm and consistent in principles of conduct – keep your word.
• Model appropriate behavior.
• Remember the value of each child.
• Actively listen and be empathetic.
• Find good behavior to praise.

Adult volunteers are asked to contact Children’s Ministry Staff if a child is presenting a challenging behavior that cannot be redirected.

VBS Rewind Quick View

Key Scriptures  

John 8:12 - “Jesus spoke to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness. They will have that light. They will have life.”
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VBS Motto: Shining A Light On Who Jesus Really Is

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Day 1: JESUS, OUR GREAT ESCAPEThe Story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24)

DAY 2: JESUS CALLS US TO SPEAK UPPaul Boldly Speaks (Acts 9:20-28)

DAY 3: JESUS IS WORTH FOLLOWINGShadrack, Meshack and Abednego Stand Firm (Daniel 3)
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DAY 4: JESUS IS UNSTOPPABLEThe Resurrection (Mark 16:5-7)
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DAY 5: JESUS IS AMAZING AND POWERFULThe Feeding of the Five Thousand (Matthew 14:13-21)

BEFORE VBS:

Pray for every staff member and volunteer.
Pray that the Lord will fill every volunteer position BEFORE VBS.
Pray that God will give wisdom in final planning.
Pray for the safety and health of participants, workers, and their families.
Pray for the spiritual preparation of all workers. Pray the armor of God over every volunteer.
Pray that God will protect the church facilities and mechanical systems.
Pray for good weather.
Pray for the unchurched families who will attend VBS. Pray that God will help them find love and acceptance at our church.
Pray for all children that enter the campus, that they would become stronger believers in Christ.
Pray for a clear presentation of Jesus Christ to all age groups. Pray that the Holy Spirit will prepare the hearts of boys and girls, teenagers, and adults attending VBS.
Pray that leaders will be joyful in anticipation of the week.
Pray for all leaders, final lesson planning, room preparation, and smooth preparation at home for a busy week.

DURING VBS:

Day 1: Today is the day! Pray for all workers as they deal with fast-paced schedules, learning new names, and unexpected events. Ask God to give them strength and flexibility.
Day 2: Pray for increased attendance and transformed lives. Pray that all participants will experience God’s presence today.
Day 3: Today and Thursday, “The ABC’s of Becoming a Christian” and “God’s Plan for Me” will be presented to children. Pray for the moving of the Holy Spirit, hearts to be opened by those who will hear, and pray for the decision counselors.
Day 4: Pray that leaders will be sensitive to those who still need to respond to the gospel. Pray for Family Night activities and that unchurched families will come and feel welcome. Pray for Pastor Patrick Newbill, and all children and volunteers during Family Night  presentation.
Day 5: Pray for joy and enthusiasm for all workers. Pray for the children as they continue to learn about Jesus. Pray for all who have attended VBS and their families.

AFTER VBS:

Pray for rest and relaxation for all VBS workers and the openness of parents as follow-up contacts are made.
Pray that our church will begin to help meet needs discovered during VBS.
Pray that what was learned during VBS will make a difference in the lives of those who participated.
Pray that VBS attendees and their families will come to Bible fellowship and worship.
Pray that people who have accepted Christ as Savior can be brought into the fellowship of our church (or another church) and begin growing in Christ-likeness.
Pray that people who worked VBS will sense God’s pleasure and satisfaction with their efforts.
Give thanks for an awesome week.

PRAYER CALENDAR

1. Thank God for providing all we need to abound in His good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
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2. Ask God to grant His favor and honor on all those who are serving in VBS. Psalm 84:11
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3. Thank God for carrying on the good works He has started in us. Philippians 1:6
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4. Pray for the VBS director and all workers involved with the preparation and planning of VBS.
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5. Ask God to give strength to the workers when they are weary and power when they are weak. Isaiah 40:29
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6. Ask God to place a hedge of protection around your church’s VBS and all those who attend.
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7. Thank God in advance for the blessings and opportunities He will provide through VBS.
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8. Thank God for loving us and ask Him to help us remain in His love. John 15:9
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9. Ask God to give energy and stamina to workers who will lead kids to worship Him through music and drama.
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10. Pray for those who are leading missions. Ask God to give them a heart and passion for the missionary families they will teach about.
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11. Ask for physical safety and energy for those who are leading recreation during the week.
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12. Pray a blessing on all the snacks that will be prepared for VBS and the workers who will prepare them.
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13. Thank God for the creativity and passion of those leading crafts. Ask God to give them patience and compassion for the children with whom they work.
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14. Pray for the Bible Study leaders to effectively communicate God’s love to the children they teach. 1 John 4:19
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15. Ask God to help everyone serving in VBS to do everything with kindness and love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
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16. Thank God for His gift of eternal life and for the children who will receive that gift at VBS. Romans 6:23
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17. Pray for the pastor as he builds relationships with the kids and shares the gospel with them.
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18. Thank God for sending His Son, Jesus, to provide forgiveness of our sins even while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8
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19. Pray for students and adults who may be attending VBS. Ask God to open their hearts to hear His Word in a fresh and new way.
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20. Ask God to help kids know that His plan is for them to have a relationship with Jesus.
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21. Praise Jesus for choosing to die for us and provide for the forgiveness of our sins. John 15:13
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22. Pray that the VBS Celebration provides a witnessing opportunity with parents and the community.
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23. Ask God to help kids know that Jesus is with them always and will always love them. Matthew 28:20b
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24. Pray that children will continue to increase in wisdom concerning God’s Word. Luke 2:52
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25. Thank God for all He has done and will continue to do through your church’s VBS.
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26. Pray that all those involved in VBS will continue to seek God with all their hearts and grow in their relationship with Him.
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27. Pray that all involved in VBS will continue to build their lives on what they have learned and believe. 2 Timothy 3:14
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28. Pray that your church’s VBS will continue to bear fruit and glorify God. John 15:8
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29. Ask God to bless the follow-up efforts to contact all prospects and invite them to join other church activities.
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30. Pray for those making follow-up visits to clearly share the gospel.
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31. Ask God to provide a time of rest and refreshment for all those who served in VBS. Matthew 11:28