What a great kick-off to VBS 2007! Great weather, great music, great snacks-what a fun day we had! Click here for today's photos, and click here to check out today's video highlights.

Today's Lesson

Everyone loves a hero! A hero is someone special who can do really extraordinary things. Perhaps they're brave and courageous, or fast and well coordinated. Whatever it may be, they're special and we want to be just like them.

Our heroes today are ordinary people-a mother and a father, Mary and Joseph. But they're heroes for doing something extraordinary. It was hard for them to have a baby in that time and circumstance. People didn't realize the baby was God's Son. But Mary and Joseph obeyed God by choosing to have that little baby boy just as God had planned. It was a hard decision for both of them, but they did it! They obeyed God even when things were not easy. True heroes!!

Memory Verse

4's, 5's & K... "Help me know what to do and I will obey." Psalm 119:34

1st thru 6th... "Help me understand Your instruction, and I will obey it and follow it with all my heart." Psalm 119:34

Meet My Class

Today we're getting to know the 4 year olds-"The Believers"-brought to you by Niki Guetersloh and Becca King, and the 3rd Grade "Encouragers" by Becky Hunt and Julie Daisley.

The 4's had a great first day of VBS. First we met everyone in the Rally Arena where we learned some great new songs. Then on to drama where we did exercises. Why? We're not really sure, but we loved jumping around with Steve! We also learned what makes a hero. Next we moved to our classroom with the awesome basketball court. There we learned more about being a hero and obeying our parents, teachers and God. Next it was on to missions and music where we learned about one of our missionaries for this week. The kids were singing like champs in no time! From there we did a great craft of a pennant with our name on it. Lots of glue makes for sticky children! We made it to recreation and concessions after that for a wet game of "try and fill the bucket". Next it was time for closing where we sang some more! Lots of arm movements make it lots of fun. The 4's had a great day and we're very excited about tomorrow!

The 3rd Grade Encourages began the first day of VBS with music and a video. Then it was time for the missionary to talk about what he does. He showed us a video he made. Then we were off to recreation for a game that consisted of kickball and running combined into one. Next it was time for a quick snack and socializing. Once that was done it was craft time, where we made banners. They have our own signature design and we'll soon have a picture of ourselves to add! We ended the day with drama where Steve told us a story. We had a fun filled exiting day and we can't wait to come back for more tomorrow!

Recreation

Today the 1st thru 6th graders played "Concession Stand's Open" and "Boomball". Concession Stand's Open is a game where the coaches divide teams by colors, and choose one person to tag the other people. When a coach yells out a color, that team tries to run to the other side without getting tagged. When a child is tagged he/she becomes a tagger and when everyone is tagged the game is over. Boomball is like kickball except that there aren't any bases. Instead, the kicker must run around his team, which is in a single file line, as many times as he/she can before the fielding team can pass the ball over and under until it gets to the last person and the kicker stops running.

4's, 5's, and Kindergarten played "Squeeze and Run" and "Baseball Relay". Squeeze and Run is a game that uses sponges and buckets. The kids are divided into two teams and each team has a bucket on each side of the field. The person puts the sponge in the bucket, fills it with water, runs to the other bucket, squeezes it out, and runs back. Baseball Relay is a game that uses baseballs and gloves. Each person takes the ball, puts it in their glove, runs to the other side and back, then gives the glove and ball to the next person.

Crafts

God is so awesome! For months the craft team has been praying over this week's projects. Using last year's numbers we were prepared to serve 200 kids-but today's total of 220 threw us a curveball!

We started our day with prayer asking Him who is able to make our supplies stretch. We put our trust in how Jesus fed the 5,000 with only 5 loaves and 2 fish, and He showed us all amazing things today-we wound up with 5 extra pieces in the end!

We celebrated being on God's team by making pennants. Tomorrow we'll be getting pictures taken, so bring your beautiful smiles!

Missionary

Our missionary for Monday and Tuesday is Shawn Keith of Athletes in Action. Shawn told us about how he was able to join God's team not only spiritually, but also in full time ministry with Athletes in Action.

AIA is the sports ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, and our ministry serves as a spiritual resource for college, professional, and elite (World and Olympic level) athletes around the globe. Shawn works with the Media Department and showed us some video clips from a DVD we made with the Indianapolis Colts where the players share not only how they fit on the team and work together as a unit, but how they have joined the team spiritually by having Christ in their lives. Shawn also shared that not all missionaries live and work oversees-they can live and work in our own backyard!

Totals!

Wow!! We had 220 kids today! That just might be a first-day VBS record! Together with our 110 staff we had 330 people at Game Day Central! And we're off to a great start with $79.55 in offering. Remember that each day Jodie, our fearless director, will be holding a competition between classes for the most bibles brought, the most friends invited, the most offering, or the most Christ-like attitude. But nobody knows what category she'll pick, so be sure to invite those friends and bring those bibles!

Remember to check out today's pictures and video update from Channel 5½ News. Leave your mark on the VBS Guestbook or send a photo postcard to invite a friend! Remember, tomorrow's spirit day is Sports Hat Day. We'll see you then!

Note for Parents

We had an amazing first day. Be sure to ask your kids about what they learned. The athletes who are 5 and older will be working on memory work to recite at the beginning of the day as they enter the building. Please help them as they memorize God's Word and being applying it to their lives. We're also sending home a "Parent's Playbook". This is a tool to encourage family time each evening. Kids receive points for family time as well as memorizing scripture. Please "Join the Team" and make this week special even at home.