Welcome to Vacation Bible School - Important details | Bethlehem Lutheran Church – Connecting people with God, each other and their mission in the world.

Welcome to

Vacation Bible School

June 16-20, 2008

9:00 a.m. to Noon

Thanks for registering your child(ren) for Vacation Bible School at Bethlehem. We’re looking forward to a fun-filled, “experiment-rich” week of growing in faith and hanging out with friends!

Where to Go

When you arrive on Monday, please check in at the welcome tables in the Gallery, inside the entrance off the south parking lot. Kids should be dropped off and picked up in the Sanctuary,

where we’ll begin and end each day with worship. Parents are welcome to join us.

Note: Lyndale Ave. is closed for construction between 44^th and 50^th Streets; Bryant Ave. is the suggested detour.

Payment

Registration is $20, or $40 maximum per family. If you have not already paid, you may send

a check, make payment online at www.bethlehem-church.org, or bring a check on Monday. Advance payment is helpful.

Clothing

Your kids will participate in a variety of activities, including crafts, games, snacks, storytelling, cinema, and worship. Please wear comfortable, old play clothes. We’ll do messy crafts, and there’s always the possibility of spilled glue or acrylic paint. We might get wet, too.

Snacks

The snack “menu” for the week is:

Mon. - Sugar cookies (decorated) Wed. - Grape soda floats Fri. - Fresh fruit

Tues. - Choc. pudding, vanilla wafers Thurs. - Cheese & crackers

If you’d like to contribute snacks, we could use the following items:

Need by Sunday:

White frosting
Candy orange slices
Choc. pudding** – pre-packaged cups
Vanilla wafers

Need by Tuesday:

Grape soda** – in cans
Ritz crackers
Canned squirt-on cheese
Cool Whip (bring to kitchen)

Service Projects

VBS kids are invited to bring an offering for one of the following service projects. Please note, it is not necessary to bring something for everything. Our hope is that each student will find a project that helps them understand that in serving our neighbor, we serve God, too.

· Books for Kids in India (please contribute money)

Bethlehem kids have a long history of helping kids in India go to boarding schools. VBS kids are currently contributing money to develop a library for street children who attend Park Town School.

We’ll send money rather than actual books so they can purchase books in their own language – probably from Scholastic Books, just like kids in the U.S. do!

· Craft & Recreation Supplies for Kids in Harlem (please contribute money)

Bethlehem senior high students are headed to New York City this summer to lead VBS at several housing projects in Harlem. We’d like to add to their recreation and craft supplies for use at VBS and later. Since we are very limited in our ability to carry things with us, VBS kids are invited to contribute money, and we will order things that can be shipped to New York.

· Pet Food – TRUST Meals on Wheels

Some people who receive “meals on wheels” live with cats and dogs but have a hard time feeding them. VBS kids are invited to bring in dry dog or cat food or treats to help ensure that the humans and their beloved pets both have complete, nutritious meals.

· Simpson Food Shelf

For kids who depend on a school breakfast and lunch during the year, the food shelf provides important summer meals and snacks. Simpson can use anything right now, but the following items are especially appreciated:

Peanut butter Jelly Cereal Cookies Crackers

· Swimsuits, goggles, & beach towels for St. Joseph’s Home for Children

The kids at St. Joe’s love to go swimming on hot summer days. Bring in new or very gently-used suits and accessories for kids, age 7-17.

Mixed Age Groups

VBS kids will be assigned to crews with mixed ages. That means your child most likely won’t be with a whole class of kids the same age. (Preschool through kindergarten will be together, and first grade and up will be together.) If you requested that your child be placed with a friend, we are doing our best to assign them to the same traveling group if not the same small group. They’ll still get a chance to spend time together at VBS, and they’ll meet new friends, too!

Invite A Friend

Friends are welcome to come with you to VBS. If at all possible, please have them register in advance. We can best prepare for the week when we know as early as possible who’s coming. Register online today: www.bethlehem-church.org. Advance payment is also appreciated.

Valley Fair

Friday, June 20, is “ELCA Day at Valley Fair!” After VBS on Friday, families are welcome to meet up at the park and spend the day experimenting with physics (so to speak)! A reduced group rate of $20 is available from 1:45-2:00 at the ELCA ticket window. (Regular rate of $15 for those up to 48” tall; free for kids 2 and under.) Cash or checks made out to “St. Paul Area Synod” only. Regular rates apply at other times. Hope to see you there!

Volunteer

If you’d like to help with VBS, let us know! Help decorate this Saturday (9-noon) or Sunday (11:30-3:00 or 7:45-9:00). Or serve next week as a crew leader or in the nursery or crafts.

Questions

Let us know if you have questions. We’re looking forward to a great week!

Gena Koeberl 612-312-3364 Registration - all ages

Kris Tostengard Michel 612-312-3410 Grades 1-6 program

Heather Roth Johnson 612-312-3420 Preschool - Kindergarten program

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