of clay, painted, planted

beans, crafted instruments,

and assembled a wordless

color book to remind them that

we all need Jesus in our lives.

The kids also got to eat deli-

cious snacks prepared by

Rachel Decker and Wanda

Lundberg. Mary Hershberger

was also a wonderful help in

every area of Nazareth. We are

blessed with many people that

have servants’ hearts!

The caravan then walked to

Mary’s (Cara Miller) house

where they heard stories about

her son, Jesus. Eunice (Cindy

Kunz), Mary’s neighbor,

though she does not believe

that Jesus is really God’s son,

was still a welcomed guest in

Mary’s home. It appears that

she learned just as much as

the kids through the stories

Mary told.

Nazareth gained over 60 resi-

dents this week as children,

youth, and adults learned what

it was like to live where Jesus

grew up.

Groups named after eight of

the Tribes of Jacob: Asher,

Benjamin, Joseph, Judah, Levi,

Reuben, Simeon, and Zebulun,

gathered each morning in

what was called “Hometown

Huddle.” The Tribe Leader led

their Caravan Kids in activities

that helped them learn and

remember special Bible points

throughout the week.

After Hometown Huddle, every-

one traveled to the synagogue

to sing and dance in worship

before the Lord. This time of

“Celebration” was led by our

very own Nazareth residents

Lydia and Hannah (a.k.a. Jen-

nifer Kimball and Hannah

Corson). The kids learned five

new songs that highlighted

different truths about who

Jesus is, the names we have

for God, and the price that

Jesus paid for each of us.

Outside games and inside

craft activities followed Cele-

bration. Games were led by

Rachel Kimball and Market-

place crafts were designed

and led by Lydia (Jennifer). The

kids made candle holders out

The Hometown Nazareth Tribe

Leaders were INCREDIBLE

with the Caravan Kids! These

youth connected with the chil-

dren by teaching, listening to,

and loving on them—just as

Jesus would have done!

Their leadership helped make

Nazareth feel like...HOME!

ASHER—Autumn Moe &

Breanna Douglas

BENJAMIN—Deja Lind &

Rebecca Lawson

JOSEPH—Hannah Hansen

JUDAH—Melody Schwanke

LEVI—Stephanie Bowe

REUBEN—Jordan Olsgard

SIMEON—Shannon Spurgeon

ZEBULUN—Josh Bradley

It was evident that each of

these leaders has a heart for

kids, the Lord, and for serving!

Please thank them when you

see them around town!

We learned that Jesus grew

up a lot like we do!

C a r a v a n K i d s i n T o w n !

Julie Mlinar

Set Design/Construction &

Banners

Geff Dornink

Set Consultant

Sarah Osterhus

Set Construction & Volunteer

Lynette Kuno

Set Construction

Florence Barcel

Sewed cloth bags for each

child

Shannon Spurgeon

Head Tribe Leader, Planning,

T-Shirt design

Dani Scholze

Nazareth Photographer

Valerie Lawson

Volunteer

VBS Planning Small Group

Stephanie Bowe, Nancy

Corson, Jennifer Kimball, &

Cara Miller

VCC Congregation

Prayers, Decorations &

Financial Support

and Pastor Steve Kuno

V a l l e y C h r i s t i a n C e n t e r

The

Nazareth Gazette

July 24, 2011 Volume 1, Issue 1

T e r r i f i c T r i b e L e a d e r s

Plant some

seeds...

...watch

them grow...

610 Territorial Rd. ~ Spring Valley, MN 55975 ~ 507.346.2101

T h a n k y o u !

Each day focused on a special

Bible Point & Scripture.

Pictures and words help all

types of learners remember

the information.

Day 1

“For nothing is impossible

with God.” (Luke 1:37)

Day 2

“I have called

you by name; you are

mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)

Day 3

“There is more

than enough room in my Father’s

house.” (John 14:2)

Day 4

“Let us go to

the house of the

Lord.” (Psalm 122:1)

Day

5

“Serve one another in

love.” (Galatians 5:13)

Looking ahead…

October 20-21

(MEA Weekend)

Mini-VBS program with

optional lock-in (overnight)

November

(Date TBA)

Harvest Party for the

whole family!

Children’s Ministry at

Valley Christian Center is a

vibrant, growing part of

our church home. Please

consider being a part of

this important ministry as

opportunities arise. The

team would love to have

you on board!

If you are new to VCC,

please consider filling out

a connection card

(available at the Informa-

tion Center) so we can

send you invitations to our

various events. You are

important to our commu-

nity and we would love to

get to know you better!

Gathering around God’s

table is ALWAYS

significant.

God gives from a bounty

that never ends. His rich-

ness is beyond what we can

imagine!

EVERYONE belongs at

the table...Reserve your

place today!

Table Etiquette

1. Treat guests kindly.

Romans 14:2

2. Let Jesus in!

Revelation 3:20-21

3. Dine & Dash (to SERVE!)

John 13:3-6

Consider the activities you

do around a table…

Are they always pleasant?

Meaningful? Are stressful

topics ever discussed—

Finances? Broken relation-

ships?

Gathering around a table

in the natural is usually

significant.

Jesus said, “Let the little

children come to me, and do

not hinder them, for the

kingdom of heaven belongs

to such as these.”

Matthew 19:14 (NIV)

B I B L E P O I N T S

V C C C h i l d r e n ’ s M i n i s t r y

P a g e 2

Message— “Come to the Table” Reinforcing the

Bible Points

and Key Verses

daily helped

the Caravan

Kids remember

important

truths in God’s

Word.

N a z a r e t h G a z e t t e

This year’s VBS program has been dedicated in loving memory of Phyllis Sauer—a strong woman of God who

cheerfully served, faithfully taught, and beautifully modeled the love of Christ.