Can't Wait Till Next Year!

Dear Parents, Friends and Volunteers,

We have just about wrapped up all the loose ends for this  year's VBS. Before we go silent, I wanted to thank everyone who made SonWest Round Up a great event for our children. From the volunteers, the churches that support our efforts, and finally, to the parents and grand parents, the aunts and uncles, who invited children to spend a week playing, singing, building and learning about the love of God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

We will let you know when we start work for next year's VBS. If you can, please fill out the survey so we can get a sense of what went well and what we need to improve. If you can't get the survey to work, feel free to write to us at tWellsboroAreaVBS@gmail.com. And if you don't currently have a church home, we cordially invite you to visit one (or all!) of the churches that supported Wellsboro VBS this year. They all have great Sunday School programs for you and your children.

Have a great summer,

Gabe Hakvaag

Wellsboro Area Vacation Bible School

First Presbyterian Church of Wellsboro

Website

Phone: (570) 724-3431

130 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA

United Methodist Church of Wellsboro

Website

Phone: (570) 724-1968
36 Main St, Wellsboro, PA

Vineyard Church of Wellsboro

Website

Phone: (570) 723-VINE (8463)

Meeting at 130 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA

Crossroad Family Worship Center

Website

Phone: (570) 439-3185

16 Pearl Street, Wellsboro PA

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church of Wellsboro

Website

Located at the corner of Pearl and Charles Streets, Wellsboro, PA

Phone: (570) 724-4771

Day Five - Ultimate Love

Day Five - Ultimate Love

 

Bible Verse:

Exodus 19:1—20:21; 24:12; 25:10-22

Jesus Said:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

What's The Point?

God gave commands for the Israelites to follow. Jesus’ new command is to follow Him and love others!

Arts & Crafts
Make a Wild West Prayer Journal

Games
Sheriff May I? A western take on Mother May I

Today in the town of Dirt Clod:
Dirty Darryl is in jail and Sheriff Sunday prepares to ride off into the sunset. But who will keep Dirt Clod safe when the Sheriff is gone?

Day Four - Ultimate Trust

Day Four - Ultimate Trust

Bible Verse:
Exodus 16:1—17:7

Jesus Said:

“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35

What's The Point?

The Israelites could trust God to provide for them. I can trust Jesus to take care of me every day!

Arts & Crafts
choice of Magic Color Wild West Ornaments or Wild West Sand Art

Games
Red Rover

Today in the town of Dirt Clod:
Dirty Darryl and Sheriff Sunday have their final showdown. But even with Darryl out of the picture, not all is well for Miss Lilly. She needs more than power and authority this time – she needs a debt covered. Who can possibly help her now?

Day Three - Ultimate Rescue

Day Three - Ultimate Rescue

Bible Verse:
Exodus 5:1—12:51

Jesus Said:

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.”

John 11:25

What's The Point?

God rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Jesus’ death and resurrection can rescue me from sin and give me eternal life! 

Arts & Crafts
Color your own Moses storybook

Games
Water Balloon Toss/Relay Race

Today in the town of Dirt Clod:
Dirty Darryl has a sneaky plan to get his revenge. Sheriff Sunday has the power and authority, but can he defeat Darryl and rescue Ms. Lilly and Hank?

Director’s Note:

In Western movies and TV shows, the rescue comes at a very specific moment - right on time. Just as the rustlers are setting the house on fire, just as the train is barreling down on the  heroine, still tied to the tracks, just as the hero fires his last bullet, the bugle sounds and here comes the calvary, over the hill to save the day! Our hero has tried, has fought the good  fight, but ultimately, that calvary is what saves him. He didn't do anything to bring the calvary; it came.

But the rescue didn't happen at that moment. Someone sent the calvary before hand. If you think about it, the rescue happened the moment someone said "saddle up, men.  We ride at dawn!" Salvation was at hand, the hero just waiting to receive it.

So it is with the salvation God provided by sending Jesus. Our rescue from the darkness has already happened. We just are waiting to see it. In some cases, we are waiting to understand that we need it! Maybe it's our refusal to see we need to be rescued that creates all the drama. Maybe that's why it always comes at the last minute, because that's when we finally realize that we aren't ok, that we need help, drastic help, salvation! And at that moment, over the hill rides the calvary. But remember, we didn't summon that help - it has been racing towards us all this time!

Day Two of SonWest Round UP!

Day Two of SonWest Round Up Vacation Bible School is today, at The Green at 6pm. Oh, and it's free!

Day Two - Ultimate Power

Bible Verse:

Exodus 3:1—4:31

Jesus Said
 In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

What's The Point?

God used His power to help Moses. Jesus’ power is big enough to help me— no matter what!

Arts & Crafts

HANDPRINT MOSES BURNING BUSH SIGN

Games

Red Rover

Today in the town of Dirt Clod:

A stranger arrives in town with a shiny badge and sure aim. But Dirty Darryl is also a good shot. Will Lilly get her letter back? Will Hank be confused? (well, yes, because he's always confused)

The Day Has Come!

Day One of SonWest Round Up Vacation Bible School is today, at The Green at 6pm. Oh, and it's free!

Day One - Ultimate Plan

Bible Verse:
Exodus 1:1—2:10

What's The Point?
God cared about the Israelitesand sent Moses to help them.God sent Jesus because Hecares about me!

Arts & Crafts
COLOR YOUR OWN WESTERN BANDANNAS

Games
Rustlers and Ranchers: A group tag game.

Today in the town of Dirt Clod:
Ms. Lilly gets a long awaited  letter. Will her hopes be realized? Will Hank get her to read the letter? And what does Dirty Daryl want?

Count down to VBS - Day Three!

Our VBS count down continues with the theme for Day Three - Ultimate Rescue

In Western movies and TV shows, the rescue comes at a very specific moment - right on time. Just as the rustlers are setting the house on fire, just as the train is barreling down on the  heroine, still tied to the tracks, just as the hero fires his last bullet, the bugle sounds and here comes the calvary, over the hill to save the day! Our hero has tried, has fought the good  fight, but ultimately, that calvary is what saves him. He didn't do anything to bring the calvary; it came.

But the rescue didn't happen at that moment. Someone sent the calvary before hand. If you think about it, the rescue happened the moment someone said "saddle up, men.  We ride at dawn!" Salvation was at hand, the hero just waiting to receive it.

So it is with the salvation God provided by sending Jesus. Our rescue from the darkness has already happened. We just are waiting to see it. In some cases, we  are waiting to understand that we need it! Maybe it's our refusal to see  we need to be rescued  that creates all the drama. Maybe that's why it always comes at the last minute, because that's when we finally realize that we aren't ok, that we need help, drastic help, salvation! And at that moment, over the hill rides the calvary. But remember, we didn't summon that help - it has been racing towards us all this time!



The Count Down Continues

The Count Down Continues: Day Two Ultimate Power

“Is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins … I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.”  Mark 2: 9-11

On Day 1 we saw that God has a plan, one that He started at the beginning of creation and continues to unfold today. God sent the Israelites to Egypt knowing how He would bring them out. God drove Adam and Eve from Eden knowing how He would restore us to the Garden. On Day 2 we see that God’s plans and promises are backed by His power, the ultimate guarantee! And God is more than happy to demonstrate His power in all things so that our faith is strengthened. God could have taken the Israelites from Egypt immediately, but demonstrated His power through Moses to show that it was He, not Pharaoh, who gave Israel their freedom. Jesus also demonstrated His Power and Authority, not to frighten people but to strengthen their hope.

Pre-register your child for SonWest Round Up Vacation Bible School. Just click on the link HERE

The count down has begun to Day One of SonWest Round Up: Ultimate Plan!

God has a plan that includes you and  me, includes the past, the present and the future! God's plan is not always clear to us, but it always leads to Him, His Love, His Grace and His Freedom. God brought up Moses in His time to bring home the Israelites He had led to Egypt, gathering back His children and setting them free from slavery. God came Himself in Jesus to redeem us all from slavery, gather us back to His love and set us free from sin.

All week  we will be exploring the story of Moses and the Exodus, and learning how God's plan for the Israelites was just a foretaste of His plan for us all!

Want to pre-register your child for  SonWest Round Up? Just click HERE!

Seven Days to Go!

I see the tents set up for Laurel Festival, and  that means just one week until SonWest Round Up begins! Lot's of final details are coming together. Volunteers are appearing just where we need them. And children are beginning to pre-register. It's all very exciting, and a bit stressful! But as the leaders of the Wellsboro Vacation Bible School meet and finalize plans, we are all reminded that all of this comes together under God's guidance. We certainly plan and push to do as much as possible, but when plans fall apart, when opportunities go away, we all need to seek God's peace and see what He is offering instead. It can be quite a roller coaster, but as long  as we are faithful,  God provides, God directs, God sows and God harvests.

So if you see me bustling around town with a harried frown on my face, put  a  hand on my shoulder and  remind me to keep listening. When  we are doing God's work (and I truly hope we are) then we have to admit we don't know how it started or where it ends. Our role is to listen, to stay open, and to follow.

Gabe

PS  - if, along with  that whole shoulder touch thing you also  want to volunteer in any capacity - that's cool too!

SonWest Round Up Daily Schedule (print, clip and share with family friends!

Who Doesn't Love A Parade?

We sure do! SonWest Roundup will be riding in this year's PA State Laurel Festival Parade through Wellsboro, PA. We marched last year for SonSurf Beach Bash and it was great! No better place to view a parade than right in the middle of it!

Missed the parade last year? See pictures here: 2012 Laurel Festival Parade

Want to join us? Email us at WellsboroAreaVBS@gmail.com and let us know. If you have a wagon or flatbed and would like to drive our float, let us know. If you want to join the parade but can't grow a mustache, let us know!!!

Where you ponderin' how to pre-register your little cowpokes for SonWest Roundup? I reckon you were.

Just click your mousie on here  http://www.planetreg.com/E415986142574

See, we got to have an accounting on how many hands to expect on this cattle trail. Got to get the chuck wagon supplied. Got to corral the children in groups of ten and put two adult trail masters in charge of them. We got to make sure we have enough crafts and games and story books on hand so every child can participate. So,  if you are planning on sending your young 'uns, or know a friend or two who wants to go, take a moment and head over to our pre-registration site.

I thank you kindly,

Gabe

So who are these people?

I've been asked the question a lot: who are the Wellsboro Area Vacation Bible School?

Here's the formal answer: The Wellsboro Area Vacation Bible School is a cooperative effort supported by many area churches to share the good news of Jesus Christ with our youth.

Here’s the less formal answer: what started as a VBS program at First Presbyterian Church was transformed by the simple idea that sharing the Gospel is, at its very root, an invitation. We invite our children to enter into the story of the Jesus, invite them to see how much He loves us, invite them to understand why He gave His life for us, and invite them to accept His gift of a redeemed life. Yes, we dress it all up in fun activities and games and such, but all that just makes it more of a party. And if you want to have a great party, you need to invite everyone.

And that’s what we did. We invited our friends at The Vineyard Fellowship to bring their children and join us. Soon we invited the good folks at The United Methodist Church, Middlebury Baptist, Crossroads Family Worship Center and more. This year we are being supported by the Vestry of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church. But more important is the fact that our children are inviting their friends, regardless of their church affiliation. Indeed, last year we saw more families attend who have no church affiliation than ever before. Children aren’t terribly concerned about denominations, but they do love seeing friends from school and having a great time with them at VBS.

So think of Wellsboro Area VBS as an invitation: our invitation to you to participate as a volunteer, your invitation to your children to spend a week immersed in the story of the Exodus, your child’s invitation to friends and neighbors to come together and celebrate the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Hey Kids (and parents, and grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents!)

 

Saddling up is much more fun with a good trail partner! Why not invite a friend to SonWest Roundup? Print this handy invitation, color it all purty and give it to a friend!

 

SonWest Roundup Invitation

 

Get your posse together and ride to SonWest!

Howdie!

Time to Saddle Up!  SonWest Roundup Vacation Bible School is coming June 17-21, 2013. This year we are transforming the Green into the great Wild West. During the week there’ll be food, games, music, crafts—and the amazing stories of the Exodus, when God gathered His people and brought them to true freedom!

SonWest Roundup VBS is looking for volunteers with hearts as big as the wide open spaces. Each year we serve over one hundred and twenty-children. It’s an enormous effort, but with over eighty adult volunteers, it’s also a lot of fun. We hope to draw even more children this year, and we’ll need your help to do it. So whether you can volunteer for the week, for a few nights, or even one day only, there are lots of ways you can help. We need you!

Here is a list of the teams and what they do. Take a look and see where you think you would like to be.

Counselors – oversee a small group (10 kids) escorting them to activities and lead a short Bible Story discussion. Two Counselors per group

Registration – check in, assign and place children into their group for the week. Update attendance records.

Games – lead the children in a new field game activity each day.

Arts & Crafts – assist the children in creating a unique craft each day.

Administration – assist in organizing the event and behind the scenes activity.

Actors – join a cast presenting humorous skits each day, introducing the Bible Story and Theme of the day.

Snacks – help prepare and serve a daily snack to the children

Set Dressing – we are turning the Green into a Cattle Trail and Old West Town. We need folks who can bring set decorations (hay wagon or wagon wheel, fencing, ox yokes, whatever) and then come to the Green to set it all up

Running Crew – each day we need to set up and take down and secure things that shouldn’t be left out on the Green overnight. With a van and some people we’ll shuttle sound equipment, tables and chairs from First Presbyterian to the Green

Interested? Comment here or contact us at WellsboroAreaVBS@gmail.com!

Dear Parents

It’s time to hit the trail and head out to SonWest! Ride with us under the deep blue skies. Feel the breezes rise through the shady purple canyons as we head out through this bright wilderness. Each day, through song, story and activities, the children will explore the stories of Moses and see how they point to God’s ultimate plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

SonWest Round Up is a safe, fun, camp-style environment where children can learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ with friends and neighbors. Your child will be accompanied by adults at all times while moving through different activities. SonWest is presented by The Wellsboro Area Vacation Bible School, which is a cooperative effort supported by many area churches to share the good news of Jesus Christ with our youth. All children ages 4-12 are welcome! The event is free, but registration is required.

For more information or to pre-register:

email: WellsboroAreaVBS@gmail.com

Registration: http://www.planetreg.com/E415986142574

Phone: 570-724-3431

We look forward to seeing you on the trail!