This year’s Vacation Bible School Theme,

is taken from the theme verse:

 
Our children will be looking at snapshots from the life of Jesus. They will see that these snapshots reveal that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah who offers them eternal life in His name. They will learn about faith and what it means to believe in Jesus as personal Lord and Savior. They will memorize and recite the MOTTO for the week:
 

 
Our children will have an opportunity to focus on Jesus from different biblical encounters He had with people during His ministry:

• Day One – Encounter in the Temple, Luke 2:42-52
• Day Two – Encounter at the River, Matthew 3:1-17
• Day Three – Encounter on the Water, Matthew 14:22-33
• Day Four – Encounter at the Tomb, John 20:1-18
• Day Five – Encounter on the Road, Luke 24:13-35

These encounters will show children that Jesus loves each one of them and is ready to listen when they pray. They will learn that Jesus can be trusted to help them when they call on His name. They will discover how to invite Jesus into their hearts by repenting of their sin, trusting Him as Savior and Lord, and asking him to give them eternal life.

We praise God today for all of our Godly fathers. The Lord chose Abraham to be the father of a great nation. God promised him great blessings if he would faithfully obey His commands, “Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country and from your relatives and from your father’s house to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing…’” (Genesis 12:1-2)
 
God chose Abraham to become a blessing to others by living a righteous and just life before his children, “For I have chosen him that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring what he has promised him.” (Genesis 18:19)
 
The first responsibility of a Godly father is to obey the Lord by living for the Lord in front of his children.
 
This is hard work. It does not happen automatically or by human design. Being a Godly dad requires godliness and a healthy commitment to serving Him with all your heart. The Psalmist had it right, “Blessed is the man who dies not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scorners! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law does he meditate day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2)
 
Godly dads not only read their Bibles; they dwell on the word of God. They feast upon its teaching. They are nourished by its truth. You cannot be a stranger to God’s word and a Godly dad at the same time.
 
There are:

• There are 80 million fathers in America
• Of that number 1.5 million are single fathers
• The average number of gifts a father receives on Father’s Day is 2.5
• On Father’s Day, 80 million pounds of beef are consumed, and 100 million cards are mailed
• The largest number of collect phone calls are made on Father’s Day of any other day in the year

 
Of all the things that fathers are supposed to do and all the expectations they assume, the things I remember most about mine was him sitting beside me at church when I was a kid. From those days I remember that his favorite hymn was the “Old Rugged Cross.” I remember him holding the Bible in his lap and tilting it toward me so I could follow along. I remember him standing outside the church between Sunday School and worship laughing and talking with his friends. I remember him building a kneeling bench for the prayer room at church. I remember the Bible he kept next to his chair that he  read every day after he finished reading the newspaper. I remember his tithe envelope he put in the offering plate. I remember him poking me and trying to get me tickled during the Sunday sermon. My dad was a cut-up. I remember that I never saw my dad do anything for which I would be ashamed. I remember that my dad was honest and hardworking. He came home every night. I remember when dad said something, it was worth listening to hear.
 
I loved my dad. He was the best man I ever knew, and I miss him today.  

On Thursday of this week the world celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion. Veterans, world leaders, tourists and long-distance viewers tuned in to participate in the occasion. I was one of them. I was inspired as the President of our great country complimented the memory of our soldiers who gave their lives on those beaches for the cause of liberty. I was moved when the president of France told the world that the people of France would never forget. I was encouraged by the testimonies of aged veterans who gathered there. I watched those who searched through the rows of white crosses to find the graves of their friends who had perished. They challenged me to never forget what they did for this country and the world 75 years ago. Thursday was an awesome day of remembering and reflecting on the sacrifices that were made to rid the world of tyranny and oppression. Let me remind you of a few things that took place on that day 75 years ago:

• 5,333 ships involved
• 75,215 British and Canadian troops participating
• 57,500 American soldiers for a total of 132,715 land forces
• 20,000 allied airborne troops
• US VII Corp casualties: 22,119 including 2,811 killed, 13,564 wounded and 5,565 missing or captured
• Total KIA’s during the invasion 3,400

I want you to look at this picture:

I am preaching today about the words “BEAR WITH” one another. The word in the New Testament for “BEAR WITH” is “ANECHO.” This word means to Stand Up or to Hold Up. Notice that this landing craft from D-Day is empty except for the driver in the lower left corner. All the soldiers are in the water standing up for each other. They are going into battle together. Everyone is moving forward toward the fight. Now, look at this picture:

This is Normandy today. Crosses lined up standing together in a straight line one beside the other. These fallen heroes continue to do in perpetuity what they did during the fight. They stood together then and they are standing together now showing us what it really means to “BEAR WITH” one another. This is what God is calling us to do. He is calling us to “BEAR WITH” one another in our fight against evil and the devil. He wants us to stand up for each other as His people and in building His kingdom. Reaching Up and Bearing With go hand-in-hand.

School’s out and Summer fun is ahead. Families will be vacationing, attending family reunions, and enjoying outings that take place in the warm days of June and July. Our church is looking forward to ministry and outreach during this season of the year.
 
First off, we will ramp up our efforts to minister to children through Vacation Bible School. Already, craft supplies are being collected, young people are learning the motions and music for VBS worship, cookies and Kool-Aid are being stock-piled, teachers are preparing their lessons, while decorations are collected for their classes. A great deal of planning and effort must happen for Vacation Bible School to be the ministry it needs to be.
 
Our church family must pray for the children, teachers and volunteers who give their best in order that Vacation Bible School results in young lives being led to faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. More children are saved through Vacation Bible School than any other single effort employed by the church. Not only do children give their lives to Jesus during VBS, they learn to respect the truth of God’s word. They begin to be drawn together by the loving care of a church family. Children enjoy Vacation Bible School and develop a healthy feeling about what they experience at church. Remember to pray for:

 
There are two events which Vacation Bible School generates that have been integrated into the fabric of our church family. The first is the community-wide BLOCK PARTY. This year’s party will be on Saturday, June 22nd. This is a great time for our church to welcome people from the community to our church and its ministry. Children are the primary focus, but do not miss the opportunity we have to touch mothers and fathers, full families that come to watch their children have a fun-filled time at Grace. These two-hours prior to Vacation Bible School become an evangelistic encounter in which adults see for themselves the difference that a caring congregation can make in their lives. Everyone who comes will witness the truth about the love of Jesus because they see the way we love one another. Plan now to be a part of the BLOCK PARTY atmosphere.
 
Then comes the After VBS Picnic and Baptism Service. This year’s picnic will be July 14, 4:00 to 8:00 pm. We will baptize in Lake Sidney Lanier. This is a follow-up to Vacation Bible School as those who have made public professions of faith come in obedience to be baptized.
 
This year we will also observe a memorial service for Kathy Tyson who was baptized three years ago in the lake following VBS. Her family is planning to attend from Virginia and Nebraska. This memorial will be a time in which Kathy’s faith in Jesus will extend beyond her life to her sons, brothers and other family member who may be in attendance.
 
In addition, our church family will be able to show them the love of Jesus. This year’s event will be more than a picnic. Hot dogs, hamburgers, side dishes, games, and lake water will become a means by which we will give testimony to the saving grace available in Jesus Christ.
 
This is only June. We have the rest of Summer to reach people and tell them about Jesus. Thank the Lord for Summer. You may enjoy a vacation with your family and be away during these coming weeks, but Jesus will be busy every day. I am praying for a spectacular Summer in which our church reaches out and introduces many new people to faith in Him.