Dear Cornerstone Family,
I asked Meredith Suits, our Children’s Director, to write this week’s Pastoral Notes.
A few weeks ago, Nate anticipated that I would have a lot to share about Cornerstone’s “Rooted” VBS and put me on the schedule for the pastoral notes this week. Well, I should have asked for two weeks in a row—I have so much to share with you and even more great pictures!
The volunteers for VBS this year (20 adults and 11 youth) were truly impressive. They led relay races, managed craft stations, served messy snacks, played and sang songs, refilled water bottles, gave high-fives and hugs, kept groups together and on schedule, swept up LOTS of seeds, unfolded and folded tents, refilled coolers with ice and waters, and most importantly, shared the love of Jesus with all of our Cornerstone kids and visitors. We could not have managed VBS without them, and if I had more space in the bulletin, I could share a million more examples of how awesome they were. We also had a prayer team for the kids and speakers at VBS each night and a large group of church members who provided much-needed supplies to make the week a success.
The children at VBS this year—32 who regularly attend Cornerstone and 14 visitors—were so much fun. Before the devotionals each night, we let each team of kids see who could cheer (read: scream) the loudest, and we have some very sweet but very loud voices in this group. There were sweaty faces and big smiles each night, and we were so glad to have this special time with them to play, sing, and laugh all while sharing God’s word.
The most important thing about VBS is that God planted seeds. Nate, Ben, and Nancy led the devotions each evening about the seeds, roots, and fruits we hear Jesus teach about in the Bible, and we know that God used the messages each night to grow the faith of these children. The kids planted seeds in small terracotta pots the first night and eagerly watched the sprouts break through the surface of the dirt. What a blessing it is to know that God can use even small moments like VBS to grow something beautiful in our children. It’s so exciting to know that he’s at work under the surface, and as a congregation, we can continue to pray for and nurture these seeds in our Cornerstone kids.
THANK YOU so much to the many volunteers who made VBS such a wonderful event and to those of you who prayed for us and provided supplies. If you want to hear more, I’d be happy to regale you with additional stories about the amazing volunteers and kids we have in our church and the ways I saw God at work in the lives of his people at VBS.
Meredith Suits
Your servant,
