Vacation Bible School: Day 4

Apollo the Caterpillar

In our penultimate VBS day we learned that no matter what happens, we can trust in God!

In the morning we learned the verse for the day: "I am convinced that [nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God."  This passage (maybe familiar because it was featured in yesterday's post in the music paragraph) is from Romans 8:38-39.

During the Bible story, we got to carry a real wooden cross as we learned about the crucifixion and the resurrection (Matthew 27:32-28:20).  Jesus trusted in God even in the midst of his very real pain and questioning.  We can do the very same!

Musically, we learned "We Can Trust Him" (track 10 or you can listen to a bit by pressing the play button next to the tittle).  This song, based on Psalm 33:43 reminds us that we can trust in God and in God's works.

Due to Friday's busy clean up, there will be no blog.  But check back next week for a final blog wrap-up piece.

Vacation Bible School: Day 3

Scout the Bald Eagle

Day 3 of Sky VBS saw us exploring how no matter what people do, we can trust in God!

In the morning, we learned the key verse (along with hand motions) taken from Isaiah 40:31 -- "But those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles."

We began our two-day trek into the Paschal Mystery as we journeyed into the Garden of Gethsemane in search of Jesus and heard about his arrest and trial (Matthew 26:36-27:31). This story reminds us that Jesus faced betrayal and still trusted in God in the end.

Music brought out a slower song, "Nothing Could Keep Me From You," (track #4; or press the play button next to the song here) which is based on Romans 8:38-39.  This song and verse remind us that God's love breaks through all potentially divisive powers of the universe.

Come back tomorrow for installment #4 VBS blogging.

Vacation Bible School: Day 2

Orville the Flying Pig

During day 2 of Sky VBS, we learned that no matter how we feel, we can trust in God!

Our key verse for the day was taken from the Gospel of John, Chapter 14, verse 1 -- "Do not let your hearts be troubled, believe in God."

In our Amazing Blue Bible Adventures, we learned about the raising of Lazarus (John 11).  Even when we feel our worst (and who hasn't said "I feel dead!"), we can trust in God to bring us new life.

During music, we learned yet another catchy song, "Counting on God."  Listen to it on CD track 7 or click on the play button next to the song here.  No matter what's going on in our life, we can count on God to be there for us.

Check back tomorrow for more VBS fun!

Vacation Bible School: Day 1

Pat the Bat

At today's Sky VBS, we learned that no matter who we are, we can trust God!

Our key verse for the day was from 1 Samuel 16:7: "The LORD does not see as mortals see...the LORD looks on the heart."

We also heard about the faith of the Roman centurion from Matthew 8:5-13.  Jesus healed his daughter after Jesus saw the faith the Centurion had.  May we have that same faith in our lives!

During music, we learned "You, You, You," which you can listen to by clicking on the play button next to the title on this page.  This song reminds us that it doesn't matter who we are, we can trust God!

Visit tomorrow to see what we have in store for Day 2 of VBS!

4 Ways to Grow in Faith this Summer

Summer and faith go hand in hand

Tomorrow we turn the calendar to June.  Children all across Fairfax County will wave goodbye to their school buildings for the summer and engulf themselves into summer activities: camps, sleep overs, and (hopefully) reading a book or ten.

The summer is also a great opportunity to continue their faith formation in the home.  Here are three ways your child (and your family) can grow in your faith this summer.

Weekday Mass
Try attending a weekday Mass once or twice a week with the family.  At St. Mark, the weekday Mass is in the chapel, providing an intimate worship setting you and your family might not be familiar with.  Make sure to place an unconsecrated host from the glass bowl to the gold ciborium for every person receiving communion.  Before going to Mass, check out the readings with your family beforehand using the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop's website dedicated to Mass readings.  Use the calendar on the right hand side to find the day.

Mass is celebrated at 9:15AM Monday through Friday, at 7:30PM on Monday and 6:15AM on Friday.

Vacation Bible School

This year, give VBS a try.  It's a week full of faith, fun, and community.  Each day focuses in on a different Bible story about Jesus, with each activity reinforcing the story.  Whether it's children interacting with the story during the story time or singing songs with similar themes beforehand, they will learn about God while having fun.

This year's VBS is from July 9-13 and features Sky VBS, which focuses on trusting God in all situations.  Watch a trailer about this year's VBS to learn more information.  Or visit Our Sunday Visitor's website dedicated to the Catholic version of Sky, which we'll be using.

We also need teenage and adult volunteers to help run VBS, so the whole family can attend or help!

Read the Bible
Public schools often have "summer reading lists," with dozens of books teachers recommend (or require) their students to read during the summer.  Why not add the Bible to the list?  Read a Bible story out of a children's Bible before going to bed at night with little kids.  Or if you have older kids, pick and read a Gospel together (maybe Mark's Gospel, since he is our patron saint!).  Any Gospel is a good place to start, as are the Old Testament stories of Abraham (Genesis 11-25), Joseph (Genesis 37-50), and Moses (Exodus 1-15).  Some of the Old Testament stories can be complicated!  Talk to Isaac if you have any questions.

Watch a Movie
A few times this past year, the blog has highlighted teachable faith moments within two popular Disney movies, The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast.  This summer will also feature Friday Family Movie Nights at St. Mark with kid-friendly movies focused on positive values.  Check the bulletin and information desk for more details.

What do you recommend?  How does your family grow in faith during the summer?

Image Credit: Bonnie Woodson on Flickr

Sky VBS - Coming July 9-13 to St. Mark Catholic Church!

Sky VBS is coming this summer to St. Mark Catholic Church!  More information forthcoming.  For now, check out this video: