Vacation Bible School

About 121 children ages 4-12 participated in our Vacation Bible School this year, held on Monday through Friday this week. The theme was, “Power Lab – Discovering Jesus’ Miraculous Power.” The kids enjoyed singing upbeat songs about the power in Jesus’ Blood, His amazing grace, and His faithfulness. Each day, after a time of singing, the kids split up into groups and visited different areas for about twenty minutes at a time. The weather was cool for part of the week, so for games they met in the Narthex of the church. However, Friday was warmer and the kids enjoyed all sorts of water activities outside! Fun crafts and snacks kept everyone occupied in the activity room, and a Bible story was presented in one of the classrooms. One day, at Bible story time, the kids even got to try walking on water! The kids, as well as staff, enjoyed the week, and more than one commented it was the best VBS ever.

Friday Evening Vacation Bible School Service

Science-type decorations occupied the platform on Friday evening as children and VBS helpers filed on. Melissa Voreis, VBS director, welcomed everyone and explained the evening’s events. She led the children in saying the memory verse for each day and they sang the songs they had learned during the week. Part way through, Melissa invited the children to come forward and tell the audience what they liked best about VBS. Some liked the singing, some the crafts, and some the story-time, but the games were by far the most popular! After a video of the kids enjoying the various activities of the week, Brother John Musgrave invited everyone back for Sunday school, and then dismissed in prayer. Outside, on the east side of the church, Melissa Zetter had arranged a delicious snack of cookies and ice cream for everyone. A lot of work went into VBS as well as the Friday night activities, and we are thankful that so many could enjoy it all.

Sunday Morning Service

The service began with a lovely piano solo by Janice Calhoun. She first played, “As the Deer,” and then continued with “Rejoice in the Lord Always.” The choir then sang, “All Creatures of Our God and King” Medley. Later in the service a young ladies’ quartet sang, “Send it On Down,” and before the sermon, Brother Jim Maxwell sang, “He Bought My Soul.”

Brother John Musgrave preached from Luke 17:15-16, on the importance of being thankful. He used this story of the ten lepers comparing sin with leprosy. Both destroy a person’s life. When the ten lepers were healed, only one went back to give thanks. Brother John warned that silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone. That one leper who went back praised God with a loud voice, from his heart. He had a serious need and Jesus not only healed him, but made him whole – physically and spiritually. When we have sin in our hearts, we have a serious need, and Jesus can make us whole too. Then, it is important for us to be thankful. Brother John encouraged us to handle our blessings with thankfulness so they won’t unravel. As the service came to a close, prayers of thanksgiving went up around the altars. Listen here.

Sunday Evening Service

For prelude, the brass played, “Cornerstone,” and “Greater is He.” The choir continued with, “He is to Me.”

Stan Monk testified that he was thankful for the chance to go to youth camp this year. Although he went as a dishwasher, which isn’t necessarily a fun job, the Lord blessed and he really enjoyed his time there.

Butch Carey and Gary Wolfe sang, “This World is Not My Home.” Butch then testified that he is thankful for the peace of God. Gary told how the Lord gave him a tender heart, and saved him as a young teenager.

Cassy Czupryk is thankful that after praying about attending Midwest camp this year the Lord provided the way through an anonymous donor.

Crystal Sletmoe told how the Lord has been directing her life, recently providing her with a new job. It is taking her in a different direction, but is better than what she had planned.

Naomi Clapa sang a solo before sermon, “Be Thou My Vision.” Brother Earl Phillips preached from John 3:3 and 1 Peter 2:2,3. He informed us that no matter what a person’s position in life, we all need to be born again. And when a person is born again, it makes a real change – they become a new creature in Christ Jesus. They are not reformed, rehabilitated or re-educated, but born again. When we are born again we are like a new babe, and it is important to grow as Christians. To do this, we need to read the Word of God.

Holy Spirit Fills Young Mother

Among those praying around the altar on Sunday evening was Ann McCarville. She recounted later that she has been saved for fourteen years, but after she was married and had children, it seemed “too hard” to really seek to receive her baptism, though she knew she needed it. However, about a year ago, her sons began to ask her questions about the things of God, and she felt the need to be able to answer them appropriately. She began to ask God to show her the reason she needed her baptism, and also began to consecrate anything God showed her.

Shortly after the Portland camp meeting, Iudita Trotter, another young mother from our Chehalis, Washington church, received her baptism at home. That was such an encouragement to Ann, and a deeper hunger began growing in her heart. On Sunday night, Ann’s husband had the children at home so she could really focus on praying. She had a wonderful prayer meeting and felt the Spirit had definitely come in though she did not receive the witness.

Ann did not want to let that Spirit go, so on Monday morning, she arranged for her mother-in-law to watch her children so she could pray at home. She was able to let go and really pray without distraction or worrying about what was the “right way” to pray. Her heart’s cry was just, “I love you, Jesus,” and as she prayed that way, the Spirit came down and the witness came! She is certainly rejoicing in God’s faithfulness to her heart, and we are rejoicing with her.

A link to last week's Portland Recent Happenings is available here.