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It’s Vacation Bible
School Time!
After a school year of hard work,
children look forward to a relaxing, invigorating and fun-filled summer
vacation. It's the time for family vacations, visiting friends and loved
ones, reading a book, and of course, Vacation Bible School.
Vacation Bible School:
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Reinforces in our boys and girls the assurance
of Jesus' love and His soon coming and helps them to develop a personal
relationship with Jesus.
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Is an outreach program that helps to lead the
children in the community to Jesus Christ.
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Introduces and fosters a friendly, positive
relationship between the children of our churches and those of the
community.
Each year a Vacation Bible School workshop is held
within the first or second quarter to train and educate the leaders in the
Children's Ministries Department and others in our churches on how to
effectively and enthusiastically conduct exciting, enriching, and
spirit-filled Vacation Bible schools in their respective churches.
This year's Vacation Bible school program is
entitled "Crocodile Dock", "Where Fearless Kids Shine God's Light." Each day
the children will learn more about Jesus through the inspirational Bible
points, incredible Bible stories, memorable Bible verses and unforgettable
Bible memory buddies. Bible points that the children will be taught
include: "God is with us"; "God is powerful"; "God does what He says He'll
do"; "God gives us life"; and "God cares for us".
The program is designed so that the children will
interact with station leaders at various stations for twenty minutes each.
The stations include: Swamp Stomp Sing and Play (singing songs and action
time), Dockside Drive-in Theatre (daily Bible point movie series featuring
Chadder the chipmunk), Bible Bayou (studying of the Bible), Crawfish Crafts
and Missions (art and crafts), Gator Games (Biblical games and activities),
Snack Service (Cooking), and Firefly Finale (The culminating activity each
day to bring together the various Bible points).
The boys and girls are placed in various groups
based on their ages such as: Pre-school (1-3 years), Kindergarten (4-6
years), Primary (7-9 years), and Juniors (10-12 years).
Children also become a part of Operation
Kid-to-Kid where kids demonstrate empathy for children who have lost certain
comfort items to disasters. Children will create cuddle critters during the
art and craft segments of VBS and give or send the crafts created to other
children locally or internationally to remind them that "God Cares".
Vacation Bible School is usually held during July
for one week or two weeks depending on the calendar of the individual
churches. The time of day it is held differs for each church. Some
churches conduct it in the morning hours while others host theirs during the
evening hours.
The schedule for Vacation Bible School in our
churches for 2009 is as follows:
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Adelaide: July 20 - 31, 5:30 P.M. -
7:45 P.M.
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Breath of Life: July 20 - 31, 6:00
P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
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Centreville: July 13 - 17, 9:00 A.M. -
12 Noon
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Francophone: July 20 - 24, 9:00 A.M. -
1:00 P.M.
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Good News: June 22 - July 3, 9:00 A.M.
- 12 Noon
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Grants Town: July 13 - 24, 9:00 A.M. -
12 Noon
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Hillview: July 6 - 17, 6:00 P.M. -
8:00 P.M.
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Living Faith: June 22 - July 3, 9:00
A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
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Maranatha: July 13 - 17, 6:00 P.M. -
8:30 P.M.
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Message of Hope: July 12 - 18, 6:30
P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
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New Englerston: August 3 - August 8,
5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
On your mark! Get set! Go! We're off to an
exciting Vacation Bible School again this summer! Parents, please ensure
that your children attend the exciting Crocodile Dock Vacation Bible School,
"Where fearless kids will shine God's Light" and shout "Fear Not"!
Mid-Year Convention 2009 {
See Photos } On Wednesday, June 24 at the Grant's Town Church,
Mid-Year
Convention
under the theme, "Mission of Hope", opened with pomp and pageantry as the
Pathfinder color guard, in an impressive display, posted flags. The
audience, who had already participated in a rousing song service, then sang
the national anthem and joined hearts for the opening prayer. Carried live
over the radio, the service continued with majestic music from the
Pathfinder Ensemble, Paula Musgrove-Bain, the Adventist men, and the
Meistersingers. Both the Honourable Fred Mitchell, Member of Parliament for
Fox Hill and the Honourable Branville McCartney, Minister of State for
Immigration brought greetings, expressing appreciation for being invited to
Convention and commending the church for its exemplary work and lifestyle in
the community. Pastor Leonard Johnson, President of the Bahamas Conference
of Seventh-day Adventists presented a powerful message entitled "When We See
The King". Using Isaiah 6:1-5 as his key text he told the audience that
sometimes God has to remove the "crutches" so that we can focus on King
Jesus.
On the second evening of Convention, June 25, the
youth were featured. The youth praise team began the evening with a lively
song service. The special music was provided by the Bahamas Mass Youth
Choir who thrilled the audience with their talented gospel renditions. The
Word of God was preached by Pastor Glen Samuels, the Executive Secretary of
the West Indies Union. Using the story of the lame man at the temple found
in Acts 3, he spoke on the topic "Look On Us". He told the youth that in
order to be agents of hope in this world, they must experience God's love in
their lives. He also said that they should not allow what they cannot do to
keep them back from what they can do, and they should not allow what they do
not have to keep them from giving what they do have. The service concluded
with a consecration prayer offered by Dr. Michael Toote.
The spiritual thermometer climbed even higher as
members welcomed the Sabbath hours on Friday evening during the third night
of convention. Pastor Derek Bignall, President of the West Indies Union, in
his unique style, brought greetings in song from the Cayman Islands, Turks
and Caicos, and Jamaica. President Johnson also presented a video report on
the Conference's progress in achieving its goals in
the
following areas: Finance, Quality of Life, Growth, Unity, and Communication.
Pastor Charles Blythe, Youth Director of the West
Indies Union, encouraged members as he proclaimed that the best is yet to
come. He said that despite the difficult times, it is a day of good tidings
because God is still on His throne.
Sabbath, June 27, the final day of Convention,
brought the spiritual thermometer to an all time high. Sabbath School was
presented by Bahamas Academy and it was an enjoyable experience as Mrs.
Rowena Smith, Superintendent for the morning, graciously guided the audience
through this segment. The lesson study was ably facilitated by Principal
Burrows and his team. Mr. Symonette, in the mission story, gave a report on
the history and progress of the new Bahamas Academy and Ms. Tamieka Mamby
welcomed guests and members. Natala Mackey ended the sitting with a soul
stirring solo.
During the Personal Ministries promotion that
followed Sabbath School, Pastors Joseph and Adderley galvanized the members
to spread the gospel through the use of small groups.
The divine hour was spiritually exhilarating as
members listened to heavenly music from the youth choir, the Meistersingers,
and the Convention choir. Interspersed among the music was a motivational
presentation on giving to Bahamas Academy by Harold Dorsette and greetings
from Dr. Earl Deveaux, who represented Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. The
highlight of the hour was God's Word. Pastor Derek Bignall, Union
President, energetically and earnestly proclaimed that life on earth was a
rehearsal for life in heaven. Using the
story
of Abraham he spoke about the kingdom principles that we need to cultivate
here on earth. He discussed principles such as love, unity, and listening
to God's Word.
The hymn fest and baptism of one held in the
afternoon at the Hillview Church climaxed Mid-Year Convention 2009 as choirs
came together to sing the wonderful hymns of our faith. During the hymn
fest Pastor Bignall also promoted "Follow the Bible" and demonstrated the
activities and games that could be used to celebrate this event. The
crowning performance was when all choirs joined in singing the last song,
"All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name!" It was indeed majestic, colorful
harmony - a little taste of heaven.
The annual meeting of church representatives was
held on Sunday, June 28 after Convention. It was a profitable sitting as
Conference directors were given an opportunity to answer questions about the
progress of the work in their respective departments during the first half
of the year.
Thus, ended another convention where members were
reenergized to continue the work of the Lord. We look forward to the next
mountaintop gathering when we will once again "powerfully affirm that we are
one people, united in faith, and bound by our shared desire to be
instruments of God's purpose in the world." -Editor
Note Of Appreciation The Administration
would like to thank all members, pastors, workers, ushers, parking
attendants, sound and media personnel, singers, musicians, set-up crew, and
Convention committee members for helping to make mid-year convention 2009
memorable and spiritually energizing. May God continue to bless you as we
move forward together on a "Mission of Hope!"-Administration
Adventist Burial Society Meeting The
regular monthly meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist Burial Society will be
held on Monday, July 6 at 7:30 P.M. (Three deaths recorded) in the Annex of
the Grant's Town Church. All members and those wishing to become members
are asked to attend. -Romanoff Bethel
Adventist Meet To Meet All Adventist men
leaders and men in General are invited to a planning meeting re our upcoming
one day mens conference at the Centreville Church on Sunday, July 5, at 9:00
A.M. -Pastor Paul Scavella, Men’s Coordinator
Adventist Men's One-Day Conference The
Adventist men's one-day conference will be held on Sunday, July 12. Plan now
to attend. You may make your deposit at the Conference Office or during
men's choir rehearsal tomorrow.-Paul A. Scavella, Adventist Men's
Coordinator
Parl & Goverment Sponsored Independence Fun Run
The second Independence sponsored for Adventist, and Sabbath Keepers fun
run takes place Sunday, July ( Will be supplied with date by tomorrow). We
are looking forward to all Adventist joining the Religious Liberty
Department and celebrate this victory. -Paul A.Scavella, Director PARL
Youth Summer Activities
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Basketball games during June 13 - July
18 at Bahamas Academy gym on Wulff Road.
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Admiral's Boat Building Camp for boys
from June 22 to July 19 at the Breath of Life Church on Marshall Road.
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Jeff Rodgers Basketball Camp from July
6 to 31, Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the Bahamas
Academy gym.
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Pathfinder Camp from July 19 to 26 at
Camp BAMIVOCA (Bahamas Missionary Volunteers
Camp)
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Family fun day on Monday, August 3 at
the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre.
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North American Division Pathfinder Camp
from August 10 to 15 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
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Bible Bowl on Friday, September 11.
-Pastor Andrew Burrows, Youth Director
Pathfinders Called To Independence Rehearsal
All Pathfinders are asked to meet on Forth Charlotte tomorrow morning at
ten o'clock for rehearsal for the Independence March Pass. -Ray Jennings,
Coordinator
Johnson Park Career Fair Tomorrow The Youth
Department of the Johnson Park Church will be having a "Career Fair"
tomorrow, June 5 from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on the grounds of JP. All
interested persons are invited. Special emphasis on students from Grades
10-12.
ABC Pre-Independence Sale The Adventist
Book Centre continues its pre independence sale with a 10 % discount
storewide and up to 50% on selected items. This sale will end on Thursday,
July 9, 2009. Also, a limited supply of Spanish adult quarterlies is
available. Interested persons should contact us as soon as possible to
secure a copy.-ABNC Manager
Summer School At Bahamas Academy
During June 29 to July 17, the high school division of Bahamas Academy will
be teaching BGCSE Chemistry, Accounts, Physics, and Home Economics for
students (private or public school) who are interested in jumpstarting or
continuing their preparation for next year's exams. Also, registration for
"Summer Blast" at the ELC is still in progress. This runs until August 7
and the hours are from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., Monday to Thursday and 9:00
A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Friday. Parents may also register for the summer
program at the Elementary Division. For further details on any of the
programs, please call 393-3381 (High School); 393-8898 (Elementary); or
394-8838 (ELC).-Administration
Substitute Teacher Needed Qualified persons
are invited to apply for the position of substitute English teacher at the
high school division of Bahamas Academy for the first term (August 17 to
November 20). The successful applicant must have a BA degree and be
certified to teach. Applications may be obtained at the school on Wulff
Road or at the Conference Office on Tonique Williams-Darling Highway.
Applications should be submitted to the Office of Education at the
Conference Office by July 24. -Office of Education
SABBATH SCHOOL NOTICE Reminding Sabbath
School and Personal Ministries Departments to turn in their reports for
second quarter by July 7, 2009.
Eagle Music Ministry's Conference Eagle
Music Ministry's fourth annual conference/workshop will be held during July
12 -15, 2009. There will be a grand concert on opening night featuring
Minister Roger Mike and the Eagle Music Choir at the Hillview Church at 7:00
P.M. July 13 – 15 at 7:00 P.M. at the Centreville Church Music Workshops
-A. Rolle, Director
Sun
Sets Today At 8:04 P.M.
Sun
Sets Next Sabbath, July 11, at 8:03 P.M.
