St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church ELCA

 CHILDREN & YOUTH 
       
 

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Youth Ministry at St. Pauls
Youth Ministry is ministry by youth, for youth, with youth Grades 6-12. Activities during the year focus on education, worship, outreach, and recreation. Youth Ministry seeks to connect teens with the church and involve youth in daily ministry and mission.
Adults interested in working with teens can join the Youth Ministry Advisor group. Youth Advisors provide adult friendship and assist with various activities.

Calendar
June

Vacation Bible School -- Teen Team workers help our classes, crafts, recreation and worship activities with the children.

Below is a report on our 2010 VBS!

Vacation Bible School Report

VBS week – June 21-25 – was filled with Bible stories, crafts, water play, and music fun! The 57 children, 26 adult helpers, and lots of extra support from the congregation helped to make the week special for every participant. Stop by Whitesell Hall to see the Egyptian Court of the Pharoah. VBS photos can be found on the wall pyramid in the church atrium, and will soon be posted on our website. Pick up your copy of the VBS daily newspaper in the foyer. This excellent account of VBS week is titled "Mummy Musings," written by Kevin Ostrowski. Friday’s picnic celebration had over 100+ people in attendance, picnic entertainment was a magic show performed by magician Larry Lloyd.

Vacation Bible School remains an important time of faith formation for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. We were faithful in God’s call to teach the gospel and to serve one another. The VBS offering ($161.17) will be given to our growing PreSchool/PMO. Gifts of cookies and crackers were collected for military care packages being sent to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thank you to all the teen and adult volunteers, thank you to everyone who painted Egyptian art and helped set up our decorations. Thank you, congregation of St. Paul’s, for your prayers and support for the ministry of Vacation Bible School. God has indeed blessed us with fabulous building space and an opportunity to serve the community with joy and purpose.

"Mummy Musings"

The following excerpts were taken from the daily newsletter written by Kevin Ostrowski during the week of Vacation Bible School. Complete copies are available in the foyer.

Opening

Hello everyone and welcome to another fabulous week at VBS! As you can see by the fantastic decorations, the theme for this week is Egyptian. And at 9 in the morning I was still quite tired, but surprised to see that people of all shapes and sizes were grooving to some cool music! Brian Cash could even be seen amongst the action doing the iconic Egyptian dance! The songs eventually died down and the anticipation for the first day learning about God began. But just as the cries of laughter died down, tragedy struck! Diane Archer yelped out, "I have lost my hope!" Brian Cash and others searched frantically in duffel bags and suitcases in vain only to find hats with fans on the top and other snazzy gear. Just when the captivated audience thought all hope was lost (no pun intended ), our very own Pastor Colley came to the rescue! He swooped down like the religious superman he is and pointed to hope! Which is to say, he pointed in every direction imaginable. I was momentarily confused by this, but then understood our wise Pastor’s deeper meaning. There is hope everywhere, and our hope flows from God. (with a capital G!) The Pastor then proceeded to teach us the sign for hope, which is your index and middle finger held together as though you are pointing at something. This hope in the future was reflected in the next activity, giving coins for preschool supplies. Children of God were giving their earnings so that other children could have a place to learn and play! It was quite an uplifting moment, coupled by the arrival of the famous Pastor Huggins! his first step in the door brought the crowds to their feet as they silently gazed at the living legend. He smiled and gave a prayer of blessing that touched all. Then, suddenly, our hero of a pastor turned interrogator when he pulled Joseph from the crowd and asked with a devious gleam in his eyes, "Do you dream?" Shocked Joseph replied, "Yes," and waited for more. The pastor grinned and said, "That’s all I wanted to ask." And with such a cliffhanger, the opening ended with the dispersal of the groups. I left curious, and feeling quite privileged to see a mastermind at work.

Storytime

Our Bible Study begins with Joseph in an Egyptian prison. I am sure that he must be considering the old tunnel through 150 feet to freedom a trick right? But when Diane told the story, it seemed that Joseph was much more focused on God and helping others than his own freedom. Even after being imprisoned by the Evil Pharaoh (Oh no!), he went on to help his jailer (played by myself ) with his troubling dreams of lollipops, eclipses, and cows! This story helps us to realize that even if we have lost our freedom we can still have faith that our God has a plan for us.

Crafts

In craft the majority of time on Tuesday was spent creating sarcophagi and Egyptian jeweled masks. But, when finished, the masses were able to disguise themselves as Egyptian Pharaohs! I caught myself bowing to one because his mask was so convincing!

Tut Time

"What’s up ladies & gents?" Ethan asked enthusiastically upon entering the T-1 room. I was curious myself, for there were quite a lot of supplies spread about. Joan told the group that they would be making letters to send to the soldiers fighting to keep us safe. Tut time happened each VBS day – a group time for our teens and pre-teens.

Recreation

Recreation again provided snack and had a few activities for the kids. In one they had to race with rings balanced on their heads and in another they had to untangle themselves without breaking their handholds on one another. The groups each had a water day. They had the pleasure of cooling off in a misting hose and 2 pools of their own.

Pyramid Showdown

Two teams of tut-teamers squared off in the toughest challenge of the decade. Build a pyramid with cups! These two groups had the chance to compete as pairings but now they were divided into 2 mega teams each with enough cups to do something incredible! An 11 x 11 pyramid was produced and a very elegant modern pyramid-ish thing.

Music

Songs included "Mighty to Save," "One True God," "We Are the Children of God," and "If Anyone Lacks Wisdom." Mr. Cash was spotted using a towel to protect himself from sunburn! It is a hazard in such barren deserts you know!


October

Annual Church Halloween Party the last Saturday of the month. Activities for children, food and fellowship for all ages. Focus is on fun, not fright.

December

Advent Fair -- Craft making for young children, older youth, and adults. Learn a new craft, or teach one of your own.

December

St. Paul's Christmas Pageant. Third Sunday in Advent, afternoon performance. Children age 2 - adult are involved in the pageant. Lasagna dinner following the pageant is a yearly tradition.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday breakfast and egg hunt. Special activities for young children. Food and fellowship between worship services.

   

If you would like information on children, youth, or family ministries, please contact our Minister of Education and Youth -- Mrs. Diane Archer. We have many more activities that come and go each month than what is listed here.  You are also invited to check our monthly newsletter (Cross Connections) which is located on the Parish News and Notes page.

   

 

 

 

 

 

1200 West Cornwallis Road, Durham, NC 27705-5731
Phone: (919) 489-3214    Fax: (919) 490-1088


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  E-mail Interim Pastor Kim Stover

E-mail Minister of Education & Youth      E-mail Minister of Music 

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