Every year, CLC creates and plans a new intergenerational Family Vacation Bible School (VBS) program, occurring over five weekday evenings (Mon – Fri) during the Summer, with a kick-off BBQ the Sunday prior. This Family VBS ideally involves both children and adults/parents, with teachers instructing the children (by grade levels), our vicar teaching our teenagers, and our pastor instructing the adults. The same theme is taught regardless of age, but involves more depth and context with older children and with adults/parents. In this way, all ages participate, with parents being taught the deeper meaning and context behind what the children also learn, and ideally take home and discuss as a family.
Early each year leading up to summer, our congregation meets to determine a title, overall theme and Bible verse, hymns associated with this theme, Bible verses associated with lesson plans for each evening, art/crafts for these lessons, and even food during the dinner that we attempt to tie to these daily lessons.
Each evening has the following:
- Opening Prayer/Dinner
- Short opening service
- Class Instruction (with themed art at staggered times for children), separated by age groups
- Music Instruction for learning associated hymns and other songs
- Benediction
Always a great time for learning and fellowship for all!
Here is our Family VBS history…
| Year | Title | Theme | Theme Verse | Hymns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | So Loved, So Love | Because God First Loved Us, We Love | John 3:16-17 | 571 God Loved the World So That He Gave 392 God Loves Me Dearly |
| 2024 | On This Hill | The Lord Surrounds His People | Psalm 125:1-2 | 435 Come to Calvary’s Holy Mountain 729 I am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus |
| 2023 | Tree of Life | Abundant Life in Christ | 1 Peter 2:24 | 561 The Tree of Life |
| 2022 | Built on The Rock | The Church | Ephesians 2:19-22 | 912 Christ is Our Cornerstone |
| 2019 | Vocation Bible School | Vocation | John 15:16 | 783 Take My Life and Let It Be |
| 2018 | Make a Joyful Noise | Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving | Psalm 95:1-2 | Venite |
| 2017 | Grace. Faith. Word. | Reformation | Ephesians 2:8-10 | Though All Our Life is Like a Scroll |
| 2016 | Special Invitation: | Liturgy | Exodus 15:13 | 907 God Himself is Present |
| 2015 | Let’s Celebrate | 5 High Feasts of the Church | Matthew 28:7 | 633 At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing |
| 2014 | Forgiven! Alleluia! | Confession & Absolution | 1 John 1:8-9 | 417 Alleluia, Song of Gladness |
| 2013 | Our Father’s Child | The Lord’s Prayer | Psalm 141:2 | 766 Our Father, Who from Heaven Above |
| 2012 | Confessors of the Faith | Apostles’ Creed | Matthew 10:32 | 953 We All Believe in One True God |
| 2011 | River of Life | Baptism (Lutheran Heritage Foundation) | ||
| 2006 | A Walk with Paul | Journeys of Paul |