Bethlehem Connect July 2017 | Page 7

children, Youth & Family Our Blessed Seniors This year I was hungry for Pentecost. I yearned for the story– a bunch of people in a room, speaking different languages yet understanding each other. Speaking our truth in our language and working toward understanding of the other is our work in the world, our community and our family. Pentecost fell on June 4, the day our congregation blessed the seniors in high school as they embark on the next chapter of the journey. Claire McCarron, a senior at Washburn, gave an amazing Pentecost sermon about being a queer Christian. Madison Lyndsley, also a senior at Washburn, preached about spending two weeks in Argentina and how love surpassed language via the language of faith. Olivia Olson, a senior at Wayzata, preached at Minnetonka about ESL students coming to her class and teaching each other about language and food. These young ladies experienced Pentecost in their bodies and clearly see that now is the time for people in seemingly adverse groups to work toward peace, reconciliation and understanding. Looking Forward Border Trip 1- July 14-18 Border Trip 2- July 18-22 Amnicon Trip 1 July 23rd – 28th (7th-8th grade) Amnicon Trip 2 July 30th – August 4th (9th-12th grade) Maya Gitch, Kendra Kreienbrink and Sally Pearson gave an engaging children’s sermon, and other seniors ushered, read and served communion. It was a powerful morning of blessing them and being blessed by them. Our hearts go with them on their way. VBS by the Numbers 2 Campuses 2 VBS weeks: Whose WHO are YOU? God’s Who, that’s YOU! June 26 – 30 VBS at MPLS campus Faith: On Fire! July 10 – 13 VBS at MTKA campus 315 children and youth 1,611 freezies 9 Bible Stories 61 games 5 field trips 10 “Red Shirt” leaders 5 handmade thneads 5 mission projects 324 sugar cookies 5 Dr. Seuss books 22 songs learned Millions of smiles Thousands of connections of family, friends and faith Check out the videos of each week on our websites! Children/Families in Worship As we gather to worship this summer, families are welcome to sit and play in the Commons at Minneapolis. The Commons will be set with tables, chairs and projects as you worship. The screen will be on, you will be part of the Worship experience while your children are reflecting what they see and hear with hands-on activities. Green Lake Bible Camp VBS leaders We have 3 counselors arriving to lead FAITH: On Fire VBS July 10 – 13. They have a place to stay! Will you volunteer to FEED our 3 workers? Sign up to bring a lunch or dinner for Sunday through Wednesday nights. Contact Sue Lungstrom at the church office to offer your sandwiches, soup, tacos or hotdish! 7