Summer is Finally Here!
School is not in session. Preschoolers through seniors in high school have graduated. What an exciting time of celebration in their accomplishments. And “thank you teachers” too.
It also means summer vacations and family reunions. Travel safely. Take time to enjoy swimming pools, amusement parks, community festivals, and backyard cookouts. Summer is a great time to relax and be renewed.
Our Sunday morning and mid-week classes take a little break in the summer. However, every summer for many years here at Hyde Park Community UMC, Vacation Bible School (VBS) happens. It is a big part of reaching out into our community and opening wide the doors of the church. Dana Calhoun and Pam Pilger and a working team of parents, children and youth have been hard at work for months preparing for this amazing outreach church event.
The next two weeks the Refectory, Sanctuary, Little Theater, Welcome Center and Hallways will be decorated with an African theme. This includes a host of massive animal-like figures, a waterfall, a desert area, wall paintings, jungle music and scenes. The theme is titled “Roar: Life Is Wild, God Is Good!” We will have 150-175 children and volunteers in Vacation Bible School. So, “summer school” will be in session here at Hyde Park Community UMC.
We continue our sermon series theme this week on “Waking to God’s Wonders.” This Sunday we will focus primarily on the “Wonder of Prayer.” During the summer and all seasons of the year we might think of Hyde Park Community UMC being a school or a “House of Prayer.”
If you get a chance after worship this Sunday, I encourage everyone to walk the church and pray. Pray for all the children, parents and volunteers who will be here the next two weeks. Pray VBS will be filled with God’s Spirit and all will experience God’s goodness and grace.
Blessings,
Pastor Dave Weaver