By Danny Federico Riverbend News
First Baptist Church of Branford held their "Wonder World Fun Fest: Amazed by Our Extraordinary Savior" vacation Bible school (VBS) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, July 12, through Friday, July 16, for kids between the ages of four to 12-years-old. The overarching verse of the VBS was "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift" (2 Corinthians 9:15). Throughout the week, students were able to enjoy fun crafts, games, songs and snacks revolving around a circus theme.
Each day, students started their mornings off with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Pledge to the Christian Flag and the Pledge to the Bible. On Friday, July 16, following prayer and the pledges, youth music counselors Dominique Golding and Moriah Howell led the students through the songs "Victory," "O Praise Him" and "Love Come Down" for their performances for Family Night, which was held later that night. After the opening assembly, the students were separated into four age groups (Pre-primary, Primary, Middler and Junior) for their Bible lessons and activity sheets.
Monday's lesson was based off of the theme of "An Extraordinary Plan: God's Word Anticipates Jesus" and involved text from Genesis 1-3, Micah 5:2 and Isaiah 53. The memory verse for this lesson was "All things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses and in the prophets and in the psalms, concerning me" (Luke 24:44). Monday's featured snack was cotton candy.
Tuesday's lesson was based off of the theme of "Extraordinary Power: Nature Obeys Jesus" and involved text from Luke 8:22-25. The memory verse for this lesson was "But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him" (Matthew 8:27). Tuesday's featured snack was ribbon cookies.
Wednesday's lesson was based off of the theme of "Extraordinary Food: Jesus Satisfies a Crowd" and involved text from John 6:1-14, 22-35, 47-51. The memory verse for this lesson was "He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life" (John 6:47-48). Wednesday's featured snack was nachos with cheese.
Thursday's lesson was based off of the theme of "Extraordinary Light: Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind" and involved text from John 9:1-41. The memory verse for this lesson was "I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12). Thursday's featured snack was corndogs.
Friday's lesson was based off of the theme of "Extraordinary Faith: Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead" and involved text from John 11:1-45. The memory verse for this lesson was "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, thought he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25). Friday's featured snacks were soft pretzels and cheese sticks.
On the last day of the "Wonder World Fun Fest" VBS, youth were able to race each other through an inflatable obstacle course and play in a bounce house. The VBS averaged 55 students each day, proving to be a huge success.
First Baptist Church of Branford is located at 607 Suwannee Ave. NW.