Harrington Hangout: Kingdom Under Construction

We just finished our Vacation Bible School. It was another amazing week as VBS usually is! This year our theme was "Kingdom Under Construction." This had a duel meaning. First, there is major construction going on outside of our church building making it very difficult to get into our parking lot. Second, God is still working to build His kingdom and we are a part of it.

As I have done since 2005, I wrote a skit to go along with the message for each night. This year, our speaker was Joe Hawkinson. He did a fantastic job. The kids really enjoyed him. We had a total of 73 kids!!

On Monday, the kids learned about King Saul. In the skit, the princesses disobeyed their guardian, Dorma Fairy, and spoke to the evil queen's 2 daughters.

Ephesians 6:1 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother,' which is the first commandment with promise: 'that it may be well with you and you will live long on the earth.' "

As the kids first entered, they were met by this guy:

And then greeted by 3 smiling faces here:

After they were signed in, they entered through these doors

And sat here for singing and the message.

On Tuesday, the kids learned about King David. In the skit, the princesses realized they needed to confess their sins if they truly wanted to serve King Matthew.

1 John 1:9-10 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."

After the message, the kids split up. 2 families (teams) went here:

For crafts:

And the other 2 went to the courtyard for games:

On Wednesday, the kids learned about Pharaoh who did not listen to God when He sent Moses to free His people. In the skit, the Jester warned the evil queen, Queen Lucinda, that she needed to listen to King Matthew or her household could be cursed.

(Played by me)

Proverbs 3:33-34 "The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just. Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble."

After games and crafts, the families either went here:

For some snacks

Or here to learn their nightly verse taught by MaryRuth Moore.

On Thursday, the kids learned about King Nebuchadnezzer. In the skit, as he was dying from his fight with the queen's dragon, Prince Shane forgives the people for not believing in him and he gives a warning about the evil queen whose daughter was also losing her life.

2 Corinthians 7:10 "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death."

Then it was time for the kids to go back out for more crafts

And games

On Friday, we invited the families to attend. We learned about the King of kings - Jesus! All the other kings sinned, but Jesus is perfect. He took our punishment for our sins and died in our place so that we may live, forgiven of all of our sins. In the skit, King Matthew announced Prince Shane as the rightful heir to the throne and the evil queen and her dragon were cast out of the kingdom forever.

Acts 4:11-12 "This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

When the kids returned to the Great Hall, they got to enjoy the skit.

King Matthew, the Jester, and Queen Lucinda are missing

Thursday evening, a huge storm came through with 80+ MPH winds. It blew down huge branches and some trees. We were forced to move the games inside and the crafts up front in the foyer. All of the seemingly chaotic changes were handled extremely well! This is also when I took most of these pictures so that's why the games are pictured inside.

When VBS ended that evening, this is what we walked outside to...

However, we lost part of our power! Our AC went out, microwave and oven didn't work, dryer didn't work, and most of our lights were off. We were able to plug in a window AC unit, charge devices as necessary, and run an extension cord to keep our refrigerator running. We finally got all of our power back today!!

It was a great week and I look forward to next year's VBS!!