DZ Christmas - Lisa Butler

Every week, God gives me the privilege of spending an hour with Horizons’ kids during Discovery Zone.  This time of year, our kids’ enthusiasm, energy, and noise is amplified by their anticipation for Christmas. They get that it’s about Jesus’ birthday, but I know some of them struggle to understand how Jesus meshes with everything else we do during December.  Let’s face it, grown-ups do too.  There’s a reason Jesus invited children to him -- their open faith, their willingness to be guided by the Spirit, are lessons to all of us.

For example, this past Sunday, we spent time with Isaiah's prophecies and talked about what it must have felt like to wait over 500 years for Jesus’ birth.  Then we practiced quietly waiting for celebration.  I’ll be honest, when I read the lesson and saw this activity, I thought, “No way I’m going to get nearly 40 kids to be still, quiet, and patient while they wait for me to toot on a party horn.”  And when I explained to the group what we’d be doing, I’m pretty sure the adult leaders rolled their eyes in unison. But here’s what happened: The lights went off, the kids shut their eyes and got comfy, and got a few giggles out.  AND THEY WERE QUIET.  One minute...(is this really working?)...two minutes...(I can whisper instead of shouting?)...three minutes...(I remind them about Isaiah, about waiting, and about God’s promised Son)...four minutes...(what?!).  When I finally blow the horn, they erupt with joy.  THEY WANTED TO DO IT AGAIN!  So we did.

If 40 kids can be still, can feel the power of the Holy Spirit, can experience the true anticipation with which we should greet the day of Christ’s birth, then I think we as adults can do the same.

I’m looking forward to Dec. 16.  The kids will join us in worship.  During Discovery Zone, they’ll be making fleece tie blankets for the Lakota Foundation for Hope blanket and car seat drive.  After all, Christmas is God’s love made real.  While we celebrate that love, we are also called to share it.

My prayer for you and your family this season is threefold:  Be still. Celebrate Love. Share love.  In each of these, may God bless you.

-Lisa Butler

Lakota Foundation for Hope

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? -1 John 3:17

Over 3 years ago, our youth group went on our first ever mission trip to Parmelee, South Dakota on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. Parmelee is a part of Todd county, the 2nd poorest county in the United States. Even though it's only 6 hours away, it honestly feels like a third world country. On our first trip there, I met a 6 year old girl named Autumn. She and I would play together everyday and I absolutely loved getting to know her. One day, though, she came to the boys and girls club and something didn't seem quite right. Her speech was slurred and her eyes appeared glazed over. Before the trip, we were told that most children become alcoholics by the time they reach 4th grade. I couldn't fathom this at the time but in that moment it became real to me. I was frustrated with God and didn't understand why he would let this happen. And in that moment, too, I realized that I wanted to do something more in this community. I had fallen in love with all of the people there and while putting on a Vacation Bible School in the summer on our mission trip was fun, I wanted to do something that would help create long term change because I want to see better lives for the children I have built strong relationships with and care so much about.

While I had realized I wanted to do something more, I never really knew how to do this or what exactly to do. My sophomore year of college I randomly signed up for a social entrepreneurship class. Social entrepreneurship is a business whose objective is to provide some type of social good rather than to make a profit. I began working on a project in Parmelee that started out as such a simple idea just one year ago, and now it is becoming a reality. Hillary Berger, Drew Bartek, and I have been working on starting the Lakota Foundation for Hope. It is a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of children on the reservation in all areas of wellness. This Christmas, we are hosting a donation drive to benefit this area at church. We are collecting warm coats & winter clothes, blankets & sleeping bags, and infant car seats. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death on the reservation and the numbers are alarmingly high for the young age range so we want to help provide the safety measures to help reduce this. We will be collecting donations the next few weeks at church for these donation drives and would love to encourage you to donate in any way if you feel you are led to. If you have any questions, feel free to contact myself, Kaitlyn Steinacher, via email at kaitlynsteinacher@creighton.edu or by phone at (402) 540-2988.

-Kaitlyn Steinacher

Dear Horizon's VBS,

Where do I begin?  Last Sunday I was so excited to see you again.  I could hardly contain my excitement!  When I walked in Sunday night, wearing a very ugly hat, I was not disappointed!  The kids, the smiles, the music............... I was on Cloud 9! 

I floated through the week on Cloud 9, singing in my van as I drove around town.  I thought of you, VBS, every single minute I was not here with you.  I loved listening to my children talk about you, the Chicken, the eggs, and the music.  I was so entertained with Pastor Jason and his dance moves.  I looked forward to them every night! 

Every night when I arrived home I would anxiously await for the pictures from the night to be posted on FaceBook.  The one thing I noticed this year, VBS, was the INCREDIBLE smiles on EVERY face in each picture.  The kids and the adults!  That made my heart soar!!!

I can honestly tell you, Horizon's VBS, that everything this week has made my heart soar!  I cannot believe how lucky I am to be a part of such a God loving, loud music playing, kids smiling and laughing church! I wonder if my children know how lucky they are to be growing up in such a place?  At least I know!!

VBS, I am going to have a very hard time saying goodbye to you this year.  The tears come to my eyes just thinking about the capes that will be put away for another year.  Thank you Horizon's VBS for being so magical.  So entertaining. So very, very awesome! 

Heidi Mac

Thank you volunteers!

I had heard it for a few years but after joining in on the fun last year, I now know that VBS week truly IS the best week of the summer!

To watch our church be filled to the brim with so many kids so excited to be together to sing, play and learn about the Lord makes my heart full. 

As adults it is a given that we know how to look out for and care for kids but it is cool to me that during VBS I have the chance to watch our youth doing the same. To realize the time commitment of these MANY volunteers and then to actually watch them move 400 kids to each area of activity is nothing but amazing. There are crew members and leaders, registration people, snacks people, security people, the worship team, Bob and Karl, the AWESOME guys who are braving the heat to play outdoor games, and the men's group who clean up each night...just to name only some of the volunteers!

But the best part to me is that everyone (no matter what their job) is excited for the kids and what THEY will experience this week. Everyone works diligently to balance the fun and the learning in an atmosphere of love and encouragement for every child. 

Philippians 2:2 says  "..make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit and intent on one purpose."  And so this week has been all about our joy. Thank you Jesus and thank you volunteers!

Dayna

Night 3

Night 3 was a blast at Sky VBS—Horizons style!  Sarah and I are very excited about getting to be a part of such a crazy, spirited, and free-to-be on fire for God church.  We can tell that many of the kids are giving it their all each night, as perhaps they might have looked a little tuckered by the end.  But nonetheless, you can see the light in their eyes and smiles.  They absolutely love this.  And when it comes time to shout about who’s in the house, they know it’s God.   And when it comes time to respond about what to do in hard times, they know—TRUST GOD!!  It’s great to see their energy and their freedom. 

But there’s another part of VBS that’s just as great—all the volunteers!  I’ve never seen grown adults be so free and wild.  There’s no doubt in Sarah’s or my mind that there is passion for Jesus in this place!  We can see it—in the wild dance moves, the whaling songs, and of course, in the gentle smiles and helping hands.  They’ve found something, and this is their chance to let it out and share it.  They were right when they said Horizons VBS is like none other!  We are blessed, and God has shown us that anything, even when it comes to VBS, is possible!  Praise God!

Pastor Jason

Could it get any better?

Every year I think to myself, “This is the best VBS ever!!!!”  And every year, it just keeps getting better, and better, and better!  This year is no different.

Night 2 was a wonderful night!  Children continued to learn about trusting God and that with Him all things are possible.  During our Chadder video, the children watched as Chadder competed on a game show.  In the video, during one of the competitions, one of the contestants stole another group’s project.  A young boy turned to me and told me that the player was mean.  I asked him what he thought Chadder should do.  The little boy said that Chadder should help by standing up to the bully.  I told my little friend that at times like that he should trust God to give him strength to do the right thing.  The little guy smiled and said, “Yea!  Trust God!!!” and he did the hand motions.

I continue to be amazed at the wonderful people we have that volunteer their time to help at VBS!  I look around and see numerous middle school, high school, and college age students who could easily find other activities to devote their time to this week.  Instead, they come to Horizons and give everything they have for our children and to God.  We are truly blessed!!!!

Kristi

VBS - Just Fun and GAMES!

Over the years, I've gotten to participate in numerous VBS roles as a security leader, crew leader (both elementary and pre-school), meal preparer, clean up guy and gopher.  This year I thought I would expand my "Horizons" and have my son and I run preschool games.  What a blast!  Even though it was 100+ degrees out, the shade, glasses of water, and a light breeze made the 20 minutes pretty comfortable.

It's always fun to see how 75 little kids interact. Whether its screaming their name as loud as they could (or not, as some chose) or trying to dive through a hoop like superman (or not, as some chose) all of the kids had a great time kicking off the first night of VBS and perform their best green grasshopper, orange butterfly or purple bat.

Some enjoyed the kiddy pool with our floating pelican, others wanted to explore surrounding trees or the water drain. A few were concerned about a lost pair of sunglasses in the drain.  (Thanks VBS Security for keeping all of the kids safe!)

Preschool games are just one aspect of VBS.  The music, the Chadder videos, the crafts and the relationships your kids are experiencing will be something they will remember forever.

The theme for this week is TRUST GOD.  I encourage you to talk with your kids on the drive home each night this week and ask them how they can TRUST GOD.  What they say may surprise you and through their experiences, we all may be able to find new ways to TRUST GOD.

Steve