2009 Vacation Bible School

St. Matthew's Evangelical held its 2009 Vacation Bible School Monday June 29 through Thursday July 2, 2009.

Mike and Glenda Mann led our VBS for the 4th year. This year's theme was "God's Detectives: Inside Information!" We had very good attendance that included children that regularly attend our church, other children from the surrounding neighborhood, and those that are relatives and friends of church members.

Each day, Glenda and Mike Mann taught biblical principals and presented the gospel through storytelling, illusions (by Glenda), ventriloquism (by Mike), puppets and lively original music. Everyone enjoyed the funny puppets (monkey, dog, ostrich and boy)and the illusions that magically produced a rabbit, white doves, etc. The children took home some awesome balloon animals made by Glenda.

A light meal was served the first three days and the children made some simple crafts. We had a balloon release on the third day. The balloons bore messages of God's love from St. Matthew's VBS. At the closing program on the last day, the children performed songs that they had learned, and Glenda performed some special illusions. The closing was attended by parents, grandparents, church members and friends, and each child received a box of fun things to take home.

The Manns have appeared throughout the Midwest in churches, schools, fairs and festivals. Glenda presents visual messages with her illusions, which she uses as object lessons. She calls her presentations "gospel magic" or "puzzles for the eyes." She quickly gains the attention of adults as well as children.

Mike, the ventriloquist, humorously converses with different puppets throughout the program. Billy, a boy puppet, quips about his girlfriends. Gertrude, his dog, loves to sing Elvis songs, and Hector, an ostrich, dreams of flying.

2008 Vacation Bible School

God truly blessed our Vacation Bible School held Tues. through Fri. evenings, June 24 - 27, 2008. For the 3rd year Glenda and Mike Mann lead our VBS. The theme was "Beyond Imagination!" based on Ephesians 3:20 "He...is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think..." Our attendance grew each day. The children learned Bible verses, stories and lessons, learned songs (written by Glenda), and learned the difference between "magic" that people do and that is only trickery, and "miracles" that only God does. A different puppet (a monkey, a dog and a boy) appeared each night with Mike (a ventriloquist).

The children also did crafts, played "balloon volleyball," and enjoyed a light meal together each evening Tues-Thurs, and several times took home some balloon animals created by Glenda. On Wednesday the children released balloons bearing bookmarks identifying the church and with a message that "The 2008 VBS Kids want you to know that God Loves You!" It was great fun watching the balloons soar over the treetops and wonder where they would land!

At the Closing Program on Friday the children sang the songs they learned at VBS and performed a skit about Samson and Delilah. Billie the puppet performed with Mike, and Glenda made Blackstone (a rabbit) and a white dove appear magically. The children received gift bags as they left. Families, friends, and church members attended the Closing.