CLARKS GREEN — Children caught fish and made arts and crafts with fish at the Clarks Green Assembly of God during their annual Vacation Bible School. Participants were given toy fishing poles to catch toy fish in a kiddie pool outside the church.

Six-year-old Chloe Gesek, of Clarks Summit, caught a total of 23 fish.

“It’s good,” Chloe said. “My favorite part was fishing.”

Gina Jayne, leader of the young children’s age group, allowed children to do beach-related arts and crafts. They made sand art by placing colorful sand inside plastic bottles. They also made necklaces with little wooden fish. Gina and her husband Jay, commander of the Royal Rangers, a Christ-centered boys’ ministry, have two grandsons who are both VBS students.

In the newly remodeled classroom for children’s Bible services, older children made arts and crafts pertaining to Bible stories. One day, they put together foams of Jonah going inside the whale’s mouth with the Bible verse, “Where are you going, Jonah? You can’t hide from the Lord.” Children also made fishes out of CDs and learned the story of Jesus calling his disciples “fishers of men.”

Church member Julie Smiegal volunteered to help the kids with these projects.

“I love it,” Smiegal said. “I couldn’t love it more.”

The children also had fun going through an inflatable obstacle course in the church’s cafeteria.

The VBS also offered a Bible song and a Bible verse in the sanctuary.

This year’s theme was created as a team effort by the VBS committee.

“The VBS is fantastic,” said Bim Oyede, volunteer and children’s coordinator. “I love working with the children sharing the love of God and seeing them have fun.”

Children and volunteers enjoyed a pool party at Pastor Dan Miller’s house on June 28.

Mila Pettigrew, 5, of Clarks Summit, makes sand art.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190627_184339.jpg.optimal.jpgMila Pettigrew, 5, of Clarks Summit, makes sand art. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Natalie Dunning, left, 4, and Madilyn Duc, 5, both of Clarks Summit, wear their fish necklaces.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190627_185239-1.jpg.optimal.jpgNatalie Dunning, left, 4, and Madilyn Duc, 5, both of Clarks Summit, wear their fish necklaces. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Chloe Gesek, left, 6, of Clarks Summit and Bennett Chapman, 7, of Peckville, fish in the swimming pool.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190627_190432.jpg.optimal.jpgChloe Gesek, left, 6, of Clarks Summit and Bennett Chapman, 7, of Peckville, fish in the swimming pool. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Young students fish in the swimming pool. From left, are Bennett Chapman, 7, of Peckville; Hosanna Lyla, 3, of Clarks Summit; Serenity Barber, 3, of Pittston; Mishti Riva, 3, of South Abington Twp.; and Stephen Duc, 4, of Clarks Summit.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190627_190527-1.jpg.optimal.jpgYoung students fish in the swimming pool. From left, are Bennett Chapman, 7, of Peckville; Hosanna Lyla, 3, of Clarks Summit; Serenity Barber, 3, of Pittston; Mishti Riva, 3, of South Abington Twp.; and Stephen Duc, 4, of Clarks Summit. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Students with their Jonah and the Whale projects. From left, are Adrian Treat, 9, of Falls; CJ Souden 11, of Old Forge; Kevin Keiper, 10, of Clarks Summit; Alex Souden, 9, of Old Forge; Micah White, 10, of Clarks Summit; and Jonathan Pue, 10, of Hop Bottom.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190627_194440.jpg.optimal.jpgStudents with their Jonah and the Whale projects. From left, are Adrian Treat, 9, of Falls; CJ Souden 11, of Old Forge; Kevin Keiper, 10, of Clarks Summit; Alex Souden, 9, of Old Forge; Micah White, 10, of Clarks Summit; and Jonathan Pue, 10, of Hop Bottom. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Children enjoy weeklong event at Clarks Green Assembly of God Church

By Ben Freda

For Abington Journal

Reach the Abington Journal newsroom at 570-991-6405 or by email at news@theabingtonjournal.com.