NEWTON TWP. — The sanctuary at Countryside Community Church resembled a beach scene as it was decorated with inflatable palm trees with coconuts, a cabana with a hammock, and a volcano. There was also a real boat on the scene. The church members designed it like that for this year’s Vacation Bible School, titled “Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus” which ran from Monday, July 9 to Friday, July 13.

The kids learned a different Bible verse each day from an island character, including Rae, a stingray who recited the verse, “Be still and know I’m God.” The verse, which was learned on Wednesday, was incorporated into the teachings the children learned that day.

Countryside Sunday school teachers Wendy Molitoris and Kelly Cardone, both VBS team leaders, acted in a skit, in which Cardone played a person caught in a net when her attempt of trapping a monkey backfired. Molitoris’ character taught Cardone’s character as well as the VBS students to not worry and trust in God.

“I like the interaction with the kids,” said Cardone, who also led the kids from one station to another. “They are not only learning but having fun learning.

Kids learned to trust God at a station called Kid Vid. They watched a video in which a kid named Gunnar Smith rescued his friend from drowning, remaining calm through the ordeal. Kids were given key chains shaped like crosses with a Bible verse on the back that appeared as they rubbed the crosses.

Lessons of the Bible verse continued with arts and crafts in the church cafeteria where kids made and designed rainbow fishes out of paper. The rainbow fish emphasized that God can make something beautiful out of worry. On another day, they made stress balls by filling deflated balloons with rice to symbolize an alternative to worrying. Kids also made I-Spy bottles by filling plastic bottles with rice.

The children played games in the backyard of the church, including a game called duck-duck-goose where the child who was caught wound up in the “pickle jar.”

“Music and playing duck-duck-goose are my favorites,” said 5-year-old VBS participantLauren Pilohesky, of Newton Twp.

The VBS ended Friday evening with an ice cream social which the students enjoyed with their families.

“VBS is going good,” said Moilitoris. “The kids have fun. Lots of energy.”

Kids dance to the music played by the VBS video.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_VBS1.jpg.optimal.jpgKids dance to the music played by the VBS video. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Sunday school teachers and Vacation Bible School team leaders Kelly Cardone, left, and Wendy Molitoris perform a skit for the VBS students.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_VBS2.jpg.optimal.jpgSunday school teachers and Vacation Bible School team leaders Kelly Cardone, left, and Wendy Molitoris perform a skit for the VBS students. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Lauren Pilohesky, 5, of Newton Twp., demonstrates how to make a Bible verse appear on a key chain.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_VBS3.jpg.optimal.jpgLauren Pilohesky, 5, of Newton Twp., demonstrates how to make a Bible verse appear on a key chain. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

The story room sported under-the-sea decorations during Vacation Bible School.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_VBS4.jpg.optimal.jpgThe story room sported under-the-sea decorations during Vacation Bible School. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Josh Ruff, left, 5, reaches to get a strip of paper to design his rainbow fish as Frank Mazur, 6, puts glue on his.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_VBS5.jpg.optimal.jpgJosh Ruff, left, 5, reaches to get a strip of paper to design his rainbow fish as Frank Mazur, 6, puts glue on his. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

From left, Chloe Redel, 5, Hailey Polcha, 5, and Wesley Nicolas, 6, decorate their rainbow fishes.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_VBS6.jpg.optimal.jpgFrom left, Chloe Redel, 5, Hailey Polcha, 5, and Wesley Nicolas, 6, decorate their rainbow fishes. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Kealan Tompkins, left, 5, and Shane Brown glue bits of paper to their rainbow fishes.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_VBS7.jpg.optimal.jpgKealan Tompkins, left, 5, and Shane Brown glue bits of paper to their rainbow fishes. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Kids make funny faces before playing a game of duck-duck-goose. From left, first row, are Josh Ruff, 5; Lauren Pilohesky, 5; and Claire Porter, 5. Second row, Frank Mazur, 6. Third row, Hailey Polcha, 5; Chloe Redel, 5; Kealan Tompkins, 5; Wesley Nicolas, 6; and Shane Brown, 6.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_VBS8.jpg.optimal.jpgKids make funny faces before playing a game of duck-duck-goose. From left, first row, are Josh Ruff, 5; Lauren Pilohesky, 5; and Claire Porter, 5. Second row, Frank Mazur, 6. Third row, Hailey Polcha, 5; Chloe Redel, 5; Kealan Tompkins, 5; Wesley Nicolas, 6; and Shane Brown, 6. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Countryside Community Church make to look like beach

By Ben Freda

For Abington Journal

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