The Messenger
April 15, 2013 Volume XXIII, No. 4 Nationalchurch.org
Vacation Bible School Children of the Metropolitan and Wesley communities, step right up to Everywhere Fun Fair: Where God's World Comes Together. This year's Vacation Bible School, the third year we have held VBS in this format here, will encourage children to explore and experience God's welcoming love. The fun begins every morning from July 8 to July 12, 9am - noon. VBS is open to children who are at least four years old to rising sixth-graders. This year's adventures include interactive Bible fun and great music, cool crafts, hands-on mission work, global games, and more. Our VBS centers around a world's fair theme. Children will learn about welcoming neighbors, through the story of Abraham and Sarah; the power of giving, through the story of the poor widow; how to be a bold neighbor, through the story of the Good Samaritan; neighbors forgiving each other, through the story of Zacchaeus; and being a good neighbor, through the story of Peter and Cornelius. Along the way, children will learn customs from Mexico, Australia, Zimbabwe, Japan, and the United Kingdom. By now, I hope our congregations have learned the importance VBS plays in outreach efforts for our church, what a great way to welcome families into our congregations through this fun and relaxed setting. We have been blessed with a growing VBS census for the past two years and we hope to see an even larger group of kids frolicking in our hallways this July. If you know of a family that may be interested in our low-key summer camp, please direct them to our website nationalchurch.org/ vbs or give them one of our flyers. VBS is a great way to connect with the young people of our church and our community. Please consider volunteering for our VBS week. Actors and storytellers, craft leaders, recreation leaders, musicians, set builders, and foodies to concoct snacks are all needed to transform our church into a God's Everywhere Fun Fair. Please join us.
Director of Children's Ministries P.S. Special note to grandparents: if you have ever considered asking your grandchildren to visit Washington DC during the summer, please consider VBS week. Kids can come to learn and play during the morning and then spend the afternoon with you. Better yet, volunteer to work during the morning to spend even more time with them!
Spring Sermon Series "Spiritual, But Not Religious?" Now Through April 28
In the face of the decline of mainline religious denominations, last year’s Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life report was no real surprise: the most rapidly rising religious demographic in the country are those who identify as “None of the Above.” But the report also noted that many of these people are not disinterested in religion, they just don’t believe that the church is the answer to their spiritual needs. Join us as our Metropolitan community explores what the church may offer the “Nones” for their spiritual journeys, and at the same time speak to our church about how we can be the community that welcomes people who may be on different spiritual journeys. During the month of April, we look at the art of going deeper (how we are enriched by digging into a discipline), the art of going broader (how we grow by the challenge of other people and ideas), cultivating a sense of mystery in the rituals of our faith, and the power of the accountability and support of the community. All of the New Testament readings come from Acts, reflecting on the formation of the early Christian community. This is a great series to invite your friends who may be on their own spiritual quest! Please share this link with friends and family, nationalchurch.org/Praising/Sermons_Podcasts, which has information and a video discussing our new series.