We know a lot of you have Vacation Bible School over the next few weeks, and some panic and stress may be starting to set in. Take time to enjoy the planning and remember why you have the event in the first place! If you still need crafts, please order soon! Visit our Web site or call 1-800-345-5563. We can help you take care of your last minute needs! Or if your VBS isn’t until July, we encourage you to go ahead and order!
For this week’s freebie we bring you – VBS Memory Verse Mix Up Sheets. You can print out one for each child at VBS or print out a few and laminate them to provide a game for early craft finishers. We love that kids can assemble a verse they are learning about, helping them anchor that verse in their hearts until a time they might need to remember it.
To download the VBS Memory Verse Mix Ups Sheets, click one of the following:
Amusement Park: Ready-to-Color Precolored
Aviation: Ready-to-Color Precolored
Babylon: Ready-to-Color Precolored
Bugs: Ready-to-Color Precolored
Desert: Ready-to-Color Precolored
Island: Ready-to-Color Precolored
National Park: Ready-to-Color Precolored
Praise: Ready-to-Color Precolored
Sky: Ready-to-Color Precolored
Space: Ready-to-Color Precolored
Underwater: Ready-to-Color Precolored
There’s still time left! Order your VBS crafts and decorations today!
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Ready to discover God’s Love on your island adventure? Make sure you check out Guildcraft’s quality VBS Island crafts kits and decorations! Order your Island craft kits and decorations today!
If you have missed a Freebie Friday email that was geared towards your VBS theme, now’s your chance to print them!
Here are our top Craft Kits for the Island theme!
Let Jesus be your lifesaver! Includes white cardboard frames and ribbon. Decorating supplies sold separately. 9″ diameter and holds a 3 1/2″ photo.
216-889 24 Projects $11.85 $.49 per project
Promised Shell Bracelets
Shells will remind kids of their island VBS experience, and the word “Promised” will help them remember all of God’s promises to them. Includes predrilled cowry shells, beads and precut heavy elastic cord.
403-519 30 Projects $28.85 $.96 per project
Spyglasses
Lets go! These spyglasses are a great way to let kids imagine they are on a real sea voyage. Includes heavy duty cardboard tubes, transparent yellow “lenses” (do not actually magnify), gold sticker strips and preprinted wood grain paper. 17″.
420-120 12 Projects $11.35 $.95 per project
Top Freebie Downloaded for the Island Theme!
Island Coloring Sheet
To download the Island Coloring Sheet, click the following:
Island Coloring Sheet
Check out our Freebie Friday Archive to view our collection of printables!
Posted in Crafts, Uncategorized ~ No Comments
Today we bring you tip #3 – Evaluation Time!
Now it’s time to think about “behind -the -scenes “. Do you have a group of devoted individuals who plan during the summer and help execute your Christian education program? Gather your team and start some evaluation of the past year.
During this wrap-up meeting ask the following questions:
- What was successful this year?
- What didn’t work as well as expected?
- What should we incorporate in our program for next year?
- How did our volunteers fare?
- Did we give them enough material and training to be effective?
- Did we have enough volunteers?
- Did our children flourish?
- Were they excited to come to church school?
- What about the participants.
- How many children came each week?
- Were there attendance trends?
- How can we increase attendance next year?
- How will we make more families aware of our ministry?
Make note of adjustments to your program for the following year based on these assessments.
This is also a good time to take inventory of your supplies and materials. At this meeting, wear work clothes! Once you are knee deep in supplies, clean out and organize! Remove outdated or damaged material…some items can be donated to needy organizations! Keep an inventory of stored supplies so you do not purchase items you already have in storage! We have found it beneficial to place most of the supplies in clear container and label them. This method makes clean up and returning materials more efficient also! This whole process can usually be done with a team of 4-8 volunteers. It is wise to ask people who participate in the planning or teaching, those who use the supplies.
Can we ever skip the paperwork? Consider drafting an end of the year report. It will be helpful for you to summarize the program and expenses before you plan the following year’s program. The assessment and evaluation process comes in handy here. What changes do you anticipate next year, how will that effect your program and your expenses. Does your treasurer need a budget report? It is essential to know how much you spent on materials to budget for your Christian education ministry the following year.
And lastly, but certainly not least, pat yourselves on the back for a job well-done! Your energy is noticed by God and the children see God’s example through you! Isn’t that what it’s all about?
Looking for crafts to go with your Sunday School program next year? Guildcraft is your source for quality and unique craft kits that will last! Check out our large collection of Bible story craft kits today!
Posted in Wrap-Up ~ No Comments
If you’re gearing up for VBS 2012 camping adventures, make sure you check out what Guildcraft has for you! Our quality VBS National Park crafts help kids learn that they can always depend on Jesus! Order your National Park craft kits and decorations today!
If you have missed a Freebie Friday email that was geared towards your VBS theme, now’s your chance to print them!
Here are our top Craft Kits for the National Park theme!
A compass can help us change our course, and God’s Word can change our lives! The compass really works! Includes compass (1″), beads and precut cord.
914-172 12 Projects $14.25 $1.19 per project
Follow Jesus Sheep
A long lasting reminder of our Good Shepherd. Kids will love playing with this! Includes wood sheep with predrilled holes and wheels. Add stuffing to create a more realistic sheep, or simply paint. Decorating supplies sold separately. 3 1/2″ x 2 1/2″.
502-106 12 Projects $14.99 $1.25 per project
Be Still & Know Sunflowers
A fun craft to remind kids of God’s creation and how we can find Him in it, if we take the time to be still and look for Him. Includes cardboard flowers, yellow tissue squares, preprinted verse and wood stem. 13″ x 22″.
217-097 10 Projects $17.89 $.1.79 per project
Top Freebie Downloaded for the National Park Theme!
National Park Coloring Sheet
To download the National Park Coloring Sheet, click the following:
National Park Coloring Sheet
Check out our Freebie Friday Archive to view our collection of printables!
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Today we bring you tip #2 – Show Your Appreciation!
For ALL your Christian Education Volunteers the key to happiness is expressing appreciation!
Acknowledge them during the worship service and also send a personal note thanking them for their ministry. If possible, bestow a small gift. It would be fitting to invite them to a reception or end of year party, including spouses and children, or maybe provide childcare at the church. Even better, include the entire congregation at an end of Sunday school picnic. Our Facebook fan, Corey Trinkl, does this. Her church holds an end of Sunday School Banquet with special places of honor for certain grades and a student/adult bible trivia game. “It is a great night of fun and fellowship, celebration and love.” The whole church community can celebrate the children and Christian Education Teachers. Connections and relationships made here help spread the Good News.
Does your church have a monthly newsletter? Please list your volunteers and their assignments and thank them in the newsletter following the close of your program, and of course, bless them, pray for them and thank them during the service. This may result in repeat volunteers next year! It may also cause a domino effect, a hidden bonus, some people may be more willing to volunteer in the future if they see the name of someone they know that has volunteered in the past!
Is there something you have planned for your volunteers? Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas!
Are you on Pinterest? Check out our Volunteer Appreciation board for great gift ideas and free printables!
Posted in Uncategorized, Wrap-Up ~ No Comments
