Thank-you.
I know that our service is supposed to be selfless and not focused on what we receive. But that doesn't mean we should take for granted the service of others. Today I want to say thank-you to many of you who have served over the last week.
VBS Thank-you's
Thank you to those who came to help decorate the church for VBS. No one saw you, but the effect of your work was amazing!!! I've had people tell me that these decorations were the best they'd ever seen. Thanks for the many hours you put in behind the scenes.
Thank you "Uncle John Pie-in-the-face-eh", Micah, Sarah, Julianna, Jill, Jonathan, and Daniel for making our VBS opening and closing sessions so fun, informative, and memorable!
Thank you to our VBS registration workers who welcomed families at the door and helped make sure each child got connected to a crew.
Thank you to Luke, Jenna, and Matthew and your teams for your amazing work in you VBS areas. The kids loved Imagination Station, the Bible lessons, and the games. You are key to them truly hearing the story and message of Jesus!
Thank you to the amazing team of VBS snack co-ordinators. I don't even know who all was involved because you worked so hard behind the scenes. Feeding all those hungry kids (and leaders!) isn't an easy task, but you did it wonderfully!
Thank you to all the VBS crew leaders. You made each child and family feel welcome. You got to know their names and helped them feel special. You shared your stories and listened to theirs. Your love and patience were beautifully on display. Thank you for being an extension of Jesus' love for the kids that were with us!
Thank you to all those who donated and loaned supplies, who brought food donations in, and who prayed for the children and leaders throughout the week. We couldn't have made it through without you!
Thank you to every parent, grandparent, guardian, and friend who drove your children to VBS. Your willingness to do that will have an eternal impact!
Thank you, Sarah, for the really long week you put in to make sure VBS went smoothly and was a special week for all involved.
And, finally, thank you, Jenn, for the really long months you have put in to make sure things were well organized and planned out in advance so that the week would be an amazing one. You went above and beyond for the sake of the kids and Jesus. We could not have done it 1/2 as well without your dedication and efforts.
Other Thank-you's
Thanks to everyone who volunteered to hand out water at Le Festival du Loup. Your friendliness and generosity with your time helped a lot of people enjoy this event a little bit more. It is a privilege we have to serve our community. Thank you for representing Jesus and Covenant in this way!
Thank you all those who prioritized coming on Sunday to celebrate with our children and our VBS workers! Sometimes church attendance numbers drop in the summer because people are away. Other weeks people just decide to sleep in. You have shown a commitment to remaining connected as a family by prioritizing our gatherings on Sunday morning. Thank-you! It is wonderful to be all together for one service during this time.
Thank you to all those who go out of their way on Sunday mornings to greet people you don't know or have only met briefly. We truly act on behalf of Jesus as we engage each other and if we can't be friendly and gracious to the stranger among us, we're missing out on the hospitality he invites us to show. Those who do this well, keep it up! The rest of us . . . let's join them!
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:3-6