This past summer, I remember walking into the Welcome Center and feeling like I had been transported into another world. Hanging above me were translucent fabrics of blue and pink that made you feel like you were under the sea. As I moved through the Narthex, I saw a huge aquarium-like structure that teemed with underwater life. The Chancel in front of the sanctuary had been transformed into the deck of a submarine. It was so amazing - I wanted it to stay up permanently!
If you were here during those weeks, you know I am describing what it looked like for our Vacation Bible School. Our theme was Finding the Truth Beneath the Surface. Vacation Bible School is one of our ministry events that reaches out to many children who do regularly attend JCPC. It is one of the best ministries of our church that embodies our JCPC theme, Not For Us Alone.
The amazing creativity we saw during Vacation Bible School was made possible by the leadership and hard work of Billie Bothwell. For weeks prior to Vacation Bible School, I would walk by one of the classrooms downstairs to find Billie working on the scenery. Often she would have Sheila Cooley and Cheryl Garner (who was not yet a member!) working with her. When I asked Billie if I could highlight her for our "Caught in The Act" series of blogs during our #ExtravagantGenerosity Stewardship season -- Billie said I could, but only if I mentioned Sheila, Cheryl, and the whole group of volunteers -- without whom Billie said she could not have done this. So thank you to everyone who worked with Billie!
Billie's gift of her time, talents (and probably some of her own "treasure") help us to see what #ExtravagantGenerosity looks like. God has given each one of us gifts to share. Very few of us may be able to be as creative as Billie, but every one of us has some talent to share. This week think and pray about what unique gifts God has given you to share. Then find ways to share them. I know you will be glad you did!
Prayer for Today
Thank you God, for putting those people in our lives who inspire us with their creativity and hard work - all for your glory and for the sake of others. Help each one of us the take an inventory of our gifts, and to find ways to share them through your church and in the world. We pray this in the strong name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
