Holy Trinity Orthodox Church

Students Take a Walk Through a Dark … 
VBS Kids say they had no fear of evil!

STATE COLLEGE, PA — Today the VBS students reached the midway point of their week long study adventure of Psalm 23.  To start the day the “sheep” attended vespers which was followed by another great day of learning, singing, games, and fun.

Today the students discussed how shepherds lead their sheep to different pastures depending on the time of year. To get to the mountaintops in the summer takes the sheep through the valleys.  The valleys can be a dangerous and dark place for sheep.

The students also spent class time learning about how God prepares and takes care of us. Before sheep head to the high country, the shepherd goes ahead—checking out the pastures, pulling out the poisonous weeds, removing any dangerous objects.  He brings salt and minerals to set out in the pasture.  Only after the table is prepared are the sheep brought in.

Just like the shepherd, we know that Christ goes before us in every situation.  Because of all Christ has done—he was tempted as we are, he suffered, he grieved, we are confident that he understands us through and through.  Christ has gone before and prepared a table for us—in plain view of our enemies.

What’s the Big Idea?

Today’s verses teach us that no matter what God is always with us, He has all the right tools to help us, and He is a just God.

Can You Repeat That Please?

Here are the verses studied today and the children are expected to memorize:

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”

FPO — For Parents Only

• On Thursday we will visit a sheep farm. Please arrive at the church by 4:15 so that we may leave promptly @ 4:30.
  • Please pack a dinner for your child.
  • The farm team is expecting a drizzle so you may want to pack a jacket.
  • Students are to wear shoes or boots (NO flip flops/open toes) as we will be in the fields and barns.
  • We should arrive back at the church ~9:30 p.m.
• On Friday, there will be Vespers at 5:00 p.m..  Please try to bring your children early so that we can pray together.  Dinner and VBS will follow immediately.  Additionally, our bishop will be visiting and will share some “shepherding” stories with the kids.

Learn More

For more recaps, pictures, and information, visit the 2016 Vacation Bible School homepage.

New Sheep Herd arrives at Holy Trinity:
The Good Shepherd is leading us forever

STATE COLLEGE, PA —  School’s out so what’s a kid supposed to do? For the children of Holy Trinity Church in State College it could only mean that it’s time to go to Vacation Bible School (VBS)!  This year’s VBS theme is “I Wanna be a Sheep” and will be based on Psalm 23.

Sources close to the VBS have stated that the theme this year was selected because although the scriptures were written so that that they made sense to the peoples of the times we no longer live in an agrarian society.  However, we know that the Scriptures are timeless and we need apply them for today’s world.

Parents, teachers, and leaders need to convey to children that in Our Savior and in His scriptures we can find calm and peace and hope for the world which awaits us.  The students need to learn that the words of scripture were written for them.

Say What?

— Gregory of Nazianzus, On the Son

Can You Repeat that Please?

Below are the verses we studied today and the children are to memorize: “He leads me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul.  He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.”

Family Time

To make the most of this week for you and your child you will need to also be prepared to discuss Psalm 23 and the many instructional points which can be found in it.

• Read Psalm 23 and John 10.

FPO — For Parents Only

• Question for you to discuss with your child before VBS tomorrow: What has God done to restore your soul?
• On Wednesday, there will be Vespers at 5 p.m.  Please try to bring your children early so that we can pray together. Dinner and VBS will follow immediately.
• On Thursday we will visit a sheep farm. We will leave @ 4:15.  Pack a dinner for your child.

Learn More

For more recaps, pictures, and information, visit the 2016 Vacation Bible School homepage.

Dressed and Ready for Spiritual Wars!
VBS concludes but the battle continues—Families urged to fight together.

State College, PA — Holy Trinity’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) wrapped up today for year 2015 with a “sweet” ending in which each student gave it their best shot against evil and to “win against sin”.

Today, the students focused on studying the meaning of Ephesians 6:17 which reveals to us the last details of preparing for the good fight in which the Christian has to be ready to struggle against all temptations from the evil one: covering the head with “the helmet of Salvation” and arming with “the Sword of the Spirit”.

As a recap, this week the kids learned how to be warriors for God. Paul tells us that we are caught in the middle of a spiritual war. He doesn’t tell us this to scare us, but to prepare us for life’s everyday battles. The VBS staff has led the preparation for their spiritual wars by showing them how to use the tools God has given us to fight a spiritual battle. All of these tools are laid out in Ephesians 6:11-18.

Now that the VBS students have learned to “put on the full armor of God” parents are expected to continue to train them (eg., put on the armor) each day to get them to be closer and closer to our Lord Jesus.

Family Time

Discuss the following questions as a family.

• Discuss the nature of salvation. Belief in Jesus Christ and commitment to Him is vital to a happy, healthy family.
• Ask your child to go through all the pieces of armor that they made and explain what they represent.
• Why is salvation a helmet? Can this helmet ever come off?
• Why is the Word of God called a sword?
• Practice “putting on the armor of God” every day.
• Take time everyday to pray and read the Bible with your children.

Don’t forget to pray as a family.

What’s the Big Idea?

The Helmet of Salvation protects us from thinking ungodly thoughts and the Sword of the Spirit guides us into a Godly way of thinking and living. It helps us be proactive in fighting Satan.

FPO —For Parents Only

• Thank you for sharing your children with the VBS staff this week. Each day we were welcomed with enthusiasm and wonder and it was a joy to be with each of them.
• Many thanks to the adult staff and especially for the terrific High School and Middle School helpers.

Learn More

For more recaps, pictures, and information, visit the 2015 Vacation Bible School homepage.

Shields Up!
VBS kids say that Faith protects all from the fiery darts of the wicked!

State College, PA — The VBS students began the day worshipping together at Vespers before continuing their preparation for going into spiritual battle. Today was a day to accessorize their armor by putting on the shoes of the Gospel of Peace.

Today we discussed the Shield of Faith and its ability to move and cover weaknesses we have in our lives. Faith is the “substance” and the “evidence” of truth (Hebrews 1:11). It is not to believe that there is a God. It is to know God

Faith is not “what if…” It is who. As in every relationship, there are times when “fiery darts” of fear and doubt pierce us. To quench them, we need one shield: knowing our faith—what we believe about whom.

Our physical activity was a form of dodge ball. The children used shields to protect themselves as we through balls at them. The point was to show how a shield moves to protect weaknesses.

Family Time

Discuss the following questions as a family.

• What is the common understanding of faith?
• What makes the shield different from the other pieces of armor?
• Why would faith be represented by a shield?
• What are some fears and doubts you and your family face?
• How can the Shield of Faith help you overcome that?

Don’t forget to pray as a family.

What’s the Big Idea?

We all have sins and weaknesses in our lives with which we struggle. Sometimes we just fall apart because Satan finds that little weakness in our armor and aims well. The Shield of Faith moves to cover those weaknesses when we don’t have the knowledge or strength to face a situation. Our shield will never fail because God is always faithful to us.

FPO—For Parents Only

• TOMORROW is our last day of VBS.  There will be some extra sweet things in the park.
• Don’t forget to memorize our Bible verse with your child.

Learn More

For more recaps, pictures, and information, visit the 2015 Vacation Bible School homepage.

Students Ready to Share the Good News
Kids put on the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace.

State College, PA — The VBS students began the day worshipping together at Vespers before continuing their preparation for going into spiritual battle. Today was a day to accessorize their armor by putting on the shoes of the Gospel of Peace.

This is a pretty big topic to cover in one day! In a nutshell, the day was all about evangelism. Gospel means good news. The good news is that Jesus came and lived a perfect life, then He was murdered for our wrongdoing. Three days later, He came back to life and ascended into Heaven. Because of these events, we can have eternal life in Heaven. This should fill us with an abounding sense of peace.

Today we did a activity in which we all put a shoe in a pile, then we found someone else’s shoe and helped them put it on while we asked them questions about themselves. The purpose of the activity was to show that we must go to people and first listen to what they have to say before we speak.

Today the students had fun with squirt guns for some physical activity. This was to teach the students that it is important to protect your heart from being hit, because in the spiritual war we’re in, Satan likes to aim for the heart. Righteousness protects our heart and helps us stay pure from sin.

Family Time

Together, read the following passages.

Discuss the following questions as a family.

• What is the Gospel, and why does it bring us peace?
• Why does preparation go on our feet?
• What are we called to be prepared for?
• How will your family prepare to share the Gospel with others?

Also work on memorizing Ephesians 6:11 and pray as a family.

What’s the Big Idea?

All warriors have to be prepared to run, because they never know when battle will hit. We always need to have on the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace so we can be prepared to share the Good News with anyone who needs to hear it.

FPO—For Parents Only

• TOMORROW will be picture day! All students are asked to wear their VBS shirts and bring their smiles.

Learn More

For more recaps, pictures, and information, visit the 2015 Vacation Bible School homepage.

Students Learn to Get Right with God
“The Breastplate of Righteousness” is studied.

State College, PA — What day it was at Holy Trinity’s VBS! After a delicious dinner the students were ready to return to their spiritual training and their next piece of armor: the Breastplate of Righteousness.

Righteousness is Christian lingo that often makes non-Christians feel excluded and uncomfortable. All righteousness really means is being right with God. Psalm 119:9-11 gives us an idea on how we can do that:

Today the students had fun with squirt guns for some physical activity. This was to teach the students that it is important to protect your heart from being hit, because in the spiritual war we’re in, Satan likes to aim for the heart. Righteousness protects our heart and helps us stay pure from sin.

Family Time

As a family, discuss this passage of Scripture and what it has to do with righteousness. Here are some guiding questions:

• What is righteousness?
• What do we do to stay in a right standing with God?
• What does a breastplate protect?
• Why would a breastplate be used to represent righteousness?
• What are you going to do as a family to continue to strive for righteousness?

Also work on memorizing Ephesians 6:11 and pray as a family.

What’s the Big Idea?

Today’s big idea was that the Breastplate of Righteousness protects our hearts. Righteousness is the state of being “right with God.” It is striving to keep sins out of our hearts.

FPO—For Parents Only

• TOMORROW there will be Vespers at 5:00 p.m. Please try to bring your children early so that we can pray together. Dinner and VBS will follow immediately.
• The VBS will conclude each day with some fun activity at Holmes-Foster Park (unless it is raining). Please be prompt in picking up your child.

Learn More

For more recaps, pictures, and information, visit the 2015 Vacation Bible School homepage.

Students Put on the Armor of God
“The Belt of Truth” is the first piece of armor studied.

State College, PA — It’s been almost exactly a year since the students last gathered for Vacation Bible School (VBS), and the students returned this year “ready for battle”. The 2015 VBS theme this year is based upon Ephesians 6:10-18—the Armor of God.

This week the students will learn how to be warriors for God. Paul tells us in Ephesians that we are caught in the middle of a spiritual war. He doesn’t tell us this to scare us, but to prepare us for life’s everyday battles.

Parents are responsible for leading children in this war by showing them how to use the tools God has given us to fight a spiritual battle. VBS will get the students starting in their training learning how to “put on the full armor of God” by participating in discussions, playing games, crafts, praying and reading their Bibles.

Family Time

As a family, read Ephesians 6:11-18 and discuss the following questions:

• Why is it important to know and “wear” the armor of God?
• Name all six pieces of armor.
• What is truth?
• How do the world and Christians view truth differently?
• What do tool belts do?
• Why is truth represented as a Roman soldier’s belt?
• How can you as a family practice putting on the Belt of Truth?

Get it in Your Head

Each child is expected to have Ephesians 6:11 memorized by the end of the week. Parents can memorize it along with them:

What’s the Big Idea?

Today’s big idea was that Satan is known as the Great Deceiver. He is a master at lying to us, so we need to be trained in the Truth. The Belt of Truth helps us to defend against Satan’s lies.

FPO—For Parents Only

• TOMORROW the VBS will have a water game so the kids may get a little wet. Please have your child bring a small towel to dry off.
• On Wednesday, there will be Vespers at 5:00 p.m. Please try to bring your children early so that we can pray together. Dinner and VBS will follow immediately.

Learn More

For more recaps, pictures, and information, visit the 2016 Vacation Bible School homepage.