Bethany UMC welcomes 577 children
to June 11-15 Vacation Bible School

Five hundred seventy-seven children and 316 volunteers (136 youths and 180 adults) rallied for God as they took a close look at hot air ballooning during Bethany UMC’s June 11-15 Vacation Bible School in Austin.
“Lift Off! Soaring to New Heights with God,” was this year’s VBS theme. Activities taught kids to see the panoramic view of God’s love, to fuel their journey through power prayer Bible verses and to launch into action by serving others.
Thursday evening’s worship celebration of prayer, VBS songs and puppet dialogue broke the church’s
records for attendance with 1,061 people.
Children brought a record-breaking 4,174 items for mission outreach for Hill Country Community Ministries. Bethany’s VBS also collected $1,281, which was used for missions such as Methodist Children’s Home in Waco, Texas Baptist Children’s Home in Round Rock, foster families and VBS scholarships.
Bethany contributed VBS curriculum and staff support—consisting of more than 35 youths and adults—to Good Neighbor Settlement House and El Buen Pastor UMC, Brownsville, for VBS there July 30-Aug. 3.