By Bonnie Mentel
Summer is a good time for your kids to make new friends, and try new activities while learning about God’s love for them. Many area churches will be reaching out to the community by hosting Vacation Bible Schools this June and July. This will be a great opportunity for them to learn about Jesus. If we missed one, contact bonnie@ospreyobserver.com to be included in our listing on our website.
Bell Shoals Baptist Church
Bell Shoals Baptist Church will have a weeklong Vacation Bible School July 18-22 from 8:45 a.m.-12 Noon each day.
This is free and open to all children who will be 4-years-old by September 1 through kids who have completed the sixth grade. Bells Shoals Baptist Church is located at 2102 Bell Shoals Rd. in Brandon.
The theme this year is “Submerged,” so batten down the hatches and prepare to dive deep into the Bible. To learn more and to register, go to www.bellshoals.com/vbs.
Grace Community United Methodist Church
Grace Community United Methodist Church is hosting a VBS Sports Camp that includes flag football, soccer, basketball, cheerleading, and a special program for 4-5 year olds. It runs Monday through Friday, June 13-17 from 5:45–8:15 p.m. Cost is $30 per child. It is open to children ages 4-years-old through fifth grade. Register online at www.mygraceumc.com.
Grace Community UMC is located at 5708 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Lithia.
First United Methodist of Seffner
First United Methodist of Seffner’s VBS is July 21-23, with a closing ceremony on July 24. The church is located at 1310 S. Kingsway Rd. in Seffner. The theme is “Deep Sea Discovery.” For ages Pre-K through fifth grade (4 to 12-year-olds). It runs Thursday 6:30-8:15 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. with a performance on Sunday at 10:30 a.m., lunch to follow. Visit www.fumcseffner.org.
Journey Church
Journey Church presents a “TreeHouse” VBS from July 18-22, 5:45-9 p.m. with a free dinner served every night.
Theme verse: The Lord your God has kept all of the good promises He gave you. Every one of them has come true. Not one has failed to come true. And you know that with all your heart and soul. Joshua 23:14.
Pre-registration is required. Visit Journey7.com to pre-register today. Shirts will be available for purchase on the website as well. Journey Church is located at 1310 John Moore Rd. in Brandon. Call 699-8262.
Redeemer Church
Redeemer Church is hosting VBS G-Force: God’s Heroic Love in Action. Join them for story time, crafts, snacks, and games as they look at the heroic love of God. It is for ages 4-12 (through fifth grade.)
Register online at www.redeemerriverview.org. Contact the church with questions at 741-1776 or Pastor Steven Hansen at 784-0367.
Redeemer Church is located at 12404 Boyette Rd. in Riverview.
St. Stephen Catholic Church
St. Stephen Catholic Church’s “CaveQuest” Totally Catholic VBS will take place June 20-24 from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a closing celebration evening mass on June 25.
The cost is $55 per participant, however a volunteer’s first child goes for free and each consecutive volunteer’s child is $15 each.
To register contact, Mariaelene Moore at stsvbsdirector@yahoo.com or call the Faith Formation Office at 671-4434.
St. Stephen Catholic Church is located at 5049 Bell Shoals Rd. in Valrico.
