God has a message for you!
Can you hear it?
Samuel heard it during the middle of the night. Mary heard it through an angel. The disciples were hard at work when they heard it. They all heard God’s special message just for them! Message Received: Hearing God’s Call lets children know that God continues to call all kinds of people—including them! People are called to love God and follow Jesus every day. Those who hear God’s message and respond are forever changed.
Message Received is a Bible and activity-based learning experience in two parts: one designed for grades K-5 and the other for preschoolers ages 4-5.
Adaptations for COVID-19
How to Lead Vacation Bible School in a year with COVID-19
Detailed guidelines for planning and adapting your VBS approach this year, with coronavirus social distancing restrictions and concerns. Read the document here.
Games for Virtual VBS
Engaging games that can be played over Zoom or other video conferencing apps.
Licensing for At-Home Experiences
If you are planning or considering a virtual VBS experience this year, note that our licenses give you permission to share the download links with all of your leaders so they can prepare from home. You can also share individual electronic files with your participants, although we recommend having families pick up and bring home a bag/box of materials before the VBS begins. You are allowed to stream sing-along videos over video conference or make them available directly to your participants. Color booklets, audio CDs, and MP3 download cards still must be purchased separately for use by individual children/families. Please let us know if you have questions.
SCHEDULE
DAY ONE
Samuel
1 Samuel 3:1-21
A young Samuel is called by God and gives a message to Eli. Samuel listens to God and Eli accepts the message.
Faith Focus: God calls us to listen and respond.
DAY TWO
Esther
Esther 4:13-17
Esther is called to go before the king to deliver a message that might save her people. In turn, Esther asks the community to fast and pray as she prepares for this responsibility.
Faith Focus: God calls us to work together for what is right.
DAY THREE
Mary
Luke 1:26-56
The angel Gabriel visits Mary to tell her that she is favored of God and will have a baby, Jesus. Mary responds to this call with joy and trust in God’s plan.
Faith Focus: We are called to trust God’s plan.
DAY FOUR
Disciples
Matthew 4:18-22 and
Luke 5:1-11
Jesus calls some fishermen to follow him. Jesus says that he will teach them how to fish for people.
Faith Focus: Jesus calls us to follow him.
DAY FIVE
Lydia
Acts 16:11-15, 40
Lydia already knows God but hears from Paul a call to open her heart and be baptized. She extends hospitality to others who follow Jesus.
Faith Focus: God calls us to open our hearts to Jesus.
FEATURES
Affordable & Flexible
Offered as a reproducible resource (for all components except student booklets and music CDs).
Both downloadable and physical formats.
Leader guides are provided in both topical and day-by-day formats. Physical leader guides are in a binder with tabs to make them easy to rearrange or duplicate.
Bulk-priced CDs can easily be sent home with every family.
Enthusiastically Catholic
Reflections from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Pope Francis for each day.
Music from Oregon Catholic Press featuring Jesse Manibusan and others.
A day-long focus on Mary the Mother of God.
Service opportunity from Catholic Relief Services.
A great Scripture-based experience perfect for any parish!
Catchy, Meaningful Music
You will be humming along with this top-notch kid-friendly music that connects closely with the theme.
Optional hand motions are suggested for each song.
"All That God Wants You to Be" includes a verse per day.
Sing-along music videos and Powerpoints make it easy to lead your group in song.
Features songs written by Carey Landry, Jesse Manibusan, Ken Canedo, Bryan Sirchio, and more.
Comprehensive, but Simple
We provide all the core features you expect in a VBS, without overwhelming complexity.
Our VBS is earth-friendly: fun without plastic trinkets that will litter our common home.
A separate early childhood leader guide makes it easy to include preschoolers.
The program is easy to adapt to your timeframe and preferences.
An Ideal Theme
A fun and effective way to teach the basics of discipleship: how to hear God's call and respond.
Includes Scripture, prayer, drama, music, games, crafts, and activities, all nicely integrated to teach children how to be enthusiastic followers of Jesus!
Bible stories with a good balance of men and women role models.
And More...
Thoughtful take-home pages will bring parents into the process and coach them on how to talk to their children about what they learned.
Extra resources included to help you market and manage your VBS.
Optional gestures/motions are provided for prayers, memory verses, and all songs.
COMPONENTS
Director Guide
Overview of the VBS and guidelines for orchestrating the process. Includes a planning chart, sample schedules, tips for working with staff/volunteers, forms, Bible backgrounds, snack ideas, a book list, a letter to parents, guidelines for inviting children to faith, an evaluation form, and more.
Early Childhood Leader Guide
Full guide for all aspects of VBS for younger children (ages 4-5). Makes suggestions for full daily schedules, including snack ideas, Bible sessions, activities, crafts, books, song/motion suggestions, and more.
Preview
Worship & Drama Guide
Full guide for leading Worship & Drama sessions for each day, including gathering (introducing theme, opening prayer, etc.), worshiping (prayer, song, Bible verse, drama), responding (offering project), and sending (schedule review, blessing, and song).
Preview
Active Response Guide
Full guide for leading interactive activities & games each day, including advance preparation, session plan, material list, step-by-step instructions, and debrief.
Preview
Bible Response Guide
Full guide for leading Bible Response sessions for each day, including Biblical background information, materials list, advance preparation, session plan, and suggestions for teaching Bible memory verses.
Preview
Creative Response Guide
Full guide for leading craft sessions for each day, including Biblical background, materials list, advance preparation, snack ideas, and debrief.
Message Decoder -
Child Booklet
Full-color 16-page activity booklet for ages K-5, including puzzles, Bible memory verse bookmarks, and other interactive activities.
Preview
My Book of Stories - Preschool Child Booklet
Full-color 16-page activity booklet for ages 4-5, including a retelling of the Bible story for each day, puzzles, opening song lyrics, and other interactive activities. Send this booklet home so parents can follow up with their children!
Preview
Invitation Poster
Customize and post around your parish or around town.
Bible Memory Verse Poster
Make it easy for kids to learn the verses day-by-day.
Send Home Parent Engagement Notes
Engaging letters to keep parents in the loop and coach them on how to follow up with their children each day.
Postcards
Customize and print to invite parishioners, school families, etc.
Plus:
• Logo artwork (use to create your own t-shirts or documents)
• Music components (see below)
• …and much more!
MUSIC
Featuring the music of Jesse Manibusan & Oregon Catholic Press
A great collection of easy-to-sing songs that fit perfectly into the VBS theme.
Catholic composer, singer/songwriter, storyteller, humorist, catechist, evangelizer and encourager Jesse Manibusan leads our music and has written two new songs just for this VBS!
VBS Sing-Along Video Previews
All That God Wants You to Be
Written by Carey Landry.
Performed by Jesse Manibusan.
Calling Us by Name
Written by Jesse Manibusan & Jayme Manibusan.
Performed by Jesse Manibusan.
We Are Children of God
Written by Jesse Manibusan & Jayme Manibusan.
Performed by Jesse Manibusan.
Fish with Me
Written by Ken Canedo.
Performed by Jesse Manibusan.
Woman of God
Written by Jesse Manibusan.
Performed by Jesse Manibusan.
We Will Follow
Written by Dan Brennan, Ken Canedo, & Jesse Manibusan.
Performed by Jesse Manibusan.
Open My Eyes
Written & performed by Jesse Manibusan.
Send Me
Written & performed by Bryan Sirchio.
Wherever Love Is
Written & performed by Bryan Sirchio.
Music Components
The downloadable VBS starter kit includes the following components for use within the VBS sessions (all downloadable):
• MP3 audio files of all songs
• Songbook with lead sheets (melody line scores, lyrics, and chords)
• Hand/body motions for all songs
• Simple sing-along videos, showing the motions
• Simple sing-along lyric presentations (in Powerpoint and Keynote formats)
• Lead sheets with scores for select songs
The physical starter kit includes:
• All of the downloadable files on a data DVD
• Audio CD
• Simple sing-along lyric video DVD
• Printed songbook
In addition, purchase inexpensive bulk audio CDs to send home with families, so they can continue to sing the VBS songs!
TESTIMONIALS
"I wanted to send a quick note to you and thank you for the awesome VBS program! We are on our 4th day of Vacation Bible School, and it is going so well! We have received many compliments on the content of the program, the kids are having a great time, our teachers and leaders are so pleased with all of the activities.
One comment that really spoke volumes to me was the fact that it is a fairly simple program, and because of this, the message really is received. So many VBS programs have become a huge production, and the message of God is lost in all of the external factors of the program. I am so glad we happened upon your program. I hope you are working on another one for next year, because we will be reaching out to you! This is the first time in at least 15 years that our parish has hosted a VBS. Looks like it will become an annual event for us!"
Pam Richter
St. Anne’s Catholic Church
Berryville, AR
Read more feedback from leaders like you.
PURCHASE
$79
Downloadable Starter Kit
-
Reproducible files delivered electronically
-
Music for use in VBS delivered electronically
-
Online access to
sing-along videos -
Reproducible posters & promotional materials
-
Electronic preview
of child booklets
$129
Physical Kit + Downloadable
-
Handy tabbed binder + CD-ROM + download access
-
Audio CD & printed music + download access
-
Sing-along video DVD + online access
-
Two copies of each poster + download access
-
Printed sample of
each child booklet
Questions?
We have answers!
Growing Up Catholic
A ministry of The Pastoral Center
Pastoral ministers helping pastoral ministers