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.
Detailed guidelines for planning and adapting your VBS approach this year, with coronavirus social distancing restrictions and concerns. Read the document here.
Engaging games that can be played over Zoom or other video conferencing apps.
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.
DAY ONE
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 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
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
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
PreviewFull 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).
PreviewFull guide for leading interactive activities & games each day, including advance preparation, session plan, material list, step-by-step instructions, and debrief.
PreviewFull 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
Full guide for leading craft sessions for each day, including Biblical background, materials list, advance preparation, snack ideas, and debrief.
Full-color 16-page activity booklet for ages K-5, including puzzles, Bible memory verse bookmarks, and other interactive activities.
PreviewFull-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!
PreviewCustomize and post around your parish or around town.
Make it easy for kids to learn the verses day-by-day.
Engaging letters to keep parents in the loop and coach them on how to follow up with their children each day.
Customize and print to invite parishioners, school families, etc.
• Logo artwork (use to create your own t-shirts or documents)
• Music components (see below)
• …and much more!
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!
Written by Carey Landry.
Performed by Jesse Manibusan.
Written by Jesse Manibusan & Jayme Manibusan.
Performed by Jesse Manibusan.
Written by Jesse Manibusan & Jayme Manibusan.
Performed by Jesse Manibusan.
Written by Ken Canedo.
Performed by Jesse Manibusan.
Written by Jesse Manibusan.
Performed by Jesse Manibusan.
Written by Dan Brennan, Ken Canedo, & Jesse Manibusan.
Performed by Jesse Manibusan.
Written & performed by Jesse Manibusan.
Written & performed by Bryan Sirchio.
Written & performed by Bryan Sirchio.
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!
Pam Richter
St. Anne’s Catholic Church
Berryville, AR
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
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
Growing Up Catholic
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Pastoral ministers helping pastoral ministers