Children and Youth – July/August 2025

Don’t Wait – Registration closing soon for VBS July 28 - August 1

At Maker Fun Factory VBS, kids discover not only that God made them the way they are,

but for a purpose too. New friends, creative games, surprising adventures, lip-smacking

snacks, and incredible music are just some of the fun in store for your child. Don't Miss

Out on the Best week of Summer!

We are ordering t-shirts this year; register by July 6, in order to receive a t-shirt.

Bower Hill follows a unique youth-leader model VBS. Pre-school (potty trained) through 3rd grade attend from 9:30 a.m. - noon each day. Older youth from 4th grade and up serve as helpers in the morning, then stay through 3:00 p.m. for special activities just for them. All youth aged 17 and younger must register. Cost is $30 per child. Older kids who are volunteering only (and do not plan to stay for the afternoons) only pay for the cost of the t-shirt, which is $15. Click here to register.

Your Help is needed to make VBS a success.

When kids were asked what they remember most about their VBS experiences, the top responses include memories of time spent with older youth and adults. Simply put, VBS isn’t VBS without you! Our volunteers are what make a child’s experience memorable. We are especially in need of adults and older youth; please consider joining us even if you can only help one or two days for this summer's VBS which takes place July 28-August 1 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. I could also use one adult each day to help with the older youth from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Please sign up to volunteer using this link. Thank you for joining us as we prepare a memorable experience for our young children this year!

VBS Youth Leader Volunteer Training and Decorating Days

Lots of hands make light work! All older youth (completed 3rd grade and up) registered to help lead VBS this year need to attend one of the decorating / training sessions. The remaining training sessions are listed below. The purpose of these meetups is to align our youth helpers with a specific job for the week, set expectations, learn the Bible stories we’ll be teaching, and then work to decorate and prepare the church for VBS. Your youth leader may attend all of them, but please make every attempt to be here for at least one so that all youth leaders are ready for VBS. All crafty/creative adults are welcome to these work sessions as well to help prepare for VBS. Contact Amy if you have any questions.

Wednesday, July 2: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 13: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 16: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 27: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Summer Sunday School and Nursery Coverage

Children from preschool through 8th grade are invited to meet directly downstairs in room 110 before worship begins at 9:30 a.m. Kids will hear a short children’s sermon/biblical-based lesson and then have time to socialize and enjoy our playground. Older youth are invited to join and help lead activities like chalk, crafting, or games for the younger kids. Slots are still available for adult volunteers to help with Summer Sunday School, especially on the Sundays when Amy is out (July 6 and July 20). Here is the

link to sign-up. Childcare for infants and toddlers will be available in the nursery during the worship service as usual, but there will be no second hour coverage.

*NEW* - Water Wednesdays at Mt. Lebo Pool

Meet up with your church friends for a mid-week break at the Mt. Lebanon Outdoor pool. Amy will be at the pool most Wednesdays – see schedule below – from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. This is intended to create connection and provide an opportunity for middle school and high school kids to hang out over the summer. Many of these days align with VBS Youth Leader Training, so we will meet at the church from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. for training/decorating and then head to the pool afterwards. Younger kids are

welcome, but per the regular pool rules, children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Kids must bring money for entry ($12) and snacks if desired. Meet up dates will be June 11, June 19 (NOTE: this is a Thursday), July 2, July 16, July 30 (VBS week), August 6, & August 13.

Seeking Small Jobs & Fellowship Visits

We are seeking opportunities throughout the summer for youth and families to be in service with and for our congregation. Do you have a project that might be overwhelming to tackle by yourself, or work that would be easier with a few helping hands? Bower Hill Youth would love to connect with you! Simply call the office, or use this link to tell us about your request, and we will contact you to schedule a visit. Thank you in advance for helping us find ways we can serve and connect this summer!

Also, if you are an adult with time to spare this summer, we’d love to have you join the service team. Please email Amy amy.grella@bowerhillchurch.org to be added to the mailing list when jobs and visits are scheduled