Opening & Closing Celebration Leader Guide by Faithtree Resources

Opening & Closing Celebration Leader Guide

Week at a glance

Saints Saint John the Baptist Saints Constantine and Helen

Objective

Bible Passage

Students will understand what it means to REPENT and learn repentance is the key to our salvation. Every day we fall down and get back up.

Matthew 3: 1-11

Students will understand and embrace what it means to SEEK TRUTH on their journey to holiness.

John 14: 1-7

Memory Verse Matthew 3:2 John 14:6

Songs

The Path Guess Who? As Many as Have Been Baptized

God Is the Boss Finding the Cross

Crafts

Snacks

Games

& Wild Honey

Falling Down & Getting Back Up Turn & Repent

Preparing the Pathways

Locusts & Honey Bees

Truth Direction

Cross Puzzle Relay

Cross Target Toss Let’s Make the Shape of the Cross

DAY

Seek Truth

1 Repent

Icon Collage Stained Glass Cross Baptism Oreos or Locusts Rice Cake Crosses or Mini Margherita Pizzas

Saint Catherine of Alexandria

Understanding the Truth, students will be able to STAND FIRM in their faith and renounce the lies of this world.

Ephesians 6: 13-17

Ephesians 6:13

The Path Stand Firm Fruit of the Spirit

St Catherine’s Ring From Christ Standing Firm Painted Rocks

“Armor of God” Snack

Shield of Faith

Armor of God Matching Game

Stand Firm or Stand Floppy Stand Firm Tag

Saint George the Trophy-Bearer

Students will understand we are like a candle in the dark world and will WITNESS their faith to others by sharing the love of Christ.

Matthew 5: 13-16

Matthew 5:16

Patron Saint George This Little Light of Mine

Colorful Votive Candle Olympic Torch

“Light of Mine” Cupcakes or Sunshine Snack

Lights On/Lights Off Parachute Activity

Let Your Light Shine Relay

Saint Nektarios the Wonderworker

Students will understand that the path to holiness is a struggle, but those who ENDURE to the end will be saved.

Matthew 10: 16-22

Matthew 10:22

O Pure Virgin O Give Thanks Unto the Lord

Beeswax Candles

Race Ready Snack Mix or Endurance Energizer Bowls

Parachute Endurance Popcorn

St. Nektarios Kindness Exchange Super Saints Challenge

Stand

DAY

Witness DAY

Endure

DAY 3

Firm

Super Saints Objective

Each day centers around the daily Super Saint, theme, and memory verse. Through songs, lessons, crafts, games, and snacks, you will help students meet the objectives of each day, culminating in achieving the objective of the week!

Weekly Objective: By the end of the week, the students in your parish will understand why we honor the saints—the “Superheroes of our Faith”—so intentionally and how their lives provide examples to emulate as they journey on their own path to holiness. DAY 1

St. John the Baptist: Repent

Students will understand what it means to REPENT and learn repentance is the key to our salvation. Every day we fall down and get back up.

Memory Verse: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2)

Saints Constantine & Helen: Seek Truth

Students will understand and embrace what it means to SEEK TRUTH on their journey to holiness, focusing on the examples of Saints Constantine and Helen.

Memory Verse: “Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.’” (John 14:6)

St. Catherine of Alexandria: Stand Firm

Understanding the Truth, students will be able to STAND FIRM in their faith and renounce the lies of this world.

Memory Verse: “Take up the whole armor of God.” (Ephesians 6:13)

St. George the Trophy-Bearer: Witness

Students will understand we are like a candle in a dark world and will WITNESS their faith to others by sharing the love of Christ.

Memory Verse: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

St. Nektarios the Wonderworker: Endure

Students will understand the path to holiness is a struggle, but those who ENDURE to the end will be saved.

Memory Verse: “But he who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)

DAY

Your Role as the Opening/Closing Celebration Leader

• Oversee the Opening/Closing Celebration each day.

• Recruit and collaborate with additional volunteer staff you might need.

• Coordinate with the Music Leader on the best way to play the music each day (live, digital, etc.).

• Schedule time to learn the hand motions for the songs by watching the videos included on the thumb drive.

• Pray about all aspects of the Opening/Closing Celebrations— before, during, and after VBS.

As a leader, you are the heart of this Vacation Bible School!

How to Create a Successful and

Spiritually Enriching

Plan ahead: Prepare the celebrations in advance.

Use visual aids: Students learn better with visual aids, so consider using props or images during each day’s Opening/Closing Celebration. You can also use the Super Saints digital slides and posters to increase engagement.

Keep it fun: VBS is a time for students to learn about God in a fun and exciting way. Encourage dancing and singing, and keep the energy level up. Students will follow your lead, so HAVE FUN!

Experience

Make it interactive: Using the hand motions with each day’s songs will help students stay engaged and reinforce the concepts they are learning.

Be patient: Students may have a lot of energy and may need reminders to stay on track. Be patient and positive, and remember that you’re making an impact in their lives!

Keep safety in mind: Make sure the environment is safe and secure for students. Have a plan in place for emergencies or unexpected situations.

Supply List

Day 1 – Day 5

• microphone

• posters

• verse

• saint

• theme

• troparion

• chairs/seating for students

• slides (if you have AV equipment)

• verse

• saint

• theme

• troparion

• song lyrics

• Music Leader and/or Music Leader Guide

• ENERGY and ENTHUSIASM!

Celebration overview

OPENING CELEBRATION

Welcome your entire group of students every day at the Opening Celebration. Begin with a short prayer service or the Trisagion prayers as determined by your parish priest. If possible, have pamphlets of the prayers printed so your students can follow along and participate. Ask group leaders to collect them prior to dismissal.

Play music in the background as your students enter the space each day.

Music has an unparalleled ability to engage, delight, and calm!

Music is a great way to start the day! The Music Leader should teach students the song of the week, “The Path,” on the first day. This song should be sung every day at Opening Celebration along with a new song of the day. Encourage students to sing along and participate in the hand motions. On the thumb drive in your starter kit, you will find videos with the hand motions to use in training your leaders and volunteers.

Introduce the theme each day and explain everything they learn and do that day will help reinforce the theme.

Teach the verse of the day by showing the poster, corresponding slide, and reading it aloud on the microphone. Invite students to read together with you.

Share the Super Saint of the day and explain that every saint has a special song called a troparion. Encourage students to pay attention in their group rotations to learn as much as they can about these Heroes of our Faith!

CLOSING CELEBRATION

During the Closing Celebration, the entire group will reassemble. Begin by singing the song of the day.

This will be an opportunity to review the key elements of the day: the verse, saint, troparion and theme.

The group will sing “The Path” and end each day in prayer prior to dismissal.

Theme of the Candle: Throughout the week, students will be introduced to the image of a candle. A candle that is lit in prayer offers its whole being to God. It shines its light and endures the heat of fire until the very end. Sweet smelling and made of beeswax, the candle is an offering to God, like a bouquet. We are called to be like a candle and to offer sweet smelling sacrifices to God. Our purpose is to stay lit, not to lie in sin and death. We are called to be witnesses of the Light and to offer our whole lives to God. We are called to shine our light until the end. Invite students to shine bright and endure, and in doing so, strive to become a spiritual Hero of our Faith!

Day 1

Day 1 at a glance

Saint

Saint John the Baptist Theme

Repent

Objective

Students will understand what it means to REPENT and learn repentance is the key to our salvation. Every day we fall down and get back up.

Passage

St. John the Baptist’s Call to Repentance (Matthew 3:1-11)

Memory Verse

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2)

Songs

• The Path (VBS Theme Song)

• Guess Who?

• As Many as Have Been Baptized

Lesson

• Super Saint Story of the Day

• Troparion

• Know-Want to Know-Learn

• Read the Bible Passage

• Act It Out : Repentance

• Memory Verse

• Salt & Pepper Activity

• Color the Icon of the Saint

Snacks

• Baptism Oreos OR Locusts & Wild Honey Crafts

• Decoupage/collage of icons with mirror Games

• Falling Down & Getting Back Up

• Turn & Repent

• Preparing the Pathways

• Locusts & Honey Bees

Like a Candle:

When we sin, it is like the candle light is blown out. Each time we repent, we relight our candle. REPENT, RELIGHT, and REPEAT.

Day 1 overview

Objectives:

Students will understand what it means to REPENT and learn that repentance is the key to our salvation. Every day we fall down and get back up.

What’s needed:

• microphone

• verse poster

• saint poster

• theme poster

• troparion poster

• chairs/seating for students

• Music Leader and/or Music Leader Guide

• slides of song lyrics

• “The Path”

• “Guess Who?”

• “As Many as Have Been Baptized”

• ENERGY and ENTHUSIASM!

Day 1 Opening CELEBRATION

Welcome

• Welcome the students to Super Saints VBS.

• Priest leads the assembly in prayer (VBS prayer service or Trisagion with some petitions, determined by parish).

Introduction

• Music Leader teaches the theme song for the week, “The Path.”

• Music Leader and volunteers demonstrate hand motions to “The Path” learned from the videos on the thumb drive.

• Invite other leaders to participate in the singing and movement. This will encourage the entire group‘s participation.

• Engage students in a brief discussion about superheroes. Ask them to share their thoughts on their favorite superheroes and why they admire them.

Say:

Raise your hands and tell me about your favorite superhero. What makes them a superhero? [Allow a few answers.]

Hall of Fame Discussion

Have any of you been to a Hall of Fame? Which one? [Allow a few answers.]

There is a Baseball Hall of Fame, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Football Hall of Fame, and many more! These halls celebrate people we look up to, admire, and aspire to be like. They are worldly superheroes, but the Church has superheroes too. Look around: Do you see any heroes here in the church? [Allow for answers.]

Yes, ICONS of SAINTS. The saints are the superheroes of our Faith!

Play music in the background and display the theme poster or slide as students arrive.

What’s Needed:

• microphone

• posters: verse, saint, theme, troparion

• chairs/seating

• Music Leader and/or Music Leader Guide

• slides of song lyrics

• “The Path”

• “Guess Who?”

• “As Many as Have Been Baptized”

Use the posters or slides included in the starter kit to highlight each day’s theme, verse, Super Saint, lyrics, and troparion.

Say: Say:

Saints as Our Heroes

• Direct the students’ attention to the icons of saints displayed in the space or refer to the Super Saint posters.

• Explain the the Church has its own superheroes—the saints—who fought for their faith and completed their journey well.

• Emphasize that saints are examples and heroes of the faith. They continue to intercede, which means they pray for us to God even though they are no longer physically present on earth.

Our church is the Hall of Fame for saints. Saints are our EXAMPLES, our heroes of the Faith. Learning about their lives helps us want to be like them. Saints were just like you and me—humans who are made in the image of God.

Saints lived in this world. They struggled every day. Their faith in God taught them how to repent and get back up “again and again” as we say in the Church. They also INTERCEDE to God for us.

Even though they are not living on earth, the saints are with us in spirit so we are never alone. They are on our team! And we should aspire to be just like them.

Intercessions

• Introduce the concept of intercession, explaining that saints can pray for us.

• Encourage students to ask for intercessions from saints, including the Theotokos and their patron saint.

You can ask for intercessions from the Theotokos (the highest of all saints), from your patron saint, and from any saint you desire to know. Isn’t that awesome?

Saint of the Day St. John the Baptist

• Tell the students they will learn all about St. John the Baptist today.

• Explain that John the Baptist had an important message about asking for forgiveness. He also baptized Jesus!

• Introduce the troparion for St. John the Baptist and play the recording.

Display Saint Poster or Slide

Read:

Troparion

READ (as a group): Troparion for St. John the Baptist

The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord’s testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner; for thou hast proved to be truly even more venerable than the Prophets, since thou wast granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom they proclaimed. Wherefore, having contested for the truth, thou didst rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades: that God hath appeared in the flesh, taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy.

SING

• Music Leader teaches the song “Guess Who?”

• Volunteers teach the hand motions for “Guess Who?”

• Everyone sings “Guess Who?” with the hand motions.

Display Troparion Poster or Slide

Display Lyric Slides

Have songs and slides with song lyrics ready.

Ask volunteers to learn the hand motions to the songs. They will teach everyone the hand motions during each celebration.

Memory Verse of the Day

[Lead the students in saying the memory verse together.]

Say:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2)

Dismiss

Dismiss the students into their rotation groups.

Display Verse Poster or Slide

Day 1

Closing CELEBRATION

Say:

SING

Open with the song “Guess Who?”

Welcome back, everyone! How was your first day at Super Saints VBS? I hope you had an amazing time learning about St. John the Baptist and our theme of repentance.

Review

Let’s review our memory verse for today! [Ask the girls to say it, then boys, then a specific grade, then the whole group together.]

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2)

Play music in the background as students arrive.

Display Lyric Slides

Display Verse Poster or Slide

Say:

Raise your hand if you know the answers.

Who was St. John the Baptist? [a prophet]

Why is he so important? [He baptized Jesus, he preached about repentance.]

What are some ways we can imitate St. John the Baptist?

• Be fearless: Just like John, we should not be afraid to stand up and speak the truth, even if it’s not easy.

• Repent: Remember, when we make mistakes, we can always repent and turn back to the right path towards God.

Say:

Those are great answers! Now let’s listen to the special song for today that tells us about the importance of baptism.

Display Saint Poster or Slide

What’s Needed:

• microphone

• posters: verse, saint, theme, troparion

• chairs/seating

• Music Leader and/or Music Leader Guide

• slides of song lyrics

• “The Path”

• “Guess Who?”

• “As Many as Have Been Baptized”

Read:

Troparion

[Play the recording of the troparion for St. John the Baptist.]

READ (as a group): Troparion for St. John the Baptist

Closing Songs and Prayer

The Music Leader introduces the hymn “As Many of You as Have Been Baptized;“ sing together as a group.

Display Troparion Poster or Slide

Say:

What a fantastic first day we had! Let’s sing our theme song one more time.

SING: “The Path” [if time allows]

Let’s end our time together with a prayer. [Prayer]

See you tomorrow for another exciting day at Super Saints VBS!

Display Lyric Slides

Day 2

Day 2 at a glance

Saint

Saints Constantine & Helen

Theme

Seek Truth

Objective

Students will understand and embrace what it means to SEEK TRUTH on their journey to holiness.

Passage

The Way to the Father (John 14:1-7)

Memory Verse

“Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.’” (John 14:6)

Songs

• God Is the Boss

• Finding the Cross

Lesson

• Super Saint Story of the Day

• Troparion

• Activity: Find the Cross

• Act It Out: Finding the Cross

• Plant Basil Seeds in Small Pots OR Make Cross Necklaces

• Read the Bible Passage

• Memory Verse

• Color the Icon of the Saint

Snacks

• Rice Cake Crosses OR Mini Margherita Pizzas

Crafts

• Stained Glass Cross Games

• Truth Direction

• Cross Puzzle Relay

• Cross Target Toss

• Let’s Make the Shape of the Cross

Like a Candle:

We need light in order to see and to SEEK the TRUTH. Christ is the light of the world. HE is the Truth we are seeking.

Day 2 overview

Objectives:

Students will understand and embrace what it means to SEEK TRUTH on their journey to holiness.

What’s needed:

• microphone

• verse poster

• saint poster

• theme poster

• troparion poster

• chairs/seating for students

• Music Leader and/or Music Leader Guide

• slides of song lyrics

• “The Path”

• “Finding the Cross”

• “God Is the Boss”

• ENERGY and ENTHUSIASM!

Day 2 Opening CELEBRATION

WELCOME

• Welcome the students to Super Saints VBS.

• Priest leads the assembly in prayer (VBS prayer service or Trisagion with some petitions, determined by parish).

Say:

Before we start the day, let’s sing the theme song to our VBS: “The Path.”

[Invite a group of students to come forward and lead the theme song, “The Path.”]

SING: Students join in singing the theme song, “The Path,” with the chosen group leading.

Welcome back to VBS! Yesterday, we talked about superheroes and how the saints are the Heroes of our Faith. We aspire to be holy, just like the saints.

What did we learn to do yesterday that helps us on our journey to holiness? [REPENT]

Today our theme is SEEK TRUTH.

Memory Verse of the Day

READ: Memory Verse of the Day

Say:

“Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.’” (John 14:6)

Saints of the Day

Saints Constantine and Helen

• Explain that seeking truth is an essential part of our journey to holiness. The truth is Christ. And the cross represents Christ.

• Introduce the troparion for Saints Constantine and Helen and play the recording.

Play music in the background and display the theme poster or slide as students arrive.

Display Lyric Slides

What’s Needed:

• microphone

• posters: verse, saint, theme, troparion

• chairs/seating

• Music Leader and/or Music Leader Guide

• slides of song lyrics

• “The Path”

• “Finding the Cross”

• “God Is the Boss”

Display Verse Poster or Slide

Display Saint Poster or Slide

Read: Say:

Troparion

READ (as a group): Troparion for Sts. Constantine & Helen

Having seen the image of Thy Cross in Heaven, and, like Paul, having received the call not from men, Thine apostle among kings entrusted the commonwealth to Thy hand, O Lord. Keep us always in peace, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Friend of man.

Saint Constantine was seeking the truth and saw the sign of the cross in the sky before he won a major battle. He ended the era of the persecution of Christians. He made Christianity legal. His mother, St. Helen, sought the true Cross of Christ and found it! She also built many Christian churches.

Like Saints Constantine and Helen, we must SEEK TRUTH.

[Expound on what it means to SEEK TRUTH.]

SING

• Music Leader teaches the song “Finding the Cross” and explains its connection to the theme of SEEK TRUTH.

• Volunteers teach the hand motions for the song.

• Sing the song “Finding the Cross” with the hand motions.

Dismiss

Dismiss the students into their rotation groups.

Display Troparion Poster or Slide

Display Lyric Slides

Day 2 Closing CELEBRATION

SING

Open with the song “Finding the Cross.”

Review

Say:

How was your day at Super Saints VBS? Today we learned about preserving the faith by seeking the truth.

Let’s review our memory verse for today! [Ask the girls to say it, then boys, then a specific grade, then the whole group together.]

“Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.’” (John 14:6)

Who can tell me the names of our saints of the day and why they are special? [They are Sts. Constantine and Helen; they are mother and son.]

What did they do? [St. Constantine was a great leader and legalized Christianity; St. Helen found the Cross of Christ and built churches.]

Troparion

[Play the recording of the troparion for Saints Constantine and Helen.]

READ (as a group): Troparion for Sts. Constantine and Helen

Read:

Play music in the background as students arrive.

Display Lyric Slides

Display Verse Poster or Slide

Display Saint Poster or Slide

Display Troparion Poster or Slide

What’s Needed:

• microphone

• posters: verse, saint, theme, troparion

• chairs/seating

• Music Leader and/or

Music Leader Guide

• slides of song lyrics

• “The Path”

• “Finding the Cross”

• “God Is the Boss”

Say:

How can we imitate them and SEEK TRUTH? [Remind students to raise hands to answer. Possible answers are: attend services of the church, attend Sunday School, read stories about the saints.]

WOW, so many wonderful answers. There is so much to learn about the Super Saints of our Faith!

Closing Songs and Prayer

SING: “The Path” and “God Is the Boss”

Let’s end our time together with a prayer. [Prayer]

See you tomorrow for another exciting day at Super Saints VBS!

Display Lyric Slides

Day 3

Day 3 at a glance

Saint

St. Catherine of Alexandria

Theme

Stand Firm

Objective

Understanding the Truth, students will be able to STAND FIRM in their faith and renounce the lies of this world.

Passage

Spiritual Weaponry (Ephesians 6:13-17)

Memory Verse

“Take up the whole armor of God.” (Ephesians 6:13)

Songs

• The Path

• Stand Firm

• Fruit of the Spirit

Lesson

• Super Saint Story of the Day

• Troparion

• Armor of God Experiment

• Read the Bible Passage

• Memory Verse

• Activity: Armor of God

• Color the Icon of the Saint Snack

• “Armor of God” Snack

Crafts

• St. Catherine’s Ring From Christ

• Stand Firm Painted Rocks

Games

• Shield of Faith

• Armor of God Matching Game

• Stand Firm or Stand Floppy

• Stand Firm Tag

Like a Candle:

Imagine your candle standing firm in the sand after you light it. Let us be like the candle and STAND FIRM in our faith.

Day 3 overview

Objectives:

Understanding the Truth, students will be able to STAND FIRM in their faith and renounce the lies of this world.

What’s needed:

• microphone

• verse poster

• saint poster

• theme poster

• troparion poster

• chairs/seating for students

• Music Leader and/or Music Leader Guide

• slides of song lyrics

• “The Path”

• “Stand Firm”

• “Fruit of the Spirit”

• ENERGY and ENTHUSIASM!

Day 3 Opening CELEBRATION

WELCOME

• Welcome the students to Super Saints VBS.

• Priest leads the assembly in prayer (VBS prayer service or Trisagion with some petitions, determined by parish).

Say:

Before we start the day, let’s sing the theme song to our VBS: “The Path.”

[Invite a group of students to come forward and lead the theme song, “The Path.”]

SING: Students join in singing the theme song, “The Path,” with the chosen group leading.

Welcome back to VBS! Yesterday, we talked about superheroes and how the saints are the heroes of our Faith. We aspire to be holy, just like the saints.

What did we learn to do yesterday at VBS that helps us on our journey to holiness? [SEEK TRUTH]

Today our theme is STAND FIRM.

Memory Verse of the Day

READ: Memory Verse of the Day

Say:

“Take up the whole armor of God.” (Ephesians 6:13)

Saint of the Day

Saint Catherine

• The armor of God is spiritual weaponry.

• St. Catherine put on the whole armor of God to stand firm in her faith.

• Explain that standing firm is an essential part of our journey to holiness.

• Share the troparion for St. Catherine and play the troparion recording.

Play music in the background and display the theme poster or slide as students arrive.

Display Lyric Slides

What’s Needed:

• microphone

• posters: verse, saint, theme, troparion

• chairs/seating

• Music Leader and/or Music Leader Guide

• slides of song lyrics

• “The Path”

• “Stand Firm:

• “Fruit of the Spirit”

Display Verse Poster or Slide

Display Saint Poster or Slide

Say: Say:

Troparion

Read (as a group): Troparion for Saint Catherine

Let us praise the all-lauded and noble bride of Christ, the godly Catherine, the guardian of Sinai and its defense, who is also our support and succor and our help; for with the Holy Spirit’s sword she hath silenced brilliantly the clever among the godless; and being crowned as a martyr, she now doth ask great mercy for us all.

SING

• Play the song “Stand Firm” and have volunteers sing along.

• Explain the connection to St. Catherine. [She was not afraid to stand firm in her faith.]

• Ask volunteers to teach the hand motions for “Stand Firm.”

• Replay the song with everyone doing the hand motions.

• If time allows, teach and sing “Fruit of the Spirit.”

St. Catherine was born into a noble family. She was famous for her wisdom and rare beauty. She was only a teenager when she dedicated her life to Christ, which was against the emperor’s rules.

Today you will learn how she used spiritual weaponry to stand firm in her faith and protect her against her enemies.

Dismiss

Dismiss the students into their rotation groups.

Display Troparion Poster or Slide

Display Lyric Slides

Day 3 Closing CELEBRATION

SING

Open with the song “Stand Firm.”

Review

Say:

How was your day at Super Saints VBS? Today we learned about spiritual weaponry. Just like soldiers, we have to put on armor too. Our armor is the armor of God, and it protects us.

Let’s review our memory verse for today! [Ask the boys to say it, then girls, then a specific grade, then the whole group together.]

“Put on the whole armor of God.” (Ephesians 6:13)

Raise your hand if you can tell us who our saint of the day was today? [St. Catherine the Great]

What was so “great” about her? [Possible answers: She was very smart, very beautiful, and loved God.]

How can we imitate her? [Allow for responses.]

Who can tell us about a time when you had to STAND FIRM? [Remind students to raise hands to answer.]

WOW, so many wonderful answers. There is so much to learn about the Super Saints of our Faith!

Play music in the background as students arrive.

Display Lyric Slides

Display Verse Poster or Slide

What’s Needed:

• microphone

• posters: verse, saint, theme, troparion

• chairs/seating

• Music Leader and/or Music Leader Guide

• slides of song lyrics

• “The Path”

• “Stand Firm:

• “Fruit of the Spirit”

Read:

Troparion

[Play the recording of the troparion for Saint Catherine.]

READ (as a group): Troparion for Saint Catherine

Closing Songs and Prayer

• Music Leader teaches the song “Fruit of the Spirit” while volunteers demonstrate the hand motions.

• Sing “Fruit of the Spirit” as a group with the hand motions.

Display Troparion Poster or Slide

Say:

Let’s sing our theme song one more time!

SING: “The Path”

Say:

Let’s end our time together with a prayer. [Prayer]

See you tomorrow for another exciting day at Super Saints VBS!

Display Lyric Slides

Day 4

Day 4 at a glance

Saint

St. George the Trophy-Bearer

Theme

Witness

Objective

Students will understand we are like a candle in a dark world and will WITNESS their faith to others by sharing the love of Christ.

Passage

The Disciples in the World (Matthew 5:13-16)

Memory Verse

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Songs

• Patron Saint George

• This Little Light of Mine

Lesson

• Super Saint Story of the Day

• Troparion

• This Little Light of Mine Experiment

• Read the Bible Passage

• Memory Verse

• Activity: Lightbulb

• Color the Icon of the Saint Snacks

• “Light of Mine” Cupcakes OR Sunshine Snack

Crafts

• Colorful Votive Candle

• Olympic Torch Games

• Lights On/Lights Off

• Parachute Activity

• Let Your Light Shine Relay

Like a Candle:

When you let your candle light shine, you become a WITNESS. Let your light so shine “that others may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Day 4 overview

Objectives:

Students will understand that we are like a candle in a dark world and will WITNESS their faith to others by sharing the love of Christ.

What’s needed:

• microphone

• verse poster

• saint poster

• theme poster

• troparion poster

• chairs/seating for students

• Music Leader and/or Music Leader Guide

• slides of song lyrics

• “The Path”

• “Stand Firm”

• “Fruit of the Spirit”

• ENERGY and ENTHUSIASM!

Welcome

Say:

Day 4 Opening CELEBRATION

• Welcome the students to Super Saints VBS.

• Priest leads the assembly in prayer (VBS prayer service or Trisagion with some petitions, determined by parish).

Before we start the day, let’s sing the theme song to our VBS: “The Path.”

[Invite a group of students to come forward and lead the theme song, “The Path.”]

SING: Students join in singing the theme song, “The Path,” with the chosen group leading.

Welcome back to VBS! Yesterday, we talked about superheroes and how the saints are the heroes of our Faith. We aspire to be holy, just like the saints.

What did we learn to do yesterday that helps us on our journey to holiness? [STAND FIRM]

Today our theme is WITNESS.

What does it mean to be a witness? [The dictionary defines it as a person who sees or perceives a thing; a beholder or spectator.] It also means to testify or give evidence.

Our faith and works can serve to testify and give evidence of the grace of God working in us. That is one way we can be a witness.

Memory Verse of the Day

READ: Memory Verse of the Day

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Play music in the background and display the theme poster or slide as students arrive.

Display Lyric Slides

What’s Needed:

• microphone

• posters: verse, saint, theme, troparion

• chairs/seating

• Music Leader and/or

Music Leader Guide

• slides of song lyrics

• “The Path”

• “Patron Saint George”

• “This Little Light of Mine”

Display Verse Poster or Slide

Read:

Saint of the Day

Saint George the Trophy-Bearer

• We are called to shine our light and allow others to witness the glory of God.

• Saint George lived at a time when Christians were being persecuted by mean emperors. He was a light in a time of darkness.

• Introduce the troparion for Saint George and play the troparion recording.

Troparion

READ (as a group): Troparion for Saint George

Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and champion of kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

SING

• Music Leader teaches the songs “Patron Saint George” and “This Little Light of Mine.”

• Play the songs “Patron Saint George and ”This Little Light of Mine” and invite everyone to sing along.

Dismiss

Dismiss the students into their rotation groups.

Display Saint Poster or Slide

Display Troparion Poster or Slide

Display Lyric Slides

Day 4 Closing CELEBRATION

SING

Open with the songs “Patron St. George” and “This Little Light of Mine.”

REVIEW

Say:

How was your day at Super Saints VBS? Today we learned our faith and our works are evidence of the grace of God working in us. What a wonderful way for us to be a witness.

We can witness our faith to others by sharing the love of Christ.

Let’s review our memory verse for today! [Ask the boys to say it, then girls, then a specific grade, then the whole group together.]

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Can you recall some of the hardships that Saint George endured for Christ? [Remind students to raise their hands.]

What happened when people witnessed his many hardships that were followed by miraculous healings? [They converted to Christianity.]

Play music in the background as students arrive.

Display Lyric Slides

Display Verse Poster or Slide

Display Saint Poster or Slide

What’s Needed:

• microphone

• posters: verse, saint, theme, troparion

• chairs/seating

• Music Leader and/or Music Leader Guide

• slides of song lyrics

• “The Path”

• “Patron Saint George”

• “This Little Light of Mine”

Read: Say:

Troparion

[Play the recording of the troparion for Saint George.]

READ (as a group): Troparion for Saint George

Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and champion of kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

How can you be a WITNESS at home? At school? In your community? [Allow time for answers.]

What does it mean to “shine your light”? [Emphasize that we let our light shine NOT to bring glory to ourselves but to bring glory to God.]

Closing Songs and Prayer

SING: “Patron Saint George”

“The Path”

“This Little Light of Mine”

Say:

Let’s end our time together with a prayer. [Prayer]

See you tomorrow for another exciting day at Super Saints VBS!

Display Troparion Poster or Slide

Display Lyric Slides

Day 5

Day 5 at a glance

Saint

St. Nektarios The Wonderworker

Theme

Endure

Objective

Students will understand that the path to holiness is a struggle, but those who ENDURE to the end will be saved.

Passage

Persecution and Martyrdom (Matthew 10:16-22)

Memory Verse

“But he who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)

Songs

• O Pure Virgin

• O Give Thanks Unto the Lord

Lesson

• Super Saint Story of the Day

• Troparion

• Activity: Soak up the Sponge

• Stories of St. Nektarios

• Bible Passage

• Memory Verse

• Activity: My Future Icon

• Weekly Themes Review

• Be Like a Candle

• Color the Icon of the Saint Snacks

• Race Ready Snack Mix OR Endurance Energizer Bowls

Crafts

• How to Make a Beeswax Candle

Games

• Parachute Endurance Popcorn

• St. Nektarios Kindness Exchange

• Super Saints Challenge

Like a Candle:

A candle must ENDURE heat and fire. “Set your heart right and be steadfast…because gold is tested in fire.” (Wisdom of Sirach 2:2-5)

Day 5 overview

Objectives:

Students will understand the path to holiness is a struggle, but those who ENDURE to the end will be saved.

What’s needed:

• microphone

• verse poster

• saint poster

• theme poster

• troparion poster

• chairs/seating for students

• Music Leader and/or Music Leader Guide

• slides of song lyrics

• “The Path”

• “Stand Firm”

• “Fruit of the Spirit”

• ENERGY and ENTHUSIASM!

Day 5 Opening CELEBRATION

WELCOME

• Welcome the students to Super Saints VBS.

• Priest leads the assembly in prayer (VBS prayer service or Trisagion with some petitions, determined by parish).

Say:

Before we start the day, let’s sing the theme song to our VBS: “The Path.”

[Invite a group of students to come forward and lead the theme song, “The Path.”]

SING: Students join in singing the theme song, “The Path,” with the chosen group leading.

Today is our last day of VBS! All week we learned about the lives of different saints. They are the heroes of our Faith. We aspire to be holy, just like the saints.

What did we learn to do yesterday at VBS that helps us on our journey to holiness? [WITNESS]

Today our theme is ENDURE.

Who has ever struggled to do something? [Ask students to raise hands.]

We all struggle. [Offer examples: studying for a test, learning to ride a bike, learning to play an instrument.]

If we ENDURE by relying on God’s help, we can do hard things!

Memory Verse of the Day

READ: Memory Verse of the Day

Say:

“But he who endures till the end will be saved.”(Matthew 10:22)

Play music in the background and display the theme poster or slide as students arrive.

Display Lyric Slides

What’s Needed:

• microphone

• posters: verse, saint, theme, troparion

• chairs/seating

• Music Leader and/or Music Leader Guide

• slides of song lyrics

• “The Path”

• “O Pure Virgin”

• “O Give Thanks Unto the Lord”

Display Verse Poster or Slide

Read:

Saint of the Day

Saint Nektarios

• St. Nektarios had to ENDURE many trials. But God was with him through his struggles.

• We are never alone. God is always with us.

• We can also call upon the Theotokos (the Mother of God) and the saints to intercede for us, especially in times of struggle. They are with us too!

• Discuss how a candle reminds us of the path to holiness.

• Introduce the troparion for St. Nektarios and play the recording.

Troparion

READ (as a group): Troparion for Saint Nektarios

The offspring of Selyvria and the guardian of Aegina, the true friend of virtue who didst appear in the last years, O Nektarios, we faithfully honor thee as a godly servant of Christ, for thou pourest forth healings of every kind for those who piously cry out: Glory to Christ Who hath glorified thee. Glory to Him Who hath made thee wondrous. Glory to Him Who worketh healings for all through thee.

SING

Music Leader teaches the songs “O Pure Virgin” and “O Give Thanks Unto the Lord” using the recordings on the thumb drive.

Say:

Let’s review the themes of each day so far:

• REPENT: Saint John the Baptist

• SEEK TRUTH: Saints Constantine and Helen

• STAND FIRM: Saint Catherine

• WITNESS: Saint George

...and today’s final step on the path to holiness is ENDURE, which we learn from St. Nektarios.

Have a great last day at Super Saints VBS!

Dismiss

Dismiss the students into their rotation groups.

Display Saint Poster or Slide

Display Troparion Poster or Slide

Day 5 Closing CELEBRATION

SING

Open with the hymns “O Pure Virgin” and “O Give Thanks Unto the Lord.”

Review

Say:

Read:

How was your day at Super Saints VBS? Today we learned that we can endure tribulations in life with God’s help and the help of the saints.

Let’s review our memory verse for today! [Ask everyone to repeat together or ask for a group to volunteer to lead.]

“But he who endures till the end will be saved.”(Matthew 10:22)

St. Nektarios faced many tribulations in his life, but he showed patience and love to all. He found strength through his faith in God to ENDURE and not allow painful struggles to defeat him.

Troparion

[Play the recording of the troparion for St. Nektarios.]

READ (as a group): Troparion for St. Nektarios

Who can tell us what a tribulation is? [a struggle]

Is the path to holiness easy? [no] What are some struggles that we may ENDURE on the path? [Allow time for responses.]

How do we get through the hard times in life when it seems like everything and everyone is against us? [Allow time for responses.]

Play music in the background as students arrive.

Display Lyric Slides

Display Verse Poster or Slide

Display Troparion Poster or Slide

What’s Needed:

• microphone

• posters: verse, saint, theme, troparion

• chairs/seating

• Music Leader and/or Music Leader Guide

• slides of song lyrics

• “The Path”

• “O Pure Virgin”

• “O Give Thanks Unto the Lord”

We are never alone. God is always with us. We can also call upon the Theotokos (the Mother of God) and the saints to intercede for us, especially in times of struggle. They are with us too! It was not easy for the saints, and it is not going to be easy for us either. But the good news is JESUS already paved the way for us! We just have to follow in His footsteps. The saints are examples to us because they followed the path: Repent, Seek Truth, Stand Firm, Witness, and Endure!

How does the candle [metaphor] remind us of the path to holiness?

Let’s take out our activity books and turn to page 43.

Like a Candle

Like a candle, we must stay lit with the Light of Christ.

When we sin, it is like the candle light is blown out.

Each time we repent, we relight our candle.

REPENT, RELIGHT, and REPEAT.

We need light in order to see and to SEEK the TRUTH.

Christ is the Light of the World. HE is the Truth we are seeking.

Imagine your candle standing firm in the sand after you light it.

Let us be like the candle and STAND FIRM in our faith.

When you let your candle light shine, you become a WITNESS. Let your light so shine “that others may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

A candle must ENDURE heat and fire. “Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure… for gold is tried in the fire.” (Wisdom of Sirach 2:2-5)

Be like a candle, offer yourself to God, endure the trials of this life, bear witness to the Light of Christ by standing firm in your faith, for “he who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY

Before class ends, give each child a beeswax candle and light yours only. Have them take light from you and from each other. (Remind them to be safe with their candles and to protect the light.)

Read:

Blessing of the Candles

O Lord Jesus Christ, the True Light that enlightens every man that comes into the world, pour out Your blessing on these candles and hallow them, that as they scatter the darkness of night, so also may our hearts be enlightened by the glowing of the Holy Spirit; and may we avoid the darkness of sin, seeing only those things that are pleasing to You. May we, having overcome the darkness of this world, attain the Light that never fades; for You are our Savior and Light, and to You do we send up glory, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Let’s celebrate our time together with our song of the week!

Closing Song

SING: “The Path”

Read:

What an incredible week we’ve had together at Super Saints!

Remember that true role models are the superheroes of our faith. Thank you for being part of our journey this week on the path to holiness.

If available, invite your priest to lead the Blessing of the Candles.

Display Lyric Slides

Icons

St. John the Forerunner

Sts. Constantine and Helen

St. Catherine

St. George

St. Nektarios

Jesus Christ

Troparia

St. John the Baptist

Wherefore, having contested for the truth, thou didst rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades: that God hath appeared in the flesh, taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy.

Troparion

Sts. Constantine and Helen

Having seen the image of Thy Cross in Heaven, and like Paul, having received the call not from men, Thine apostle among kings entrusted the commonwealth to Thy hand, O Lord. Keep us always in peace, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Friend of man.

Troparion

St. Catherine

Troparion

St. George Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and champion of kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.