Journal-News.com

BUTLER COUNTY — Area vacation Bible schools take a break this week for Independence Day. But starting July 6, more than 10 VBS programs will fill the balance of the month.

The break will be helpful at North Fairfield Baptist Church as organizers prepare for hundreds of children to attend Outriggers Island VBS July 6-10.

Brenda Blanchard, who is

helping direct the program with her husband Tony, said last year the highest attendance night was 250. They hope to break 300 this year.

The Gilmore Road congregation will hold the program starting at 6:30 p.m. each night. This year's Hawaiian theme will be evident with upbeat music, and children with leis around his or her neck and hula skirts on his or her waist.

Blanchard said the LifeWay VBS materials are focused on the ABCs of the Christian faith: Admit, Believe, Confess.

"The core is still teaching the basics of Christianity. Coming to know Christ as your savior," she said.

VBS programs have changed since Blanchard started helping with crafts when her then 3-year-old son participated 14 years ago.

One of the biggest changes is the use of PowerPoint materials making it possible to project the music, words and motions of songs on a screen.

"The lessons are still there, but the frills we have gotten use to are there too," she said.

For more information, call North Fairfield Baptist Church at (513) 868-0823.

Other VBS programs next week include:

• Stahlheber Baptist Church, 1800 Stahlheber Road, 6 p.m. July 8-11, (513) 887-1300;

• Trinity Pentecostal Church, 1356 Sample Road, Oxford, 7 p.m. July 8-11, (513) 756-9100;

• The Community Church, 5156 Hamilton-Middletown Road, Hamilton, 6 p.m. July 7-11, (513) 737-1656.