Awana Children's Choirs Perform "Star of Wonder," A Christmas Musical

The Awana Children's Choirs perform "Star of Wonder," on Sunday, December 13 at Walnut Creek Downtown. 

The Awana Children's Choirs performed "Star Of Wonder," a Christmas musical of hope, on Sunday evening. The Downtown and Windsor Heights Awana locations joined together to perform, bringing about 125 children and their families to Walnut Creek Downtown for the Christmas Program.

Through scripture reading, songs, and dialogue, "Star Of Wonder" shares the story of the miraculous birth of Jesus. The cast of characters includes six different stars who are all awaiting the biggest announcement in history. Throughout the program, the stars discover that Jesus is the real star of Christmas.

The Cubbies perform a few songs before the musical begins. | Photo courtesy of Jill Udey

The Cubbies, children aged 3 to 4 years old, performed their songs first. Then the Sparks and Truth and Training groups took the stage to begin the musical. Some of the songs included "Hangin' Around The Heavens," "God Chooses Who He Uses," and "Big Band of Shepherds."

"The kids were really singing out. You could tell they enjoyed the songs," said Pastor Joel Swanson.

Prior to the program, Awana Music Directors Tiffany Fahy and Megan Coakley held two Saturday practices and a dress rehearsal the day of the musical. Children who had speaking roles also had additional practices.

"I am so proud of all of the Awana kiddos and the hard work they put into tonight's program," said Tiffany Fahy. "They looked beautiful on that stage, and they sounded amazing."

The Christmas Program was hosted at Walnut Creek Downtown and brought together the Windsor Heights and Downtown Awana locations. | Photo courtesy of Jill Udey

Megan Coakley thought the program went very well, especially because of the children's excitement and joy. "The kids were excited to sing their songs because when preparing for the program, I told them we were planning Jesus' birthday party," said Megan Coakley. "The Sparks and Truth and Training worked very hard each week to learn their songs. I loved when they really knew the songs and would sing their hearts out!"

Walnut Creek Kids Director Jacob Bennett, as well as Tiffany and Megan, would like to thank everyone who worked behind the scenes to make the program a success, including the tech crew, refreshments, leaders, and parents.

"I was encouraged to see God glorified through the mouths of so many children," said Jacob Bennett. "I’m really excited to see them grow in faith and see how God uses their lives in the future!"

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By Jackie Wallentin  

Walnut Creek Windsor Heights 

Vacation Bible School 2015: Camp Kilimanjaro

Over 180 kids "climbed" to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro this week during Vacation Bible School. The safari theme, Camp Kilimanjaro, brought the trekkers on an epic adventure through the Book of Proverbs as they learned that true wisdom comes only from the one true God.

Each night the kids, ranging from pre-kindergarten through 6th grade, rotated through stations including music, craft, game, Bible lesson, and snack time. Each activity reinforced the key verse and lesson for the day:

Day 1: Ears that hear and obey the Word of God
Day 2: Hearts that trust in the Lord
Day 3: Tongues that are tame
Day 4: Hands that get to work
Day 5: Feet that walk with the wise

Vacation Bible School was hosted at Walnut Creek Windsor Heights for all locations of Walnut Creek.

Trekkers learned five important lessons from the Book of Proverbs as they journeyed through Camp Kilimanjaro.

The closing ceremony each night included scenes from the safari drama, which told the story of a news team who traveled to a resort in Africa. As the team investigated signs of a Big Foot sighting, they learned about the wisdom of God and how to walk with the wise. The drama provided a fun way to reinforce the lesson learned each day and show practical ways to obey the key Bible verses from the week.

Each closing ceremony reinforced the key Bible lessons from the week as the drama followed a news team who learned about God's wisdom and walking with the wise. 

Vacation Bible School was hosted at Walnut Creek Windsor Heights from Sunday through Thursday evening. Over 135 different volunteers and parents helped throughout the week with the drama, game, music, and snack time, and leading as guides for the different age groups.

For more Camp Kilimanjaro resources, visit answersingenesis.org.

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By Jackie Wallentin  

Walnut Creek Windsor Heights

Spy Academy Vacation Bible School Begins Today

Walnut Creek Windsor Heights will host Vacation Bible School July 13–17. 

Grab your secret decoder ring and put on your rearview mirror glasses because this summer, your kids are heading to the International Spy Academy where they’ll train to become special agents for the one true God! This exciting Vacation Bible School program is filled with fun mysteries your kids will love and the Bible-based apologetics you trust to teach them truths they won’t forget.

The program begins today and will run through Thursday, July 17 at our Windsor Heights location (900 64th Street) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

There is no cost for participating in Vacation Bible School. Children 3 years old through 6th grade are welcome to participate. Please register your children through our church website, https://walnutcreekchurch.org/vbs.