Faith is a powerful instrument. But faith becomes even more meaningful when paired with acts of service.

New Life Church's vacation Bible school (VBS) is an act of service geared toward youths. It's also a wonderful example of community outreach.

"Our mission is to reach out to the community and be a part of the community and share God with the community," said Julie Capaldi, New Life Church's children's pastor. "We want people to get to know us, and we want to know our community. First and foremost, we want the children to know that God loves them and that we care about them. We're not just the church on the corner. New Life Church wants to be known for sharing the love of Jesus. Our doors are open."

New Life's VBS is the church's most ambitious yearly community outreach. This year's VBS, themed "Go for the Gold" - a tribute to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris - will be conducted at the church, 1991 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. from Sunday, June 9, through Wednesday, June 12.

Children from Lancaster County who have completed the first through the sixth grades are eligible to attend.

The two-hour evening sessions will consist of a welcome song, Bible stories, relatable tales of famous athletes who could be considered role models and about 45 minutes of fundamental sports instruction. Children can choose to learn the basics of volleyball, basketball, flag football, soccer or cheerleading. Arts and crafts activities will also be available.

"We like to have fun. We like to laugh. We like to meet the families," said Capaldi. "The kids really like the sports instruction. They like to be active. Kids love to be outside and doing things. We find that the sports theme has been working really well. Our kids look forward to coming back to it."

Typically, up to 180 students from the Conestoga Valley, Manheim Township, Lampeter-Strasburg, Manheim Central, Pequea Valley, Penn Manor and Hempfield school districts, as well as the School District of Lancaster, attend New Life Church's VBS. The church also sponsors a weekly kids' church day and a youth group as part of its ministry for young people.

"Everybody in church gets ready for vacation Bible school," said Capaldi. "Our whole church gets behind us. Our whole church is excited about this, and everyone participates in one way or another."

Since being founded in the early 1980s, New Life Church has sponsored a VBS each summer.

"Vacation Bible school is a function of New Life's mission," said Jon Watson, New Life Church's director of young adults and small group ministries.

New Life Church has 133 members and 200 active attendees.

"One of our visions is to build a bridge to the community," said Jake Kelly, New Life Church's youth pastor. "We want it to be part of our DNA. We want to be a church where people come and participate."

For additional information about New Life Church's VBS or to register, go to http://www.newlifelancaster.org/vbs-registration.