Janna Schulte, back left, and Charity Seyer, taught the 3 and younger class at the recent Vacation Bible School. Front, from left, were Katelynn Frasier, Jared Gibbs, Hunter Asher and Josh Stortz.

Shelly Holzum was the first-grade Bible school teacher, and Shelly Bodenstein was her student.

Morgan Pensel, left, and Barbara Gillard ate at the picnic lunch on church grounds the last day of Vacation Bible School at Emanuel United Church of Christ.

The Rev. Sam Roethemeyer, pastor of Emanuel United Church of Christ, left, took part in the activities with Austin Abernathy on the last day of Vacation Bible School.

Stories about Jesus relating to water, fish and the beach were the topics covered at Vacation Bible School this summer at Emanuel United Church of Christ.

The beach was brought to life with decorations, shells and various items relating to the sea put on display. Crafts made with treasures from the sea, and music focused on the topic.

But what would Vacation Bible School be without Bible stories?

The Scriptures from Mark 4:35-41, when Jesus calmed a storm and from Acts 16:11-15, when Lydia was converted, were two of the Bible stories all grades learned.

More details about the stories were offered according to grade levels. For example, third-graders learned the purple cloth Lydia sold, came from seashells in that region. They also learned the symbol for Christianity comes from the Greek word for fish.

The Heifer Project this summer was successful in collecting $274.81 in donations for teaching people to raise fish. Each year a different animal is chosen, and Vacation Bible School supports that project.