One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.”
So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep.
A squall came down on the lake so that the boat was being swamped,
and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying,
“Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind
and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “
Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.
Luke 8:22-25
As followers of Christ, we are not exempt from life’s “storms” that come up unexpectedly in our lives. In fact, following Christ will sometimes lead us into a storm, as was the case with His disciples in Luke 8. Some of Christ’s disciples were experienced fishermen and had certainly encountered storms on the Sea of Galilee before, but this particular storm was apparently far more serious than the ones they had experienced before. The scriptures say “...and they were in great danger,” and so they cried out to Jesus to save them.
We can learn a couple of things from this passage of Scripture. First, when we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed by life’s storms, we need to cry out to Jesus. He has promised to “never leave you or forsake you.” He is closer to us, now, than He was to the disciples in the boat that day because the Holy Spirit lives in us. And secondly, we need to trust Him to get us through the storm. Life’s struggles will not undo God’s plans and purposes for our lives. In fact, He orchestrates many of them to deepen our faith and perfect our character, conforming us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:28-29).
After today, there are only seven weeks left in the 2024-25 school year. I am praying for smooth sailing as we finish out the year. But if a storm or two comes up unexpectedly, let’s be sure to lean into Jesus, the “author and perfecter of our faith.”
Shepherding His Lambs,
David Funk
Superintendent, VCA
SENIOR MISSION TRIP: Thank you to everyone who helped to support our Senior class as they raised funds for this year’s mission trip to Harlingen, TX. The group left VCA this morning at 6:30 am and will be gone through Thursday, April 11. They will be working with Adventures in Missions with the ministry’s food distribution program and helping with needs at area nursing homes and two churches. Would you join us in praying for their safety as they travel and while they are in TX and that their ministry would have a lasting impact on those they serve?
SOLAR ECLIPSE: April 8 is the date for the solar eclipse. It won’t happen again for another 80 years, so this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As a school, VCA will be providing approved solar eclipse viewing glasses for our students to wear under supervised viewing. It should be visible in our area between 12:15 and 2:10 PM. If you prefer that your student not participate, we will make arrangements for them to be supervised and watch it live-streamed inside their school building.
INCOMING 9TH-GRADE PARENTS: Mrs. Thomae will be having two informational meetings for parents to attend (students are welcome) to explain Indiana Graduation Pathways, 9th-grade schedules, and electives offered for 9th graders. The meetings will be at 3:20 pm at the North Campus in Room 104 on the following days: Tuesday, April 9th, and Tuesday, April 16th. The meetings will last about 30 minutes. Please let her know which meeting you will be attending, so she can plan accordingly. If you are unable to make the meetings or wish to have an individual meeting, please contact her.
ATHLETIC CALL OUT MEETINGS: Please contact Athletic Director, Kyle Whitaker (athletics.director@vcacademy.info) for more information. All meetings will be held at the North Campus. Athletes and at least one parent are asked to attend.
Middle School Boys Soccer for boys entering grades 6 through 8 for the 2024-2025 school year, Monday, April 8, 4:00 pm
High School Volleyball for all girls entering grades 9-12 for the 2024-2025 school year, Friday, April 12, 3:15 pm
Middle and High School Cross Country for all girls and boys entering grades 6-12 for the 2024-2025 school year, Monday, April 15, 3:30 pm.
READ-A-THON: For those who are new to our school, this is a chance for the students to show off their reading skills and raise money to enhance the learning environment in our classrooms. The Read-A-Thon will be from Saturday, April 6 - Sunday, April 21. All money and minutes must be turned in no later than Monday, April 22 @ 10 am to count towards the prizes.
Prizes will be given for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place students who collect the most money.
Prizes for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place students who have read the most minutes.
The class with the most money collected will receive a class prize and the class with the most minutes read will receive a class prize.
Collection forms will be sent home with each student today so that minutes and money can be tracked. The four ways a person can give are:
Text the word READ to 219-533-0229 (write the child’s name in notes)
(write child’s name in notes)
scan the QR code on the flier (write the child’s name in the notes)
Check (please put ReadAThon/Child’s name in the memo)
Dress-up days for Read-A-Thon:
Week of April 8-12
Monday - Crazy sock day
Tuesday - Favorite Color day
Wednesday - Wacky day
Thursday - Hat Day
Friday - Sports Day
Week of April 15-19
Monday - Crazy Hair Day
Tuesday - Neon/Bright Color Day
Wednesday - Super Hero/Cartoon Character Day
Thursday - Pajama Day
Friday - Purple and Gold Day - School Spirit
"BE THE LIGHT” SPRING CONCERT: Our spring concert featuring 3rd-HS music students will be held at Valley Baptist on Thursday, May 2nd at 6:30 pm. Students were given an informational letter today with more details. Please email Mrs. Mocabee at hmocabee@vcacademy.info with any questions.
OPPORTUNITY TO DONATE: Now through May 13th, 2024, Every Child Ministries is collecting all types of gently worn, used, and new shoes: sneakers, boots, dress shoes, sandals, athletic and casual shoes - even flip flops and slippers. We want them all! ECM will earn funds based on the total weight of the shoes collected as Funds2Orgs will purchase all the donated footwear. Those dollars will benefit the Next Step Program of Every Child Ministries. (https://ecmafrica.org/child-pages/next-step-summary )
All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of microenterprise partners in developing nations. Funds2Orgs helps impoverished people start, maintain, and grow businesses in countries such as Haiti, Honduras, and other nations in Central America and Africa. Proceeds from the shoe sales are used to feed, clothe, and house their families." Donations can be dropped off at both campuses starting April 2nd through May 13th.
FAFSA for SENIORS: A quick reminder, the Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act 167 in the Spring of 2023, which requires ALL high school seniors to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or opt out of filing by April 15th. The FAFSA opened in December and you can complete the FAFSA through this website, https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.