• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

All 'powered up' at Lakewood Ranch area church

Oasis Church holds game-themed VBS.


  • By Pam Eubanks
  • | 9:45 p.m. June 6, 2019
  • East County
  • News
  • Share

East County 5-year-old Judah Powell donned a green shirt and matching green hat with the letter "L" on as he attended the last day of Oasis Church's four-day "Power Up" themed Vacation Bible School June 6. He wanted to look like Luigi from the Nintendo Mario Bros. video game. 

Judah said he loved playing Mario Bros. games, especially Mario Kart, a driving game.

He pointed to his hat.

"I wonder how they make these Luigi hats at Party City," he said.

He and other children enjoyed nightly VBS activities centered on the Bible and themed around video games with arts and crafts, dodgeball, an obstacle course and music and dance. 

Five-year-old Judah Powell loves playing Mario Cart, among other Mario Bros.-inspired games.
Five-year-old Judah Powell loves playing Mario Cart, among other Mario Bros.-inspired games.
Gene Witt Elementary School student Hazel Fredericks, 5, completes the obstacle course with a grin. She also serves on the VBS worship team.
Gene Witt Elementary School student Hazel Fredericks, 5, completes the obstacle course with a grin. She also serves on the VBS worship team.
Ten-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident Kayla Boy plays dodgeball against the boys on her Yelping Yoshi team.
Ten-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident Kayla Boy plays dodgeball against the boys on her Yelping Yoshi team.
Ten-year-old Evan Carr hunts for the perfect opportunity to throw someone out while playing dodgeball.
Ten-year-old Evan Carr hunts for the perfect opportunity to throw someone out while playing dodgeball.
Sarasota's Gianna Colon teases by calling the other girls on her team
Sarasota's Gianna Colon teases by calling the other girls on her team "slow pokes" as she rushes through the obstacle course.
Ten-year-old Bella Cox and  9-year-old Megan Fader squirt friends on the sidelines as they finish an obstacle course.
Ten-year-old Bella Cox and 9-year-old Megan Fader squirt friends on the sidelines as they finish an obstacle course.
Lilah Peel, 4, is all smiles as she sings a song on stage with the other preschoolers.
Lilah Peel, 4, is all smiles as she sings a song on stage with the other preschoolers.
Teenage volunteers Savannah Langei and Kaylin Kitchens lead preschoolers in movements for a song they are performing on stage.
Teenage volunteers Savannah Langei and Kaylin Kitchens lead preschoolers in movements for a song they are performing on stage.
Nine-year-old Dallas Casto says he looks good in his Mario-inspired mustache.
Nine-year-old Dallas Casto says he looks good in his Mario-inspired mustache.
Teacher Josephine Ortiz teaches preschoolers Stella McCoy and Anna Sak about the
Teacher Josephine Ortiz teaches preschoolers Stella McCoy and Anna Sak about the "fruits of the Spirit."
Three-year-old Reagan Cheatham plays with her race car as she awaits a snack of fresh fruit.
Three-year-old Reagan Cheatham plays with her race car as she awaits a snack of fresh fruit.
Four-year-old Evan Parton digs into a healthy post-dinner snack after several VBS activities.
Four-year-old Evan Parton digs into a healthy post-dinner snack after several VBS activities.

 

Latest News

Manatee County's District 1 commission seat was left vacant after Carol Felts died suddenly Feb. 24.
  • April 8, 2026
Manatee County District 1 commission seat open for applications
Construction has advanced quickly from Feb. 8 when this aerial photo was taken. The vantage point shows how close the school is from one of the runways at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
  • April 8, 2026
Manatee Technical College flying into SRQ with new aviation program
Five more hotels are in the works for Lakewood Ranch.
  • April 8, 2026
Five new hotels slated for Lakewood Ranch
Traffic is often bumper to bumper on Gulf Drive South. During spring break, even rainy days didn’t stop tourists from flocking to Anna Maria Island.
  • April 8, 2026
Longboat has a Bradenton Beach traffic problem

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in News

Manatee County's District 1 commission seat was left vacant after Carol Felts died suddenly Feb. 24.
  • April 8, 2026
Manatee County District 1 commission seat open for applications
Five more hotels are in the works for Lakewood Ranch.
  • April 8, 2026
Five new hotels slated for Lakewood Ranch
Construction has advanced quickly from Feb. 8 when this aerial photo was taken. The vantage point shows how close the school is from one of the runways at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
  • April 8, 2026
Manatee Technical College flying into SRQ with new aviation program
Florida Statute 1001.42(4)(f)2 will require high schools, including Braden River High (pictured) and Lakewood Ranch High, to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. unless the district submits paperwork and gets accepted to keep the current start times.
  • April 7, 2026
Manatee County School District might fight starting time mandate
Greenbrook's Tara Poulton is running for Manatee County's District 6 commission seat.
  • April 7, 2026
Lakewood Ranch resident brings government experience to District 6 race
John Atanassov and Joel King, co-owners of Blu Kouzina, are eager to serve and get to know new customers at their new location at University Town Center.
  • April 6, 2026
Blu Kouzina adds its Greek flavor at University Town Center

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free