The interior of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lehighton, was turned into the depth of the ocean during the closing program of Vacation Bible School.

The program, held Thursday evening, included the 68 children enrolled in the weeklong program that was directed by Kelli Carpenter. Moderating the program was dive chief, the Rev. Robert vonFrish, pastor of the church, and Ocho the Octopus, a puppet who had lots to say.The program was split into five insights to represent the five days of lessons, crafts, activities and fun that was part of the week long Vacation Bible School. The theme was "Operation Overboard: Dare to Go Deep with God." Children in the community from 3 years old through sixth grade were invited.The insights were "Depend on God," "Dare to Care," "Claim Jesus," "Choose to Follow," and "Change the World."The large group of children was split into four groups, some were penguins, others were dolphins, turtles or sea lions. All had a part in singing songs or reading Bible verses.During the program, all the children were spread throughout the church and all of the windows in the church were covered over with undersea themed panels, giving the church an undersea appearance.Carpenter said the closing program was a celebration of the weeklong activities. It combined music, puppet skits, a video segment and reading parts by several of the older children."During Operation Overboard, we divers have been daring to go deep with God," said the dive chief, wearing toy scuba gear, as he spoke. "Now we're ready to resurface and share what we've learned with the world."He said that youngsters made some amazing discoveries.Ocho, welcomed everyone to the cove and encouraged the children to sing.Also making an appearance was Oogle, who was part of the video presentation that took the everyone 3,000 feet underwater into the "Twilight Zone," where animals create their own light.As each of the insights was demonstrated, the children "swam" to rotate around the room until they were at the front of the church.The Dive Chief, said, "During Operation Overboard, we have learned to go deep with God and have made some fantastic discoveries."