Churches in Maryland/Delaware are reaching out to neighbors in love, going past the handshake to welcome first time guests in a brand-new way, learning to share the Gospel with others nearby and around the world, understanding the true meaning of worship, and serving across generational lines.
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord, ” Romans 12:11
Elders Baptist Church in Sykesville, Md., hosted their annual “Keenagers” banquet on Feb. 17. The youth group of sixth to twelfth graders served the seniors in style.
Teens at Elders Baptist Church served the “Keenagers” at their annual banquet.
Minister to Students Chad Grisham said the banquet is always a hit with the youth and older adults alike.
“The kids pick all of the music and skits, and they work on it to get it ready for the big day,” Grisham said.
This year they chose a 60’s theme. Teens decorated the hall, and the church’s hospitality team served a buffet meal of pork, mashed potatoes, and green beans. The teens took drink orders and served desserts. After dinner, the youth provided the entertainment.
“This year we had ‘Walter Cronkite’ who gave news bulletins from the ’60s between different songs,” Grisham said with a chuckle. The teens performed Elvis’ “Hound Dog;” The Temptations’ “My girl;” Chubby Checker’s “The Twist;” and the Crystals,’ “Then He Kissed Me.”
Eighteen teens served over sixty “keenagers.”
Faith Baptist Church in Glen Burnie, Md., wants to help first-time visitors have the best experience possible. They’ve developed a “Plan Your Visit” opportunity. Visitors can go online and decide what service they’ll attend, share a few details, and then the FBC staff takes it from there.
They greet visitors at the door, give them a tour of the church, introduce them to the pastor, get them checked in to kids church, save seats, and even offer to sit with them during the service.
Riva Trace Church in Davidsonville, Md., is hosting the Washington DC area “Worship Seminar,” on March 9, led by Tom Kraeuter, a worship specialist who has written 20 books on the subject and shares at various events, working with at least 40 denominations.
The seminar is for all Christians and it’s designed to teach worship from a biblical perspective. Registration is from 8:30 to 9 am, and the seminar is from 9 am to noon, with a separate session for worship leaders from 1:15 pm to 3:45 pm. Read more about this event and register online.
Colonial Baptist Church, in Randallstown, Md., will have their annual missions conference, March 8 to 10. The three-day event kicks off with a concert by “Unashamed Praise” from 7 to 9 p.m. “Unashamed Praise,” is the church’s youth and young adult team of praise singers and dancers who will lead a night of worship.
On Saturday, starting at 9 am, there will be missions-focused activities for children and breakout sessions for adults. The breakouts include, “Reaching the Millennials;” “Engaging Internationals,” and “Witnessing in Everyday Conversations.” Lunch will be provided.
Pies and more pies! The Susquehanna Baptist Association will have their annual pie sing social on Feb. 23.
From 9 am to 12:30 pm, on March 10, International Mission Board missionaries will share stories from the field, followed by Keynote Speaker Ken Weathersby at 10:30 a.m. Weathersby is vice-president for convention advancement on the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. The conference is free.
Susquehanna Baptist Association will have their annual “Pie Sing Social, “at 6 pm on Feb. 23, at Calvary Baptist Church in Bel Air, Md. Each year SBA churches bring their choirs and praise teams to lead songs. They also bring pies. After the service, they fellowship together over the desserts.