Summertime and the churches are busy! Check out how these churches are doing outreach, celebrating the dedication of a new sanctuary, and even taking some time to play and relax!
“While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease” (Geneses 8:28).
Earlier in July, Restoration Church Pastor Anthony Petini and his wife, Alesia, took a group of youth to Black Hills Camp in West Virginia for a chance to escape the city and the day-to-day stress, and to just relax.
Another Petini, pastor of Restoration Church, and his wife Alesia, took a group of kids from Restoration Church to West Virginia for a 10-day camping trip.
Petini said the camp is a place for families, so the couple gathered up the church kids and brought them as their family for a retreat.
“We spent 10 days getting to know each other, and growing in the Lord,” Petini said. We played games, made crafts, enjoyed hot dogs and smores, and worshipped Jesus together.”
There was a snafu a few days prior to the trip when the van the church rented was no longer available. Long Green Church came to the rescue, offering their van free of charge. Petini said they are very grateful for that generous gift.
“The kids had a great time,” Petini said, adding that the whole trip was a wonderful way to spend time in the Lord’s presence together.
The blowing of the shofar signaled the beginning of Cresthill Baptist Church’s dedication of their newly renovated sanctuary on July 15 and symbolized their connection to the scriptural significance, connecting the old and the new in the church history, and calling the church to worship and praise God for His mighty deeds. The service was modeled on an Old Testament dedication of the temple.
Pastor Ray Green, connections minister, read Psalm 150 with passion as musicians and dancers led in praise. A catered lunch followed the service.
Mid-Maryland Baptist Association (MMBA) will host their second annual “Sportsman’s Day” starting at 8 a.m., on Aug. 25 on the grounds at Friendly Farms Restaurant.
The MMBA’s Sportsman’s Day last year drew over 100 participants.
The event was hugely popular last year with over 100 people participating, enjoying the fellowship and fun, and the meal which included elk burgers and venison stew.
Orientation begins at 8 a.m., followed by a shotgun shooting demonstration at 8:30, then fun shooting clay birds at 8:45. For those who prefer archery, there will be simultaneous archery demonstrations and wing shooting with “flu-flu” arrows and Frisbee thrower machines.
Youth may participate with a parent or adult sponsor.
Lunch and a devotional time begins at 11 a.m.
The cost is $15 per adult and $10 for children ages 10 to 15, and free for children under 10.
Register on the MMBA website by August 20.
North Glen Community Church (NGCC) will have their Saturday Night Live (SNL) monthly coffeehouse on July 23 featuring the band, “Instruments of Grace.” The coffeehouse has been going strong at the church for over 20 years, outlasting almost all of the local coffeehouses in the area.
There is no admission and members serve coffee, soft drinks, pizza, and other goodies free of charge. The church draws an average of over 100 people each month for the events. Paul Bachman, NGCC pastor, shares a devotional during a 15-minute break. It’s one of the church’s biggest ongoing outreaches.