A DRIVE-IN SERVICE

“Preach the word;  be instant in season, out of season;”  (from 2 Timothy 4:2).

Weather permitting, tomorrow morning’s service at First Assembly of God of Framingham will be outdoors.  We have not done an outdoor service since 2000, so in a sense it’s going to feel a little weird.  Back in early 1997, the church bought a used 20’ X 30’ tent.  We used to erect it in our overflow dirt/gravel lot each summer.  For six Sunday nights during the summers of 1997 through 2000 we had outdoor tent services.  It was a LOT of work.  There was a LOT of lugging of chairs and equipment.  Our best responses to the services were in 1997.  Over the following years, the attendance was so-so and the response was just O.K.  The tent took up a LOT of storage room.  Several years ago, we gave it away.

I had thought my outdoor service days were over, but several months ago, one of our Members suggested we try to do some outdoor services.  Our church Board decided it was worth a try.  Tomorrow’s service is the only outdoor one we have scheduled for 2006, although there is a slight chance we’ll do it again during Labor Day weekend.  This time, we’re setting up in the paved lot near the church building.  People have the option to sit in their cars with the windows down, like a drive-in theater.  They also have been encouraged to bring lawn furniture, and to put on sun screen.  I like everything to work like clockwork, and I kind of like things easy and predictable.  This will be “anything but”.  I’m really not sure how all of the logistics will work.  No doubt, many will be hot and sweaty and uncomfortable, but that’s how church is for many people in the third world every Sunday.

It’s my prayer that at least one person will wander into the service and be ministered to.  That would be worth it all!  Dress for this Sunday is casual.  I’ll be wearing jeans and a tee-shirt.

If you’re in the Framingham area, we’d love to have you join us at 10:30 a.m. at our parking lot at South and Taylor Streets just off Route 135.