Wednesday Night Worship

On February 5, 2025, a group of believers took a leap of faith and started a new ministry called Wednesday Night Worship. We had a vision of providing a different type of worship experience centered around a communal meal for those who couldn't attend church on Sundays or maybe weren't comfortable with that worship setting. We didn't know what to expect or even who might attend, but we did know that God was calling us to something. 

The last year has not always been easy. We have had ups and downs. We have explored new ways of offering a meal and worked together to determine how to structure and finance this ministry. I will be honest with you, there have been some difficult moments between church leaders regarding requests for increased funding and moments of disagreement over outcomes and how to determine the success of this ministry. But through it all, many of us who have nurtured this initiative have always remained faithful to God's call on our hearts to provide a welcoming, inclusive space where God is worshiped, people are fed and relationships are built.

After a particularly candid meeting at the end of last year, one of the leaders of this ministry said to me, "I know God is not done yet." She was so right! The next week, we started seeing new people arrive on a regular basis. Our core group of attenders became even more connected and committed to attending every week and church members stepped up to provide meals - so many that we have never had to use the additional money we requested at the end of last year. Almost every week this faithful leader reminds me of that meeting where we committed to continue this ministry for long enough to determine it's fruitfulness. She smiles and posts out what we are now seeing God do in our midst. 

Let me tell me about what God is doing. Last year, our only adult baptism was a young man who started coming to Wednesday Night Worship right at the beginning and made incredibly close friendships with the people there. Every week we welcome 5-6 (sometimes more) people who need a meal and some fellowship and they all stick around for worship. We see new people on a regular basis. Tonight we will welcome four new members into the church at Wednesday Night Worship. We are growing leaders who preach and lead worship at this service and incredibly deep relationships have formed. Last week (and some weeks prior) we put all the tables together because the 26 people who were there wanted to eat their meal together (see the picture above).

If you ask me, "Is Wednesday Night Worship worth the time (and minimal money) we devote to it?" My answer will be "Absolutely, Yes!" Wednesday Night Worship reminds of the early church in the Book of Acts, 

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)

If you haven't yet visited us at Wednesday Night Worship, I hope you will soon. You will be glad you did! And, by the way, if you'd like to volunteer or provide a meal, please let us know!

Grace and Peace

-Pastor Madeline