Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the BPBC Leadership Committee and the congregation have given thoughtful consideration regarding our winter gathering options and our various areas of outreach. This memo intends to inform you on what’s happening in and through BPBC the next couple months.
Sunday Worship Service
After doing a survey of options, it’s apparent that most of our congregation (members/attendees) are comfortable with continuing to gather inside for worship service (Sundays at 10:30am), as we wear our PPE appropriately and social-distance. While a meeting regarding our possibly purchasing updated ventilation for the church building is on the horizon, for now we will make use the the different spaces we have, ie. fellowship room for extra space during worship service. A speaker and chairs will be set up in the Fellowship Room to serve as a sort of over-flow if we go beyond the allotted number of persons in the sanctuary. We will also continue our in-house Bible studies (Wednesdays and Saturdays). Our online livestream and ministries will continue as well (and will be listed on our church website).
Operation Christmas Child
This coming Sunday, November 22nd, we will have our Operation Christmas Child ‘packing party’ during our Worship Service. Sunday at 10:30am.
Pastor Michael Miano will be preaching a message regarding giving gifts and making amends, and our packing of boxes and praying will not only serve as a sermon illustration, but also will bring forth great joy among us and for others!
Please consider bringing any extra-shoeboxes you might have, items for placing in the boxes (bring whatever you want and whatever you have), and a heart that is ready and willing to serve.
P.S. – You can also donate online through our online box-packing portal. Here is the link, https://build-a-shoebox.samaritanspurse.org/view/5b344f02-6c0d-4863-880c-3d1af698897b
Thanksgiving Worship Service
This year we will have our “Giving of Thanks” Worship Service on Wednesday, November 25th.
We will have a small gathering outside (wether permitting, otherwise we will gather in the sanctuary) at 4pm in which we will go around and share our “thanks” during this season.
Also, we will have an online Zoom gathering at 7:30pm.
BPBC Harvest Dinner @ Home
Saturday, December 5th
Each home will be provided with a Common Prayer (for 2 or more people to participate in). We ask that you eat dinner and do Common Prayer between 5pm- 7:30pm. Take pictures!!! Pastor Mike will be collecting lists of what people had at their dinner tables and shared recipes. Be on the lookout for our upcoming newsletter – BPBC Thanksgiving/ Harvest Wrap-Up.
We will also have a Zoom Fellowship session at 8pm that evening.
Winter Bonfires
To foster further fellowship and to enjoy the winter chill, we will have 2 evenings of bonfires at BPBC. Join us for warmth in fellowship and fire, hot chocolate, warm apple cider, and roasted marshmallows. Both of the following evenings at 6pm:
Fri., December 11th
Sat., Jan 2nd (*this will serve as our New Year’s celebration)
Christmas Eve & Post – Christmas Service
On Thurs., Dec. 24th – we will host our annual Christmas Eve Worship service outside by the bonfire at 6:30pm. This will be a short time (6:30 – 7:15) of worship through exhortation and song, with the warmth of fellowship and bonfire.
On Sun., December 27th, during our worship service, we will host a post-Christmas giving game to continue Christmas-season fun, fellowship, and giving. Donations & gifts are being accepted. Think “grab bag” between $25 – $50.
Outreach
We have a variety of areas of outreach happening at and through The Blue Point Bible Church this winter season.
- The Attic (Donation Ministry) continues to collect any items you might choose to give. Think: anything you would put in your attic. We are specifically focused on coates, sweaters, and blankets.
- We are also putting a food donation box in the foyer of the church building and will accept all non-perishables. Please aim for items that can be individually-given.
- We are putting together “blessing boxes” with hygienic items, gifts (all ages), candy, and snacks leading up to Christmas and into the new year.
- Pastor Mike will preparing small plates (hot turkey sandwiches, butter smothered corn, and other sides & snacks) available for drop-offs for those in need to be given out on Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving.