Following some weeks of planning, we hosted our Friends and Neighbours BBQ today, between 5 and 7.30pm.
The weather was fine, with some cloud, but fortunately a lot drier than our equivalent BBQ last year.
Bunting set up with welcome tent in the background
We set up one marquee in the car-park and the second one out in the park. In addition, we had a smaller marquee set out in the car-park as a welcome tent. Here, Pam and Angela greeted visitors and gave them the option to wear a sticky label with their name on.
The welcome tent
By 5pm the BBQ was lit, the tents and bunting were in place and we had a good turnout from those at Parkside.
Robert at the BBQThe marquee and BBQ in the car park
We had various quizzes ready as well as some games in the park and a treasure hunt.
The marquee and tables in the park
We were pleased to welcome some visitors along to the BBQ although were somewhat disappointed by the overall number of people joining us for the evening and will look to change things accordingly for next year.
We were able to welcome around 70 people to our latest Family Service, a big increase on numbers last month.
The service was once again chaired by David Hedges who had selected Jesus is Lord as an opening hymn before he opened in prayer.
Alan then ran though this month’s memory verse in the form of a short quiz. The verse is John 6:35 – Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”
This was followed by a number of children’s choruses which ended with I’m special before our visiting speaker, John Davies, from Reading came to speak.
John spoke simply and effectively and began by asking two questions:
How much does God think you’re worth?
How much is God worth?
God owns billions of stars and galaxies and has infinite resources available to Him. (Psalm 8) In comparison, we are nothing.
God sold everything He had because He saw each of us as treasure. The Son of God loved us and gave Himself for us. When God gave His son for each of us, he gave everything. God loves each of us more than anybody could love and spent everything that we can have forgiveness. All we have to do is believe and trust Him and we can have eternal life, peace and joy.
The closing chorus was Come and see followed by prayer.
Everyone then ventured out into the summer sunshine to enjoy freshly cooked BBQ food followed by a variety of puddings.
A smoky scene in the car parkSome of those gathered in the park
There was plenty of time to sit and chat in the park and before long a game or three of Kubb was underway.
A game of Kubb in full swingHappy couple, Judith and Brian take a break from the game
It was an excellent afternoon which went on until after 3pm before the final clearing up and dismantling of the marquee. Next time it will be used will be our Friends and Neighbours BBQ which is scheduled for August 13th.
I’m grateful to Lesley’s excellent notes from the Family Service which helped greatly with this post.
Parkside Christian Fellowship 