Things are happening
on Wednesday evenings here at Westmoreland Baptist Church, and many folks are missing out on the blessing. By last Summer the former
Wednesday evening church “Prayer Meeting and Bible Study” attendance had
dwindled down to about a dozen people in attendance. With our Student and Children’s
Ministries meeting on Sunday evening, and nothing for them on Wednesdays,
family attendance had fallen down to nearly nothing. We knew that something needed to be done to inject
some energy and interest in our mid-week service. After much prayer – and overcoming the always
present Baptist “fear of change” about a year ago we decided to go for it.
First of
all, we moved the location of the service to the gymnasium across the alley in
our Multi-Purpose building. Naturally,
the Gospel is what Church is all about.
Everything we do must be Gospel focused, so Bible Study is still the key
in our Wednesday night get-togethers. We
have just finished a yearlong Bible Study entitled the “Disciple’s Path: The
Journey”. On August 7th we
will begin a new Bible study that will take us through the end of 2019. This
study is one I have compiled over the years and is entitled, “From Here to
Eternity”. It is a study in the doctrine
of last things – a subject in which there is great interest among almost
everyone. While it is an excellent study
for church members, this Gospel centered message would also be great for us to
bring unsaved friends to hear, as well. Study guides will be provided to all
who attend, and there is no charge for the materials. This study is for adults and students from
middle school age – up.
The second
thing that has changed on Wednesday evening is activity for the children. Our Children’s Choir Ministry has been
incorporated into the mid-week schedule.
This activity is overseen and directed by Josh and Mindi Spurgeon, and
participation in this has exploded. They
started out with 8 children, and now they have already outgrown their Children’s
Choir room with 19 children involved! The
Children’s Choir will share their talents with the congregation periodically on
Sunday mornings. Child care is also
provided for the little ones who are not yet old enough to be in Children’s
Choir on Wednesday evenings.
All of the
above activities take place at 6:00 PM
The third change
we have incorporated for mid-week service is a Family/Fellowship Meal at 5:15
PM. This, obviously, is not an original
concept, but it is new for us on Wednesday evenings. This has proven to be a
real blessing to working families who have little time to prepare an evening
meal between getting home from work and getting the family out to church. I am so thankful for the ladies in our Bible
Study who have taken on the responsibility of planning menus and taking turns
in preparing the Wednesday evening meal.
I think
that anyone who has been involved in our changes in the mid-week services will
agree that these changes have been positive in nature. Attendances shows
that. Our highest attendance has been 58
and there has been a good turn out each week – even during these Summer
vacation times.
So, whether
you have a family, or are a single person, there is something for everyone here
on Wednesday evenings. There is good food and fellowship with our “forever
family” of believers, ministry activity for the children, and the building of relationships, centered around the
study of God’s Word. It is in a
comfortable, informal setting and everyone is welcome!
Come for
dinner at 5:15, or just for Bible Study and/or Children’s Choir at 6:00 PM. Whichever you choose to do, we have a spot
for you. Don’t miss out on a good thing – come out and see for yourself!
