College Park is accepting Hurricane Relief Donations and we plan on making another trip to the East soon. Learn more here. Watch the video on Vimeo here.
All posts by Harrison Andrews
College Park Responds to Hurricane Florence
Addendum 1, Sept. 21, 2018:
Pastor Ramon Smith posted to Facebook on Sept. 21:
“In response to a couple of PM questions: 100% of the money you donate through College Park goes for supplies for hurricane victims. There are NO administrative fees or even transportation fees taken from your contributions. 100% of the supplies purchased go directly to Ministry partners in Grifton and Wilmington who have the capability to get the aid into the hands of those who need it. The supplies we send are not warehoused waiting for distribution, they are put into hands…to help people!
“Feel free to PM me if you have other questions.
“Shalom”
Ramon’s email address ramon@collegepark.ws.
Posted September 16, 2018.
Brothers and Sisters, College Park will be coordinating and implementing the distribution of survival and cleanup supplies to the coastal area of NC.
The first and most immediate need is for non-perishable food items and other basic supplies to be sent to Grifton Mission Ministries on Thursday morning. These supplies are needed ASAP and we will be collecting them in the Gym Lobby as you come into the church. These will be loaded Wednesday night and then leave town early Thursday.
Needed immediately:
- Non-perishable foods (with pop tops where applicable)
- Water
- Personal hygiene items
- Food is critical for daily survival for those who have lost pretty much everything they own
These items can be dropped off 8:30 am till 4:30 pm during the day, as well as 6:00-8:00 pm Tuesday evening, and of course Wednesday evening also.
We will also be continuing to gather other items to be used for weeks in the recovery efforts. We will continue reinforcing Grifton Mission Ministries and add to that a Wilmington presence with a cooperative effort with Impact Church in Wilmington.
The items needed going forward will include the above-listed items PLUS:
- Gloves (disposable and work)
- N-95 Masks
- Flathead shovels
- Insect repellent
- Concrobium in the gallon size (or similar)
- Plastic storage containers
- Plastic/trash bags (all sizes)
- Household cleaners
- 5-gallon buckets.
These items can be dropped off at the same time and should be transported at the beginning of next week as Wilmington area is opening up.
If you are not able to purchase items, you can send a donation to the church through our online giving option on the church website, or give staff a check designated for hurricane relief.
Be the hands and feet!
Shalom
College Park Prepares for Hurricane Florence
As Hurricane Florence approaches North Carolina, College Park is taking steps to prepare for any schedule changes. As with any inclement weather situation, we encourage everyone to watch local news for the latest updates and check our website for any updates and scheduling interruptions.
In the event of an inclement weather event, church services or other events might be canceled or delayed. Even when services or other events are held in inclement weather, each person should use his/her own discretion in trying to get to church. Learn more about our Inclement Weather Policy and see FAQs here.
We also ask that you pray for all those in the path of Florence. Pray for the first responders and disaster relief personnel, and for a safe and smooth evacuation.
Hurricane relief efforts are currently underway by many different organizations in North Carolina and the eastern coast. If you would like to learn more about these efforts please visit these websites of partner organizations: NC Baptist Men Website, NC Baptist Men Hurricane Page, Pilot Mountain Baptist Association website, and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina website.
As North Carolina and the eastern coast prepare for Hurricane Florence, please stay safe. Also, for the latest hurricane updates, disaster information, and preparedness tips, go to http://www.ReadyNC.org and download the ReadyNC app.
Pinterest with a Purpose
Women of all ages and stages are invited to “Pinterest with a Purpose,” a fellowship-filled event to creatively reach our community for Christ on Friday, September 21, from 7-9pm in the Old Fellowship Fall (Building D, Level 1). We will be making handcrafted gifts that we hope will be a blessing and lead to an opportunity to share Christ with others. Childcare will be available. Come to enjoy the fun and fellowship!
Children’s Sunday is December 9!
Join us for worship at 11 am on Sunday, December 9 as our children lead us in worship the during Advent season. We will have Bible Study & Small Groups at 10 am and then a combined worship service at 11 am (there will be no Re:Creation worship service on Dec 9). See you there!
Operation Christmas Child Boxing Party is Nov 7!
The Operation Christmas Child Boxing Party will begin at 6:30 pm on November 7. Our youth and children will be boxing up all of the items collected in the Operation Christmas Child Collection Drive. Help our youth and our children make a difference this Christmas for children around the world by donating items!
Operation Christmas Child Collection Drive starts in late October
Our Operation Christmas Child Collection Drive will begin in late October and end on November 7. Help our youth and children make a difference this Christmas for children around the world!
Bus Station Ministry returns Sept 19
Youth Bus Station Ministry for September will be on the 19th. We will leave the church at 6pm, dinner will be available before we leave for the youth going. We invite all youth to participate in this missions experience.
Youth Dodgeball Fellowship is September 9
September 9, 5-8pm
Our church is hosting a fun night of ducking, dipping, diving, and dodging! Several churches from our area will be coming to College Park for a youth dodgeball fellowship. We will also have 9-square and pizza to go along with the dodgeball! It is going to be a great night. Youth plan to join.
The Youth Fall Retreat is Coming!
November 16-18 at Ridgecrest
The highlight of our year is the Fall Retreat at Ridgecrest every November. Over 300 youth and adult leaders gather the weekend before Thanksgiving each year to worship, grow, and fellowship together. We combine worship, Bible study, recreation, and fellowship events into a powerful weekend.
Teenagers lives can be so difficult. Our fast-paced, ultra-competitive world magnifies the pressures our teenagers feel. Social media only intensifies these existing burdens. Many live with secrets and hidden sin that can make teenagers feel isolated and alone. Often under the intense desire to fit in, teenagers make decisions that lead to hurt, shame, and even sin.
Praise God there is freedom in Christ…
Fall Fest is October 31!
October 31, 5-7pm, FREE event
Join us for our annual Fall Family Festival! Free food, fun, games, and CANDY.
We’ll have:
- Many inflatables including a giant slide and bouncy house
- A hot dog dinner with sides and desserts
- Trunk or Treat for the kids
- Lawn Games including corn hole
- Face painting and Fairy hair stations
- Popcorn and snow cone booths
- A Selfie Station
- And more!
We hope to see you there!
This is a free event.
Learn more at www.CollegePark.ws.
We Need You for Wednesday Night Supper!
Plans are being made to continue Wednesday Night Supper meals for the new school year, but help is needed. Meal team leaders/helpers, servers, set-up, clean-up, and occasional help are all needed. Please contact Carolyn Matthews if you are willing and able to help in any way. If you are not able to volunteer for a regular meal rotation but you or a small group can prepare one or two meals during the year, that will help a lot! The more people involved, the better!
Contact Carolyn through email (carolyn@thematthews.ws) or phone (336-407-2683).
Destination X #4 – Dash game!
There have been some memorable trips this summer. We are excited about the final Destination X of the summer this Friday night, August 10! We are headed to the Dash game. Tickets are $10. We leave the church at 6:15.
Sign up by emailing Jeff (jeff@collegepark.ws), Matt (matt@collegepark.ws) or putting your name on the list at the Welcome Center by Wednesday night.
It’s going to be a fun night! Come on out to the ballpark!
Sunday Night Schedule returns soon
Our regular Sunday Night Schedule will return on September 9. We will have Youth activities starting at 4:30 pm. Learn more here.
Wednesday Night Schedule returns soon
Our regular Wednesday Night Schedule will return on September 5. We will have Wednesday Night Dinner at 5:45 pm, followed by Adult Bible Study at 6:30 pm and Children’s Choirs at 6:30, Youth Missions at 6:45 pm, and Children’s Mission groups at 7 pm. Learn more here.
Celebration Sunday is August 26
It is time to kick off the new year and we want YOU to be a part of it all. So we have a special event for the entire family. This will be a Sunday of Celebration, Class Promotion, and Worship! All preschool, children, and youth families are invited to be a part. We will enjoy a special celebration during Bible Study at 10 am including breakfast in Smith Hall. Come for either worship service (Re:Creation service at 9 am or the Traditional Worship Service at 11 am) and stay for the kick off celebration!
Our Promotion Sunday and the Service of Affirmation will take place on August 26.
Prayer Partner Ministry set to begin August 26
A powerful part of what we do at College Park is our Prayer Partner Ministry. Every child, youth, and college student in our church is partnered with an adult who prays for them on a regular basis throughout the school year. With the new school year about to begin, we will be reshuffling our prayer partners. At the end of Celebration Sunday on August 26, every student in our church will have am envelope available to be picked up by our adult church members. All we ask of our adults is to keep these students in their ongoing prayers as well as communicate with them on a periodic basis. This is a simple task that has an eternal impact. Please pray about being part of this invaluable ministry.
Please note: If you wish to continue with your current prayer partner for the coming school year, please let Jeff know by August 11.
Childcare Coordinator Position Now Open
The Childcare Coordinator position is now open for applicants. This is a paid, part- time position that requires 10-12 hours per week. The position provides childcare for Wednesday and Thursday nights during the week along with special church events throughout the year. If you are interested or know someone who is, please have them contact Jeff in the church office.
Childcare Coordinator Changes Coming
For over five years, Miss Whitney Pernell has faithful served as our Childcare Coordinator. She has worked in this capacity since 2013. Her love and Christ- like countenance has served our families with great care and concern over the years. Her smile always greeted the kids and their families whenever they came to church.
As of this summer, Whitney has reluctantly decided to step down from this position. There are several exciting changes happening in her life which will make continuing this position impossible. We celebrate with her on these life changes.
We are so thankful for Whitney’s faithfulness over these last five years. We know that God has used her to do incredible things in the lives of our families. Our prayers go with her as God leads her into this exciting new day. Thank you Whitney!!
The Childcare Coordinator position is now open for applicants. This is a paid, part- time position that requires 10-12 hours per week. The position provides childcare for Wednesday and Thursday nights during the week along with special church events throughout the year. If you are interested or know someone who is, please have them contact Jeff in the church office.
Second Mission Day | Day 4 | NYC Mission Trip
Today groups 1 and 2 worked in a senior center in the morning. They helped with a food and clothing pantry.
Groups 3 and 4 in the morning worked at a East New York Farms in Queens. We did everything from transplanting vegetables to making compost.
Both groups 1 and 2, 3 and 4, did a neighborhood immersion experience. Groups 1 and 2 were in Washington Square, while groups 3 and 4 were in Union Square. This involves finding out the rent price of a nearby 1 bedroom apartment, going to a ‘mom and pop’ shop and asking various questions about how long they have been there and how the neighborhood changed, and finally everyone was given $2 to spend on dinner, the groups could pull their money together and get themselves something to eat or get food for a homeless person. This experience was very touching meaningful to many in the group because it opened our eyes to how being homeless in NYC really is and it challenged us to get out of our comfort zone and approach people we’ve never seen or talked to before.
Afterwards we all went and saw Spongebob Squarepants on Broadway in the Palace Theatre. It was a very fun and exciting musical and everyone in the group enjoyed it. Also, a friend of Jeff’s played a major character (Mr. Krab) in the musical.
It was a very fun day and we can’t wait for the rest of the week and the continued mission projects. We are feeling your prayers at work with us in NYC and we ask that you continue to pray for us. Thanks to everyone!
(We apologize for this late post, we got back late from the show and there was no time to publish the post)