Sunday Night Worship at The Storehouse
Seven months ago, we started what Julie termed our “Sunday night worship at The Storehouse”. That organization graciously offered their property and we began to serve meals to anyone and everyone from 4:30-6:30 PM every Sunday. The Fresh Market got us going with their dated bread and desserts; later on they began giving us their refrigerated deli and fruit products, as well as occasional produce. We also were offered ice every Sunday from the Burger King directly behind the church. Church members and other volunteers have prepared soup and other hot dishes to complement the meal.
As of this week (31 consecutive Sundays), we have served approximately 140 different individuals and over 500 meals overall. And just as important, we have developed new friendships as we join each other around the table and share stories. I no longer can drive down Seventh Avenue without recognizing someone I know. I did for ten years and never really noticed anyone walking down the street. Now my car window goes down and I am calling out to someone by name; without exception I receive a big wave of the hand as I go by.
There are many stories to tell about many of those people, and you will be able to read some of those stories in the coming weeks. The latest is a good one to start with, although it is not about any of the personal relationships we have established. We had discussed for a couple of weeks the idea of having a cookout Sunday July 3 to celebrate Independence Day with our dinner guests. On the Sunday before (June 26), when Erick at The Fresh Market rolled out the carts with the food for the day, there in one of the carts were 12 packages of Hebrew National Hot Dogs. That was the first time we had received that item in the seven months we had been picking up food there. Yes, we decided at that moment we would definitely have a cookout the next week. This past Sunday, between 40 and 50 people joined us in The Storehouse parking lot for grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, watermelon and strawberry shortcake. That was in addition to the many salads and sandwiches we had received from The Fresh Market.
I encourage and challenge you to assist us just one Sunday afternoon. But I warn you; you must be very careful. You too may not be able to drive on the streets of Hendersonville with out seeing someone you recognize, and have that uncontrollable urge to call out to your new friends!
As of this week (31 consecutive Sundays), we have served approximately 140 different individuals and over 500 meals overall. And just as important, we have developed new friendships as we join each other around the table and share stories. I no longer can drive down Seventh Avenue without recognizing someone I know. I did for ten years and never really noticed anyone walking down the street. Now my car window goes down and I am calling out to someone by name; without exception I receive a big wave of the hand as I go by.
There are many stories to tell about many of those people, and you will be able to read some of those stories in the coming weeks. The latest is a good one to start with, although it is not about any of the personal relationships we have established. We had discussed for a couple of weeks the idea of having a cookout Sunday July 3 to celebrate Independence Day with our dinner guests. On the Sunday before (June 26), when Erick at The Fresh Market rolled out the carts with the food for the day, there in one of the carts were 12 packages of Hebrew National Hot Dogs. That was the first time we had received that item in the seven months we had been picking up food there. Yes, we decided at that moment we would definitely have a cookout the next week. This past Sunday, between 40 and 50 people joined us in The Storehouse parking lot for grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, watermelon and strawberry shortcake. That was in addition to the many salads and sandwiches we had received from The Fresh Market.
I encourage and challenge you to assist us just one Sunday afternoon. But I warn you; you must be very careful. You too may not be able to drive on the streets of Hendersonville with out seeing someone you recognize, and have that uncontrollable urge to call out to your new friends!
Posted by Phillip Allen at 7/8/2011 2:17 PM 
Categories: Providence Baptist Church
Tags: homeless feeding Seventh Avenue Historic District The Fresh Market Providence Baptist Church Hendersonville NC
Categories: Providence Baptist Church
Tags: homeless feeding Seventh Avenue Historic District The Fresh Market Providence Baptist Church Hendersonville NC
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