Every first and third Sunday of the months June-October, Orchard Hill Church partners with Harvest Vineyard in their outreach called Picnic in the Park. Harvest was actually formed six years ago after several years of serving a meal and worshipping in the park on Sundays. Several folks were found regularly attending, and Judy and George Marshall, leaders at that time of Picnic in the Park, discerned that God had indeed started a church in the park.
Six years after moving into a building, Harvest continues to reach out to downtown residents with PIP. Orchard has come alongside by cooking and serving the meal, offering hospitality, and offering games for children in the park.
Each time that I am at PIP, I find Jesus in the following people and the following ways:
- the guest who is homeless and an addict (suffering and rejection)
- the person giving their testimony of new life in Christ (hope and power)
- the volunteer serving the meal (hospitality, "came not to be served but to serve")
- the person battling mental and physical health problems (hardship and perseverance)
- the children and those who play with them. (joy, love, value of a person, creativity)
- the park (beauty)
- the music and teaching (truth and devotion)
I pray that these encounters in the park will shine God's glory and that each individual present will encounter Jesus in a life-changing way at Picnic in the Park.
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