Midweek Ministries

Wednesdays are a special time at Bluff Park. Around 300 people gather for supper and over 400 people participate in a variety of classes, choirs, and activities. It’s one of the best things we do. After the summer break, we resume in September and continue every Wednesday night through Thanksgiving. Then we take a Thanksgiving - Christmas break and pick up again on after New Years. Come and join us.

THE MIDWEEK MEAL
The Midweek meal is served continuously in the fellowship hall from 5:00-6:30.  It’s a full meal: meat, vegetables, salad, dessert, bread, drink - with optional salad bar and potato bar with baked chicken.

 CHOIRS
Preschool Choir (ages 3-4)                  6:00-6:30
Young Musicians (grades K-5)             6:00-6:40
Wesley Choir (adults-8:45 service)        6:30-7:30
Chancel Choir (adults-11:00 service)      7:30-8:30
The nursery is open during Wesley and Chancel Choir rehearsals. New singers are always welcome. No auditions - just come to rehearsal.

*Youth Choir (grades 6-12) meet on Sunday's at 4:30.
 

 HANDBELLS

 
 FOR CHILDREN

A Nursery is provided for all babies and toddlers. The nursery opens at 5:30p.m. Preschoolers are also welcome and are taken to choir at 6p.m.

Our Preschoolers (3K and 4K) have a wonderful time starting at 6p.m. They have a rotating schedule that starts with choir in the 3 year old class, goes to the gym for recreation, and goes back to the 3 year old class room for their storytime.

M & M Kids  (Midweek Ministry for Kids)
This is for our elementary children who are in K5 through 3rd grade. They start at 5:30p.m. The children rotate through recreation, choir, and class. The class time focuses on mission and Bible activities for children.

4th &5th grade Fellowship
This is for our 4th and 5th graders. They start at 5:30p.m. The children rotate through recreation, choir, and class. The class meets upstairs on the Elementary Hall in the Zoo Room. Once a month we meet on a Sunday night for fun and fellowship.
 

  FOR YOUTH

Holy Ground Worship: 
Moses saw God in the burning bush and God told him that he was on Holy Ground. On Wednesday nights we will meet with God like Moses did on Holy Ground here at Bluff Park UMC. Holy Ground is a time we take in the middle of the week to refresh our hearts for God and worship Him with our peers. The typical service will involve announcements, a game, worship, and a short message. Each message will focus on a different aspect of our Christ and how He is relevant in our lives today. The service will begin at 6:30 and end at 7:30, but feel free to come at 5:30 and hangout. From 5:30 to 6:30 we will be playing Ping-Pong, Wiffle Ball, Ultimate Frisbee, and many more. Holy Ground will be focused on 6th -12th graders, but we welcome adults too. Come join us for Holy Ground and see what it is like to truly worship our loving God.
 

 PASTOR’S BIBLE STUDY
Reid Crotty leads a Bible Study at 4:30 and 6:30 in the Opportunity classroom. The sessions are identical. Bring your Bible (any translation) and join us. Beginning on September 5 will be a study of the Book of Judges. We’ll meet some fascinating characters and hear some interesting stories.

 BOOK STUDY CLASS
Lawton Higgs will lead a Book Study on Wednesday nights at 6:30, beginning September 19. The first book will be “United Methodist Beliefs” by our own Bishop William Willimon. Gain a better understanding of the Methodist understanding of the Gospel and approach to Christian discipleship. Other book studies will follow.
  
 
 FOR WOMEN
The Susan Truss Women’s Bible Study meets at 6:00 in the library. We will be participating in the churchwide study on native Americans and will begin Beth Moore's study of Esther on January 28, 2009 at 6:00.  Patricia Strayhan will be leading the study and we will be meeting in the Seekers classroom under the chapel.
  
 
 COOKING CLASS
The Cooking Class returns by popular demand. It will meet on October 3, 10, and 17 at 6:00 in the Fireside Room. Presenters will be:
Oct. 3 Mike Carillo, The Personal Chef
Oct. 10 Bill Tsantes, Executive Chef Teds and Teds To Go Catering
Oct. 17 Tommy Finley of T. Finley’s Restaurant
Another series of Cooking Classes will be offered in the Spring.   
 
 
 DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY
Becky Walker leads our Disciple Class at 6:00 in the Friendship Classroom. Beginning on September 5, she will teach “Invitation to Romans,” followed by either “Invitation to Genesis” or “Invitation to John,” depending on preferences of the class. These are the new intensive short-term Disciple studies.
 
 
 THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW
Carol Westbrook will lead this study at 6:15, beginning September 19. What was Israel like 4,000 years ago? Do our Western assumptions affect the way we view even the most well-known Scripture passage? Come join us as we delve into the Bible using cultural perspectives and archaeological discoveries through the video series “That the World May Know,” published by Focus on the Family. We will start at Tel Gezer; “Standing at the Crossroads.” Call Carol at 823-9093 for more information.
 
 
 COFFEE AND CONVERSATION
One of our most popular Midweek offerings is Coffee and Conversation. We have a group of people who enjoy relaxing in the dining room after supper with a cup of coffee. A lot of people have limited opportunities for adult conversation during the day. It’s a great time to sit down in a quiet place and unwind with friends. No agenda - no lesson - no schedule. Just rest and relaxation.
 
 
 HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL
Our annual Halloween Carnival is on October 29. Over 500 people from the church and community will enjoy games, fun activities, Cake Walk, Chili and Hot Dog supper, and Moonwalk. The carnival takes the place of all Midweek activities for that night. Come in costume. It’s always a highlight of the year!