In Case You Missed It: Second Saturday Review for June 12, 2010

In case you missed it, Saturday, June 12 was our last Second Saturday before the summer break (2^nd Saturday resumes September 11), and we hit the downtown Halifax area. This month we held a one-location-only event, to lend a hand to Brad Somers (of Pax North church) at Uniacke Square, next to St. Patrick’s – Alexandra School (a vital part of the community).

We had an awesome turnout of approximately 50 people, all ready to serve. Some took the bus from StoneRidge, some were already at the location, and some were even from another church… Birch Cove Baptist. (Thanks for coming out!)

The weather was perfect as everyone jumped into action with activities such as…

• garbage pickup (around the school grounds)
• sweeping (the parking lot)
• painting (the basketball lines)
• gardening (weeding, and planting new flowers in the flowerbeds at the front of the school – what a transformation!)
• free barbequed hamburgers & hot dogs, and free drinks (over 400 burgers & dogs were given out!)
• kids’ games (a scavenger hunt, balloon twisting, and whatever Pastor Don came up with!)

Many local families came out to play and interact with our families. Afterwards, Brad informed us that a number of people made comments like, “Hey, you’re that guy who did the barbeque thing last year, right?” This is very cool, since it means we are helping people take their next steps toward Jesus, by helping to get Brad and his church recognized in the area.

Of course, none of this would have even been possible if it weren’t for you – you know who you are!

• You who donated your time.
• You who donated your vehicles to take equipment and others.
• You who donated all the food and drinks.
• You who donated topsoil.
• You who donated supplies and equipment.
• You who donated your talents.
• You who donated your energy and seemingly endless enthusiasm and love.
• You who donated shoes (yes, shoes – a whole bunch) for those in need (this was a friend of Brad’s).
• You who donated prizes and treats for the kids.

You are Second Saturday, and we thank you.

Stay tuned to this blog for important Second Saturday updates. Throughout July and August we’re planning great things for the next wave of Second Saturday (again, resuming September 11), as we take you, and the love of Jesus, into the community.

Mike & Scott

Last 2nd Saturday Before Summer Break

This coming Saturday (June 12) is your last opportunity to take part in one of our Second Saturday events before the summer break.

We’re meeting at SRF (85 Temple Terrace in Lower Sackville) at 8:30am sharp for a quick overview, then we’ll hop on the bus or carpool with friends to lend a hand to Brad Somers of Pax North in downtown Halifax. We’re super excited about being able to go to the downtown core and brighten up the day of some kids and moms and others by serving them with the love of Jesus.

There’ll be plenty of opportunities to assist, with things like…

• Gardening (weeding, planting… bring gloves, gardening tools, clothes to get dirty in)
• Painting (sweeping and repainting lines in the basketball court / hopscotch area… wear painting clothes)
• Kids’ events (bring your best smile)
• BBQ (this event continues after the bus leaves at 11:30am)

The bus will head back to SRF at 11:30am, but if you’d like to stay for more fun, you’re invited to help serve at the BBQ (until 1pm).

Got questions? Send them to info@srfconnect.com, or visit… SRFconnect.com/SecondSaturday. See you there.

Next Second Saturday – June 12

Hey – next Second Saturday, June 12, we are planning on doing our now annual BBQ and kids extravaganza at Uniacke Square. We will be partnering with Pax North Church to help put a smile on some kids’ faces (hopefully some moms as well), feed the homeless, and maybe pretty up the area by planting some flowers.

It’s the last 2nd Saturday before the summer break. You won’t want to miss this one – it’s gonna ROCK!!

I can’t wait!

Mike

Second Saturday Review: May 8, 2010

Second Saturday: May 8, 2010 – like most of the StoneRidge family, my mind was on my mom and the kids’ mom (of course).  It appears that most people forgot to get mom something and had to run out on Saturday morning and get something because the numbers were a little down. But guess what we had a blast! Richard (bus driver extraordinaire) took a few folks to our great partner at Feed Nova Scotia where they help pack and sort food for those who are less fortunate than us. The rest of us went to Halifax Christian Academy in Timberlea where we helped them paint their old gym. The school is trying to spruce up their building with a limited amount of funds. When completed, their goal is to become an early learning and daycare facility for the Timberlea area. This would allow them to impact scores of un-churched families by caring for their children in a happy non-threatening environment with the love of Jesus.  Well done, StoneRidge!

Mike

Little Eyes Are Watching You

Due to a few mother’s day family events that took us away for nearly the entire weekend, I was unable to attend this month’s Second Saturday. But it wasn’t like it was the furthest thing from my mind.

On Sunday at my mom’s church, Pastor Frank Kohler, lead pastor at Lake Echo Fellowship Baptist Church, spoke on the subject, Little Eyes Are Watching You. And something he said was sooo Second Saturday.

Frank said, We miss a huge lesson of Jesus if we think we’re going to impact many people – for Christ – on Sunday morning between ten-thirty and twelve o’clock. And then later, We need to realize that our lives, to be impactful for Christ – are lived out there. By “out there” he meant, outside the church; out in the community.

He went on to say it’s how we interact with others; it’s how they see us in our daily lives that’s going to speak to them of whether or not they’re going to be interested in what you practice by faith.

And that’s what Second Saturday is all about. It’s not about being pastors or preachers – for the majority of us, that’s not our job. It’s about making a connection with people. It’s about building relationships with people. It’s about the hope that we are out there doing what we do naturally, and out of obedience, and realizing little eyes – and big, grown-up eyes – are watching us, to see if we are living what we believe.

So let’s get out there and live every moment we are outside the building we call church as if it’s Second Saturday, and remember, those little eyes are watching us.

Scott