AMAZING... doesn't quite cover the experience of last Sunday night EBC's Trunk-or-Treat. Nearly 2,000 people showed up for this Halloween alternative event. Over 40 car/truck/and motorcycle trunks were decorated and candy was being given out from each trunk! Prizes were given for best decorated trunks and the winners were: 1st Place - the circus side show, which included a bearded lady; 2nd Place - Popeye & Olive Oil, who were handing candy out of their boat; and 3rd Place - our own cafeteria staff serving it up with pots and pans!
In addition to giving out over 1,200 pounds of candy, those who came enjoyed concessions, ponies, and inflatable games. Almost 500 Bible were handed out to those who said they didn't have one in their home (that still blows my mind), and gospel tracts were given to each person!The only snag of the whole night was that the inflatable provider only provided 1/2 of what he was contracted to bring, so the lines were a little longer than they should have been. For that we apologize and that problem will be fixed for next year.
I want to thank all of our EBC folks who brought candy, decorated trunks, helped with concessions, security, keeping candy stocked, event setup, cleanup, and anything else that was needed. God has truly blessed EBC with some amazing people!
Showing posts with label Trunk or Treat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trunk or Treat. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Does Celebrating Halloween Send You to Hell?
The greatest opposition I've faced since moving to Hartsville has been from preachers and radical religious nuts who put opinion above Scripture. It's been quiet recently, but my phone rang yesterday and I received a voicemail from a pastor who informed me that I was going to hell (along with our church and many other churches) for celebrating Halloween.
Eight years ago, Emmanuel hosted Hartsville's first Trunk-or-Treat event. This year, there are 10-12 other churches in our community hosting similar events around Halloween. Ours takes place on Oct. 31, as we invite families to come to a safe environment, get candy, enjoy inflatable rides, carnival games, ponies, and concessions. We ask that there be no scary or evil costumes. We use this event to share the gospel and to gather names of those who might be looking for a church home. In years past, our crowds have averaged 1,200-1,300 people coming through in 1.5 hours. Remember, we minister in a city of 8,000+/-. Gospel tracts are handed out to every person present. It is a very positive event that has been appreciated and embraced by our community. It's a community outreach event, and an alternative to Halloween, not a celebration of it.
In spite of the success of the event, a preacher stated that a person goes to hell for celebrating Halloween. Is that true? Absolutely not. Sadly, in this day and time, you can't even believe everything a preacher tells you. Denominational teachings, opinions, and personal preferences have replaced solid Bible preaching. Rest assured that the only thing that keeps a person out of heaven is refusing to recognize that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to heaven, His blood paid the penalty for our sin, and He is Lord of all.
Certainly, our church does NOT endorse the evil aspects of Halloween; but we DO endorse using every opportunity to share God's love with others. How about you? When was the last time you told someone about Jesus?
Eight years ago, Emmanuel hosted Hartsville's first Trunk-or-Treat event. This year, there are 10-12 other churches in our community hosting similar events around Halloween. Ours takes place on Oct. 31, as we invite families to come to a safe environment, get candy, enjoy inflatable rides, carnival games, ponies, and concessions. We ask that there be no scary or evil costumes. We use this event to share the gospel and to gather names of those who might be looking for a church home. In years past, our crowds have averaged 1,200-1,300 people coming through in 1.5 hours. Remember, we minister in a city of 8,000+/-. Gospel tracts are handed out to every person present. It is a very positive event that has been appreciated and embraced by our community. It's a community outreach event, and an alternative to Halloween, not a celebration of it.
In spite of the success of the event, a preacher stated that a person goes to hell for celebrating Halloween. Is that true? Absolutely not. Sadly, in this day and time, you can't even believe everything a preacher tells you. Denominational teachings, opinions, and personal preferences have replaced solid Bible preaching. Rest assured that the only thing that keeps a person out of heaven is refusing to recognize that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to heaven, His blood paid the penalty for our sin, and He is Lord of all.
Certainly, our church does NOT endorse the evil aspects of Halloween; but we DO endorse using every opportunity to share God's love with others. How about you? When was the last time you told someone about Jesus?
Monday, November 02, 2009
Trunk-or-Treat
This was our 7th year of hosting "Trunk-or-Treat" at Emmanuel and the community continues to show overwhelming appreciation and support. Our church members decorate their cars (prizes will be awarded this Sunday) and distribute candy from their trunks. In addition, we bring in inflatables, carnival games, ponies, food, etc. and it makes for a great Halloween alternative. This year, we received cards for almost 700 children that registered, and our best count of parents and grandparents brought our grand total to 1,300+ people that walked through in just 1.5 hours! We gave out almost 1,400 pounds of candy and thanks to both our EBC and ECS families who helped provide this. That will make some local dentists happy! They were literally bringing out the candy in wheelbarrows.
Again, I want to say "thank you" to our staff and all of the volunteers from our church family, because none of this would be possible without your help and support. You brought in candy, decorated cars, dressed in costumes, supervised games, prepared concessions, registered guests, setup, cleaned up, and more! No one really knows how much work goes into one of these events, but you do... and thank you! You have really caught the vision for reaching out and making an eternal impact on our community!
Again, I want to say "thank you" to our staff and all of the volunteers from our church family, because none of this would be possible without your help and support. You brought in candy, decorated cars, dressed in costumes, supervised games, prepared concessions, registered guests, setup, cleaned up, and more! No one really knows how much work goes into one of these events, but you do... and thank you! You have really caught the vision for reaching out and making an eternal impact on our community!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)