Maryland/Delaware Roundup, Nov. 19, 2020

“I will thank the Lord for His righteousness; I will sing about the name of the Lord Most High.” Psalm 7:17

Thanksgiving – COVID-19 style!
Each year, the weekend before Thanksgiving, Christian Liberty Church, in West Baltimore, draws hundreds of people the weekend before Thanksgiving for their much anticipated “O’ Give Thanks” celebration. Over 600 people attended last year, enjoying a hot Thanksgiving meal together, and taking home turkeys and bags of food to celebrate with their families. Over 50 responded to the Gospel.

“We were this close to not doing Give Thanks. I announced it (the cancellation) on Sunday, but I woke up on Monday and the Holy Spirit told me we have to do it, and confirmed the decision through Pascha (Wayne’s wife),” said Pastor Wayne Lee. Now, he said, they’re going to have it “COVID-19 style!”

Lee will broadcast live from the Frederick Douglas High School’s parking lot, and rather than the usual sit-down meal, the church will provide curbside delivery as well as an area for a socially-distanced line for walkers to pick up the turkeys and trimmings. Members will use electronic connection cards — using a table to collect contact information. Resources have experienced significant curtailing and as of this writing, the church will have 200 turkeys, but Wayne is optimistic and said God always provides the need. Those who would like to help may email Wayne.

Each Thanksgiving, Ocean City Baptist Church members offer the opportunity for visitors to enjoy a free turkey dinner with the trimmings at the church, giving folks a chance to socialize. They also deliver meals to shut-ins, the local police station and firehouse, the coast guard station, and other businesses open on Thanksgiving.

This year, due to COVID-19, the church is offering only delivery and carry-out only options, though they are expanding their delivery area since several other churches that usually provide food are unable to do so this year.

Crosslife Community Church will celebrate Thanksgiving on Sunday with a building dedication. The church is leasing property at 6625 Selnick Drive in Columbia. Though they couldn’t begin worshipping in the building until September, they were able to use it for online broadcasting and outside worship services.

Pastor John Mackall said he told the congregation that while they can’t have a celebration at the church due to COVID-19 restrictions, they’re celebrating “Nehemiah style,” sharing with their neighbors. The church will give to four different organizations in the community in an effort to share the love of Christ, including Laurel Pregnancy Center; The Samaritan Woman in Catonsville; Building Families for Children (formerly Baptist Family & Children’s Services) in Columbia. They will also give gift cards to Elkridge Elementary School, their former church home. They will also send a gift to their contacts in the Dominican Republic to help with mission efforts.

Crossroads is also celebrating and giving thanks to God for their tenth anniversary this month. 

Trunk or Treat drew hundreds at Watersedge Baptist Church
Last month, over 200 people attended a Trunk or Treat outreach at Watersedge Church in Dundalk, Maryland. Pastor Ken Ledwell, who began serving  with the church in July, was thrilled. Ledwell, who sees the ministry as an opportunity for revitalization and continuance of the heritage of the 72-year-old church, said he is striving to cultivate a culture of Gospel conversations. He has been teaching from the book, “The Gospel Conversation: Engaging the Lost in Everyday Conversation,” by Sam Greer. The Trunk or Treat was the first outreach opportunity to begin using those skills.

“I had an opportunity to have several good conversations, he said. “One young lady told me, ‘I think we are living in hell right now.’ I said, ‘No ma’am, that is false. There is a hell to shun and a heaven to gain.’”

The church has also been brightening the sanctuary, painting older paneling with lighter colors and adding new contemporary blinds. In addition to the bright, new feel, the projects also offer the congregation time to work together. More of Watersedge’s history is available online.

300 Church votes on Brenton Riling as new senior pastor
300 Church in Harrington, Delaware, voted to call Brenton Riling as their senior pastor on November 8. Riling and his wife, Karis, have been serving the church in the area of marketing and media. Stay tuned for more information in BaptistLIFE about this couple and their ministry.

Quotable Quotes
“When we met in December, I labeled this (2003) the year of uncertainty and it has been and continues to be,” Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware Executive Director David Lee told members of the General Mission Board on May 6, 2004. Lee spoke of the war, record-breaking weather, a challenging financial climate and the devastating illnesses and recoveries of some of the Baptist Center staff. “One thing that is still certain is that Jesus saves, God is in control of the universe and God’s grace is sufficient to meet every need we have. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.’ And I am certain God is at work in Maryland/Delaware.” — Dr. David Lee, former BCM/D director

“If we want our families to be salt and light amid the current trends, we must become intentional about our own family. It is our first ‘small group priority’ and well worth our time.” — Ken Jordan, consultant for family ministry

History Bites
The Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware began a three-year partnership with the Mississippi Baptist Convention in January 1999.

Also in 1999, representatives from Middle River Baptist Church, Heritage Baptist Church, and Glen Burnie Baptist Church participated in a “Special Education Day Camp” at Camp WoMeTo on Sept. 19.

(History Bites are taken from the BaptistLIFE newspaper.)