PSBC Connections October 2020
PSBC Annual Picnic was a great success!
In spite of the rainy weather and a little pandemic, we had a great Annual Picnic on Saturday, September 12th. Over 60 people came through for some great BBQ (thanks to Rick Blucas) and stayed to see old friends and meet some new ones. We were able to meet and serve some of our new neighbors in the area. Although we couldn’t play outside, the PSBC kids still had fun and games together in our “new” building at 123 Arlington Ave. while their parents enjoyed catching up with each other. Thanks to all the volunteers that helped make this picnic great!
Greetings, PSBC,
We want to say thank you for the generous investment that you have made in the life and ministry of The Church at Blue Ridge. In a very real way, you have played a role in our taking the Gospel to Northern Greenville County. As you all surely know, the Coronavirus Pandemic caused much of our church’s ministry to be slowed and in some cases put on hold completely this past spring, but God has been faithful. In particular, it was very difficult to be forced to cancel Runner’s Camp and to miss out on seeing many of you who have volunteered with this event over the years. While much of our ministry looks different than before, we have been able to resume most of our ministry efforts and have seen growth in during this very trying season.
When planting a church, creativity regarding ministry is expected, but God used this season to teach us even more creative ways to minister to our people and community when a physical gathering was impossible. Hosting live panel discussions on Zoom, streamed sermons on Sunday morning, sending monthly children’s discipleship boxes to support our families, and meeting outdoors underneath a wedding tent are just a few examples of the opportunities God gave us to think differently about ministry.
The Greenville County School district allowed us to return to North West Middle School in July, and we soon made a move from the cafeteria into the gymnasium. This move allows us to better practice social distancing and better accommodates our growth. Last week, we were able to resume, on a limited basis, our Ridge Kids ministry on Sunday mornings. We have also kicked off a fall Wednesday night series of one time teaching events called One-Offs tackling subjects including, the image of God, eschatology, and marriage. These have been incredibly fun! We are so looking forward to resuming our membership class called Connections and a new class of folks who are seeking membership in our body.
The future for The Church Blue Ridge is bright, and we cannot thank you enough for all the prayers, financial support, and volunteers that have brought us to to where we are today. You have truly been a blessing to us, and we are looking forward to how God might use our two churches to reach the upstate in the future.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Robert McKinney
From Pastor
Marty Price
Last week I was asked, “When will COVID-19 be over?” I am confident that you, like me, are ready for the threat of infection to subside, for restrictions to go away, and to regain some sense of normalcy. In one sense the virus will never go away. While a “new” virus, once created, it is here to stay. In another sense, it is well on its way out. We are learning more about the virus and how it is transmitted daily, enabling clearer steps for both prevention and treatment. The number of cases reported in the US peaked in July, and has been decreasing since that time, though with periodic spikes.
It is easy to become discouraged when struggles last for a long period of time, whether a chronic illness, a long-lasting conflict, or a global pandemic. On Sundays we are studying how we live as citizens of God’s Kingdom in a world filled with struggles. And though times are difficult there is good news! God has given us the means to stay encouraged, and to “not grow weary in well-doing.” I hope you will join us as we place ourselves in (and under) God’s Word, either in person or on-line. I am continually praying that you will endure, by the power of God and the encouragement of Scripture, with great joy and a peace that passes understanding. “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6).
