December 9, 2011
Update on the Living Christmas Tree 2011
After our Living Christmas Tree last year, the Town of Central asked us to schedule this year’s tree for the same weekend as the Central Christmas parade. (We were just trying to figure out a way of asking them if we could do exactly that 
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So this year the tree ‘came alive’ with Christmas Carols on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings and was enjoyed by many families who stopped by the Deli for free hot chocolate, as well as the hundreds of people who drove past (with their windows down) on H/W 93 while we were singing.
And in addition to the evening performances, we were asked to sing on the tree for the hour before the Christmas Parade, so we got to sing to another 250 plus people who were gathering for the Parade.
We praise God for this opportunity to share the true meaning of Christmas with so many people this past weekend.
December 3, 2011
Living Christmas Tree 2011
Tonight was the first night of our 2011 Living Christmas Tree. Here are some pictures of the build and decorating that was done this week. Enjoy.
February 14, 2011
The Bridge Church of the Nazarene’s ‘Birthday’ – Sunday April 3, 2011
We have come a long way since April 2007 when Mary, Ken and two students began gathering for worship on Sunday Mornings at the Bridge. Now, almost three years later we have a strong community of around twenty regulars who gather to worship, fellowship, pray, and learn from God’s Word each Sunday morning. Many have been asking the question: “how can we become members of The Bridge”?
On Sunday morning, April 3, The Bridge Church of the Nazarene will be officially organized as a brand new church. Charter members will be welcomed, our first church board will be appointed, and Ken & Mary Paynter will installed as Pastors of the new church, along with Associate Pastor Greg Alexander. If there is any way you can be part of the celebration, we would love to have you join us. The service begins at 10:30 am and you are invited to stay for lunch afterwards. This all takes place at our ministry center at 133 W. Main Street, Central, SC 29630.
Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University
On Sunday afternoon, January 9th we started a thirteen week Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University course with an enrollment of eighteen people. Half of the group are from The Bridge and the rest are from the Clemson community.
We are thrilled to see the changes in financial habits and lifestyle already taking hold in the class. Especially significant is that six of the group are students, or have recently graduated from college and are in an ideal position to take advantage of the skills and principles that Dave Ramsey shares in the course.
The Spirit Experiment
Our Sunday Mornings at the Bridge, we are on a journey through the book of Acts. Each week we take a chapter, pull it apart, discuss it, and find out what God is saying to us as a community, as families and as individuals. Every week, God speaks, deals with our hearts, and teaches up about being the Church he wants us to be.
On Thursday evenings a group of us meets again to go deeper in applying what we learned on Sunday Morning, To facilitate this process each week, we publish a study guide on our sister blog – Crossing the Bridge. We have chosen to follow the format of House Publishing’s ‘Experiment’ series, calling our own version, the ‘Spirit Experiment’. We review the chapter and then select a practical experiment to apply and reinforce what we have learned to make it personal and alive for us. To follow the conversation, take a look at http://crossthebridge.wordpress.com/
Our Spring Fundraising Goal: $10,000
The Bridge is funded through a number of sources:
- Through our own congregation’s tithes and offerings
- Through the South Carolina District’s support
- Through friends around the world who give sacrificially to The Bridge ministry.
- Sales at Main Street Deli & Coffeehouse
Since the start of our financial year in June 2010, our income has been $21,615 less than we budgeted. This is mainly due to Main Street Deli’s business being slower than expected this year. We have cut corners and slashed our expenses in every area, but still need $10,000 to cover our operating shortfall for the past nine months. We have a goal of March 31 to raise these funds. Would you consider becoming a partner with us in giving a one-off gift to help meet this need?
You can donate through our secure online donation page at http://clemsonbridge.org/Donate.html or mail a check to us at 133 W. Main Street, Central SC 29630.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s a Living Christmas Tree
For three of the coldest nights in December we shared the joy and warmth of Christmas with the Town of Central through our Living Christmas Tree. Greg Alexander designed and led the construction team, starting at his home the week before and then erecting the structure in the parking spaces across Main Street from our ministry center. When the decorating was done, complete with lights, our choir was ready to climb the tree and sing. Most folks chose to drive past with their windows open and enjoy the Carols, but some braved the cold to sit outside and listen for a while.
For weeks afterwards our guests at the Deli thanked us for adding to their Christmas experiencing through the living Christmas tree. One family drove round and round the block, opening their windows each time they came past. The Town of Central has asked us to plan our 2011 Living Christmas Tree to coincide with their annual Christmas Parade.
A Cup of Hot Chocolate in Jesus’ Name
Part of our mission at The Bridge and Main Street Deli & Coffeehouse is to be a blessing to the Town of Central. Being a local business as well as a ministry we are members of the local Chamber if Commerce and serve on the Central Area Business Council. The coming of God’s Kingdom on earth should be a blessing to our local business community and city government.
As part of this relationship we get to work together with local businesses on various projects during the year. This year we partnered with the local business community to give away hot chocolate to the spectators at the Central Christmas parade. Walmart provided the ingredients, and our staff and volunteers from the Bridge made and helped serve around three hundred cups of hot chocolate.
November 27, 2010
Local Nazarene Students are a Blessing to Central
Thirty High School students from Greenville First and Sumter First Nazarene churches descended on the town of Central for a Work day on November 6th. They worked at Main Street Deli & Coffeehouse, re-flooring our offices and dry-walling a storage area. They also raked leaves for some of our neighbors. Thanks to Justin and Jeremey for bringing your students to Central.
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- The biggest job was scraping the old glue off the floor.
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- Jeremey giving direction…
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- “Here, let me help you”
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- Leaves, leaves and more leaves.
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- This is how it’s done…
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- What a team!
