Shuttle Info
There will be a van shuttle to Ocean Park from the Vineyard parking lot this Sunday.  The shuttle will run from 10am-10:45am before the event.  It will run for 45 minutes after baptisms are over, back to the Vineyard from the beach.  
 
“Taking it to the Beach” is a day we are doing just that… taking our church life out of the building and to the beach. Unlike many previous years, THERE WILL BE NO OTHER REGULARLY SCHEDULED SERVICES ON SUNDAY JULY 27TH. Are we “having church?” Yes… but combining all our Sunday gatherings at a special park at the beach with different forms of activities. This is a day to experience “church” in a fresh way… in song, testimony, fun, and food at a grassy beach park just west of the Vineyard facility.

Let’s answer some more of your questions…

I enjoy attending the regular Sunday worship services but I’m not really connected to people and wonder, ‘Will I feel comfortable in this more casual format?’   We are preparing this time with you in mind… to help you connect in comfortable ways. The truth is that we all know that “church” is more than a weekly worship service. This is an opportunity to transcend the limitations of how you experience church. Interaction will be designed to help you connect with others in a natural way. If you are one who attends services but feels more on the periphery of real church community, this is NOT A DAY TO MISS but rather a day to make a more meaningful connection to what church really is.

I’m not really a “beach person.” Will this be a comfortable event for someone who doesn’t want to wear a bathing suit and play in the sand?  Yes. We are actually gathering in a well maintained grassy park-like area adjoining the beach. We will have canopies for shade and one doesn’t need to wear a bathing suit. We will only walk on the beach for the final part of our baptisms. We do recommend dressing light and casual… and bring a blanket or beach chair if possible. Bathing suits and towels are recommended IF you would like to enjoy the ocean afterwards.

Normally my children are separately involved in Children’s Church or Youth Groups. How will they be a part of this special gathering?  This is an especially important day for children as they will experience the fun of “church at the beach.” It will offer them both a playful and spiritually inspiring time shared with adults and families. Food options and activities have been planned with children in mind and there is a playground adjoining this new location.  However, after the opening ‘kid’s kraze’ time, PARENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CHILDREN AS THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER DESIGNATED SUPERVISION.

Is this simply an unstructured event one should just plan to ‘drop by’ at any time?  No. We will actually begin at 11:00 with some activities and will continue with different elements that include some focused gathering time. So please plan time to get parked and arrive by 11:00.

What do I need to do to plan on food? While all are welcome to bring their own picnic lunch or buy something at the nearby food stand… we will be having great box lunches available to pre-purchase in the lobby at Sunday gatherings during previous weeks. The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children. Free drinks will be available for all.

Will the location of this event be hard to find? No. This is the easiest beach to find and park at during the busy summer days…and just 4 miles by streets from our facility. Simply go west on Ocean Park Blvd. until it runs right into the beach front road (Barnard Way.) Our event is just 50 yards to the right. You can turn right and enter the first parking lot entrance, lot #4, or alternatively turn left and enter the first parking lot, lot #5, to the south of the event. Parking fees are generally $7.