FREE Market
For those of you who are new to our congregation, the Free Market is an outreach event that our church has planned for several years now. Church members donate all sorts of items (clothing of ALL sizes, kitchen items, small appliances, furniture, household items, blankets, shoes, toys, tools, etc…), volunteers organize them at the church building, and over the course of two days, we invite people in the community to come in and fill a bag for FREE. Our intention is to reach people who really NEED and to provide those individuals or families with quality items they would otherwise go without. Our hope is that they will see Christ at work within us and want to learn more about Him.
This ourtreach event is usually conducted twice a year, in the Spring and in the Fall.
Love Bears Comfort Haiti's Children
On January 12 news came to our shores of a devastating earthquake on the island of Haiti. The images that followed were graphic to say the least. Tens of thousands of Haitians have either been killed or are homeless.
There are large numbers of children who have been orphaned as a result of the quake either losing one or both parents, and that’s where we come in. The ladies who make “Love Bears” were asked by the Volunteer Coordinator of the Virginia Beach General Hospital to send as many Love Bears as we can to the children who have survived this tragedy. We are able to send one hundred bears to Haiti through the coordinator and other volunteers who are sending packages to the children.
We have been given a special privilege to become actively involved in bringing a ray of hope to these children. In all we do, to God be the glory. We pray that his grace will fall like rain on these children that they know the love of Jesus that comes to them through many loving hands. This is our prayer. Here is a scripture that seems very appropriate for a time such as this.
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James 1:27
NIV
Love Bears Ministry
Both women and men of varying ages contribute to this ministry of love and encouragement. Cloth remnants are traced, cut, and then sown together in the shape of bears. Then polyester stuffing is used to fill the bears to make them soft and huggable.
Love bears are distributed to hospitals, police stations, fire departments, and rescue squads in our community to be used with scared and hurting children. Over one thousand five hundred bears are produced each year by volunteers from the Bayside family.
A group of ministry participants meet most Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the fellowship room to assemble bears [Refer to the church calendar in the members area for specific scheduling]. All members are encouraged to add their time, talents, and energy to this worthwhile cause. If you would like to participate, but are not able to attend Tuesday mornings, contact group participant Cassy Satberry to discuss ways you can help.
How/Why Love Bears was Started
On a quiet Sunday afternoon in 1991, a lovely young woman named Martha Love enjoyed a leisurely drive down a Tennessee highway after church. Riding along with her were her young son, Andrew, and her good friend, Fanny. Soon she would give birth to a second baby, and their family would be complete. Martha Love’s life should have stretched out for years of happiness.
But life holds no guarantees, and that day Martha lost control of her car. Later, desperate doctors saved her unborn baby, but Martha died two days later. Baby Will Love joined his brother Andrew, never to know his wonderful mother.
Later, Martha’s friends from church remembered their feelings of helplessness as they tried to comfort two year-old Andrew, afraid and lonely in the hospital, crying for the mother he would not see again. For months there ladies put their creativity and caring together and decided to launch the “Love Bears” project in Martha Love’s memory and to honor Andrew and Will.
Singing at Heritage Hall
On the first Sunday of each month, at 2:00 p.m., we have the privilege of leading and encouraging the residence of Heritage Hall Nursing Home through song. Any and all Bayside members are encouraged to attend. Heritage Hall is located at 5580 Daniel Smith Road in Virginia Beach, only a few miles from the Bayside church building. Click here for directions
Sweet Inspiration
Sweet Inspiration is a women’s music ministry dedicated to praising and glorifying the Lord through song. The number of participants ranges from fifteen to thirty ladies in the congregation. Participation is open to all women in the Bayside family, but does require a commitment of time and talent development. The group uses music to serve in the following areas:
- Encourage those from the Bayside family who are home bound or confined to facility for health care.
- Support members at special times in their lives such as retirement ceremonies, weddings, and funerals.
- Reach out to the community through performances in both public and private venues.
- Enrich congregational activities (Friend’s Day, Seasonal Programs, Luncheons, etc.)
- Provide a unique opportunity for fellowship and Christian bonding among the ladies who participate.
If you are a Bayside member and would like to find out more about the group and what is involved in participation, or if you would care to speak to the director of Sweet Inspiration concerning a singing engagement, e-mail Nancy Patterson
Evangelism
Congregational Projects/Efforts
Ongoing Projects/Efforts:
Sunday, December 16th
Sunday evening’s worship assembly on December 16th will celebrate the incarnation of our Savior Jesus Christ. In addition, our children will sing a few selections. Any child age 6 years through 5th grade may participate. See Benjiman Kirven or Nancy Patterson for more details.
