First Presbyterian Church uses BBQ profits to help those in need

[July 15, 2010]  Wednesday night, July 21, will bring Lincoln's First Presbyterian Church barbecue to town for another season. The annual pork barbecue fundraiser promises food, fun and fellowship at the intersection of Pekin and Ottawa streets.

Pulled pork sandwiches along with homemade desserts and ice cream will draw fans from throughout Logan County and beyond. The event begins at 5 p.m. and runs until 7:30. The meal also includes chips, applesauce or coleslaw, and a choice of beverage.

The air-conditioned Christian education building provides comfortable seating, and there will also be outdoor dining under a tent just outside the church's doors. Live music will fill the air near the outdoor seating area.

Tickets are $7 and are available at the door. Carryout orders will be delivered from the west (Ottawa Street) side of the church. Carryout orders are complete with a choice of dessert and a to-go container of ice cream.

Church volunteers staff the annual barbecue, and all the money raised is donated to local charities and agencies. Past barbecues have funded camping for deserving children and coats for kids in need.

In addition the church has donated barbecue proceeds to Christian Child Care, the HOPE Mobile's free dental care program, the Good Samaritan Fund, the Lincoln Ministerial Association, Oasis, Salvation Army, Storybook Prison Ministry and the Lincoln/Logan Food Pantry. Habitat for Humanity, the Logan County Department of Public Health and Lincoln Pastoral Counseling Services have also benefited from the barbecue.

Best of all, the First Presbyterian Church annual barbecue gives community members an opportunity to meet and greet in a warm and friendly setting.

Jim Alexander, this year's barbecue committee co-chair, expressed his thanks to community members for supporting the barbecue.

"Without the help of the people of Lincoln and Logan County," he said, "we just wouldn't be able to help as many people as we do each year."

Co-chair Cheryl Frick said, "It's fun to see everybody in the church pitch in for a good cause."

The First Presbyterian Church of Lincoln focuses on serving the people of the community and the world. Each summer the church sponsors a garden that produces fresh vegetables for local food banks, and under the leadership of Pastor Phillip Blackburn, members of the church participate in a mission trip each year.

"Learning to live out the role of the servant is what we are all about," Pastor Blackburn commented.

[Text from file received]