To experience God, sometimes you have to listen for his still, small voice.
Listening to God’s voice inspired members of First Baptist Church to start a free lunch program for the summer. Everyone who comes to the front driveway of the church office, off Second St. at 209 E. Jefferson, on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon will get a free sack lunch.
The idea for giving out sack lunches originated from a study the congregation is doing called “Experiencing God.” Kendel Osburn said the study encouraged the congregation to pray about acts of service.
“We were asked to share things that God put on our heart,” she said.” I mentioned I would like to do this, and several people in the congregation volunteered.”
At the test run last Wednesday, cars were lined up to pass the porch when they opened, Jodee Hamilton said. Jodee, Kendel and their children passed out sack lunches containing sandwiches, Go-Gurt yogurt cups, chips and cookies. plus bottled water.
People can walk or drive past the pick-up table and receive sack lunches for themselves or others.
“We’ve given out 37 so far,” Jodee said. “We had a rush at 11. One person got lunches for three families. One man picked up lunches for his grandchildren.”
Helping their mothers at the table were Ellie Hamilton, 4, Ben Hamilton, 6, Grey Osburn, 8, and Brynn Manning, 12. Quinley Hamilton, 3 months, observed the proceedings from her mother’s baby carrier.
“How many lunches would you like?” Ellie asked when we drove up.
The “still, small voice of God” is a phrase that comes from a story in the Old Testament, in which the prophet Elijah is elated after defeating the prophets of Baal in a throwdown involving bolts of fire and calling rain to fall after years of drought.
But when his enemies continue to threaten him, Elijah becomes discouraged and flees to Mount Sinai, where he is commanded to go and stand on the mountain before the Lord.
Here is the dramatic scene as described in I Kings: “Behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountain and broke the rocks in pieces, but the Lord was not in the wind.”
“And after the wind, an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.
“And after the fire, the sound of a low whisper.”
It was the still, small voice of God, telling Elijah to keep going and not be discouraged.
Other people at First Baptist also heard God’s voice, and have volunteered time and money to provide free lunches, Kendel said. Working in the kitchen last week were Kara Manning, Michaela Allen, Paula Bullock, Delaina Bullock and Heather Rutter.
Kendel said she hopes that when the word gets out, more people will come by and pick up sack lunches. The church members are excited to be able to offer this service to the community, she said, no matter what ages it serves or need it fills.
“We hope we have 100,” she said.
That school is out and many families depend on school lunches factored into the decision to offer free lunches to whoever comes, Kendel said. In Arkansas, Virginia and other states, churches and civic clubs have started backpack programs to send food home with students on weekends after children showed up at school hungry on Monday mornings.
When questioned, one child explained “It wasn’t my turn to eat.”
Clinton School District does provide breakfast and lunch free of charge to students attending Summer School, as well as all children in the community under the age of 18. From June 6 through June 29, meals are served at Clinton Intermediate School, 709 S. 8th St., with breakfast from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and lunch from noon to 12:30 p.m. Menus will be posted at clintoncardinals.org.
Sack lunches given out on Wednesdays at the First Baptist Church office driveway include invitations to FBC Summer Fun Days, which include refreshments, Jodee said.
On June 7, the grounds of the church office in town will host Nerf Gun wars for ages 4 to 6 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., ages 7 to 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and ages 10 to 12 from noon to 1 p.m. And, of course, since it’s Wednesday, adults and children can get sack lunches.
In July, there’ll be a scavenger hunt on Friday, July 7, and a Playground Play Date on Tuesday, July 11, both at the church, 1531 N. Vansant. An Ice Cream Party is planned for Friday, July 14, at the church office.
Swim parties for different age groups are also scheduled throughout the summer, with a Bubble Party for the family winding up the season on Monday, August 14.
For more information, stop by the church office, 209 E. Jefferson, or go to the First Baptist Church website, firstbaptistclinton.church.
As the website says, a lot has changed since the church was organized in 1866. A major upheaval was having to demolish the sanctuary with its white steeple, a Clinton landmark, on Second Street, because of structural issues. The FBC sanctuary was rebuilt on North Vansant, though the church office and a meeting hall are still located at Second and Jefferson.
But through windstorm, earthquake and fire, tearing down the old sanctuary and rebuilding it, the mission of First Baptist Church remains the same: to share the love of Jesus with Clinton and Henry County.
