Five Bartlesville Churches Trade Sunday Service For Community Service

By Tara Vreeland, The News On 6

BARTLESVILLE, OK -- Five Bartlesville churches decided to let their actions speak louder than words Sunday. The churches canceled services to provide community service in what they are calling the Big Serve.

"Instead of just coming to church and sitting and listening to a good service, we also want to do acts so that people know that we are here," said Pastor Sam Zepada, First Wesleyan Church.

"It's useful. It makes me feel like I'm helping my community, cleaning up and doing something for someone else," said Brittany Downard, First Wesleyan Church.

Armed with trash bags and good spirits, congregations came together to practice what they preach.

"I didn't realize there was so much trash in the surrounding areas," said Brittany Downard.

"But we want to get out and show people that we care, that this is our community and this is our way of getting outside the walls and doing our service for our community," said Pastor Sam Zepada.

The main groups leading the project include Christ Community Church, First Wesleyan, First Assembly of God, Life Church and Bartlesville Southern Baptist.

"It's really cool because we're all different denominations. We have one belief but in different ways and so the fact that we could all get together, for one cause, on one day, just shows it doesn't matter what church you go to. We're all a part of the same belief to serve people and do what Jesus did," said Brittany Downard.

Churches with varied beliefs, but on this day, one united goal.

"It gives you a sense of pride for your community for doing something for someone else and you're out doing. You're not just sitting and listening. He's not preaching at us, we're serving others. So it's a swap. It's different. It's good," said Brittany Downard.

The Big Serve aims to cleanup around Bartlesville's schools, parks and city intersections. Organizers hope to make this an annual event.

9/27/2009  Related Story: Tulsa Church Cancels Sunday Service For Community Service

Complete list of churches taking part in the Big Serve:

Schools:

• Elementary:
• Wayside -- Life Church
  Hoover -- Bartlesville Southern Baptist
  Will Rogers -- Christ Community
  Wilson -- Christ Community
  Kane -- First Assembly of God
  Jane Phillips -- First Assembly of God
  Ranch Heights -- First Wesleyan
  Oak Park -- First Wesleyan
• Middle Schools:
• Madison -- Bartlesville Southern Baptist
  Central -- First Wesleyan
• Mid-High School -- Bartlesville Southern Baptist
• High School -- First Wesleyan Church

Parks:

• Sooner Park -- Life Church
  Douglas Park -- First Assembly of God

City Intersections: Each Church took a major intersection of the city for cleanup.

• First Assembly of God -- Frank Phillips and Highway 123 (West side entrance)
  Life Church -- Frank Phillips and Highway 75
  Christ Church -- Tuxedo and Highway 75
  Bartlesville Southern Baptist -- South side of Adams and Highway 75
  First Wesleyan Church -- North side of Adams and Highway 75

Other: First Wesleyan Church went to Willowbrook Apartments and Brookhaven Apartments.