VISTORS INFO: DRIVE-IN SERVICE

What can you expect at NBCC’s Drive-In Service?

We hope you would arrive at around 8:15am for the 8:30am service… but arriving late is ok too!  We just want you to come and worship and we want to get to know you.  Arriving at 8:15am lets you get a great parking spot and grab a free donut.  It just wouldn’t be church without coffee and donuts… would it?

You will be warmly greeted at the white gazebo where you will receive a bulletin and communion for everyone in your car.  The bulletin outlines the latest information about the church calendar, events, and announcements.  Also in the bulletin is a page for you to take notes on during the sermon as well as a communication card.  The communion is a small cup with the wafer with it (I guess you have to see it to understand).  Once you get past the greeters and pull up to a spot in the field (any ol’ place you like)… you have almost made it.

Turn your radio dial to 103.9FM and you will hear light music, an occasional announcement, and the service when it begins.

But wait, there’s more!  Up towards the boat (that’s what we call the building that looks like a boat) on the right, are the bathrooms (cleaned and ready for use) as well as free coffee and donuts.  You will also find an assorted group of folks talking, sharing, and willing to say hello.  You can stay and chat or take your goodies back to your car.

The service will include songs, singing (words provided in the bulletin), communion and offering, and a sermon.  Please fill out the communication card that comes in your bulletin so we can know your name and address and we will drop a note of welcome to you.  You can put the communication card in the offering plate when it comes by.  After the sermon, feel free to drive towards the boat to exit and you can speak with the minister as you leave.  We always like to say hello!

The service starts at 8:30am and is always done before 9:30am because that is when Sunday School starts inside.

By the way, during December of 2012, NBCC celebrated the 40th Anniversary of our Drive-In service, the only Drive-In service in Tampa.  In 1972, at the suggestion of senior minister, Rev. Dean Burton, the church bought the land and used it to create a drive-in ministry.  A neighbor donated a salvaged boat for use as the pulpit. Burton preached the first sermon from "Noah's Ark" December 3, 1972.  At that time, a pole and sound system, like those at drive-in movies, was used so that attendees in their cars could hear the service.  In 1988, worshipers began tuning into a radio frequency for the church service when a new underground broadcasting system was installed and the ark replaced with the current building designed to look like a boat.  This building was named the “DiscipleShip,” which is in use today.

And that’s what you can expect at the Drive-In Service!

Troy Borst

Christian Education Minister