HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORSHIP LIKE THIS?

This is a scene from the church I attended when we lived in Winter Haven, Beymer Memorial United Methodist. From the first Sunday in May through the last Sunday in September at 8:00 AM, Beymer hosts an informal "come-as-you-are" praise service at it's dock across the street from the church on Lake Howard. It's well attended, and there are usually several boats pulled up (and occasionally the seaplane!) for the worship experience. This has been a part of BUMC's schedule for several years; not exactly what one would expect from one of the "downtown, traditional" churches in a small, conservative city like Winter Haven.

I was thinking about BUMC this morning after realizing this will likely be Dr. Robert F. Hornback's final year as senior pastor for that congregation. After 11 years there (much longer than the average United Methodist pastorate), he will be retiring. Dr. Hornback and his spouse are truly a couple of the classiest individuals I have met, and have served their congregates well during that time. Best wishes to both of them as the Hornbacks enter into this time.