March, 1995

Dear Pastor,

It has been my privilege to serve as pastor of the Woodland Drive-In Church for ten years, and I look forward to continuing in this ministry, now in its 25th year. My New Year’s resolution begins with this monthly letter, to share news about this unique opportunity for anyone you may know that required a different worship experience—temporary or permanent.

The Woodland Drive-In Church is actually a service organization and has never organized as a church, so my congregation actually numbers zero. However, we all know there are some folks who aren’t comfortable attending a traditional worship service for a number of possible reasons. Perhaps a recent surgery prevents someone temporarily from sitting on a hard bench. Then there are those who have osteoporosis and need to sit comfortably on several pillows. Some need to take an oxygen tank with them wherever they go. We serve these individual and many more each and every Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

You probably counsel many individuals in any given week. In the event that you meet anyone who could benefit by attending our drive-in services, would you please extend to them our heartfelt invitation to join us for a Sunday morning worship?

Here is what they can expect. Before entering the parking area, our visitors are greeted and handed a bulletin, registration card, prayer request card, and envelope. They select a parking place and tune into 1610 AM on their car radio. Although there is no congregational singing, we feature special live music every week. We read Scripture, present a sermon, and pray. I preach an evangelical gospel and offer a call to salvation somewhere in the sermon. The service is about 45 minutes in length. Our visitors may start and/or end the visit with us by having a cup of coffee. We also offer a program for children, ages 4 and up, in the Greenhouse, located on the property.

Our mottoes are “come as you are” and “If you can get in your car, you can attend church.” Please help us with our ministry as we assist this special group of people with temporary or permanent needs. You may wish to attend one of our services, so that you can gain a first-hand experience of our ministry. Feel free to call me during the day at 698-3471 and in the evening at 235-2871.

In his name,
Verlyn D. Verbrugge