It's summertime and the living is easy … and busy. By the end of this month, four of our chruches—Shoreline, Albuquerque, Ballard, and Downtown Seattle—will be holding some combination of a BBQ-baptism event (and Shoreline's will include blood and Ballard's bonfires, for the alliteratively inclined). Below, we give you a rundown of all the events so you can make sure you get a chance to join in the fun at least one of them. Note: There will invariably be meatless options at each event, too.

Sunday, July 24

Shoreline: Summer Sunday Barbecue Bash

1–5 pm, Shoreline location

It’s our annual Shoreline Summer Smash, a Barbecue Bash with all the trimmings and more. Thanks to the provision of our new facility, we’ve got some amazing space this year to have a tremendous outdoor event and invite family, friends, and neighbors to party with us under the sun. All are welcome. Starting at 1 pm (after our 11:15 am service), we’ll be rolling out …

• BBQ hamburgers and hot dogs
• Chips and sides, lemonade and water
• Helium balloons and face-painting for the kids
• Bouncy houses for two age groups
• Dunk tank, probably populated by pastors
• Bocce Ball and Frisbees
• Volleyball and soccer games

…until about 4:30 pm, when we’ll start wrapping up and inviting everyone remaining to join our 5 pm service for a shorter sermon (live preaching with Pastor James), music by folk band Euphrates, and testimonies/baptisms as part of the service! Also, the Puget Sound Blood Center will be on-site from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm with their mobile unit so you can sign up and donate blood (click on this link and select the date to sign up). It will be a great day to give and to receive, to laugh and love and live life together for God’s glory. [See the calendar event here.] Note: the Everett Community Groups are also holding local neighborhood BBQs the day before, Saturday.

Albuquerque: Celebrate with Pastor Dave and Family

1:30—3:30 pm, Altura Park, Albuquerque

We are a few weeks away from Pastor Dave moving to Seattle, where he recently took the position as Executive Pastor of the Campus Network. It is hard to put into words the impact that Pastor Dave’s ministry has had on the men, women, and churches of Albuquerque. We would like to celebrate the work that Jesus has done through Pastor Dave. So please join us for a party at Altura Park after the 11:15 am service. We will be holding the party at around 1:30 pm.  We are asking that everybody show up and help out. There could potentially be over 800 people, so we need everyone to contribute. Thank you for your help and for your love and service to the Bruskas family! We’ll see you this coming Sunday at Altura Park! To RSVP and see what you can bring to the potluck, visit the event page.

Thursday, July 28

Ballard: Summer Beach Baptisms

5—9 pm, Golden Gardens Park

There won’t be any tanks this time, but we’re headed out the the Puget Sound for baptisms. Join us for some fun in the sun, BBQ, testimonies, baptisms, and bonfires afterward. Bring your family, your community group, your neighbors and some food for the grill. We’ll provide hot grills, BBQ tools, and condiments. Be praying for good weather and we hope to see you there. Grilling will start at 5 pm and worship will start at 7 pm. If you want to get baptized, please email us. RSVP on Facebook.

Saturday, July 30

Downtown Seattle: All-City Music, Beach Baptisms, and More!

1—5 pm, Myrtle Edwards Park

At Mars Hill Downtown, we love to throw parties for our city and there is no better way to do this than by having an All-City Beach BBQ this summer! Join us for a family-friendly outdoor celebration. This is open to all people who love Seattle, so bring everyone! There’ll be outdoor activities (for young and old!), live music by Willie Will and Ghost Ship, a special performance by Massive Monkees, and baptisms. Burgers and hot dogs will be provided. Community Groups bring the sides. Free validated parking will be available at the Art Institute Parking Garage. Baptisms are for those who have come to know and accept Jesus as their Savior and want to identify with him in death, burial, and resurrection. If know Jesus, but have not been dunked, get baptized at this celebration party!  We’ll just need you to fill out this form. We will be down, past the beach at Myrtle Edwards. If you enter from where the big fountain is at the lower part of the Sculpture Park and keep walking along the water, you will see signs pointing you toward the big bash. Click here for directions.