Most nights when the orange sun sets behind the western horizon, the giggles and laughter of children playing on the jungle gym in Livingood Park dissipate, but for two Fridays in July the night was just beginning because “Movie Nights on the Lawn” was about to start. The conversations between young adults from Community Evangelical Free Church about having a safe, family friendly event that would benefit two organizations had become a reality.
On July 11, Clint and Dawson Estes regaled observers, reclining on picnic blankets and folding chairs, with a wide mixture of songs from Coldplay to Simon & Garfunkel. As the lightning bugs twinkled against the encroaching velvet night, “The Sandlot” projected on to an inflatable screen in the middle of the soccer field.
On July 25, the songs and wit of “The Muppet Christmas Carol” filled the cool night as guests celebrated Christmas in July. The combination of Clint Estes on guitar at 8:00 and a singing, dancing frog dressed as Bob Cratchet on screen at 9:00 served to complement the sweet smell of fresh popcorn wafting from the concession stand.
The Elverson Borough, the Friends of the Twin Valley Fire Department, and Vine & Branches (a ministry of Community Evangelical Free Church) united to provide these free nights out while raising donations for the Twin Valley Fire Department and Good Shepherd’s Fold Orphanage.
Our local fire department is comprised of 52 active volunteers who go through a minimum of 140 hours of training. In this year alone, they have responded to over 210 incidents as they serve six townships. The gracious service of these firemen and firewomen keep taxes down in our area and do so while operating within a 10-year budget.
In addition to serving the residents of our area, we wanted our community to help another community. Since 1994, Good Shepherd’s Fold (GSF) in Jinja, Uganda has provided a Christian home to orphans and destitute children. In addition to being a children’s home for 83 residents, a school for 450 students, and a farm to employee locals, GSF also provides medical care for infants and the elderly. All these activities occur even though the average annual income in Uganda is $455 (1% of the average annual income in the United States).
On August 8, “Movies on the Lawn” will have its final feature film of the summer, The Princess Bride. Snacks and concessions will go on sale at 7:45 pm. Chris Burkholder will take to the microphone at 8:00 with guitar in hand. This family favorite features, as one character says, “Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles...” and will start at 9:00.
There is no cost to attend, but donations are welcome. All proceeds from concessions and “Movies on the Lawn” t-shirts go directly to the Twin Valley Fire Department and Good Shepherd’s Fold Orphanage. Checks should be made out to “Community Evangelical Free Church” with “Movie Nights” written in the memo line.
Come on August 8 to watch The Princess Bride under the stars as we support two organizations that serve their communities. If you are unable to attend, but would like to support these two organizations, you may do so by sending a check to Community Evangelical Free Church, PO Box 299, Elverson, Pennsylvania with the above designation.
