By Jondi Gumz
If you have your Bibles in the car, I encourage you to open them,” Pastor Troy Martin said, standing outside Trinity Covenant Church and St. Abraham’s Classical Christian Academy in Aptos, speaking to people sitting in their vehicles in the parking lot.
Aaron Palmer helps pass out communion to attendees sitting in their vehicles in the church parking lot. • Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz
He prayed for the county Board of Supervisors and Ben Kelly, the young man who died Saturday while surfing near Sand Dollar Beach.
Then he gave a sermon titled, “Why Don’t People Get it?” based on John 12:37-50.
Jordan Brownlee played his guitar and sang traditional hymns with Chelsea Odegaard and Dane Odegaard. Those in attendance followed along, thanks to handouts distributed by Rory Odegaard and Doug Matangelo.
Aaron Palmer passed out communion, the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper, to each carload.
Pastor Troy Martin speaks at Trinity Covenant Church in Aptos as the tech staff makes technical adjustment. • Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz
With the service concluded, car horns sounded.
People rolled down their windows to say hello.
A few lingered as volunteers packed up the electronic gear that made the drive-in service possible.
Hope Brownlee, the Trinity church secretary and Jordan’s wife, said, “Everyone is excited to wave at each other.”
To let people know about this new option, she posted photos on Facebook and Instagram.
“A lot of young people are online,” she said.
She recalled when St. Abraham’s school started in her basement with kindergarten and first grade. Now there are 180 students, with 10 students including the Brownlees’ son Curran in the first graduating class of 12th graders.
Rory Odegaard and Doug Matangelo wait at the entrance with programs and Mother’s Day flowers for attendees. • Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz
The first drive-in service took place May 3, with the second on Mother’s Day.
Martin said he was inspired by churches in his denomination in Seattle doing a drive-in service. He asked the county health officer, who told him the shelter in place order did not prohibit it and suggested he consult the sheriff.
“They gave us a thumbs up,” Martin said, noting the technical crew showed up at 5 a.m. to get the outdoor set-up ready.
‘Honestly, I was tearing up a little bit,” said Christian Sweeney, 28, of Santa Cruz, who attended. “We’re setting a really good precedent for the county — I still want the real get-together.”