The message of the Bridgeport United Methodist Church is clear.
Come in your shorts, come in your sandals, come as you are, but come.
Pastor Ardi Hill is offering a special summer worship service being held 6 p.m. Saturdays throughout August.
This is the second summer that Hill has held Casual Saturdays with Jesus. She hopes the special time and low-key atmosphere will attract those who have left the church or who have never been involved with a denomination or parish.
"Folks have many other things to do in the summer," Hill said. "They have busy schedules. Our goal is not to pull people from other churches, but to simply give people another option to not miss worship."
The Saturday evening worship service is open to everyone. Hill hopes to appeal to the immediate area and to the residents of Bridgeport.
"If they are outside in their gardens or maybe mowing grass and they hear the bells, we want them to know to just come if they like, and just come as they are," Hill said. "It's all very casual and open and we welcome anyone who wishes to join us."
The attendance for Casual Saturdays with Jesus has been about 20 people weekly. Hill hopes that number will increase each week.
"I want people to understand that what we offer here is a little different," Hill said. "We no longer have the traditional style of worship. We offer contemporary kinds of music and worship."
The idea for the casual worship service was originated by Bishop Tom Bickerton whose approach to worship is to reach out to the community.
"He wants us to step out of our comfort zone and become more open to different things," Hill said. "Things that aren't necessarily traditional. We want to appeal to those who possibly believed early in life and walked away for some reason, and let them know that they do have an option."
Hill stresses that those who attend will not be pressured to join the parish or become part of the congregation.
"We just want you to come, and come as you are, "Hill said. "The message in Jesus Christ is the best news of all. We are all simple people but God loves us anyway."
Bridgeport United Methodist Church is located on Bridgeport Street. Ample parking is available.
Regular Sunday worship is held at 9:30 a.m every week.
The church is also holding a free car wash from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. Aug. 25 in the church's parking lot.
