Church serves frustrated commuters

The label on the cup provides information about First Lutheran Church and School

KELOWNA, B.C. A grey sky, falling rain and a major bridge construction project in south Kelowna created a perfect combination for slow traffic and for a church to serve its community.

From 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. on a late June Friday, folks from First Lutheran Church and School spread a little sunshine by handing out free Tim Horton’s coffee to anyone who pulled over and wanted one.

“We’d watched frustrated commuters all week and asked ourselves how we could help the situation,” explained First Lutheran’s Gary Brucker. “We knew we couldn’t speed up the traffic flow, but thought we might be able to lighten the mood and give out a little caffeinated fuel at the same time.”

The church teamed up with members Kevin and Barb Becker who own and manage two Tim Horton’s stores and the result was a free “Happy Friday treat served with a smile!” Brucker reports. He said people wanted to pay for the coffee, instead all the payment First Lutheran needed was “lots of smiles, honks and thank yous.”

Staff and members teamed up for a repeat performance the following Friday and Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd honoured the church with the Spirit of Kelowna award.

First Lutheran’s staff and members are trying to develop the habit of asking: “How can we serve you?” acknowledging that it is Jesus who first serves us and who enables us to serve others.

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