The day started earlier than most Sunday mornings for fifteen members of First Presbyterian Church of Bonham.  It was seven in the morning when the group left the church parking lot with vehicles loaded with lots of food.  They were headed to Waco to worship at Church Under the Bridge.

As its name implies, the church is located under a bridge.  This inter-denominational church serves about 150 homeless and marginalized people each week.  They believe they are called "to provide acceptance and access for those who often are excluded from mainstream churches."

The caravan from Bonham took the 4th and 5th streets exit off of Interstate Highway 35, jumped the curb underneath the overpass and parked their cars.  Several people were already starting to gather and within a few minutes, a truck and trailer pulled up.  Many people quickly hopped up and began pulling out metal folding chairs and a few folding tables too.

Some of the youth from Bonham helped set up chairs while others were recruited to begin handing out the announcements and song sheets.  Once the tables were set up, the Presbyterians from Bonham brought out the food they had prepared the evening before.  The line started forming immediately.  Sloppy joes, chips, fresh fruit, sandwiches and homemade cookies were served as soon as things were ready.  Praise music mixed with the sounds of cars and 18 wheeler trucks driving by.

This particular Sunday was "Recovery Sunday."  At one point in the service, numerous people lined up at the front.  The microphone was passed down the line and each person said their name and how long they have been clean and sober.  The man who announced that today marked his 60th day of sobriety received an even louder round of applause.

Church Under the Bridge is a full-fledged church that was started to meet the need to provide worship for the homeless.   Mission Waco, a separate non-denominational organization arranges meals for the homeless before the worship service each week.

The Youth Ministry Committee of Grace Presbytery (the regional body of the Presbyterian Church) committed to provide those meals each 4th Sunday of the month.

This year marks the second year that First Presbyterian Church in Bonham has provided the meal in June.  More information can be found at www.churchunderthebridge.org