It is New York City alphabet soup.  There is the G, R, V, A, C, E, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and more.  These are all trains or subways that some call the veins of America’s biggest city.  New Yorkers pride themselves on their knowledge of the trains in New York.  Just ask them a question like:  “How do you get from Astoria to the Statue of Liberty?”  A true New Yorker will rattle it off.  “Well, you take the N or the W, to Lexington Ave.  At Lexington Ave, you can grab the R or the 5 train down to Battery Park.  Wait – or you could also just walk over to the R, then take the Q express all they way downtown.”

Recently, at Sure Foundation Lutheran Church, we put our New Yorkers’ knowledge of the trains and buses to the test in the First Annual SFLC Amazing Race.  In a race modeled after the popular show The Amazing Race, the teams involved were told to obey all laws, have fun, and use only mass transit to reach four destinations throughout the city.  In order to reach these destinations, the teams were required to decipher clues and conquer challenges that eventually led to the next destination.  This year teams traveled to the Wall Street bull, the Astor Cube, Times Square, and finally arrived at Roosevelt Island’s Lighthouse for a picnic and grill-out.[slideshow=108]

Even though teams raced for 2 hours and 45 minutes, our first three teams finished within seconds of each other with the team called The Swift Feet of Elijah coming in number one.  The race really did turn out to be quite amazing!  The race was a success by other standards as well.  A prospect and member teamed up, got lost together, and became fast friends.  Members brought friends and introduced them to their pastors.  Members laughed together, raced together, and told stories at church the next day.  People ate good burgers and hot dogs.  They left tired and with good memories.  We all are looking forward to the Second Annual SFLC Amazing Race next year.

Pastor Tim Bourman