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Ebenezer
Evangelical Church has a history of coming together to watch
the beautiful game.
In
2000, the European Championships attracted old and young alike
to the church on Filton Avenue.
"There
are lots of students as well as families in this area and
we go out into the community to see what's wanted," Simon
Faulkner, an elder with the church, told BBC Bristol.
While
many traditional churches are struggling with dwindling congregations,
Ebenezer is thriving.
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first game will be recorded and shown after the Sunday
service |
"Most
of the people
in our community are in their 30s or below and on Sunday it's
quite a squeeze to get everyone in," said Mr Faulkner.
The
idea to show World Cup games in the church raised a couple
of concerns about whether it was an appropriate use of the
building, but there were no serious objections.
The
back wall of the church will be used instead of a screen to
ensure the biggest possible picture for the fans.
"We
want to be part of the community in whatever way is possible,
and if that's showing a football game, that's what we'll do,"
Stewart North, the church's student worker, explained.
Millions
of fans the length and breadth of England will be crossing
their fingers, willing England to win, but in Horfield they
will be using the power of prayer.
"It's
going to be a hard tournament and I think England will use
all the help they can get," said Mr North.
All
the games will be screened live except the first one which
clashes with Sunday morning worship.
It
will be taped and shown at 1pm after the service.
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