Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - "We're going to take church out of the sanctuary and into another place and make it a little fun," said Pastor Steve Biegner of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Eggertsville.
The pastor said the 9:30 a.m. ET Buffalo Bills game in London is not a dilemma, but rather, an opportunity.
"We can worship together and watch the game together. It's my two passions, my church and the Bills," he added.
A non-denominational service is planned for 8:30 a.m. ET on Sunday at the Tavern at Windsor Park on Transit Road in Williamsville.
Back in 2015, the last time the Bills were in London, St. Paul's did something similar. They held a service on the front lawn of the church with a pig roast and congregants watched the game together in the Fellowship Hall.
This time, Pastor Steve said tavern owner Keith Morgan has kicked in a generous incentive by donating a portion of the meals on Sunday to Lutheran charities.
While they're doing this, they might just be reaching people who they otherwise would not see in the pews on any given week.
"Some people just aren't comfortable coming to a regular church," said Pastor Steve. "It's really important, as culture changes, that we figure out new ways to do church and be church. We have to be creative as denominations are losing attendance on weekends. We have our work cut out for us."
Anyone interested in worshiping and watching the game, should make a reservation. 716-689-6600 is the phone number for the Tavern at Windsor Park. As of Thursday morning 60 people had reserved a spot. The restaurant can accommodate 80.
Pastor Steve said the response, so far, been overwhelmingly positive. But he said if people don't like it, they can go to a traditional service at 10am in their sanctuary.
He promises a very different feel to the service. "It's all designed around game day. A sanctuary and a place of worship can be anywhere."
Asked whether he will be wearing a robe or collar, or a jersey on Sunday, Pastor Steve said, "I'm probably one of the most superstitious Christian pastors around, so I'll be wearing the same thing I've been wearing the last three weeks, during the winning streak, which is Bills polo shirt and a Bills pullover."
