Returning to Service
Hello church family! As we prepare to reopen our in-person weekly worship service on Sundays at Aggie Park, we wanted to let you know that this has been a prayerful journey. We have consistently watched the local data, listened to our leadership community, and considered several aspects of what it will take to gather together in a wise and safe way. In light of this, there are a couple of key pieces of information to keep in mind:
- This will be an All Parish Worship service, so we invite those who attend MacArthur Terrace, Midtown and Oak Meadow to join us.
- If you are not ready to meet in person, we understand and respect that decision. The service will be live-streaming the worship service each Sunday morning at 10am.
- We are requiring registration for in-person attendance. Click here to register.
- There will be no Family Ministries for children to attend separately, instead we will all worship in the room together.
- We have several social distancing measures that we will be asking all in-person attendees to abide by.
- Gathering together for All Parish worship on Sundays does not change our heart or posture toward our parish neighborhood ministries. You’ll be hearing more ideas about how to engage your parish community soon.
- We love you and are excited to worship together starting on September 13 at Aggie Park. Should you have any questions please contact us at questions@theparksa.org
- For safety measures we are taking, you can visit theparksa.org.
Devotional
Longing for the good ole days?
The wisest of Kings says you shouldn’t. King Solomon instructs his son, “Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise.” (Ecclesiastes 7:10) When were the good old days for you? Was it the time so long ago when face mask were not required at your local coffee shop? Was it your childhood when youthful bliss which allowed some of you, not everyone, to think this is the best it’s ever going to get? Was it the 80’s when Bananarama broke the charts with Cruel Summer? Or for me at one of the most pivotal intersections in history between the IROC Z28 defining cool and Nirvana burning it all down? Regardless, I think we can all agree with Billy Joel…
“We didn’t start the fire;
It was always burning; Since the world’s been turning; We didn’t start the fire. No we didn’t light it, But we tried to fight it.”
When we long for the good old days we ignore the new thing God is trying to do. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Is 43:19) Whether you think 2020 is a wasteland or not you have to lean into Solomon’s wisdom, do not long for the good old days! If we spend our time lamenting on what could have been or how things were, we lose the apostolic edge that should carry us into 2021 and beyond. We can learn from the past but too long for it is to make the past an idol. Can you perceive what God is doing now?
Can you look past your affinity for what was and consider what could be? The church desperately needs its spiritual Mothers and Fathers, Grand Mothers and Grand Fathers to look into the future with hope and proclaim our eschatological promise, “And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Rev 21:5) My prayer is that as we lay 2020 to rest, we can do so with a renewed sense of hope and trust that the promise of scripture is in fact a promise of what will come and not a promise to get us back to some day we see-through rose-colored glasses.
Grace & Peace
Scott Austin
6 Week Studies
As we head into the fall, we are excited to launch new 6 week studies on ZOOM. Studies will be Mondays 8-9:30pm starting September 14th. To register for a study you can click here.
COMPASSION & CONVICTION
Leader: Terri Pease and Lindsey Wright
In a polarized country, it often seems like we are constantly forced to choose between two candidates or policies that fall short of our Christian values and witness. The world gives us a false dichotomy of choices that leaves little room for nuance or compromise. In frustration, many Christians opt out of the political process altogether, but what if there is a third way? During this six-week study, we will use the book Compassion and Conviction by Justin Giboney, Michael Wear, and Chris Butler as a guide to show us why and how we, as Christians, should engage in politics. We will discuss topics such as: Church & State; Messaging & Rhetoric; Politics & Race; and Civility & Political Culture. We will also work through exercises to help us learn how to facilitate constructive and meaningful conversations about politics.
THE MINOR PROPHETS- DISCERNMENT IN DIFFICULT TIMES
Leader: Chris Nikkel and Steve Mathis
The minor prophets are often overlooked due to the seemingly obscure times in which they lived and the harshness of their messages. In this study, we will be diving deep into their contexts, unpacking what they said and to whom and to what end. What we hope to discover and apply is how the voice of the prophet is a bold, discerning presence in the midst of a world teetering on destruction and a faith community flirting with assimilation. Join us for prayer, study, and discussion.
WHAT THE WOMEN SAW- WOMEN’S STUDY
Leader: Nancy Gaines and All Parish Co-Hosts
Do women matter to the kingdom of God? Jesus was surrounded by both men and women during his ministry on earth. He saw, valued, and cared for women, and he still does today. In this study you will discover who Jesus is through the unique perspective of women in the Bible such as Mary, Martha, Mary Magdalene and others. You will learn from their faith and failures, and be reminded that Jesus cared for and valued the women he was surrounded by. He equipped them, listened to them, walked with them, healed them, and empowered them. And he does the same for you now. This women’s, all parish study will focus on discovering Jesus through the eyes of women. We will watch a 10 minute video from Jennie Allen, Jada Edwards, Sadie Robertson Huff, and Bianca Olthoff, and discuss how each of us has a significant role in the kingdom of God and that women play a huge part in the kingdom of God, and we have all been given a job to do: spread the gospel.
Sunday’s Family Ministry Lesson
Check out Family Ministries “Say Cheese” curriculum. Click here to see this week’s lesson.
Church Lobby Sunday Mornings
We are loving chatting with you all on Sunday morning! If you haven’t checked out The Park Church Lobby yet, you can still join in on Sunday mornings starting at 9:15am until 9:55am. Pop in just to say hello or stay the whole time! We’d love to “see” you all there! Afterwards, join us online for our church streaming service at 10am. Can’t wait to see you this Sunday! Click here to join the ZOOM call Sunday.
Wednesday Night Worship & Prayer
Join us Wednesday nights at 8:30 PM on Facebook Live or YouTube Live for a time of worship and prayer. We look forward to interacting in real time as we re-center our hearts on what God is doing.
Church Chats
Join us every Thursday morning on Facebook Live at 10am for Church Chat. We will have some pastors from our church community gather to discuss topics and questions sent to us from you, our church family. To submit questions, email questions@theparksa.org.
Covid-19 Needs and Assistance
The Park is still gathering the needs of our community. We have created a way for you to request assistance. If you have a need you can click here.
If you are able to offer assistance to others you can click here.
Stay in Contact
If we can pray for you, please contact your parish pastor directly or send us an email at prayer@theparksa.org.
If you are experiencing any hardships during this time, we want to be there to support you. If you have questions or needs we can help with, email us at info@theparksa.org