Longing

Nov 27, 2020 | Bulletin

Upcoming December Events

To view more information on Advent click here.

Devotional

Longing can simultaneously be such a terrible and sweet place to reside. We may be longing for the end of something or longing for the beginning of something. Longing, when our heart knows a deep ache for months or even years of our desire going unanswered, can be terrible. When our soul is able to see through to hope, we may carry our longing a little more lightly and experience the sweetness of trust awaiting the provision of a promise. 

In the scripture for this week, Luke 1: 5-25, we are reminded of the bitter longing of Zachariah and Elizabeth. For far too many years, as they might tell, their arms had been left empty with no child to rock to sleep. Bearing the cultural shame of being “cursed” with barrenness, this devout couple continues to live as “good and just people in God’s sight, walking with integrity in the Lord’s ways and laws.”  (The Voice, Luke 1:6)  

The Bible tells us that they are “well past normal childbearing years”. It must have been hard, year after year, to keep feeding their hope. We can imagine at this point in their lives, they had just learned to live with the disappointment or the whispers of people in the marketplace. One unexpected encounter with a messenger of the God who heard their hearts changed everything.  

I don’t think it is better to reside in one camp or the other; but to see and know God’s presence in the midst of the longing. To remember that He has several names, some of which are Lahai Roi (the Living One who sees me), Jehovah Jireh (the Lord will provide) or Jehovah Rapha (the Lord who Heals).

As we live with our longing a prayer might be:  Father, help me to remember to trust in your goodness toward me, to not doubt your very nearness as I wait and to be assured that you understand every contour of my pain. Amen.

-Jacqueline Hullaby

In-Person Service Information

Registration will now be open two weeks in advance to join in person at Aggie Park at 10am. You can register for service by clicking on the links below. Indoor and outdoor seating options are available with safety protocols put in place to help keep us all safe. Please review our safety protocols prior to attending by clicking here. Doors will open at 9:40am so feel free to come early and say hello! We will still be live-streaming our service on Sunday at 10am on Facebook, YouTube and our website. We hope you will join us in what ever way you feel most comfortable and safe.

November 29th Service Registration

December 6th Service Registration at Blueprint Ministries

Women’s Christmas Gathering

‘Tis the season to celebrate! Women of The Park, all ages and stages, are invited to join a fun Christmas gathering. Each parish will be holding outdoor Christmas gatherings during December. To find out more information and to register to attend, please click here.

Blueprint Ministries Gift Purchasing

Join us in partnering with one of our Missional Partners, Blueprint Ministries, in gifting homeowners with essential items. This year, gifts includes items that range from $25-$50. You can choose to purchase for an individual or your family can adopt another family! Then, join us December 6th for a special service at Blueprint Ministries at 10am and gift delivery after service. If you’re unable to deliver your gift, you can bring your gift to Aggie Park on November 29th. If you would like to purchase a gift for an individual or family you can click here to sign up.

*This Sunday is the last day to bring gifts to Aggie Park during service hours if you are unable to deliver your gift on December 6th.

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.

Prayer Request

If we can pray for you, please contact your parish pastor directly or you can submit a prayer request by clicking here. We have a prayer team who will join you in prayer.

Stay in Contact

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 or you can click here to submit a request. If you are able to offer assistance to others you can click here.

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