Service at Blueprint Ministries
This Sunday, December 6th we will be gathering at 10 am at Blueprint Ministries for a shortened, roughly 30 minute, service. Click here to register for this service. Chairs will not be provided, so if needed, please bring your own seating. This service will be held outside in Blueprint’s parking lot off S. Presa and Schley Ave. Please park in the overflow parking lot off McKinely Ave, or you can park along the street, but please do not park in front of any homes. After service, we will dismiss to deliver gifts to homeowners.
Upcoming December Events
- 4th | Oak Meadow Women’s Christmas Gathering @ 8pm – Register
- 6th | Blueprint Sunday. We will gather at Blueprint at 10am for a short service and then deliver gifts to homeowners. (Register to Attend Service) (Register to Buy Gift)
- 10th | Midtown Women’s Christmas Gathering @ 7:30pm – Register
- 13th | Register to Attend at Aggie Park
- 13th | Parish Jingle Jam – Family Event – More info to come.
- 19th | MacTerrace Women’s Christmas Gathering @ 7:30 – Register
- 20th | Register to Attend at Aggie Park
- 24th | Christmas Eve @5pm – Register to Attend Outside Candlelight Service
- 27th | No Service
To view more information on Advent click here.
Devotional
My son, Noah, is an extremely stubborn four year old (he gets it from my wife, Liz.) When we first began teaching him to share and to think of others Noah would maliciously comply with what we were asking of him. He would share only because he was asked to but it was so obvious he hated every second of it. But as he has grown older Liz and I have seen him move beyond obligation and into opportunity. He is starting to find ways to bring joy to others, to ask if his friends are having fun and to change the game when they aren’t. Noah stopped following the letter of the law and started finding freedom to love within it.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”
~Matthew 5:38-42
Jesus is preaching the same message to us. We need to move from revenge and malicious compliance and into the freedom of loving our neighbors without hypocrisy. I’m reminded of Paul’s words of our continuing debt to love one another because those who love fulfill the law.
I’ve been reflecting on this quote for this last week:
“The first mile is the slave mile, the second is the free mile. The first mile you are the victim and the second you are the victor. The first mile you are controlled, the second you are liberated. The first mile is the law, the second is the love of God. The first mile you drag your feet, the second you walk boldly. The first mile is bitter, the second is joyful. We move from conquered to conquering.”
Will you join me in being a second mile person?
~Nick Smith
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
Last chance to register to purchase a gift for Blueprint homeowners with essential items! Gifts includes items that range from $25-$50. You can choose to purchase for an individual or your family can adopt another family! Join us this Sunday for a special service at Blueprint Ministries at 10am and gift delivery after service. If you would like to purchase a gift for an individual or family you can click here to sign up.
December Family Packs & Videos
We are excited to offer Advent family packets for the month of December. Pick up will be this Sunday, December 6th, 2-3 pm at Aggie Park. Swing by by for your packet, see you there! Also, check out December’s Family Minsitries videos by clicking here!
In-Person Service Information
Registration is 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.
December 6th Service at Blueprint Ministries Registration
December 13th Service Registration at Aggie Park
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.