Marks of the Christian Life

The most avid reader is unlikely to pick up the Book of Order for a relaxing evening read.  The Book of Order is one part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and provides guidelines for how the church is to conduct its business.  But hidden inside the BOO are some real gems about the Christian life.

            

For example there is a section entitled, "The Ministry of Members."  It starts out like this, "Membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is a joy and a privilege. It is also a commitment to participate in Christ's mission. A faithful member bears witness to God's love and grace and promises to be involved responsibly in the ministry of Christ's Church." This section goes on to list eleven ways one should be in ministry.

            

For the next three weeks I want to come at this same idea but from a little different perspective. I will be preaching three sermons on "The Marks of the Christian Life."  Since it is a three sermon series I am going to look at three marks rather than eleven.  Here is the line-up:

            

November 8-Generous Hearts. Followers of Jesus are called to a life of generosity in giving of themselves to others. I have seen people find a new spirit of generosity once they make the shift to seeing that everything they have is a gift from God. A response of thankfulness creates a generous heart.

            

November 15-Helping Hands. Since childhood I have loved the story of

 the paralytic whose friends lift him up to the roof of a house where Jesus is staying, dig through the roof, and lower their friend through the hole they have created.  The result is that the paralytic is healed. But his healing was as much dependent upon the helping hands of his friends as it was on the touch of Jesus. We are called to serve with our hands.

            

November 22-Changed Lives. Almost every story in the gospels where Jesus encounters an individual that person's life is changed.  Jesus does that to people today.  In fact if we have generous hearts and helping hands we will change lives in Jesus' name. But chances are our lives will be changed as well.

            

See you in church!

Allen Mosiman

The Parkway Presbyterian Youth are compiling a cookbook of the congregation's favorite recipes! All proceeds gathered from the sale of the cookbook will go towards the purchasing of a water well through Heifer International. Please  click here to  submit your favorite recipes online so they can be included in the congregation cookbook ! If you would like to purchase the cookbook ($15)  click here . Recipes and Orders are due November 22nd! You can also go to the  Parkway website to submit your recipes and/or purchase cookbooks.

Attention all CROP Walkers!
This Sunday we will meet in the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church at 1:45 for a litany and prayer before the walk begins promptly at 2:00. Please try to collect all your money and give it to Joan Salazar that day. For those who have not yet had a chance to contribute, you may still write a check to CW/S/CROP or you can go to www.crophungerwalk.org and find our city and church to donate online. Thank you for helping to alleviate hunger locally and globally.

Reminder on El Divino

The Coastal Bend Day of Giving is a 24 hour, online opportunity to donate 

to local charities at the forefront of assisting those most at risk in our region.  This year, donations made on the Coastal Bend Day of Giving website, currently up to $16,250 for each of the 40 participating nonprofits, will be doubled so each nonprofit has the opportunity to raise at least $32,500 for much needed services!

Gifts of the Magi
Gifts of the Magi at Parkway is akin to a secret pal program during Advent, beginning November 29. If you want to participate, you will be assigned to another Parkway household, whom you will surprise with small gifts or acts of kindness. In turn, another Parkway household will do the same for you. You may keep your identity top secret until Christmas Eve, or you might like to tell your recipient household right away. Gifts of the Magi is a fun way to celebrate Advent, with the bonus of getting to know your Parkway family better. Please contact Susan Johnson by Sunday, November 15, to join in the fun.

Making a Difference in Corpus Christi through PCHAS

Pre sbyterian Children's Homes and Services (PCHAS) is well-known to many of us for the outstanding work they do with families. Dr. Courtney Alvarez, a Child and Family Specialist, has an office at Parkway where she sees families and works with them to improve their quality of life by teaching life skills.  Carla Daniels does similar work from an office at First Presbyterian Church.

            

Because of the administrative set-up of PCHAS it has not always been possible to donate funds to benefit directly those being served in Corpus Christi.  That has changed with an exciting and generous challenge.

            

A local couple has committed to matching donations on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to $50,000 if the donations are made in 2015 and designated for "Corpus Christi Match."

            

Imagine the people who could be helped and the lives that would be improved if PCHAS has an additional $100,000 for the local Corpus Christi program!

            

Please help PCHAS help others by participating in this great opportunity.  Please make sure your gift is marked "Corpus Christi Match."  You can donate through Parkway or send a check directly to PCHAS at 4407 Bee Cave Road, Suite 520, Austin, TX 78746.  You may also use their online giving page at texas.pchas.org/donate/

Parkway Pals

Seeing a college student  home for the holidays elicits a warm feeling, a  reminder of

watching that young person grow up in the loving care of our congregation.  Parkway Pals is a plan to keep in contact with college kids.  Please consider joining.  You'll be assigned just one student, with the goal of keeping in touch with her or him.  Final exams or holidays like Valentines Day would be a good time to send a care package/small gift, but emails and postal mail are always appreciated, too.  To join Parkway Pals, just send an email to Beth Hattox.  Thank you for reminding our college students of how much we continue to love and care for them.          

November 8 - November 14