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A Note from Pastor Chelsea
December can be a
rough month.
Let's just call a spade a spade, okay? December is busy and chaotic and packed full of activities and responsibilities vying for our attention - many under the guise of "getting us in the holiday spirit."
If I look around me, "getting in the holiday spirit" means longer lines, way more traffic, frantic shoppers, weary families ...
But I'd like to think that
really embracing the holiday spirit means giving yourself space to catch you breath as you reflect on the gift of Jesus.
This past Sunday evening, our KiX Christmas Choir presented a short music program at Cupcakes & Carols. The highlight of the night for me had to be their performance of "O Holy Night." They sang with gusto, even when those high notes were tricky to hit.
One particular lyric from that song has been replaying in my head this Christmas season:
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices!
When I hear those simple, powerful words, my mind immediately goes to the shepherds - you know, the ones "keeping watch over their flocks by night." I think about the anxieties their jobs probably caused them - overworked and underpaid, chastised by society, and constantly on the lookout for predators, be they in human or animal form. This raggedy crew probably could have used a shower and a shave. Maybe they were exchanging their woes around the fire that night - a biblical water cooler of sorts.
Suddenly, the sky is filled with light as an angel appears to them. And they are afraid - and rightfully so! (Have you ever noticed how most times an angel shows up in scripture people are terrified? Makes me think our nativity set angels may be a little off .. ) The angel calms the shepherds down and tells them the good news - the Messiah has come! Yes, Jesus - the Messiah these shepherds have been waiting to arrive for as long as they can remember. The Messiah their parents waited for and their grandparents and their great-grandparents and on and on. Talk about a true thrill of hope! To top it off, they are treated to their very own concert from the multitude of heavenly hosts.
And what do these weary shepherds do? They rejoice! They go "with haste" to find this Messiah. I like to think they sprinted, desperate for this glimpse of hope in a wary, weary world.
They find their hope in a newborn baby, hanging out in a barn with his peasant parents. The shepherds have no idea just how much this kid is going to change everything - but they know he's a big deal, so they hit the ground running - telling everyone this good news of great joy.
This Christmas, I want to be more like those shepherds. I want to embrace thew news of Christ's birth with that same level of vigor and excitement. This Messiah, a thrill of hope - may our weary hearts rejoice!
Pastor Chelsea
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Hope for All Times
Isaiah 60
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Parkgate Wi-Fi
If you use a tablet or smartphone to study God's Word during one of our services, complimentary Wi-Fi is now available throughout the building.
Password:
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Parkgate App
Download the Parkgate App on your smartphone. Head to your App Store, search "Sharefaith," and download the app. Then search for Parkgate Community Church, hit save and enjoy!
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Online Giving
In order to make it easier for you to support the ministry of our church we have added online giving as an option for you on our app and through our website.
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RightNow Media
Join the Netflix of Bible Studies. Reserve access to this free library by
contacting the church office with your e-mail address to request an invitation.
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Text Alerts
Sign up for text alerts about important church gatherings and ministries. To opt in, text "Join PCC" to 40650. Be sure to leave a space between the words "Join" and "PCC."
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Upcoming Events Calendar
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12.14.18
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Bible Study | Noon
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12.15.18
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IMPACT Christmas Party | 4 - 9 p.m.
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12.16.18
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Pastors' Open House | 4 - 7 p.m.
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12.21.18
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Bible Study |
Noon
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12.22.18
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Nursing Home Visit | 10 a.m.
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12.24.18
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Christmas Eve Service | 6 p.m.
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12.25.18
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Christmas Holiday - OFFICE CLOSED
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12.26.18
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NO midweek programs
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12.28.18
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NO Bible Study
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12.29.18
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Un-Deck the Halls | 10 a.m.
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Introducing Andrew, Brandi and Jane Walker! 
Friday - Sunday, December 14 - 16
Our new incoming Pastor for Student Ministries, Andrew Walker, will be with us for several events this weekend, along with his family.
Andrew and Brandi will participate in the noon Bible Study on Friday, the IMPACT Christmas Party on Saturday, both worship services Sunday and be at Pastor Jim's Open House that evening. Their daughter Jane will join them for some of these events. Please help them feel welcome!
The Walker family plans to be moved to Texas by January 1.
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Christmas Eve Service
Monday, December 24 | 6 p.m.
Join the Parkgate family as we welcome our Savior and celebrate His birth. This evening candlelight service is filled with wonderful music and celebration. Be sure to bring your whole family for this special time!
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Pastors' Open House
Sunday, December 16 | 4 - 7 p.m.
Don't miss this important Parkgate Christmas tradition! You are invited to each of the pastors' homes to enjoy some good food and fellowship. This is a casual come and go reception for you, your friends and your family.
- Pastor Jim & Julia - 1614 Monroe Drive, Deer Park
- Pastor Kenneth & Arielle - 4108 War Admiral Dr., Pasadena
- Pastor Chelsea - 3419 Dry Creek Dr., Pasadena (at the home of J.D. & George Duncan)
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Un-Deck the Halls
Saturday, December 29 | 10 a.m.
It's that not-so-wonderful time of the year when there are no more presents to open, all the eggnog is gone, and now we take down our Christmas decorations. Please join us on Saturday, December 29 at 10 a.m. as we put away our Christmas decorations and prepare our building for the new year!
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Nursery Workers Needed
Looking for a meaningful way to serve, a great way to help us welcome families, and a chance to snuggle cute babies? We have two openings on Nursery Team the first Sunday of each month during the 10:45 a.m. service. Contact our Nursery Coordinator Irene Mendiola if you're interested at
5txmend@gmail.com.
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Family Sunday
Sunday, December 30
10:45 a.m. Service
Save the date for Sunday, December 30 when kids age 4 through 5th grade will hang out with us in service for a special Family Sunday. Start praying now that this would be a meaningful day for the families in our church.
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IMPACT Fundraiser
Monday, December 17 | 5 - 8 p.m.
We have the opportunity to raise money for Winter Retreat or the summer trip by hosting a fundraiser at the Fairmont Chick-fil-A. In order for you to benefit from the fundraiser, you must work at the event. Work will include bussing tables and other duties as assigned. Be sure to encourage your friends and family to eat at Chick-fil-A the evening of Monday, December 17 from 5 - 8 p.m. and to mention IMPACT!
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IMPACT Winter Retreat
January 4 - 6, 2019
Our IMPACT Winter Retreat is happening Friday, January 4 - Sunday, January 6 at Carolina Creek Christian Camp in Huntsville, TX. We'll leave the church at 2 p.m. Friday and return at Sunday at 12:30 p.m. The cost for the retreat is $100, plus money for a fast food dinner on Friday night.
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Stripped Love Ministry
Church, we are in need of the following items to help in filling our gift bags we give to our friends during our visits.
- Bath & Body Works items
- Packages of wrapped candies
Please consider purchasing a few of these items and place them in the church office. If you are interested in serving in any capacity with this ministry, click the link to
e-mail Cydni. You can also call Cydni at 281-513-6581 or contact the church office at 281-487-4283.
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Singles Group
Thursdays at 6 p.m.
If you're over 30 and single, consider joining our Singles Ministry! We gather Thursdays at the church. A light supper is served at 6 p.m., followed by a lesson or entertainment time. Several enjoy coming in addition to being in a Community Group and you can too!
For the next 9 months, we will be "traveling" through the timeline of the world's story as written in Genesis through Revelation. While this will only be a brief walk through the Bible, it should still be enlightening and a fun way to get to know the Bible better.
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Truth & Light Ministry Counseling
Individuals, couples, and families counseling sessions are available by appointment throughout the week at
no cost.
For information on group or individual sessions, please call 281-473-5209 or
e-mail Vicki Junck.
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Freecycle
Searching for an item or having something to trade, sell or give away? We now have a bulletin board, located outside the Fellowship Hall
(formerly the IMPACT Zone) where you can post such needs. If you're looking for something, post "ISO" along with your name and number. Selling, trading, or giving away? Share a photo and your information. This board is for the exchange of information only. Please be courteous to church staff and do not ask them questions about items listed. Contact the number posted instead.
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| December Birthdays & Anniversaries |
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2
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John Choate
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4
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Jared Deshotel
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6
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Clay Boyd
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8
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Sandy McHone
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8
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Adrianna Nuno
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10
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Axel Thai
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11
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Alfonso Grimaldo
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14
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Richard Morris
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17
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Ethel Bowser
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19
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Marc Pinney
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20
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Lauren Schneider
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20
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Pedro Garcia
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21
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Joyce Mosley
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22
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Andrew Walker
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22
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Liz McClanahan
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22
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Troy Hicks
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24
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Dahlia Thompson
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24
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Isaac Thompson
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24
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Jude Thompson
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24
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Lucia Thompson
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25
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Ryleah Bellinger
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27
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Nikki Lyles
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29
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Glenda Rehbein
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31
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Miriam Barber
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31
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Randy Nelson
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31
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Glen Stevenson
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2
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Derek & Toni Bowdoin
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18
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George & Janet Duncan
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19
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David & Linda Fraser
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20
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Richard & Shirley Morris
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27
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Jeff & Sylvia Locklear
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PLEASE NOTE:
If your birthday or anniversary is not listed,
please contact the church office so we can update our records.
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3715 Preston Avenue
Pasadena, TX 77505-2012
Sundays at 9 & 10:45 a.m.
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Copyright © 2016. All Rights Reserved.
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