YOUR GUIDE TO STAYING CONNECTED DURING COVID-19
Be sure to read the entirety of this email as new and pertinent information is shared in each week's edition.
Hello Parkgate!

As 2019 faded into 2020, I began to realize (yet again) that my engagement with the scriptures wasn't where it should be. I mean, I read the Bible on most days, but I'm not as consistent as I should be - and the practice has become somewhat stale.

To remedy this, I thought about doing one of those "Read the Bible in a Year" programs. I've never done one before and - to be honest - it seemed a little daunting to even think about. The whole Bible in a year? Four to five chapters a day? I talked to Ari and the boys about it and we decided together that we would each read through the Bible this year.

On day one, I prayed this prayer: "Lord, help me to fall in love with your word again." And do you know what? After only a short amount of time, I'm enjoying engaging with and reading through the Bible more than I have in years. Truth is jumping off the page and I'm discovering things all over again. And another thing: I'm able to pull from my readings to help those around me. It's beautiful!

Do you know what else I've discovered? The reading plan I'm on goes through a couple sections of the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Psalms. I thought it would take me at least 30 minutes a day, but in reality it only takes about 15 minutes. That's it! Do you know how much time I spend on the Internet each day? On social media? Much more than 15 minutes.

There was my real problem ... I had a priority issue. Too many other things were more important than engaging with the Bible. Though I would NEVER have said that, my actions proved it was true. So I'm working to change that.

What about you? Will you not just read, but engage with, dig into, try to understand, wrestle with, and make the word of God a priority in your life?

On this journey with you!
Pastor Kenneth
EASTER IS NOT CANCELLED - IT'S JUST ONLINE!
Help us spread the word that Easter isn't cancelled this year - it's just online! Who can you invite to experience God in a unique way this Easter Sunday, April 12? Invite your friends, family, and community to join us for Parkgate's online Easter experience.
ONLINE SERVICE: SUNDAY AT 10:45 A.M.
Here are three simple ways to access our online worship service, which will stream Sunday at 10:45 a.m.

  1. CHURCH WEBSITE: Visit www.parkgate.church/worship-services and click play on the video.
  2. YOUTUBE: Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be alerted when our service posts.
  3. FACEBOOK: Follow our Facebook page to join us in watching the service there or join the Parkgate Online group and watch there.

We encourage you to share these links with your families and friends in an effort to help #bethelight.
NEW LOVE NOTES MINISTRY
We've been talking with our friends at the mayor's office and the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce about the best ways to love and support our city during this time. Join us in providing cards for doctors, nurses, first responders, and nursing home residents. Grab the family and follow these 4 simple steps:

  1. Grab the WHOLE family and work together to draw pictures and write thank you notes our encouraging prayers to a doctor, a nurse, a first responder, or a nursing home resident.
  2. Make sure to include who you are and where you're from in the card. If you are a kid, write your age! Put the card in an envelope. Seal it with a gluestick or tape to avoid the spread of unnecessary germs.
  3. Label the envelope with who the card is for (a doctor, a friend in the nursing home, etc.). Then, make some more cards!
  4. Gather all your cards together and put them in a large envelope, then either (A) drop them off at the church Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the large box outside the office doors or (B) send them in the mail to Parkgate Love Notes Ministry • 3715 Preston Road • Pasadena, TX 77505.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
We have created a new space to connect with you on Facebook via our Parkgate Online group. All online content for the church is now linked to this group. Our weekly streaming schedule is as follows:
  • Daily Encouragement: Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m.
  • Sunday Mornings:
  • 9 a.m. IMPACT Student Lesson (6th - 12th Grade)
  • 9:30 a.m. KiX Toddler Time (Age 2 & 3)
  • 10 a.m. KiX Worship Lesson (Age 4 - 5th Grade)
  • Wednesdays:
  • 10:30 a.m. Toddler Story Time (Age 2 & 3)
  • 6 p.m. IMPACT Student Lesson (6th - 12th Grade)
  • 7 p.m. Club KiX Live! (Age 4 - 5th Grade)

Pastor Andrew and Pastor Chelsea are arranging online Zoom gatherings for students and kids during this time. Please click their names to send them an email requesting further information.
GIVING DURING COVID-19
Remember, the church is often the place folks first turn to in times of crisis. While it looks different in this season, tremendous amounts of ministry are still taking place. Your ongoing financial support enables us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our community.

Here are three easy ways to give during this time:
  1. Give online. Click here for instructions.
  2. Give via text. Click here for instructions.
  3. Put your check in the mail. We have made arrangements to continue receiving mail. For those who choose to give via mail, you can be confident your gifts are being received securely.
NEW UPDATES BELOW
After prayerful consideration and guidance from the CDC, we have made the difficult decision to suspend all on-site programming and activities until further notice. These kinds of decisions are never made lightly and we appreciate your love and prayerful support during this time. As a point of clarification, yes - this includes Sunday morning services.
 
Our office is also closed and our church staff is working remotely. The church phone line remains open and answered during our standard business hours, Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. We have made the necessary arrangements to forward the phone.

We do have staff in the office Wednesdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., to open the Food Pantry and prepare for Sunday streaming. While our staff is on site, we continue to encourage you to contact us via phone call, email, or text. If you stop by during this time, know that we will be unable to let you in the building and will interact with you at the door. This is just as strange for us as it is for you. Thank you for being gracious!