A Note from Pastor Kenneth
During my first youth pastor experience, when I was 19 years old and serving in Montana, I made a decision that a single father didn’t like. He expressed his concern to me; we talked about it for a while and listened to each other’s point of view. After hearing what he had to say, I still felt the decision I made was the best one. This father didn’t. So, we agreed to disagree. No problem. No sin. This is normal and common.

That is, until I noticed that he'd stopped talking to me. Soon I noticed that he was actually avoiding me. Then I noticed he would leave church a little early just so we wouldn’t have to talk. My suspicions were confirmed when his two sons asked me to speak with their dad because he was talking about leaving the church. These two sons didn’t want to leave the church.

So we spoke to each other again, not about the youth decision (that wasn’t actually the problem) but about the break in fellowship between us. We got everything out in the open and dealt with the issue. It wasn’t fun, it wasn’t comfortable, and I didn’t like it. What I did like was that we actually became better friends after that, and a couple of years later, he served as one of my groomsmen for my wedding. In other words, we worked out our relational conflict.
These types of common problems with other people, these attitudes of "I’m not speaking to him," "I’m going to avoid her," or "I’m leaving the church because of them" do not honor God. In fact, I’ve noticed that these attitudes are often an illness that eats away at us. If we do end up leaving a local church body for another one, we just take the disease with us.

These attitudes and problems with other people can cripple our walk with God. Jesus said in Matthew 5:23–24:

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Jesus wants us to take very seriously our issues with other people and work them out. Are you willing? 

Pastor Kenneth
THIS SUNDAY:
Living in the YES Position
Matthew 25:1-13

News & Events
ESL Ministry Teacher Training
Sunday, September 22 after second service
You're invited to join our ESL Ministry Team! We'll have a training on Sunday, September 22 after second service. We'll gather in the Fellowship Room for a light lunch and wrap up by 2 p.m. Anyone interested in serving our community through this ministry is invited to the training. For more information, contact Frankie Duenes at 832-603-2588.

Registration for our fall session will take place Monday, September 30 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. The cost is $10 for the book.

 
Connecting with Parkgate
Wednesday, September 25 • 7 p.m.
If you are new to Parkgate, we would love to meet you and tell you more about our church. Attending this class is step one in formally joining our spiritual family, making Parkgate your church home. It’s also a great way to meet some of our staff and learn who we are and what we are about. Plan now to join us in the library on Wednesday, September 25. If you would like to attend or would like more information, please contact Pastor Kenneth.
 
IMPACT Summer Send-Off
Saturday, September 28 • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Enjoy the end of summer as we head to the Choates' house in Galveston for a day of games, swimming, and barbecue. This event is totally free and for anyone in 6th - 12th grade, so feel free to bring a friend with you! We will meet at the church at 10 a.m. to carpool over together and return around 4 p.m. We will be swimming in a canal so inexperienced swimmers need to bring a life jacket. Click the button below to register.

Questions? Contact Pastor Andrew at awalker@parkgate.org.
Family Fall Fest: Trunk Hosts Needed!
Sunday, October 27
Save the date for our Family Fall Fest, happening October 27 from 4 - 6 p.m. This annual tradition at Parkgate is free fun for the whole family, with games, a bounce house, a rock wall, face painting, Trunk-n-Treat, a costume contest, and more! Sign up to host a trunk at Trunk-n-Treat below and look for even more ways you can contribute to this exciting event in the weeks ahead. 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
September Birthdays
1 Ray Thomas • 2 Lilly Alvarez, Shane McCoy, Jack Mitchell • 3 Nehiel Rojas, Suzy Thompson • 4 Tracy Grissinger, Pat Miley, Travis Votaw • 7 Jonah Cortez, Bella Gonzalez, Olivia Nawrot, Lily Phillips • 8 Randy Shugart • 9 Vicki Junck • 10 Addy Johnson • 14 Mario Lopez • 18 Rosemary Newman • 19 Robert Anderson, Brandee Duncan-Lovercheck, Jax Thai • 20 Lisa Phenix • 21 Daniel Barnes, Charles Shafer • 22 Lydia Hannegan • 23 Tammy Hopson • 24 Phyllis Garrard • 28 Caley Chavez • 29 Gayle DeBusk
September Anniversaries
2 Paul & Mary Ellen Hicks, Kenneth & Arielle Spiller • 6 Herman & Candy Moore • 13 Shane & Ruby McCoy • 15 Kenneth & Sheila Nawrot • 23 Brian & Julie Deshotel • 24 Bill & Cassandra Kilgore • 27 Les & Becky Below •
30 George & Glenda Rehbein