A Note from Pastor Kenneth

My wife Ari and I went on holiday to England a few years back. As we were walking around, we came across a band playing in the middle of the road. They were quite good, and we even bought a CD. They had a Celtic, bluegrass sound.

The band had attracted a crowd of people who formed a semicircle, with kids dancing and hopping to the music. As I was watching the band, my attention turned from the kids dancing to a man, who, on the far side of the semicircle, was also dancing near the kids. This man was clearly drunk, but it was also very clear that the music stirred his soul. Those who saw him laughed, for he was making a fool of himself.

I found myself a little envious of him. I was actually jealous of the freedom he had. Though it was alcohol-induced and coupled with horrible rhythm, he had something I didn’t. He had the freedom to express the stirring of his soul, and he danced despite what others thought, despite the fact that he couldn’t dance, and despite the fact that the only other people dancing were little children. He still danced.

The music stirred my soul, too, and I wanted to dance, but all I could muster was a “toe tap.” He had a freedom that I wanted to express but couldn’t. Why couldn’t I dance? Why do I take myself so seriously? Why does it matter so much what other people think? Or better questions:
  • How can I change?
  • How can I be free to dance?

God has truly stirred my soul. He has given me life, grace, and a million other blessings that I do not deserve and could never earn. He is always faithful, always kind, always good, always in control, and always there. His great love that motivated His famous sacrifice stirs my soul, and I want to shout out and dance and worship God with all I have. I want to bow down, jump up, sing loudly, be still, and tell the whole world what Jesus has done for me. But more often than not, I hold back. I restrain myself. I muster up the equivalent of a toe tap and hope that it’s good enough.

But it’s not good enough. Passionate worship is the natural response of a heart that’s been touched and set free by Jesus’ saving grace. When I gave my life to Jesus as a teenager, no one told me to worship God; it came naturally. No one had to tell me to share the good news about Jesus because it naturally poured out.

So my challenge to you (and myself) is simply this: when God stirs your soul, don’t hold back what wants to come out!

Worshiping Him with you!
Pastor Kenneth
THIS SUNDAY:
Corinth: Rejuvenated by the Holy Spirit
Acts 18:1-17
 
News & Events
Mentoring Pasadena
Mentoring Pasadena is a partnership between area churches and PISD to impact the lives of elementary age children through a weekly mentoring relationship. Our church has adopted Jensen Elementary for this effort. Kids Hope will now operate under this name.

Once a week, for 30 minutes, you’ll help kids with reading and math, while simultaneously building a friendship. God only knows the effect you will have on their lives and, ultimately, their family.  

There are two ways to sign up.
  1. Volunteer forms are at the Information Table. Complete the form and place it in the box provided.
  2. Click the button below and register digitally.
Splash Bash
Friday, August 2 | 6:30 - 8 p.m.
You’re invited to our third annual KiX Ministry Splash Bash, a free evening of fun water activities and frozen treats. It’s all happening at Parkgate Community Church on Friday, August 2 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. This event is for kids age 4 through entering 5 th grade this fall. Register your kids at parkgate.church/splash .
 
Parkgate Blood Drive
Sunday, August 4 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
We're excited to announce that we're once again partnering with Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and hosting a blood drive on Sunday, August 4. Schedule your appointment today with Frankie Duenes. She’ll be in the lobby after both services on Sunday, July 28. Feel free to contact her with any additional questions at (832) 603-2588.
 
IMPACT Girls Night In
Friday, August 16 | 7 p.m.
Hey IMPACT Girls! You're invited to join us Friday, August 16 for Girls Night In, where any and all girls from 6th-12th grade are invited to come spend the night at the church. We'll play games, hang out, and get to know one another! The event is 100% free, and has been planned by our very own Elisa Mendiola and Abby Feirtag! This will be a great opportunity to have your friends get plugged into our youth group, so make sure to invite some! To register, click the button below.
Team Up to Clean Up
Saturday, September 7
Join us as we partner with the city of Pasadena to clean up our city! This one-day initiative in our city will assist low-income and elderly home-owners with small repairs and yard work. Any able-bodied person can do it and Jesus will be honored with every act!  
Birthdays & Anniversaries
August Birthdays
1 Adam Higgins • 2 Jason Hawkins, Bobby Hosmer • 3 John Wesley Locklear, Kayla Thai • 6 Maddox Ayala • 8 David Duenes • 13 Derek Bowdoin, Kellie Pacheco • 14 Amy Axtell, Trinity Bowdoin, Mark Wiess • 16 Jimmy Ramirez • 18 Candy Moore • 20 Donna Bowman, Nicole Chambers • 21 Margaret Ray • 22 Genevieve Pacheco • 23 Jenni Gonzalez, Laura Shugart • 25 Andrea Holloway, Margaret Johnson • 27 Brady Axtell • 28 Ben Hopson • 29 Christina Roberts • 30 Angela Ayala, Charles Hicks, Elizabeth Shelley • 31 Celeta Carr, Don Holmes, Alex Reyes, Gabriella Romo
August Anniversaries
10 Brandt & Denise Smith • 12 Jack & Jackie Mitchell • 13 Israel & Angela Ayala • 25 Bob & Robin Dunn, Pete & Wanda Martinez