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GOOD TIDINGS

The Weekly Newsletter for Park Road Baptist Church

May 24, 2023

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A couple of weeks ago in worship I asked the children to tell me what they think God looks like. I got: “I think God has a beard”; “I think God looks like Jesus.” That was what I was expecting and a perfect place to begin in faith formation and education. Here is what I said to them: “That’s interesting. Maybe, though I don’t think God is a man or woman. It’s so hard to describe something or someone that we cannot see.”

Then I proceeded to help them show the congregation two little pieces of what God looks like. You can see it in the photo. They smiled as big as they could and made the heart sign with their hands and held out their heart-hands and smiles to the people in the pews. What I wish I had a have a picture of is when the church offered smiles and hand-hearts right back to the children.

There we all sat – full of beaming smiles and showing love to one another – and looking like the spitting image of God . . . boys and girls and men and women and friends, different languages and skin tones, all ages . . . smiling at each other and offering love.

I hope these children spend the rest of their lives trying to find images and words for what God looks like and how God acts. I hope that their understanding of God grows and matures with each passing moment that they might come alive to God’s presence all around them and within them.

When I look at this picture, I simply can’t help but smile and feel love which means every time I look at this picture, I catch a glimpse of God. - Amy

Meet our new Associate Pastor for Children, Youth, and Families

We are thrilled that JD McDonald will join our staff this summer. JD will meet us in Birmingham for our Youth Mission Trip (June 19-23), and will begin his full-time employment the first week of July. We want to give you an opportunity to meet JD, and give JD a first chance to get to know you, so we are planning a Sunday Meet & Greet especially for that purpose. On July 9 following worship, please plan to stay for at least a few minutes to introduce yourself and enjoy the fellowship.

Inter-generational Retreat! Save the Date - September 1-3

After a pandemic hiatus, our Inter-generational Retreat will resume this year beginning on Friday evening, September 1, at the Lutheridge Conference Center in Arden, NC. The conference center, is a wonderful facility offering beautiful surroundings, comfortable rooms and delicious meals, located in the mountains just south of Asheville. The weekend is designed for all ages and is a fantastic way for Park Roadians to get to know one another better! Believe it or not, thanks to a generous donor, you can come and enjoy the weekend at no cost to you! So, mark your calendars and plan to join us on Labor Day weekend!

Last Book-A-Palooza of the School Year

Park Road will sponsor the last Book-A-Palooza event of the school year on June 7 and 8. The students at Marie G Davis K-8 School will be able to select 5 books from our inventory to keep for themselves. Volunteers are needed on Tuesday, June 6 through Thursday June 9 to unpack books and assist students. Somedays will require packing, unpacking, and transporting the books. Please sign up to help here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b4caaae2daafe3-bookapalooza7#/

Sunday Worship

May 21, 2023

Finishing Touches

While the CDC HVAC replacement project was officially completed many months ago, a few loose ends and beautification projects have been taking place. First, a welder replaced a missing section of the guard rail around the CDC basement stairwell. Last week a new, custom fence was built to surround the air conditioner units and utilities in the natural area facing the back parking lot. The fence matches the ones built for the same purpose in the CDC courtyard. Today, Marvin is spreading mulch and adjusting water drainage lines to finish off the area. The caution tape and cones are gone, and the back parking lot view looks as good as the CDC air conditioning feels!

Fun Food Friday

Mark your calendars now for Friday, June 2. We’ll enjoy the atmosphere and some tasty Tex-Mex cuisine at SouthBound Restaurant (www.eatsouthbound.com). Meet us in the church parking lot at 11:30a to carpool or join us at 11:45a at 2433 South Boulevard – but, either way, please let us know you are coming (becka@parkroadbaptist.org or 704-523-5717).

First Wednesdays Will Continue Through the Summer

We have been enjoying a chance to meet for Fellowship Supper and a brief Vespers worship service on the first Wednesday of each month. That schedule will continue: June 7, July 5, August 2 (5:30p dinner, 6p vespers). Take advantage of this opportunity to get to know some of your church members better. It’s a good meal and a wonderful midweek break. Please call the church office (704-523-5717) to sign up by Tuesday at noon, the week of the program. You may also sign up in Helt Hall on Sunday mornings.

Men's Shelter Lunch - Saturday, June 10

We need volunteers for our 3^rd Men’s Shelter Lunch of the year, on June 10 at the shelter on 1210 N. Tryon St. Volunteers prepare lunch beginning at 10:30a and then serve 110-150 meals, the work wraps up at or before 1p. No prior experience is necessary and working with a team from Park Road provides a fun opportunity to get to know one another better! Plus, it’s a worthwhile project that is much appreciated by the folks we serve. If you’ve never tried it before, come and join us!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0945aca92da2fd0-roof#/

Very Special People

Once again, our VSP group had a wonderful time together enjoying wonderful food, good jokes, door prizes and great music. Thanks to Tam for the food, Max and Beverly for all of the logistics, and John G. Franklin for the entertainment. Our Very Special People are indebted to an anonymous donor who keeps paying for their lunches, and as we all know, free makes everything better! Every time this group of senior adults gets together it is a good thing. Our next VSP gathering will be in the fall.

Friends at Home

Please check in on each other via phone,

email, text, Zoom, or letters.

Thank you.

We list an individual each week that we call our “Friends at Home” with their contact information.

Drop a card or give a call to check-in. Even if you do not know someone personally, a contact from someone from their church is always an encouragement.