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“When the song of the angels is stilled,

when the star in the sky is gone,

when the kings and princes are home,

when the shepherds are back with their flocks,

the work of Christmas begins:

to find the lost,

to heal the broken,

to feed the hungry,

to release the prisoner,

to rebuild the nations,

to bring peace among the people,

to make music in the heart.”

Howard Thurman’s, The Work of Christmas, is appropriate for this twelfth and final day of the Christmas season. It takes a lot of work to make Christmas happen, in our homes, in our businesses, and in our church. I am grateful for all the hands who came out and jumped in to decorate and prepare, to sing and play, to work with children and youth, and to offer carols to the neighbors. I am grateful for all who showed up on Christmas Day so we could remember the reason for all the rush and ruckus.

But now it begins.



Now that the celebrations are over, it’s time to put all that feel-good into action. January 1 is just another day, in reality a day like every other day – yet there is something different about it. There is a feeling of freshness, even forgiveness when we roll the calendar forward. It’s just another day, but somehow, we do get to start again, again. This calendaring of time is somewhat contrived – but we might as well use that structure to move ourselves forward.

In our New Year’s Day worship, we suggested “New Year’s Intentions” rather than “resolutions,” trying to shake the guilt and shame of failed resolutions. As we begin a new trip around the sun, I hope we can intend, with all sincerity, to Be Church, together. The Church was not formed as another social club. Jesus gave us a mission to change the world. As Thurman says it…

to find the lost,

to heal the broken,

to feed the hungry,

to release the prisoner,

to rebuild the nations,

to bring peace among the people…

If we can join our intentions together, working toward that mission, it will certainly

…make music in the heart.

For 2023, making music in the heart… Let’s be intentional! – Russ

Now that we are into the new year and headed toward our annual State of the Church Meeting (Sunday January 29, after worship), we need to wrap this up. We are so close to pledging the Annual Ministry Plan, as recommended by our AMP Team, Ministry Council, and Deacons. If you have not yet made a pledge for 2023, we need you to do so. If you could give a little more, would you?

Please contact allison@parkroadbaptist.org, to make a confidential pledge or Click here to fill out an online pledge card.

The Cuba mission trip is fast approaching! Our group (Dan McClintock, Peggy McIntyre, Rosemarie Burton and her friend Deborah Davis, and Keely Smith and her friend, Shirley Tejada, who will be our interpreter) will depart next Thursday, January 12, and return on Tuesday the 17. Due to the COVID Pandemic it has been a few years since our last visit with our partner church in Carlos Rojas and they are very much looking forward to seeing Park Roadians again. Mileydis, the pastor, has planned her ordination to take place while we are there. We will, of course, extend greetings from all of you, so thank you for allowing us to represent you!

Medicines are always in short supply in Cuba and the need is even greater now than usual. Please consider donating some of the over-the-counter medicines from this list for us to take with us:

• Tylenol and Vitamins for children and adults
• Ibuprofen
• Antidiarrheal medicine
• Antihistamine (Loratadine, Claritin),
• VapoRub
• Bengay
• Voltari
• Pepto-Bismol and Antacids
• Band-aids.

Bring donations this Sunday or drop them off at the church office by next Tuesday, January 10. Thank you!

With the help of some 20 volunteers, we were able to distribute around 1,350 books to the students at Marie G Davis last Thursday and Friday. This is a huge accomplishment for all those who helped transport books to and from the school, who laid out the books in attractive displays, who helped the kids make their own selection of up to 4 books, and then who packed the books up to be ready for the next giveaway in the spring. It is a testament to a church that is willing to spend money so that children who otherwise might not have books can build their own library, THANK YOU!

-George

All of the volunteer slots are filled for our next Room In The Inn except for a bus driver to pick up our guests, at the Urban Ministry Center, on Saturday evening and someone to drive them to the Transit Center early Sunday morning. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help with this important ministry!

Our Christmas and New Year’s Day worship services, falling on Sunday, added a bit of stress to the holiday calendar… but what wonderful services we had! For Christmas Eve we had guest musicians from the Charlotte Symphony and a couple of homegrown trumpet players. It was a warm and intimate service of carols and candles. The next morning, we had about 60 people to gather around the fire in Helt Hall, enjoying some of Amy’s homemade pound cake and a good cup of coffee, before a beautiful, casual service that involved a lot of congregational singing. The following week was a repeat… casual Sunday service, the fire, some refreshments, and we celebrated communion together – which has been a too-seldom experience since the pandemic began. Thanks to all who participated, led, baked, set the fire, played, sang… it takes us all, but when we come together, it’s always worth it! (And the next time we’ll get to have Christmas Day worship on a Sunday is… 2033!)

Decorating and Undecorating

As things change, some things remain the same, and the beauty of our sanctuary, decorated for Christmas year after year, remains one of those unchanged things. Thanks to all who dedicated time and creative talent putting together all the arrangements of flowers, garlands, hanging wreaths and placing poinsettias – and even more thanks to those who joined in for the even-more-thankless-job of putting everything back in the boxes and storing away until next year. When we take the time to “deck the halls,” it makes a difference. Thanks to all.

Big Ben British Restaurant and Pub proved an exciting place for our December gathering. We were among a large crowd of revelers, out on the town as part of their Christmas celebrations. AS usual, fun was had by all – so mark your calendars for our next adventure. The restaurant is TBD, but we’ll gather in the parking lot at 11:30a on Friday, January 20 for those who want to travel together. Let Russ know if you have a restaurant recommendation for 2023. Fun Food Friday is a wonderful chance to meet new friends, and to celebrate being church together. All are welcome.

Please call the church office (704-423-5717), sign up in Helt Hall, or email Becka@Parkroadbaptist.org to reserve your spot.

For several years Park Road has been a regular supporter of Refugee Support Services, a 501©3 organization, that facilitates programs and intercultural relationships to promote individual autonomy, cultivate social capital, and enrich the Charlotte community. A refugee is a person who is unwilling or unable to return to their home country because of a well-founded fear of persecution due to race, membership in a particular social group, political opinion, religion, or national origin. Refugees are invited guests of the United States and are legal permanent residents.

Marinn Bengel and John Esch are getting married at our church on Friday, January 13 at 6pm. Many of you have known and supported Marinn and her kids, Chase, Copelyn, and Ala in past years. She and her family would be honored if you would like to attend the wedding ceremony either in person or

on Facebook Livestream.

You are invited to a Green Faith Film screening at Myers Park Baptist Church.  It will be a good film and conversation with wonderful people.  

The hope is to start the year off with a chance to ground, connect, and be inspired with other people in our community working on this important concern.

Rev. Amy Brooks Paradise, GreenFaith US Organizer

www.GreenFaith.org

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.

Coming Up at Park Road

Sunday Worship

Facebook Live and In-Person

11a

First Wednesday

First Wednesday of Each Month 

5:30p

Mid-Week Meetup (via Facebook)

Third Wednesday of Each Month 

6p

Tuesday and Thursdays

Flexercise

(In-person in the Community Center)

9a

Park Road Baptist Church 

 3900 Park Road | Charlotte NC | 28209

Tel (704) 523-5717 

Fax (704) 523-8481

info@parkroadbaptist.org 

 www.parkroadbaptist.org