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I spent yesterday catching up on some filing. All our years at Park Road, I’ve filed and catalogued my sermons. After preaching, I edit the manuscript, noting any extemporaneous changes I may have made and providing citations for any quotations and scripture references. I sometimes add explanatory footnotes, giving context for illustrations and just annotating my thoughts on particular ideas. I log each sermon in a Word file that identifies text, date, and title, and I assign each sermon to one of six topical categories. I add a few key words so I can later search for sermons preached on a particular text or topic.

I also keep a copy of each Sunday’s bulletin. COVID wreaked havoc on this system, so I had almost three years of catching up to do. I still have some sermons to edit and file, but I spent most of yesterday updating my bulletin collection. What an interesting task.

“Intellectual Property” is “a work or invention that is the result of creativity, such as a manuscript or a design…” Spending the day with this project made me realize how much Intellectual Property ministers create in our jobs.

Just to remind you what goes into a Sunday worship service… We start with a theme, based on a particular scripture. Studying in preparation for the sermon allows us to select at least two “Meditations” (quotations to guide your thoughts for that service). We also create a Litany of Worship, and Dan, Amy, or I write a Prayer of Confession. All of these focus on the theme for that service. After color printing became standard, the bulletin cover became another element for weekly contemplation. We regularly use that space to provide a graphic or some artwork, if not a longer poem or quotation.

I was a little overwhelmed at the volume of work my boxes of bulletins represent: the hours of research, the creative investment in congregational life. In glancing through, I was aware of the variety of themes we have used from biblical surveys to social justice to personal spiritual growth. Also I came across the bulletins for special services: a prayer service after 9/11, an Advent “Service for those who Grieve,” the Parent/Child dedication serviced for Hank Smyth…

Church is not just about Sundays, and the eleven o’clock hour does not define a community of faith. It’s hardly all that we do – but as I looked through 22 years of worship planning, I was reminded of the importance of the preaching task and the service of worship to gather and to focus and to help lead a congregation. I could not help but feel a bit of pride in this survey of our two decades of ministry here.



I hope you are aware of what all goes into this important hour of the week - work from the preacher and other ministers and lay leaders, our musicians and the Administrative staff who print and fold and distribute bulletins. Maybe you would consider taking your bulletin home with you each week and using it as the basis for some of your own personal reflection. There’s a lot of fodder there to prompt you to invest a little more in your own faith. - Russ

Join us for a little Latin food and Park Road fun at Calle Sol Latin Café and Cevicheria. Meet in the parking lot at 11a to ride together or join us in Plaza Midwood at 1205 Thomas Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205 at 11:30a. Either way, please call the church office (704-423-5717) or email Becka@Parkroadbaptist.org to reserve your spot.

Join us on Sunday, January 29, directly after Worship, for our Annual State of the Church Meeting.

We’ve been having wonderful response to our First Wednesday gatherings. Supper begins at 5:30p, and we are now offering a brief vespers program: a little music, a little scripture, a little time to talk around the tables, a brief reflection from one of minister’s pastors. We will conclude about 6:50p so our choir members can get to rehearsal. Please call the office (704-523-5717) to reserve your dinner or just join us by 6p for vespers.

Please note that all dinner reservations must be made no later

than Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 2p.

If you’d like to walk… we need to hear from you! This group will meet in Sarria, Spain on August 18 and walk from August 19-23. Deadline to sign up is

Sunday, January 29.

Upcoming Youth Events in January and February



• Sunday, January 29, 5-8p: Whitewater Center - Light Trail & Ice Skating

• Sunday, February 12, 6p at the Brittain's Home: Youth Super Bowl Party

Children's and Youth Minister Search Progress

Please keep our Search Committee (Gina Helt, Chair) in your prayers as we begin some interviews in the coming week. This important position is vital to Park Road, especially as we emerge from these pandemic years. We have several qualified candidates and are looking forward to these interviews.

We have an ongoing need for volunteers to help with transportation for the Perez family. One of the recurring needs is for someone to take Yolani grocery shopping each week. The shopping trip takes about 90 minutes, and if you can use Google Translate, you can do it! See the sign-up genius for more information and talk to Dan or a member of the A Tu Lado team if you have questions.



https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACA92DA2FD0-transportation

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