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Do you ever look at someone who knows you well, and have them look back at you, and you both, simultaneously ask yourselves: Have we lost our minds? That happened to Russ and I last week when we toyed with the idea of reviving an old tradition, we both thought had died – Russ and Amy’s Annual Christmas Drop-In. We started these events in our first ministry job in Clemson, South Carolina, when Russ was the Minister of Youth and Senior Adults, and I was the Minister of College Students and Single Adults. In order to have all of our groups in our home for holiday cheer, we started with Senior Adults from 5p-6:30p, Single Adults from 6:30p-7:30p, and the Youth from 7:30p-9p. Russ decorated everything, and I put out of spread of appetizers and desserts. Then to our surprise, the people came! The following Christmas we did it again, because we had always (that one time) done it this way, and so began an event that honestly made our Christmas.

When we got to Park Road, we didn’t want to divide folks by age, so we said, “Y’all come,” and you did. I look back and wonder how we did it with a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old (It is why you have children while you are young, right?!), but (almost) every year for at least the first 15 years here at Park Road, we hosted, Russ and Amy’s Annual Christmas Drop-In. There was a year one of us had the flu. There was another year when my father was very ill and in and out of the hospital, but other than that, we claimed that our Christmas was made when you all showed up at our house.

When we became empty nesters, we downsized our house. Now, with a pool in our backyard, we traded our Christmas hosting days for outdoor invitations. Recently though, something came up about those Russ and Amy’s Annual Christmas Drop-Ins and we reminisced fondly. There was the year that Bennett was so sick and was in the bed while about 75 peopled were crammed into our house. There was the year Santa showed up. There were rainy years and hot years. I’ll not name names (Debbie Brown), but someone said, “Y’all should do that again!” and that is what prompted us to look at each other last week and say, “Have we lost our minds?”

Apparently, we have! So, you are all cordially invited to Russ and Amy’s Reintroduced Annual (maybe, we will see how it goes) Christmas Drop-In. Friday, December 22, from 6p-9p, drop by our home and make our Christmas. Drop-In before you head to another event. Drop-In when another event is over. Drop-In and stay awhile. Drop-In and make an appearance and then leave. All we ask is that you do Drop-In. Bring a coat; a couple of firepits will be going outside. Come inside and sit by the fire inside, or just hover around all the tables with food, and enjoy the company. Offer to give someone a ride that no longer drives at night. Bring your children.

Russ will start his decorating soon, and I will begin working on the food prep. All we need is for you to Drop-In and make our Christmas!

-Amy

This annual tradition is a wonderful way to celebrate the season with friends at church. Join us for a wonderful meal prepared by Tam Gordon, and some good entertainment (this will be in place of our December First Wednesday Meal). Dinner will begin at 5:30p, and the program will conclude in time for choir members to join Bob Pritchard for a 7p rehearsal. Please make sure to RSVP for dinner no later than Tuesday, December 12 at noon. You can RSVP by signing up in Helt Hall on Sunday morning, calling the church office, or email info@ParkRoadBaptist.org.

Join us the first Saturday of December, beginning at 9a for a fun day of fellowship and decorating together. We’ll get you home by lunchtime so you can decorate

your own home!

I’m trying something a little different this year. For anyone wanting to add to their Advent/Christmas journey with a little spiritual sustenance, join me in Kate Bowler’s Advent Devotion Guide “Bless the Advent We Actually Have.” We will kick off this daily devotional group on the first Sunday of Advent, December 3 at 5p in Helt Hall. This will be the only in-person meeting for this group. We will have refreshments and together work through the Day 1 devotion. We will look ahead in anticipation of what is to come. Each Sunday, I will send a group email to anyone who wants to be included highlighting a few thoughts from that week’s readings. I am looking forward to making our way through Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love be with you this Advent season.

-Amy

Click on the link below to get access to the online free daily guide. (There is a printable version if that works better for you – if you would like a printed copy but do not have access to print it yourself, please let Becka (info@ParkRoadBaptist.org) in the church office know and we can get you a printed copy.)

https://courses.katebowler.com/courses/advent-devotional/

Alton’s “Ali” Rizkhova is our newest member. She joins her family members in our congregation: parents, Victor and Olga and sisters Yekaterina (and Eric) and Inna. Ali is a student at Butler High School. We’re delighted to have Ali

at Park Road!

Thank you to those who stayed last Sunday for the Q&A session after worship. Additional thanks goes to Tom Polaski for moderating and to Mike Hamrick, Chair of our AMP Task Force, and Greg Blum, Ministry Council Chair, for providing information and answers. Our Annual Ministry Plan has been carefully constructed, and now is in your hands – the “vote” comes through our pledges. The increase needed from congregational giving is 7.5% over the 2023 AMP, which is a reasonable request given an anticipated cost-of-living increase, our church’s very active campus, and the addition of a new full-time minister. Please give careful consideration to your giving for next year, and make your pledge by December 3. You can contact Allison Wieland in our Finance Office to make a confidential pledge (704-523-5717), make your gift online by using the QR code above, or you can bring your pledge card to worship on Sunday, December 3. Thank you for being found faithful.

My name is Margie Keith, and I have been a Park Roadian for about 15 years. I was born and raised in Texas and have now been in Charlotte for 33 years. Currently, I work at Janney Montgomery Scott as a Sr. Registered Client Associate - which just means I do everything except give investment advice. I’m in my 27th year in the financial industry. My therapy is working out 4-5 times per week. What makes me happiest is hanging out with my son Ryan and our dogs Willie and Mila, dabbling in crafty things, spending time with good friends, watching sports - especially Texas Tech football and basketball, and of course, staying involved at PRBC. Fun facts about me — I’m a registered Chickasaw and my middle name is Love (which comes from my Chickasaw heritage). - Margie

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Poinsettias – A Christmas Tradition

Help us decorate the sanctuary for the season and honor a loved one. Poinsettias are used in our sanctuary throughout the Advent season, so you do not get to take them home, but the cost pays for the live poinsettias, and gives you the opportunity to name a loved one, living or dead. Their names will be printed in a worship bulletin over the Advent season. Poinsettias this year are $10. You can sign up in Helt Hall each Sunday, email the church office at info@ParkRoadBaptist.org, or call the church office (704-523-5717).

*Please note that by signing up to give a poinsettia(s) in memory or in honor of a loved one, you will not receive a physical plant to take home. All of the poinsettias will remain in the sanctuary, for the Christmas Season, as a reminder of love given and shared in our community.

Do You Hear What I Hear? It’s Silver Bells, Silver Bells ringing to say, “Come All Ye Faithful VSPers on December 21.” Don’t appear On A Midnight Clear but arrive a little before noon, my dears. We’ll eat, enjoy being together, laugh at some silly jokes, maybe win a door prize, and listen to a little cool Yuletide jazz to make us all proclaim Joy To The World. ‘Tis the season!

Please make your reservation no later than December 17 by calling the church office at or sign up in Helt Hall or by emailing info@ParkRoadBaptist.org

• Men’s Work – Breakfast and a little Work on December 2. Our Men’s Work group has enjoyed a number of good opportunities to be together, though we’ve not done any actual work yet – until now! All men are invited to join us for Breakfast at the Tryon House Restaurant, on Decoration Saturday at 8a. After a good breakfast we’ll go to church and work to prune and shape up several of the planting beds around our campus. Please show up ready to eat – and bring clippers, pruners, rakes, gloves, etc… for some basic landscaping work. 

• Men’s Work – Winter Retreat, February 2-4 Please make plans to join us for a time of fellowship and spiritual retreat at High Pastures Christian Retreat Center in Burnsville, NC. We will begin with supper on Friday and conclude before Lunch on Sunday. Dan Davis, who has worked with our congregation before will provide leadership. Dorm-style lodging, all meals, and retreat expenses are provided for $250 each. (Please don’t let cost be the reason you do not sign up. Some scholarship funds are available.)

A quick reminder that there will be no youth or children's activities tonight or this coming Sunday, November 26. JD will be at church this Sunday however there will not be any children or youth activities on Sunday. If parents or caregivers would like to attend one of the Adult Sunday School Classes and are in need of someone to entertain/watch their children, JD will be available to do so in the lobby. This Sunday we are giving all volunteers a much-deserved break. 

Friendsgiving

The youth had a great time at their annual Friendsgiving dinner and canned food drive. All donations collected went to the community pantry Hank Smyth built. Additionally, special thanks to all who helped, not least Crystal for leading and Amy for doing the dreaded dish duty. For all of our students we say “thanks be to God.”

• December 2 – Decoration Day - The youth will begin work at 9a to decorate the church. JD could especially use some youth help to move bigger items and also help him with a children's activity.
• December 13 – Church Wide Christmas Banquet - Instead of Worship Wednesday, we will share in a Christmas banquet with the entire church. 
• Traditional Youth Progressive Dinner - If you're willing to host part of our traditional progressive dinner, please let JD know so we get that on the calendar ASAP. 
• December 17 - Rise Against Hunger Event (previously known as Stop Hunger Now). The youth have been asking about resuming this event and the church staff (especially Dan McClintock) have taken that feedback seriously and made it happen. This event will start at 6:30p and replace SNT for this night.
• December 20 - Soup and Caroling. Most youth should be out of school close to this time, so it should be a stress-free blast. Details TBA.
• July 8-12 Unidiversity Camp - It is never too early to sign up. 🙂 

• December 2 – Decoration Day – We will have our churchwide "Decoration Day", which begins at 9a. JD, will have a special activity for the kiddos with the help of some of our youth, called a "Jessee Tree." They will make an ornament for each day of advent, and the ornaments will give an overview of the scriptures. JD will pull from this activity throughout advent for our children's programming. Special thanks to Lisa Mason for helping us get this together. 
• December 17 - "Rise Against Hunger" Event (previously known as Stop Hunger Now) begins at 6:30p. This project is for all ages and is a really special program the church has done in the past. 
• December 20- Soup and Caroling – This is another sweet tradition. Details TBA. 
• July 16-19, 2024 – Camp Prism – Any student who will complete third grade this year is invited to sign up for Camp Prism. This week is a wonderful time with our students, and JD would love all our current 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders to be there. Think summer camp but with Russ leading worship. Some members of our kid’s ministry team serving as counselors, and no bad theology to cause you worry. 🙂 

Join us this Thursday on December 21st at 6p at the Rhino Market and Deli, South Park for Thirsty Third Thursday! In October the group had such a great time at Rhino Market that they decided to stick with the same location for November and December. The address is 4300 Congress Street, Charlotte, NC 28209. There are other Rhino Markets, so please make sure you have the correct address. The Rhino Market in South Park is directly across from the Village Tavern.

Our Christmastime lunch will be provided by the good folks at Leo’s Italian Social (4720 Piedmont Row, click here for a link to the menu.). We always have a wonderful time sharing a meal together. We hope you can join us at Leo’s. Please let us know if you plan to meet in the church parking lot and ride together at 11:15a, or will meet us there for lunch at 11:30a. You can RSVP by signing up in Helt Hall on Sunday, emailing Info@ParkRoadBaptist.org, or calling the church office (704) 523-5717.

Coming Up at Park Road

Sunday Worship

Facebook Live and In-Person

11a

First Wednesdays

Dinner and Vespers

(Community Center)

5:30p Dinner / 6p Vespers

First and Third Tuesdays

Bible Study and Fellowship

(Community Center - Room C503)

10a

Tuesday and Thursdays

Flexercise

(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