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There are so many times over the course of the last 22+ years that I have simply been proud to the be the Pastor of Park Road. Last Sunday was another of those occasions. We packed in all of the elements of a normal Palm Sunday worship service in the first thirty minutes: procession of palms by the children, litany and Lord’s Prayer, confession, scripture, anthem, sermon. Then at about 11:40 we had a second Procession, but this time it was a bridal processional. The beautiful Honduran family whom we are sponsoring for asylum had finally obtained a marriage license. Our idea of a “little ceremony at the end of a worship service” turned into a full-blown wedding. It is common in Honduras to start one’s family before getting married because typically the cost of a wedding is too much for a young couple. We like to think that maybe Marvin and Yolani were just waiting to be celebrated by their new Park Road family.

So many people were involved in pulling off this event, and we did it all in the most cost-effective way knowing that our money needs to be spent on their basic needs. However we could argue that a wedding that makes for a committed marriage is indeed a basic need.

I am impressed with the team of people who have committed so much time and energy to this family over the last nine months. There were others who joined the efforts pulling together a most fitting occasion for this lovely family. We were able to put everything together in about two weeks, so by the time last Sunday arrived, I personally was ready for the event to be behind us. I knew the efforts would be worth it. I was not prepared for my emotions to get the best of me at the end.

Usually, weddings begin with the tears upon seeing the bride walk down that aisle. That was a beautiful moment indeed, but that was not what “got me.” What overwhelmed me was the congregation at the end – the palpable sense of love and affirmation. The applause was more than clapping. The smiles, the tears, the sense of commitment to this one family was obvious in your beaming faces. We have become their family, and that really showed on Sunday. And I was simply so proud. And so grateful to play a small part in changing the world with all of you.

Our immigration system is so broken. We all know that. I have known that for a long time, but I really know it now. Don’t get me started. This is not a partisan statement, it is a human one. It is disgraceful and embarrassing leaving us to ask: “What can we do?” “How can we make a difference?” We may not have much impact on the laws of this land, but what a difference we can make in the life of this family.

If you want to know a bit about what Easter means, go back and watch last Sunday’s wedding by clicking here. Better yet, get involved in ministering to and with this family (or any other mission/ministry that brings new life.) That will be what makes us Easter People.

-Amy

Please join us tomorrow night as we remember the events of Jesus’ last week on earth. If you have made a reservation for our midweek meal, Tam Gordon has agreed to have the meal ready at 5:15p in the gym. We want to make sure everyone has time to eat, comfortably, and get to the sanctuary for the service to begin at 6p. We will serve communion, then the Sanctuary Choir and a string quartet will present On the Passion of Christ, in three movements: I. Last Supper. II. Betrayal. III. Crucifixion. The service will conclude at 7p. Please join us.

On the third Sunday of March, we had our first, and very successful, “Sunday Only” choir. This third Sunday is designed for any of you who might like to sing with the choir but are unable to commit to Wednesday rehearsals. Please join Bob, and other sanctuary choir members in the choir room at 9:30a. We will be able to learn the anthem and prepare to lead in the 11 o’clock service. All are welcome.

Our latest iteration of the Men’s Bible Study is going well. The group is meeting every Wednesday morning through May 24, then will regroup, debrief, and decide how to proceed for the summer. The group is enjoying studying Reading Between the Lines, a lectionary-based study. Please join us on Wednesdays from 8 – 9:30a, in the Community Center, in Room CC503

Again, this year, we will have a brief service commemorating the death of Jesus. We invite you to join us virtually, via our Facebook Page livestream only, Good Friday (April 7). We will hold this virtual service of remembrance at 3p, which the Gospels attest as the time of Jesus’s death. The service will be brief. We will read each of the seven last words, extinguish a candle for each, and have a brief reflection in music.

Volunteers are still needed for this coming Saturday's Men's Shelter Lunch. Every other month, on the second Saturday of the month, Park Road prepares and serves lunch for residents of the Men’s Shelter at 1210 North Tryon Street. The meal preparation begins at 10:30a and serving the food ends before 1p. All tasks are easy to do and they provide a good opportunity to work together and get to know one another. If you have never participated, you should give it a try! Please sign-up here:

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

On April 16 we will vote on a recommendation from our Search Committee (affirmed by both the Personnel Committee and Ministry Council) to call JD McDonald in a new, full time ministerial position. Highlights from JD’s resume include:



Education:

• Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Bachelor of Social Work, Milligan College, 2018
• Master of Science in Counseling, Milligan University, July 2020
• Master of Divinity, Truett Seminary at Baylor University (completing in 2023)

Work Experience:

• Resident Chaplain at Baylor University, August 2021- Present
• Urban Strategies Contract Clinician Fall Term 2020 (a Social Work position)
• Youth Program Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator for Mission Waco, September 2020- Present
• Youth Pastor at Bosqueville Baptist, 2020 – 2021
• Camp Director Clubhouse Ministries in Guatemala, 2017 (fluent in Spanish)
• Youth and Children's Coordinator, Unaka Avenue Baptist, 2014 – 2015

Here’s what some people are saying about JD:

“I highly endorse JD for this position. I found him to be an asset to our counseling center, engaging and insightful. His background in social work and counseling, coupled with his personal life experience foster a natural ability to care for individuals and community.”

“During my 15 years at Baylor, I’ve worked with lots of seminarians in our Resident Chaplain program. JD is one of the most impressive I’ve supervised. He’s smart, articulate, naturally/pastorally theological, well-trained in care giving, missionally/justice minded, and drawn to people as they are drawn to him.”

“We’re big JD fans here. JD is a person of integrity and Christian conviction… earnest about what he does and eagerly takes initiative... He’s also a great deal of fun, always leading with encouragement and laughter.”

“Of all the students I’ve worked with, JD is singular.”

Given his schedule at Truett Seminary, if approved by the church, JD will be available to participate in our Youth Mission Trip in June, will begin, officially, July 1.

Youth and Children and Easter Egg Hunt

Last Sunday, the Youth filled over 300 eggs to be hidden on Sunday morning for our children to find as a wonderful ending to an Easter worship. During Sunday School hour, the youth will hide the eggs. The children should bring their Easter baskets. As soon as worship ends, there will be eggs all over the courtyard and playground, and a good time will be had by all.

Youth

• April 21-23, Spring Retreat - We are headed to Camp Rockmont in Black Mountain, NC for a weekend away. It’s time to sign up – we will leave Friday at 6p and return Sunday afternoon at 3p. The cost is $150 per youth. Sign up with Amy. It’s going to be fun!

• June 19-23, Mission Trip – many more details to come to mark the date and sign up with Amy.

• July 10-14, Unidiversity – not too late to sign up – let Amy know.

Children

Palm Sunday - Our children led the parade of the Triumphal Entry waving their palm branches and shouting their Hosannas as we entered this Holy Week at the beginning of last Sunday’s worship service. The children were so excited to lead the way. As the Scriptures remind us . . . and a little child shall lead them. May it be so!

Do. Love. Walk. – Camp Prism 2023 - It’s one of my favorite weeks of the year. I get to lead the music and also participate in lots of the fun. This year we’ll be back at Bonclarken Conference Center, which has been perfect for our camp (created for children who have completed grades 3, 4, 5). Sign-ups now open for this summer’s camp. The cost for the Tuesday-Friday camp is $225, and the theme is from Micah 6.8: “Do. Love. Walk.” If you have questions, please let me know – since the camp runs the same week as Unidiversity for our youth, I will be leading the Camp Prism group. – Russ

The Family Celebration of Charlotte Earth Day is a theatrically oriented educationally-interactive experience designed to engage participants creatively with the challenges facing our natural ecosystems. It features a performance stage and a self-guided “Around the World – Learn the Earth” orientation in the form of an Earth Manual that each child receives upon joining the event. This project allows OMIMEO’s theatrical, family-oriented expertise to expand into larger outdoor arena with an environmental narrative. OMIMEO will be the Charlotte Earth Day 50 Event Producer. Click here to learn more: Charlotteearthday.com

Good food and fun games is always the name of the game with George and Ann Miles and the Abundant Grace Connection Group. 

Our sympathy is extended to the family of Jan Burleson in her recent death. Jan’s smiling face was in worship just last Sunday, and she will be missed among the many people who love Jan at Park Road. We have been her extended family for over 20 years.



In addition, we also extend sympathy to Mark and Beth Mintich in the sudden death of their daughter.

At the time of the newsletter publication, dates and times have not been finalized for either service. 

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 Wednesdays

Dinner and Vespers

(Community Center)

5:30p Dinner / 6p Vespers

Third Wednesday of Each Month 

Virtual Midweek Meet-Up - Facebook Live

6p

First and Third Tuesdays

Coffee and Kibitz Bible Study

(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