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In worship this Sunday we will be sitting with Proverbs 22:6, “Raise a child in the way they should go, and when they are old, they will not depart from it.” When I think about the way of Jesus, I am always picturing a literal way, a path, a journey. These aren’t bad images for the way of faith we are living but right alongside these images is an equally significant (and altogether different) image... that of a table.

When Jesus was preparing to leave his work with his followers, he called them to the supper table. When he restored Peter after his resurrection it was over breakfast. When he began his ministry in Cana, it was during a wedding feast! Meals are peppered throughout the gospels (pun intended) because as a human being Jesus is always having to eat... but also because something powerful happens around the table.



The ancient world was not too unlike modernity in that who you ate with, what you ate, and where you were sitting during the meal all corresponded with social, spiritual, and religious meaning. The table was a place for elitism, tribalism, and selfish ambition. For Jesus, the meal was a place to undermine oppression and re-define power and honor. It became a space for equality, unconditional love, and self-offering. It was also a place to laugh, connect, teach, and (forgive the cliché of this) “do life” with others. Especially others who were different from him.

This fall our Families ministry emphasis will be a monthly gathering called “Neighbor Nights.” Folks from PRBC will be linked to others within their neighborhood and will gather for a meal and for the purpose of experiencing the sort of fellowship for which we are made. You’ll hear lots more about this, but if I’ve got your attention and interest, reach out to me to sign up. I’m inviting hosts and participants. The goal is for this to be restful for all, give another intergenerational space for this beloved community, and with some grace and good work, form us more deeply in the way of Jesus. If you’re a family unit of one like me, or a retiree, or if you have sextuplet toddlers, or anything in between, you are welcome part of our Families Ministry at PRBC. I am planning to host a group for my neighborhood.

One of my favorite “table” stories from scripture occurs only in Luke’s gospel, which the youth and I are studying this year. Two unnamed disciples who had just witnessed the horror of Jesus’ death were unable to recognize him as they all walked together toward a town called Emmaus. What little faith they had was expressed in showing hospitality to this stranger along the way. When they sat down at the table together and broke bread, they recognized Jesus for who he is. I wonder whether we too, gathering around the table and making hospitable our hearts and homes, might encounter the resurrected Christ in our neighbors.

Peace, - JD

Typically, we maintain a “First Wednesday” of each month schedule of sharing a meal together followed by a time of discussion and brief worship experience. Here’s the lineup for the rest of this year with a couple of changes in the regular schedule:



• August 2 – First Wednesday
• September - No First Wednesday evening service for the month of September. (The Church Staff has a planning retreat scheduled for Wednesday/Thursday - September 6-7, 2023)
• October 4 – First Wednesday
• November 1 – First Wednesday
• December 13 - Second Wednesday, Christmas Banquet

Please mark your calendars and join us for these remaining midweek opportunities to be together in 2023!

Chris, Julie, Kendall, and Caitlin have been among us for several years and joined us, officially, last Sunday. Chris works with Truist Financial, and Julie is with O’Neil Digital Solutions. Kendall will be a sophomore at Wake Forest University, and Caitlin will be a senior at Providence Day. The Brogdens are relatives of our very own Heaton family. Welcome to Park Road!

We had 21 men to join for lunch at Sir Ed’s Pub last week after worship. We are looking forward to keeping something on the horizon, whether fellowship, mission action, adventure, or study. We want to offer a variety, so you can pick and choose what you want to do, but we hope you will find ways to be involved. (There will likely be a lot of “work” like last Sunday… involving food!) Thanks to all who attended. Mark your calendars for August 8^th and join us for an evening of Pickleball organized by Matt Kinney, time and location TBD.

Come and join us on Saturday, August 12 from 10:30-1p at Roof Above. PRBC volunteers prepare and serve lunch to homeless guests on the 2nd Saturday of every other month. Roof above is located at the shelter at 1210 N. Tryon St.

Click here to volunteer!

So much could be shared but alas, I’ve already taken up too much space! The first thing I’ll focus on is to celebrate a great turnout and conversation from youth and youth parents at our vision meeting. We had some really generative conversation and also, I think, a bit of fun. I was soooo impressed with our students and their parents. The space during that conversation was direct, charitable, and above all energized. Details about the programs and plans produced from that meeting will be sent out to parents and students in an electronic and physical mailing. Be sure to contact the church office or me if you’re a youth parent and not sure that we already have your information.

I’m also so excited (and deeply grateful) that Ella Helt, Hank Smyth, and Jack Palmer have each agreed to serve as Youth Program Assistants for the year. This will mean that they assist me in our ministry and take on special leadership roles. In addition, they will be holding me accountable to our vision and providing creative collaboration for all that we do. Give them each a hearty pat on the back (metaphorically) and join me in thanking God for them!

 Important Dates

• Sunday Morning, July 30, 2023 - will be the children and youth focus of our “What We’re About,” sermon series. Some of our youth will be leading during the service and we hope you can join us for worship at 11a.

• Sunday Evening, July 30, 2023 - the youth will be playing volleyball (and participating in a team building game or two). See you at the youth building at 5:30p. **If students have activity requests for our Sunday Evening fellowship times, between now and Kickoff Sunday (August 27), please direct those to JD

• Tuesday, August 15, 2023 - Movie Day, Location and Time TBD

• August 18-20, 2023 - Upperclassman retreat (11^th & 12^th Grades), Sign-up with JD ASAP to save your spot, JD@ParkRoadBaptist.org

• August 27, 2023 – Kick Off Sunday | Lake Day, immediately following Sunday Morning Worship, we will have a lake day for our Kickoff Sunday and in place of our Sunday evening programming.

• September 1-3, 2023 - Intergenerational Retreat, join us for the Intergenerational Retreat! We will have some youth specific programming. Sign-up deadline is August 1, 2023. You can reserve your spot by signing up in Helt Hall on Sunday morning or by emailing info@ParkRoadBaptist.org

Important Dates

• Sunday Morning, July 30, 2023 - will be the children and youth focus of our “What We’re About,” sermon series. Some of our children will be leading! Hope you can join us for worship.

• Sunday, August 6, 2023, Kiddos Lake Day + Ice-cream! - We will have lunch immediately following Worship and then leave directly from the church to the lake. Please bring your towel, sunscreen, and swimsuit to change into, with you to church that Sunday. More details will be announced next week.

• Saturday, August 26, 2023, Aquarium (or zoo but probably aquarium) trip! - We will start off the day with a song and a short lesson, at the church, and then go enjoy this outing together! Location and time TBD.

• September 1-3, 2023 - Intergenerational Retreat, join us for the Intergenerational Retreat! We will have some child specific programming. Sign-up deadline is August 1, 2023. You can reserve your spot by signing up in Helt Hall on Sunday morning or by emailing info@ParkRoadBaptist.org

Charlotte's Best - Vote for the PRBCDC

Our very own Park Road Baptist Child Development Center has been nominated for a Charlotte’s Best Award (hosted by the Charlotte Observer), in the category of Childcare. In order to win, we need the most votes, will you take a couple of minutes and vote for the PRBCDC?

To vote please follow the steps below:

1.   Go to: https://www.votecharlottesbest.com/

2.   Click the Education Button

3.   Next Click the Childcare Button

4.   Lastly select Park Road Baptist Child Development Center

Thank you!

Saying Goodbye – Mr. Skip

Mr. Skip, the Child Care Development Team would like to say thank you for being a great team member and friend. Your professionalism, knowledge, and enthusiasm have been a valuable asset to the team. We are sad to see you go, but excited for the new opportunities that lie ahead for you!

Mr. Skip will begin his journey as a kindergarten teacher at Winding Springs Elementary School this fall.

Once again, we had a joyous time “meeting and greeting” in our back yard. This is a wonderful way to spend some casual time together, getting to know one another better. Thanks to all who came – we love having you in our yard. And this time, we even had some takers on the pool! Our last Meet and Greet for this summer (note the new date) is Thursday, August 24. It’s always BYOE (Bring Your Own Everything… something to eat and drink, whatever…) – Russ & Amy

Laura Leach is doing a wonderful job leading our Al Wilson Community Garden this year, and she and Matt just happened to leave town to visit their beautiful grandson at harvest time. So… Russ picked, and the staff enjoyed homegrown tomato sandwiches all weekend.

Thank you, Laura!

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

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