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Amy gave me an adjustable, stand-up desk for Christmas a few years ago. It’s supposed to be better for you than sitting at a computer screen all day (standing at a computer screen all day?). So, I’m standing here, taking better care of my health, but my head is spinning. It takes a lot of work to get little Baby Jesus here every year – and sometimes, even after that, the days that follow are our most stressful for the year.

I haven’t missed this particular stress the last few years. While many churches suffered during the COVID years, Park Road passed with flying colors – and, financially, we ended with the three strongest finishes of our now 24 year-ends with you. But this year, we’re back to the old, tired question… “Did we make it?”

The question is not, “Did we subscribe our Annual Ministry Plan (meet our pledges for the year)?” The question is more basic: did we just cover our expenses for the year? For most of our 24 years, we spent the last week fretting over that question, almost always ending in the black, but not without a lot of hand-wringing and anxiety. We haven’t had to worry for the last three years (Thank You!), but as I stand here today, January 3… we’re still not sure.

Allison Wieland in our Finance Office is working through the final expenses of the year, and we’ll be waiting for the mail for the next few days. We need a little financial help, still. (Red is a great color for Christmas, but it’s not so pretty in January!)

One thing Amy and I have noticed about this job is all the conflicting emotions. Maybe this happens in every career, but it seems always true of church. All can be great… and a little worrisome at the same time. The feel of community is palpable… except for that little bit of “sidewalk chatter,” that always gets back to us. (And just a little bit of sidewalk chatter can ruin a good community.) There are the 28 new members we’ve had in 2023… but, you know, we haven’t seen so-and-so in a while. That conflict of emotions is the same with our finances.

In 2023 I told you about the $100,000 Legacy Gift from the Fred Prince estate, the $10,000 Legacy Gift from Deloris Kross, a $35,000 undesignated gift (intended to be anonymous). We had a $40,000 gift to provide the acoustical panels for the sanctuary, and these donors are ready to make another similar gift. (Stay tuned for details about a new sign on Park Road.) There were three separate off-budget gifts to help us return our children’s and youth ministry back to a full-time ministerial position, and just in the last week Allison told me about an unexpected $15,000 gift (an increase of a 2023 pledge), and a new pledge for 2024 for $16,000, as well as a $10,000 gift, designated for our missions. (We have no idea who gives what, so to all these givers… Thank You!)

All that goodness, the incredible strength of your financial support – which we always take as a vote of affirmation that we are doing what God would have us to be doing on the corner of Park and Ashcraft. And, oh yeah, did I tell you… we’re not sure we covered our 2023 expenses – and we have not yet met the recommended AMP for 2024.

So, you see, there’s all that good – it’s really worth celebrating! We love this place so much. Our church community. Our staff. Our campus. Our vision of church. We love this place so much.

But we call this column “Heart and Soul” for a reason, and that reason is that it gives us a chance to share with you, honestly. And, honestly, this 3rd day of January, 2024, with ALL the amazing strength and goodness we see around us, there’s still that unnecessary anxiety. Are we going to make it – the expenses in ’23, the pledge for ‘24?

As a church, and not just related to our money, but as a church, being all we are supposed to be in this time and place, I’m trusting the confidence that shines, even through my anxiety. We’re going to make it. - Russ

Roof Above has decided to discontinue the hot lunch program on Saturdays. Instead, we have the opportunity to prepare and serve supper on Saturday evenings every other month. Park Road pays for the meal from our mission budget and the shelter will purchase the food and have it on hand. Volunteers are asked to arrive at the men’s shelter at 3:30 in the afternoon to prepare the meal, with supper served at 5p, and we will be able to leave before 6p. The work is easy, fun, and rewarding and it provides a chance to be with others from Park Road. If you can help on January 13^th, please see the sign-up genius link below.

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

Each first Sunday of the month we have a Food Pantry Drive to re-stock the Community Food Pantry built by PRBC Youth, Hank Smyth. This coming Sunday, January 7, you will have an opportunity to bring canned goods and non-perishable food items with you to church and place them in the collection bin in Helt Hall. If you do not have any canned goods to donate and would still like to help, you can also give a donation in the Sunday morning offering or online (Please include a note that says, “for the Community Food Pantry.”)

The Cornhole Night will be Tuesday, January 16 from 6:30-8p. The location (weather dependent) will be either outside in the courtyard under the lights OR inside in Milford Chapel. Again, there will be "door prizes.” Please contact Kevin Kline (kk5thirty1@yahoo.com) or sign up in Helt Hall if interested in attending.

Winter Retreat, February 2-4

We are heading to the mountains for a couple days of retreat and renewal. Dan Davis, who led our intergenerational retreat, is the founder and director of “Animate Mentoring – guiding individuals and families so they can navigate life's transitions intentionally with wisdom and courage.” Most of Dan’s work is with men and boys, so we are fortunate to have him join us at beautiful High Pastures Christian Retreat Center Highpastures.org in Burnsville. We’re asking participants to take at least part of the day off on Friday to travel. Make it a day if you’d like, head to the mountains, and do a little exploring before the retreat officially begins with dinner. Sessions will continue through Sunday morning. The cost for the retreat, the lodging, and all meals is $250. Limited scholarships are available. You can express interest in attending by signing up in Helt Hall on Sundays or contacting the church office.

“My name is David Silden. I was born in Los Angeles, was raised in Michigan, and had lived in Indiana before moving to Charlotte in 1983 with my wife Sally. We have been members of Park Road Baptist Church since 2003.

I enjoy singing in the choir and being involved in the music program at church. I am a retired band director and enjoy playing my euphonium in the Charlotte Pride Band and directing the Charlotte Tuba Euphonium Ensemble.” – David Silden

Men's Work will sponsor a blood drive on January 21st from noon - 3p for all men and women. They will use the One Blood Big Red Bus. The location will be the back parking lot of the church.

Donors can reserve a time slot via the following link or by scanning the QR Code.

https://donor.oneblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/1450571

Walk-in donors are welcome, too. Some donors may desire to go to lunch after worship and return to fill later times in the drive. The Community Center will be available as a backup waiting area. 

Those donating will receive a $20eGift card, a One Blood blanket, and a wellness check (including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count, and cholesterol screening).

Please contact Kevin Kline (email-kk5thirty1@yahoo.com) if additional info is needed.

Thank you to our Deacons who serve all year long in greeting and worship leadership and connecting to families in times of sorrow and joy. Each December, this group gathers to celebrate another year of being Church together. While some have fulfilled their terms of service, others will be rolling on at the end of this month. We anticipate another wonderful year together. As a note, Deacon Ordination and Installation is slated for February 11 in worship.

You can bring donations on Sunday mornings (There is a barrel in Helt Hall.) or drop them off at the church office. Thank you!

• Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and Vitamins for children and adults
• Ibuprofen or any other anti-inflammatory medicine for children and adults.
• Menthol (Example: Vicks Vapor Rub)
• Antihistamine
• Aspirin
• Analgesic Creams
• Triple Antibiotic
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Prednisone Tablets
• Flu Medication
• Anti-diarrheal medicine
• Inexpensive reading glasses

Another wonderful Christmas for our Very Special People. The food was fabulous. The entertainment was amazing. The fellowship was inspiring. And yes, there was even dancing! It is always good to be together – especially during the holidays. Please note on your calendar that the next gathering for VSP (our Very Special People who are our senior adults) will be March 21.

• July 8-12 Unidiversity Camp - Please let JD know by the end of January if your student plans on going to camp! 🙂 

• 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. Please make sure to let JD know by the end of January if your student plans on going to camp.

With so much division across the country, politically and religiously, and with a contentious Presidential election heating up, our Park Road Clergy group (the pastors from 6 churches along Park Road) is offering an opportunity to talk. “JustFaith Ministries” provides classes of study to “advance peace, racial equity, and a sustainable world.” We want to offer a class as another of our Park Road University classes. Are you taking any initiative to deepen your faith, taking responsibility to learn and grow? “Want to Talk?” is available to individuals. You may https://justfaith.org/want-to-talk to register. The cost of the 8-week class is offered on a sliding scale: you may pay $35, $55, or $75, based on your ability. Participants are asked to purchase one book, which is used in the class. The study group, composed of individuals from the Park Road churches, will set the schedule, day/time for weekly meetings. If you have any questions, please ask one of the ministers. Deadline for sign up is January 14, 2024.

December brings with it so many opportunities to be together. Worship highlights them all. Extra music plus the beauty of all of the decorations all over our campus always makes December extra special at Park Road. This year did not disappoint. The highlight is always the Candlelight Christmas Eve service. This year the room was close to full, the choir outdid themselves, and the message of Christmas was spoken to bring everything full circle to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child among us once again. As we sang Silent Night and the candles were lit, Geoff Palmer captured the view from the back of the sanctuary. Seeing those candles burning brightly in the darkened room takes us back to that first Sunday of Advent where Hope is introduced. Of course, Hope is followed by Peace and Joy and Love until we get to that moment for which we have all waited to celebrate fully the birth of Jesus into our midst yet again. May the Light keep burning in us and through us until we gather again next Christmas Eve to do it all over again. In the meantime, may the work and ministry and mission of Park Road be a bright light for our community and our world.

Condolences to Darin Gantt in the death of his father.

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