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In the craziness of the season, sometimes it is difficult to pay attention. I am also aware that there are many people who would love to have a crazy season again however, life or age has slowed them down, and the hustle and bustle has stopped for them. That can equally be a difficult space in which to pay attention. I want to encourage you, no matter what, to look for and find delight.

On December 3 about 20 folks gathered to kick off an advent devotion group. We are reading along together, apart, and sharing insights along the way with a large group email. Usually, I do not enjoy being a part of large group emails with many “reply alls,” but this group is different.

A couple of days ago, one member of our group noted: “Today's reflection was particularly "delightful" as Kate Bowler described finding pinpoint moments of delight in the midst of everyday lives as well as in the midst of difficult moments.” The participant went on to tell us a personal story and concluded the message with: “My delight is seeing a beautiful stream of light coming in through the window. I love the idea of a delight text string with friends. It doesn’t have to be in depth. Just a moment to recognize the presence of the divine in any given moment.”

That started it! Reply all after reply all of small delights, one person even commenting: “My delight today is having these emails to read from everyone chiming in. Almost like we are all lounging around on comfy couches together.”

So many times, I want to throw my computer through a window and shut down my email account because it can be overwhelming, but today I delight in the way technology can keep us connected. I also delight in the many opportunities to be in the same room and share our lives together. I delight in binge watching good shows. I delight in funny memes. I delight in many groupings of text threads with family and friends. Also, I delight in funny memes.

I delight in Church - the coming together, with all of our imperfections and all of our gifts and all of our passions and all of our commitments to the Love of God and the Way of Jesus - and being in this journey together. - Amy

Pictured with Missy Solomon is Our newest member, Mark Andersen. We have enjoyed Mark’s beautiful bass voice in the choir for sometime now, and are delighted he is making his home at Park Road. Please take an opportunity to get to know Mark. Welcome!

End of Year – Forgotten Your 2024 Pledge?

We’ve talked a lot recently about the 2024 pledge, but Allison Wieland just stepped to my door to say we still have a lot of ground to cover to meet our 2023 needs. If you have not completed your pledge for this year, or if you could share a little more of your bounty from this good year, we will be grateful to have your help in meeting our current year budget. It’s been such a good year. We hope to close this gap and really celebrate on January 1. Thanks for doing all that you can to support your church. – Russ

“Deck the halls with boughs of holly…” Ok, friends, our halls are decked. The Deacons were in our home on Saturday night. Our staff will be there on Friday for lunch – and we’re looking forward to even more “fa la la la la, la la la la” this Friday evening when you join us for the return of our annual Christmas drop in! We will not post our address on this public venue, but if you need directions, call the church or call/text Amy or Russ. We will be ready for you to drop by starting at 6p. Come, make our Christmas complete. See you Friday! – Amy and Russ

On January 3, we will host a Town Hall as the program for “First Wednesday.” (Email by Tuesday, January 2 noon, to make a reservation for dinner the following night: info@ParkRoadBaptist.org. Our Ministry Council has started the process of rejuvenating our Action Teams. What are Action Teams? How is our Ministry Council structured? How can I get involved? What if there’s not an Action Team that matches my passion? We will try to answer all those questions and more. Our goal is to arrive at our January 28 “State of the Church” annual meeting with a revised list of Action Teams – and to give you a chance to sign up. Please make plans now to attend.

Our staff will gather for their annual Christmas Party on Friday at noon. The office will be closed beginning at 11:30a – and will not reopen until Thursday the 28th. The following week, the office will be closed on Monday (The office is always closed on Mondays.) and Tuesday, January 1-2, for the New Year’s holiday. Our ministers are always available by phone should you need them for any emergency.

Parents and Caregivers please note that our Sunday Morning Nursery will be provided for Worship time only on Sunday Morning, December 24 and December 31.

For our Candlelight Christmas Eve evening service, no nursery will be available. However, all children are welcome to attend the service with their parents.

In our last service of the year, we will still be decorated for the season, so we will gather to sing many of your Christmas carols, and we will share communion together. Of course, you are always welcome to “come as you are,” but this service will be more casual – no robes for the ministers and a solo instead of a choir. This will be a wonderful way to end the year together.

Join us tomorrow, Thursday, December 21 at 6p at the Rhino Market and Deli, South Park for Thirsty Third Thursday! In November the group had such a great time at Rhino Market that they decided to stick with the same location 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.

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

“I’m Margaret Robinson, and I have been a member at Park Road since I was a little kid. Park Road has been my family for more than 20 years and has been there through some big milestones. I married my husband Corey in the sanctuary, and we will be adding a new church member in June of next year! I’m a 7th grade science teacher at Randolph Middle School and always love reading a good book.” - Margaret

On Sunday evening, about 100 of us worked together in the Community Center packing 50,000 nutritious meals that will be sent to some of the most food impoverished people in the world. Each meal contains 20 vitamins and minerals, and many of the meals will be served to children while they are at school. It was a wonderful evening, including people of all ages, with music and lots of laughter to help make the work easier. Rise Against Hunger not only provides meals but supports education, skills training, and health services to assist people with the difficult journey out of poverty. Thank you to everyone who participated in making this event such a huge success!

Thanks to Tam Gordon for providing and excellent meal and to Greg Jarrell, Troy Conn, and Jeff Clap, the GSO Trio, for a delightful night of Christmas music, played in “America’s classical music.” The jazz was terrific, and the fellowship was even better.

The PRBC Child Care Development Center had some very special visitors for their Christmas Breakfast! 

• July 8-12 Unidiversity Camp - It is never too early to sign up. 🙂 

• 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. 🙂 

“Want to Talk? Communication Tools for Divided Times”

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.

Leo’s Italian Social proved an excellent place for our final FFF of the year. Thanks to all who have joined us. All are invited, so keep an eye out for our next lunch location – but mark your calendars now for Friday, January 19. We hope you can join us.

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.

The Park Road clergy had their annual party for the Merrywood Retirement Center, Bible study group last week. One of the ministers brought her baby, who stole the show. Merry

Christmas to all! 

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