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I’m not sure if this falls under “proud co-pastor” or “proud wife” or “proud church member,” but allow me to boast for a moment. Russ has a new book that has been launched into the world by Wipf and Stock Publishers: The Power of the God Who Can’t: God Always Does Everything God Can Do. From the back cover, here is the synopsis, though if you’ve listened to Russ preach and teach at all, this will not be new to you:

“In a world that values power above all else, we need to rethink God. It's not just better athletes and bigger engines, but weapons of mass destruction, assault rifles, lethal drugs. Our obsession with stronger, faster, more and bigger everything is killing us--and at the top of this power pyramid an all-powerful God validates it all. For those who want a theology justifying the power game in all its forms, omnipotence is the perfect pretext, but for a growing segment of our modern, scientific world, the notion of an all-controlling deity sounds increasingly superstitious, tribalistic. People of faith must do better. Our world needs a God whose nature is love, not all-controlling power. That God, the God who can't, is even more powerful. The survival of the world--even the future of God--may depend on us learning to say, `God always does everything God can do.’"

While it may not be new to you, I think some of the thoughts in this book will be new to many – especially those who hold a more traditional theological perspective. I have nominated myself to be Russ’s shameless promoter. (Back to that whole proud co-pastor/proud wife/proud church member thing!) My work started yesterday in my social media post: “Russ had been writing this book for years. Many years. And finally, it's in print. As our old mentor, Bill Hull used to quip - `Buckle your seatbelts.’ This is not a traditional view of God. But it is a helpful one. This read might help you make sense of who God is and how God is (and is not) at work in the world – especially if all of those traditional views no longer work for you. You don't have to agree with him – many won't – but surely God delights in the questions and the conversations that will be sparked when you read it. This has been a long labor of commitment and dedication to the study of God. I'm so proud. I hope this book will bring many who could no longer believe back to the table of faith where all are welcome – believer, doubter, follower, and skeptic alike.”

Russ’s first book, Finding a New Way Home: The Unlikely Path of a Reluctant Baptist Renegade, was “self-published,” through Good Faith Media. (The publishing world is complicated, we have learned!) Our Ashcraft Endowment sponsored this effort – so, every church household received a free copy. His new book is being published by Wipf and Stock, which is really quite an honor for Russ, but this also means there are no freebies this time around. To read Russ's latest book you will need to buy it. You can order it directly from the publisher by clicking here. It is also available from other online sellers, like Amazon. We will soon have a supply in the church office, and Park Road Books will also have copies.

This book has been in Russ’s head and Russ’s heart for many years. It is quite something to see it finally in print. Watching the writing and editing up close has shown me that I have taken for granted all that has gone into the many books I have read in my life. It has been fascinating to have a front row seat to the process, and I just have to say . . . I’m so proud of him.

It's risky to put your heart and mind on paper. It’s even riskier when the topic is out of step with a mainstream understanding. There is nothing Russ enjoys more than dialogue about ideas about God. I believe this book will spark many conversations. It will make people think and dig deeper in their own understandings of God. He has already been invited to present his book at two conferences in the coming months. I’m sure other opportunities will follow. I hope you will join me in congratulating Russ on this accomplishment.

I know there are other books rolling around in his head; some of those words have already made their way to the computer, but today is a day to celebrate that these words are in print. It is the Power of the God of Love that is the message of this book, and that is something the world desperately needs to read.

For your thoughts, and your words . . . Thanks, Russ. Very well done!

Signed,

Proud co-pastor, Proud wife, Proud church member – Amy Jacks Dean

A Pledge Packet for our 2024 Annual Ministry Plan (church budget) is in the mail this week. The packet includes a summary of the AMP. A full, itemized AMP is also available by clicking here. Please note these important dates:

• November 19 - We will have an “AMP Question and Answer” session following worship.

• December 3 - Commitment Sunday. Please make your pledge online by this date or bring your pledge card to worship. (Please note the change of date to December 3 to give time for a Q&A session and to move it away from Thanksgiving weekend.)

Please take these opportunities to be informed about our AMP and be prayerful about y)our financial stewardship for 2024. Thank you for being found faithful.

Park Road has hosted Room in the Inn since the program first began in Charlotte. It is a city-wide effort to provide a few meals and a warm place to sleep for our homeless neighbors on cold winter nights from December through March. Many of you have volunteered over the years to set up and make beds to provide a welcoming environment, to prepare a meal or a bagged lunch, to serve as overnight hosts, or to do laundry for our guests. Knowing how important this ministry is to our congregation, when the Fire Inspector informed us that the Youth building could not be brought up to code as a hosting sight, we began looking at the Community Center as an alternate site. Unfortunately, after a great deal of time and effort (mostly thanks to Leslie), we discovered that the process of upfitting the community center and getting the proper permits for the Community Center would be too involved to be accomplished in time for this year’s Room in the Inn season. So, RITI at Park Road will be canceled this year with the hope that it will resume next winter in the Community Center. In the meantime, Providence United Methodist Church has expressed a need for additional volunteers to assist their church in hosting Room in the Inn this season. They suggested the possibility of providing to-go lunch bags or of our church completely staffing one of their nights (supper, overnight host, breakfast etc.). If either of these possibilities interests you, please let Dan know.

Before the pandemic, Park Road hosted several annual packing events in December for Stop Hunger Now. The name of the organization has changed to Rise Against Hunger, but their mission is still the same – to provide people who are food deprived with nutritious meals and to assist them in their struggle to climb out of poverty. We will host another packing event in the Community Center on December 17 with the goal of packing 50,000 meals! This event is a wonderful opportunity for us to work together for a very worthwhile cause! It is designed so that people of all ages can participate and there’s a lot of fun and excitement! So, please plan to join us on the 17th! We will have a sign-up link in next week’s newsletter.

November Mission Offering: Rise Against Hunger

Our mission offering in November will help to support a meal-packing event on December 17 with Rise Against Hunger. Our goal is to pack 50,000 nourishing meals, containing 20 vitamins and minerals, for people affected by food insecurity. Rise Against Hunger not only provides meals but also education, skills training, and health services to support the difficult journey out of poverty.

Marvin and Yolani are both studying to take the written driver’s license exam after having received their work permits a couple of weeks ago. They can take the test in Spanish, and if you are a Spanish speaker who could donate some of your time to help them to study for the exam, they could certainly benefit from having help and guidance. Every effort is being made to help them get their driver’s licenses as soon as possible so if you can be of assistance, please let Dan know.

When we ran the picture of Fletcher Webster and Mallory Moore, we called Mallory by the wrong last name. (Mallory Monroe is a former employee.) Our apologies to Mallory Moore!

Join MeckMin for one of the highlights of the year -- the annual Community-Wide Interfaith Thanksgiving service which will be hosted this year by Trinity Presbyterian Church.

Each year people of all faiths gather on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and the service is a delightful reminder of the rich and growing diversity of our community. We hope you'll mark your calendar and plan to join us!



November 21, 6:40 – 8p

Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3115 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211

Hello! My name is Rebecca Terry and my family and I joined Park Road in February of 2020, after moving to Charlotte from Fort Worth, TX, in August of 2019. Moving just before the Pandemic did make it challenging for us to fully jump into the swing of things at the church and the city, but with each passing year Charlotte and PRBC has felt more and more like our home! I work as a Nurse Manager for a fabulous program that supports low-income, first-time pregnant women. I am also the mother of two daughters, Isabel (18) and Sophia (16), and I'm married to Daniel. Daniel and I have enjoyed supporting the youth group and teaching a short-term adult series at PRBC. We will be teach another class "Lessons in Carols" this Advent season. Hope to see you there! 

Every year our sanctuary is made more beautiful by the presence of dozens of Christmas poinsettias, and the beauty is deeper than the traditional colors marking the season. You can purchase a flower in memory or honor of a loved one. All names will be printed in the order of service for worship the Sunday prior to Christmas. Please help us beautify the sanctuary and remember your loved ones. 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.

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

Here’s what you need:

• Spend 20 minutes each day leading up to Christmas
• This link which will give you 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/
• There are links for diving deeper on some of the days in the digital version.
• Optional: Bowler’s book The Lives We Actually Have book of blessings (This is the same book that we used for our Lenten devotion group.) Some days you will be directed to one of the blessings in this book which is additive to the day’s reflections but not necessary.

Thank you to our children and their Sunday School teachers for writing beautiful notes to our ministers and to the whole church. It’s amazing how a simple word of gratitude can brighten any day. Children, as we enter this season of thanksgiving, know that we are thankful for you too!

• No Midweek gathering tonight. The youth off for "fall break." Enjoy all the extra margin this week.​
•  November 15^th – Worship Wednesday at 6:30p: The youth leading for this event are Hank, Jack, Caroline, and Clara. Ann Miles will "host" and provide supper. If youth can make no other Midweek, Worship Wednesday is the one 🙂
• November 19 at 5:30p - Friendsgiving and Food Drive for the PRBC Food Cabinet. Crystal Smyth is spearheading our meal by bringing our entre. Others or you are asked to bring sides, desserts, and drinks. This will be for youth and their families!
• Middle schoolers - Bring canned veggies
• 9th-10th - Bring pasta and sauce
• 11-12th - Bring instant mashed potatoes and soup.
• International Mission Trip – JD remains cautiously optimistic about intiating an international mission trip for our students next year. Most likely the date will be in August 2024, details TBA (Let us redirect you to the cautiously optimistic part, haha!), but probably we will be working in Guatemala. If the youth do work in Guatemala, they will work in the communities where JD did cross-cultural work and has deep relationships. We are sharing this information with you now so that you can let JD know if you are interested and so you can get a passport for your child as soon as possible. JD will also have ample space for many volunteers, so if you are open to chaperoning, please let JD know and, if necessary, get an updated passport. No passport should expire within 6 months of August 2024. JD would like to have a list of those interested by the end of November and have the first trip meeting in January. 
• 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 tems 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. 🙂 

This Sunday, the study group will discuss the fourth commandment “Remember the Sabbath Day.” This lesson comes at a good time. With the busiest time of year fast approaching, we are reminded to take time to rest, but not just rest. As Adam Hamilton writes, “The sabbath is not just about resting, but about remembering, reflecting, and celebrating God’s work in our lives and the world around us.” Please join us as we look at the commandment in its context, considering the meaning of the commandment to the Hebrews, studying what Jesus said about the sabbath, and learning how important it is in our lives today. All are invited to join, Sundays at 9:45a in Milford Chapel. (Each Sunday is a standalone lesson, so please join us as you are able. This study is based on the Adam Hamilton book Jesus and the Promise of the Ten Commandments Today, but reading the book is not required.) This will be the last Sunday of The Ten Commandments, Part 1.  We will resume in the spring with the last 6 Commandments. -Bill Hemingway

When we arrived at Park Road, we were invited to join a lunch gathering of the ministers of the churches on Park Road. That group had been meeting regularly before we arrived, and for 23 years we’ve continued the camaraderie, the fellowship, and the support of this wonderful group. Amy and I are now the “seniors” on the road – both in terms of tenure (Yeah!) and age (Not-so-Yeah!). We recently changed our meeting date, and apparently the First Thursday works much better. For the first time in a very long time, our table was full. Thanks to our friends: Greg Brown (Holy Comforter Episcopal), Jonathan Coppedge-Henley (Woodlawn Community Fellowship), Dan McClintock, Keith Copeland (St. Luke’s Lutheran), Tom Stinson-Wesley (Sedgefield United Methodist), Jim Ewing (Avondale Presbyterian), JD McDonald, and us.

We mostly just enjoy the fellowship and the support that comes from being in regular communication, but we have two programs that we have been working on for our congregations to enjoy together. One relates to our Park Road University offerings, and another is a program for lunches during Lent. Those details will be forthcoming. We hope some of you will take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy our ecumenical fellowship as much as we do. -Russ

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