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GOOD TIDINGS

The Weekly Newsletter for Park Road Baptist Church

April 3, 2024

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Once a month our students share a meal on what we call Worship Wednesday. Usually, a parent or grandparent will bring in some sandwiches, or Chic-fil-a, or tacos. We spend time eating together, sharing stories from our week, and laughing.

From that table, we transition to our youth chapel in the youth building. Students then lead all of us in worship. One of the great joys of my work here is listening to our students offer their own words, independently planned, as our sermons, prayers of confession, litanies, and welcomes. We then share in communion together.

That Sacred Supper, and the blessed words offered to each person who receives the bread and the cup, is a place where we encounter God and one another. It has a retroactive action in helping us to see the sacredness of our dinner before worship, of the blessing in every meal, in every interaction. The worship we do one Wednesday a month helps us to see and name the sacred in all of life. It points us to the God who is actively working in our midst at all times.

As our students lead us in worship, they are learning what worship is for. What church is about. Why we need this community.

This Sunday is Youth Sunday, and we have at least 14 students who will lead all of us in worship. I’m really excited for you to have the opportunity to experience the grace I encounter every time as they lead. We’ll be working out of Luke’s gospel, which has been our study each Sunday night as we ask “Who is Jesus?”

Some of you know our students are on Spring Break this week, yet many of them are currently putting their own sacred words to paper while on vacation. This process would make any other youth pastor nervous, admittedly my blood pressure may be slightly elevated this week, but I am confident in the work they are doing and the leadership they will bring this week. They have insight for me, for us, for Park Road Baptist Church that only they can bring.

While we’re talking about Youth Sunday, let me invite you to a Youth Fundraiser April 7 from 4-8p at Panera Bread on Sharon Anmity. When you purchase a meal, please make sure to tell the Panera Employee you’re with the Park Road Baptist Church Fundraiser and show a flier (Please click here to view and print the flyer. Printed copies will also be available in Helt Hall.) then 25% of their proceeds will benefit our students!!

Looking forward to worshiping with you on Sunday with the wise words of our students and around the grace of the Lord’s Supper which looks ahead to the sacredness of our fundraising meal as we feast together that night. - JD

Shout-Out to Seasonal Events Action Team

With their fearless leader Karen Holt at the helm, the brand new Seasonal Events Action Team exceeded all expectations with last Sunday’s Eggstravaganza! In addition to finding lots of candy-filled eggs, there were decorations and games and prizes for everyone. The courtyard was hoppin’ after a memorable Easter worship service. The sun was out, the temperature was perfect, and the smiles and laughter and wonder were abundant which was further evidence of Resurrection Good News. Be on the lookout for the next fun seasonal event from this team. You won’t want to miss it!

*Not pictured above is Events Action Team Member Ron Pelt.

Fill 'Er Up!

The Duncan Community Pantry needs supplies. This Sunday is the first Sunday of the month which means we bring non-perishable food (Examples would be self-opening cans/containers of meat, veggies, or fruit.) for the pantry. Our stock is running low just in time for you to refill it. The pantry is a well-used new ministry that was instigated by Hank Smyth for his Eagle Scout project in memory of his grandfather, Mack. To say that Mack would be well-pleased is an understatement. While we will certainly accept food for this ministry in the office any time, we designate the first Sunday of each month as the time to restock. There is a bin in Helt Hall to collect what is brought on Sunday morning.

Sunday Worship

March 31, 2024

Welcome Matt and John!

Well, after about a decade of waiting, they finally did it! Matt Flowers and John Shelton made the long walk down the aisle and have made it official. Welcome, our two newest members! Amy and Russ had the privilege of officiating one of the most beautiful weddings you have ever seen in Matt and John’s backyard eight years ago. They have been with us for 10 years, and now that they are both retired, we are looking forward to getting some work from them at Park Road! Please take the opportunity to introduce yourselves to Matt and John. Welcome!

Deacon of the Week: Laura Leach

My name is Laura Leach. I recently retired after nearly 25 years as a Medical Librarian with Atrium Healthcare. I am married to Matt Leach. We have an amazing 15-month-old grandson who lives in Chicago with our daughter and son-in-law. I love to travel. One of the highlights of my life was to walk with fellow Park Roadian’s on the El Camino from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela in 2022. In 2024, I am going back with Park Roadian’s to walk from Santiago to Finisterre and Muxia. I also enjoy gardening. Contact me if you also love gardening and are interested in a plot at the PRBC Community Garden.

April -May PR University Classes

Learn To Draw - Deadline April 8

If you are interested in spending three evenings learning to draw with Ron Pelt, please sign up and pay your $20 registration fee by April 8. The fee covers all art materials for the sessions. The class will meet each Sunday night at PRBC (exact location TBD), from 6-8p.

PRU Class: The Ten Commandments, Part II (#6-10) will occur April 14 – May 19.

Last fall we studied the first 4 commandment, which have to do with our relationship to God. This spring we move on the last six commandments which some may argue are harder commandments because they deal with our relationship to each other. In this study, based on the Adam Hamilton book Jesus and the Promise of the Ten Commandments Today, we will look at the last 6 commandments in their historical context, considering the meaning of each commandment in Hebrew, studying how Jesus might have reinterpreted them, and showing how every “thou-shalt-not” was intended to point to a life-giving "thou shalt." (The Hamiliton book is not required for the class but reading it will add to your experience in the class. You can purchase the book from your favorite local or online retailer.)

Fun Food Friday - the Biggest Pizza You've Ever Seen

Join us on Friday, April 19. We’re headed to LoSo. (If you’re not in the hip Charlotte crowd these days, that’s “Lower Southend”!) In this land of breweries, we’ll descend on Protagonist Brewery for their lunch special. The church staff ate there recently, and you won’t believe the size of the pizza. Huge! We’ll order together, or you can order a single slice (and still have leftovers). Let’s meet in the church parking lot at 11:15a, or just meet us 227 Southside Drive for lunch at 11:30a. If the weather is good, we may want to enjoy the beautiful outdoor seating. Let’s pizza!

Please RSVP by emailing the church office or signing up in Helt Hall on Sundays.

Youth Silent Auction and Fundraiser

On May 5th after worship, the youth and their families will offer a lunch to benefit our Guatemala mission and camp. As a part of this fundraiser, we will have silent and live auctions. We’re currently asking for donations toward these auctions. Past offerings have included a lake house for the weekend, tickets to a ball game, a round of golf, pool parties, etc. If you would like to donate, please reach out to JD (JD@ParkRoadBaptist.org), Beth Heaton, or Crystal Smyth.

CDC Easter Egg Hunts

The CDC children enjoyed their Easter egg hunts last week. Everyone was searching for the golden eggs.

Youth, Children, and Families Updates

4.7 is Youth Sunday - The youth will have no Sunday School that day as they finalize elements of the service. Please plan on having your students attend as well as having them participate in the planning. JD is really looking forward to this special day.

4.7 Fundraiswer in lieu of SNT - The youth will be eating at Panera Bread on Sharon Amity because they will give 25% of their profits between 4-8pm to us for our Guatemala mission trip!

4.19-20 is Spring Retreat - If your student is not already signed up, please let me know. We're asking $25 to cover food for the weekend and potentially to cover part of the activity. JD will email parents and guardians the week before which will include a packing list and more details.

5.19 - Baccalaureate Sunday.

April 27 Raptor Center - JD will send out more details soon, please save the date.

June 24-26 Compassion Camp - JD is really excited for our compassion Camp June 24-26 from 9:30a-12:30p. This will be a free and open to the public camp. We already have some of our own kiddos signed up and a good number coming from our campus partners. JD would love to hear from you about whether your kiddo aged 4-completing 5^thgrade, will be joining so he can be sure we get the volunteer coverage that is needed. This is the perfect opportunity to invite a friend or acquaintance along who needs some enrichment over the summer.

July 16-19 Camp Prism – We tentatively have a list of 7 kiddos with 5 of those solidly confirmed to attend camp. JD is so excited! Also, all the kids this year are a part of our church, so there's room to have other friends join. If your kiddo would like to bring a buddy, please let JD know by May 1st. The camp is from July 16-19 and is at Bonclarken camp in Western NC (about 2 hours from Charolotte). The total price for EVERYTHING, including meals, lodging, and activities, is only $250; It really is about as good of a summer camp price as you'll find anywhere. Those who've completed grades 3rd through 5th are able to go. Please let JD know if you want to bring a friend by May 1, and Payment is due to the church by June 1. (Pay online and put "Child Name- Prism" in the memo, or do the same for a check.) If anyone has trouble paying for camp, please contact JD.