Happy New Year Parkside Fellowship.
 
While this year has been challenging for all of us, there has been a lot of good too.  I want to celebrate our Parkside family who endured a sudden pivot to online church.  Thank you for being patient as our tech team quickly navigated the best path to bring church into your home.  During a time of disconnection, you found ways to stay connected.  From parking lot services to meeting over zoom, you showed up and pursued authentic community...way to go Parkside!

A special "Thanks" goes out to Tim and Bitsy Law and Jim Small who put in extra hours to help us continue to spread the message of Jesus.  I also want to thank Roger, Larry and Norm who endured long nights of recording their sermons to an empty room.  I could not have done it without this incredible team of volunteers!

As we move into 2021, I am excited to announce that beginning this Sunday, January 3rd at 9:30am, we will be offering an in-person worship service. All social distancing protocols will be followed and masks will be required. 

Also, as much as we desire to see all of you in-person, please stay home if you have any of the following:

• A fever of 100.4 or greater
• A new cough that you cannot attribute to another health condition
• New respiratory issues that you cannot attribute to another health condition
• Have been in contact with any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the last 14 days

NOTE:  For those who are still not comfortable attending an in-person service, we will continue to provide our livestream service at 9:30am each Sunday.

This Sunday, we will start a brand-new series titled Gazing at Glory.  Through the Gospel of John, we will learn about a loving God, who sent his one and only Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for our sins.  Thankfully, Jesus rose from the grave and ascended into heaven where "God gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father".  (Philippians 2:5-11).  Don't miss this Sunday, January 3rd at 9:30am, as we begin a journey towards a deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Also, for those who will be watching from home, don't forget to join us at 10:45am for our "after-church zoom gathering".

Finally, attached is the weekly prayer list. 

"See" you Sunday.

Pastor Doug

  Merry Christmas Parkside.

This year, many families, including ours, will be spending Christmas with only those in our immediate household.  However, even though this might make things a little less chaotic than normal, the danger of missing the birth of Jesus remains.  As we prepare to spend Christmas in isolation, apart from family and friends, the danger of including Jesus in our quarantine protocol is amplified.

As you prepare for Christmas, I want to share a quote from the book, Because of Bethlehem, by Max Lucado:

"On that first Christmas night, the innkeeper missed Jesus knocking at the door.  Today many still do.  They miss the chance to open the door.  They let the birth of Jesus pass them by.  The miracle of Bethlehem still happens.  God enters the hamlets of our lives and speaks to us.  He speaks through scriptures, sunsets, the kindness of a friend, or the warning of a medical report.  He sings to us through Christmas carols.  He calls to us through Christmas sermons.  He reaches out through the Christmas story.  'Here I am!'  Jesus invites.  It's not too late to open the door and invite Jesus in.  You are never too old, too messed up, or too worn-out.  Elijah was depressed.  God still came to him.  Abraham was old.  God still led him.  Moses was long retired.  God still called him.  Jonah ran from God, Peter betrayed Christ, Thomas doubted Christ, but each learned it was not too late.  It's never too late to come to Christ for help".  

This Christmas, as you celebrate either apart from family or only with close family, don't miss the message of Jesus.  A message that reads, "I came to lift burdens, not add to them."

Please join us tomorrow for our Christmas Eve candlelight service.  This year, due to COVID restrictions, our Christmas Eve service will be online ONLY.  You can access our service on our website, www.parksidefellowship.org.  Click on the "Parkside Fellowship Christmas Eve Virtual Candlelight Service" picture located near the top of our homepage.  Once you click on this link, you will be directed to the service recording.  The Christmas Eve service will be available beginning at 4:00pm and can be accessed anytime after that time.

Finally, attached is the weekly prayer list.  Pray for those you know who will be spending Christmas apart from family.

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Doug

​"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him."  John 3:16-17

God's never-ending, unconditional, unfathomable love is the focus of week #4 of Advent.  Any doubt of God's love disappeared the night God was wrapped in strips of cloth and laid in a manger.

Don't miss our online service this Sunday at 9:30am, as we continue our series, Surprised by Jesus.

As we continue to have church online,  I want to remind you how to access our livestream service.  You can access the livestream on our website, www.parksidefellowship.org.  Click on the "YouTube live" link located on the home page where it reads "Schedule".  Once you click on this link, you will be directed to our livestream service that begins at 9:30am.

Note:  There will NOT be an After-Church Zoom Gathering this Sunday.

Please continue to pray for each other, our neighbors, our community and our nation.

"See" you Sunday.

Pastor Doug

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!  Let earth receive her King.  For many, Christmas might spark this question, "What's the big deal about the baby in the manger?" The "Big Deal", the reason we sing...no shout...Joy to the World, is because of the baby in the manger.  Because of the baby in the manger, God is with us.  God is where we are.

As we prepare to close out 2020, now more than ever, we need the truth of God with us!  God in our homes, God in the doctors office, God at our workplace, God in our family struggles.  The joy of Christmas is knowing that wherever we are, whatever fears, doubts, questions or struggles we might be experiencing...God is always near us.  God is always rooting for us.  God is our biggest fan and because of this, we are forever on God's mind and in his plans.  

"She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God with us.'"  Matthew 1:23 

Don't miss our online service this Sunday at 9:30am, as Pastor Norm continues our series Surprised by Jesus.

As we shift back to an online church service, I want to remind you how to access our livestream service.  You can access the livestream on our website, www.parksidefellowship.org.  Click on the "YouTube live" link located on the home page where it reads "Schedule".  Once you click on this link, you will be directed to our livestream service that begins at 9:30am.

After the service please consider joining us at 10:45am (note the time change) for our "after-church" gathering on zoom.  

Please continue to pray for each other, our neighbors, our community and our nation.

"See" you Sunday.

Pastor Doug

"Don't let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and trust also in me.  There is more than enough room in my Father's home.  If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am."  John 14:1-3 NLT

While these familiar words of Jesus surprised his first-century audience; today they can bring hope, love, joy and peace to those who embrace the promise of an eternity spent with Jesus in heaven.

Don't miss our online service this Sunday at 9:30am, as Pastor Roger continues our series Surprised by Jesus.

As we shift back to an online church service, I want to remind you how to access our livestream service.  You can access the livestream on our website, www.parksidefellowship.org.  Click on the "YouTube live" link located on the home page where it reads "Schedule".  Once you click on this link, you will be directed to our livestream service that begins at 9:30am.

After the service please consider joining us at 10:45am (note the time change) for our "after-church" gathering on zoom.  

"See" you Sunday.

Pastor Doug