Being Together

​This week, I started reading a book titled, Rediscover Church, by Collin Hansen and Jonathan Leeman.  The premise of the book is that a "Christian without a church is a Christian in trouble".  As I talk with other pastors, we all agree that since the abrupt closing of churches due to the pandemic, many Christians have yet to return to being an active participant in their local churches.  If the church really is the hope of the world, now more than ever, we must recommit ourselves to gathering together as individual followers of Jesus, who together, make up the body of Christ.

We've all heard the statement, "A church is not a building, it's people".  I would like you to consider a follow-up question to this statement.  Is a church merely people, or is it people who gather together to be shaped by God's Word, for the purpose of encouragement, accountability and love?  I believe gathering together is what makes a church...a church.  Even the author of Hebrews stressed the importance of gathering together when he wrote:

"Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that.  We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord's coming is getting closer."

Consider gathering with us in-person this Sunday at 9:30am, as we will conclude our series called, EXODUS: Discovery God in the Journey.  We started our journey in Exodus 3, where we listened and watched as God enlisted Moses and Aaron for the purpose of drawing his people out of slavery.  As we wrap up our time in Exodus, we will seek to answer the question, "In drawing His people out of slavery, what was He wanting to draw them into?".

As we gather for our in-person service, Parkside church staff and leadership will be wearing masks and we are asking everyone to do the same.  Please consider joining us this weekend at 9:30am...and don't forget your mask!

It's not too late to join one of our Sunday discipleship classes.  We have two studies currently meeting each Sunday morning at 10:45am.  See Class details below:

Topic:  A Study in the book of James
Facilitator:  Mark Hester and Jonella Malinowski
10:45am to 11:45am
In-person ONLY

Senior Adult Discipleship Class
Topic:  A Study in the book of Mark
Facilitator:  Martha Bailey
10:45am to 11:45am
In-person ONLY

Please reserve Sunday, November 14th, for a Parkside Fellowship All-Church Meeting.  I, along with our church council, will be sharing with you the report that we received from the NWBC Church Health Assessment Team.  The meeting will take place in the Fireside Room, immediately following our Sunday morning worship service. 

See you Sunday.

Pastor Doug