Happy (almost) New Year Parkside Family.

Researchers have determined that advertisers bombard us with approximately 2,000,000,007 messages a day telling us that we need this, and that we must buy that!  Then there's the news channels telling us to be concerned about this, and to worry about that.  Then there's all the things people around us are saying.  With so many people telling us what to do, what to think, and how to act, we barely have time to think for ourselves...let alone think about what God thinks.

As we enter 2023, my encouragement is to create a quiet spot in your soul where just you and God can meet, talk, and rest as you go about your days.  Ask Him to make His presence a deeper reality as you go about this next year.  Consider puttting into practice the words of Jesus from Matthew 6:33-34:

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."

And pray this prayer:  "Lord Jesus, I thank You that You are with me.  Open my ears next year, so that I can hear You and enjoy You at every twist and turn.  Amen"

Join us this Sunday at 9:30am for a special New Year's Day Service.  Do you wonder what it would look like to be blessed by God this next year, or how we can become someone who is blessed?  This week, we will look at Matthew 5:1-12, where Jesus provides us with 8 ingredients that, when put into practice, can lead us to a blessed life.  The kind of life God is calling us to live may look different than we imagine, but it will be better than we could have hoped for.  We will conclude our service with communion as we praise God for his faithfulness during this past year, and trust Him for a blessed 2023!

NOTE:  Adult Sunday School will not meet this Sunday.

Continue to pray for the needs of those in our church family.

See you Sunday.

Pastor Doug 

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