Beginning this Sunday at 9:30am, we look back at arguably the most important week in human history..."Holy" or "Passion" Week.  The climax of Jesus's messianic ministry began as he entered Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday.  He rode into the city on the back of a donkey as Israel's Messiah-King.  While the journey between Bethany and the gates of Jerusalem was rather short, to the crowd that gathered along the road on that Sunday morning, it was a profoundly important journey that had the potential to seal their eternal destinies.  Holy Week could not have begun on a bigger note!

As you read the account of the Triumphal Entry in Matthew 21:1-11, look for yourself in the crowd.  Are you the one pushing and shoving your way to front, wanting to get as close to Jesus as you possibly can, while you place your own garment on the ground as an act of worship and honor, acknowledging Him as your Savior and Lord?  Can the people closest to you see your devotion to Jesus, or do you follow from afar, keeping the "Hosannas" to yourself?  Maybe you're like those who got swept up in the excitement of the moment, hoping to gain some short-term joy and celebrity status, as you get close to Jesus of Nazareth.

There's only one right response to the One who has come to reign in our lives...total surrender.  It's the one response that doesn't come naturally to any of us.  And yet, with all of our heart, soul, and strength, we are called to join the loud chorus of eternal "Hosannas"!  Join us this Sunday as we proclaim in one loud voice, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna, Hosanna to the King!"

Below is the schedule for Holy Week at Parkside Fellowship:

• This Sunday, April 10 is Palm Sunday.  Make plans now to join us at 9:30am for a special Palm Sunday service.  NOTE:  Adult Sunday School classes will meet at their normal time.
• Good Friday service will take place in our Fireside Room on Friday, April 15th at 7:00pm.  You won't want to miss this special time of singing, reflection and communion, as we "hear" from some who were there, as Jesus died for our sins.
• Easter Sunday at Parkside Fellowship!  Easter is the celebration of Christ's glorious resurrection and His triumph over sin and death.  Join us as hope is Unleashed through our risen Savior...Jesus!   Easter service at 9:30am.

As we gather for our in-person services, Parkside Fellowship has adopted a mask optional policy, based on the recommendations of our state and local leaders.  Please join us this Sunday at 9:30am, masked or unmasked, for a time of singing, prayer, encouragement from God's word and fellowship.  We look forward to seeing you!

Thank you for being a church that prays! 

See you Sunday.

Doug

This Sunday at 9:30am, we will wrap-up our series titled, Jesus in the Wilderness.  Through the lens of Matthew's gospel, we have been looking in on Jesus as he spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting and being tempted by Satan. With this third and final temptation, Satan drops his pretense and makes one final, desperate effort to corrupt Jesus.  He had first suggested what Jesus ought to do for Himself.  Next he suggested what the Father ought to do for Jesus.  In his third temptation, the devil attempted to coax Jesus into worshiping him for a magnificent but short-term gain.  Satan is telling Jesus what he can do for him--in exchange for what Jesus could do for Satan.

Through the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness, we learn the keys to victory over our own temptations:

1.  Trust and Obey God
2.  Commit to following His purpose and plan for our life.
3.  Hold on tight to our convictions and values without compromise.

Simply, we find help against temptation, just as we find help for everything else in the Christian life, by "fixing our eyes on God and His Son, Jesus".  Keeping our eyes on our Lord Jesus Christ is our only hope of conquering temptation and faithfully running the race that is set before us.  And as we do, I believe God will do for us exactly what he did for Jesus....

"Then the devil went away and angels came and took care of Jesus".  Matthew 4:11

Join us this Sunday at 9:30am and find your rest in Jesus.

As we gather for our in-person service, Parkside Fellowship has adopted a mask optional policy, based on the recommendations of our state and local leaders.  Please join us this Sunday at 9:30am, masked or unmasked, for a time of singing, prayer, encouragement from God's word and fellowship.  We look forward to seeing you!

After the service, at 10:45am, I want to invite you to join one of our adult discipleship communities.  We have two to choose from:

• Study of the Gospel of Luke
• Study in Wisdom

Holy or "Passion" Week at Parkside Fellowship

• Next Sunday, April 10 is Palm Sunday.  The climax of Jesus's messianic ministry began as he entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.  Holy or "Passion" Week could not have begun on a bigger note!  Make plans now to join us for a special Palm Sunday service on April 10th at 9:30am.
• Good Friday service will take place in our Fireside Room on Friday, April 15th at 7:00pm.  You won't want to miss this special time of singing, reflection and communion, as we "hear" from some who were there, as Jesus died for our sins.
• Easter Sunday at Parkside Fellowship!  Easter is the celebration of Christ's glorious resurrection and His triumph over sin and death.  Join us as hope is Unleashed through our risen Savior...Jesus!   Easter service at 9:30am.

Thank you for being a church that prays! 

See you Sunday.

Doug

This is Pastor Roger filling in today to update you. It is with a difficult heart that I inform you that Pastor Doug's mother passed away yesterday (Friday) morning. Please keep Pastor Doug, Rose, the kids and the entire family in your prayers as they go through this time of mourning. Doug's mother, Kathy, recently had back surgery and was recovering. An unexpected heart attack is the initial understanding of her passing. We are comforted knowing she walked a long life with the Lord and will see her again.

Day 36 in 40 Days with Jesus devotional that we have been going through offers this hope:

The best part of your life lies ahead - stored up for you in heaven, awaiting your arrival. This is true for all Christians, both young and old...When you "graduate" to heaven, your soul-Joy will instantly expand - exponentially!

And God, will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. -Revelation 21:4 

As we turn our attention to Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter, let us be reminded of the living hope we have in Jesus. We are all broken vessels but await that glorious day when we will be in heaven with our Savior & Lord!

This Sunday, at 9:30am, we will combine in worship with Bedrock Community Church as Pastor Nathan leads us to observe Palm Sunday. Please consider joining us in-person. You can also join me in Pastor Doug's office at 8:45am for a time of prayer before our service begins.

NOTE:  Our Sunday service continues to meet at 9:30am, with two options for participating.

1.  Attend our live "in-person" gathering.  No reservations are required and we will continue to follow all necessary COVID guidelines.  Please wear a mask so we can keep everyone safe and healthy!

2.  We value our online church community and will continue to livestream our church service at 9:30am for those who wish to participate. 

NOTE:  For our "after-church" zoom gathering, we will be joining our newest discipleship class led by Larry Annes.

Discipleship Study:  Not the Way It's Supposed to Be
10:45am to 11:45am
In-person and Zoom options 
Link for zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84125779768

Let me also invite you to our GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE at 7:00PM at Parkside. This will be a time of rejoicing and preparing our hearts for Resurrection Sunday. Iglesia El Buen Pastor will also be holding a Good Friday Service in the Fireside Room. In keeping with COVID protocols, we ask that Parkside Fellowship members park in the north parking lot and enter through the north entrance prior to the service.

Thank you for being a church that prays!

See you Sunday!

Pastor Roger

  Hi Parkside Family.

Well...I must admit I never imagined that I would be inviting you to our "online only" Palm Sunday service.  What an unprecedented time we find ourselves living in.  I trust that you and your family are staying safe and healthy during this time.  As always, please don't hesitate to contact either myself or Roger, should you need anything.

As I mentioned, this Sunday begins our journey together as we take a peek into the final week of Jesus' life on earth.  As Jesus prepares to enter Jerusalem, his triumphal entry is a culmination of a long road that began, not in Jericho.  It didn't begin in Galilee.  It didn't begin in Nazareth.  It didn't even begin in Bethlehem. The final week in the life of Jesus here on earth began long before.  As Adam strolled the orchards of the garden, Jesus was on his way to Calvary.  Jesus took his first step toward Jerusalem with God in his heart.  

Today, I feel a little bit like Jesus must have felt as he rode through the East Gate, knowing what painful encounters were on the horizon.  As health experts continue to predict that things will continue to get worse before they get better, what lesson can we learn from how Jesus handled his final week.  As Jesus rode into the heart of the lion's den, he did so claiming the promises of his Heavenly Father.  Let me share a few of these with you.

1. When you are confused:  "I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord.  "I have good plans for you."
2. If you feel weighted by yesterday's  failures:  "So now, those who are in Christ Jesus are not judged guilty."
3. On those nights when you wonder where God is:  "I am the Holy One, and I am among you."
4. If you think you can fall beyond God's love:  "Understand the greatness of God's love--how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is."

Tomorrow, when you find yourself marching toward your own Jerusalem, filled with worry, fear and anxiety, put the promises of God on your lips.  

Remember to join us on Sunday morning at 10:00am for Parkside Fellowship Online.  We will be focusing our time on the story of the Triumphal Entry of Jesus from Luke 19:28-42.  

The easiest way to view the sermon each Sunday is to go to our website, parksidefellowship.org.  On our home, about halfway down the page is a link to either youtube or facebook. Simply click on one of the links and you will be automatically directed to the sermon.

Hope to "see" you tomorrow.

Pastor Doug