First of all, thanks to everyone who participated in our Good Neighbor Project this past Sunday.  We had over 50 people from both Parkside Fellowship and Bedrock Community Church, who came together to love our community through serving.  Many of you gathered at the high school, where you cleaned out a ceramics room and picked up trash around the campus.  Others of you met at the church in order to sort and fill 72 backpacks with much-needed school supplies.  Thanks to all those who donated school supplies, we could not have completed this project without your generosity.  Great job everyone!

Has it ever occurred to you that Jesus launched the church, not while people were singing or while someone was preaching, but while people were praying?  In the first two chapters of Acts, the disciples were doing nothing but waiting on God to move.  As the late expositor Harry Ironside once stated, "When God is going to do some great thing He moves the hearts of people to pray.  He stirs them up to pray in view of that which He is about to do so that they might be prepared for it."  Just like these early disciples, I want to invite you to set aside time this next week for self-examination through prayer and supplication, so that we might be ready for the tremendous thing that God is going to do in our church.

To help facilitate your time of prayer, beginning Tuesday, September 7th through Friday, September 10th, the Fireside Room will be open  from 9:00am to 6:00pm each day for individuals/couples/families to come and pray.  Each day will have a different prayer focus.  These include: love, humility, courage/strength, wisdom/discernment and hope.  There will be a communion table, kneeling options, chairs, a table with Bibles labeled with specific scripture based on the days focus and other elements to help guide you during your prayer time.

As you consider joining others in our church family for a week of focused prayer, I want to share with you James 5:13-14,16

"Are any of you suffering hardships?  You should pray.  Are any of you happy?  You should sing praises.  Are any of you sick?  You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you...Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results."

Please join us this Sunday at 9:30am, as we take a deep dive into the prayer of Nehemiah found in Nehemiah 1:5-11.  Prior to our 9:30am service, consider joining us at 8:45am in Pastor Doug's office, for a special time of praying for Parkside and the other churches that meet on our campus.

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.  We were created by God to worship and praise Him together, in community, so plan on being at Parkside this Sunday at 9:30am and don't forget your mask!

Also, for those that are not able to join us in-person, you can still join us online

After the service, at 10:45am, we invite you to join our "after-church" discipleship class on the book of Revelation.  The book of Revelation unveils the glory of Jesus Christ.  Written by the Apostle John, Revelation is a reminder to remain faithful and trust God, even when things around us don't make sense. 

See class details below: 

Discipleship Study:  Revelation (The Christian's Ultimate Victory)
10:45am to 11:45am
In-person ONLY

See you Sunday.

Pastor Doug

This week has been especially busy with regards to prayer needs, both within our own church family and within our state.  Continue to pray for all those who have been and are being impacted by the devastating fires.  Also, pray for rain and that the weather would cooperate as firefighters and frontline workers battle to save homes and lives. Thank you for being a praying church.

This Sunday, we will continue our summer series called, FOCUSED.  I believe the word "focused" is a perfect way to describe how Jesus lived his life here on earth.  Everything Jesus said or did, from his formal teachings, parables and miracles, to his dinner conversations, were designed to point people to God and His kingdom.  Jesus said it best in Matthew 6:33:  "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously and he will give you everything you need." 

In Hebrews 11:6 the author writes these words, "He (God) rewards those who earnestly seek him".  Earnest, diligent, sincere, these are all great words to describe how we are to seek after God.  In other words, be hungry in your searching, relentless in your pursuit.  Don't be satisfied with the stars in the sky.  Seek him as the shepherds did.  Long for him as Simeon did.  Worship him as the wise men did.  God rewards those who seek him.  Not those who seek doctrine or religion or systems or creeds.  The reward is reserved for those who seek nothing less than God Himself.  And what is the reward?  That we will be given the heart of Jesus (II Corinthians 3:18).  Can you think of a better gift than than to be like Jesus?  Come this Sunday, focused, ready to seek the face of God, so that we can be changed through the power of the Holy Spirit into the likeness of His Son, Jesus.   

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

1.  Attend our live "in-person" gathering.  No capacity restrictions, no mask requirements, no COVID protocols to follow!

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

After the service, at 10:45am, Trudy Reusser will continue her discipleship class on the book of Revelation.  The book of Revelation unveils the glory of Jesus Christ.  Written by the Apostle John, Revelation is a reminder to remain faithful and trust God, even when things around us don't make sense. 

See class details below: 

Discipleship Study:  Revelation (The Christian's Ultimate Victory)
Facilitator:  Trudy Reusser
10:45am to 11:45am
In-person and on zoom
Zoom Link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81594772166  (the zoom link has changed from previous weeks)

See you Sunday.

Pastor Doug

As most of you are aware, on Tuesday, May 18th, the Oregon Health Authority released updated mask and social distancing guidelines.  Based on these guidelines, our church council has adopted the following mask policy for Parkside Fellowship, beginning this Sunday, May 23rd. 
 
Individuals attending church services at Parkside Fellowship, who are fully vaccinated, will not be required to wear a mask or social distance from others who are fully vaccinated.  According to the CDC, a person is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after their second dose series, such as Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 14 days after a single dose vaccine, such as Johnson and Johnson's Janssen vaccine. 
 
We ask those who are not fully vaccinated to continue to wear a mask and social distance for your own health and the health of those around you.  In addition, anyone who does not yet feel comfortable attending church services without a mask is encouraged to continue wearing a mask or face covering.  I don't know about you, but these newest guidelines from OHA provide me with a sense of hope that the end of the pandemic is near and a "new normal" is right around the corner!

If you have any questions, please email Pastor Doug at doug.boyd@parksidefellowship.org

Then join us on Sunday at 9:30am, as Pastor Doug continues our Fasten Your Seatbelts series.  Our focus this week will be on Acts 9, as we peek into the unlikely conversion of Saul of Tarsus, who would later become known as Paul the Apostle.

Luke's description of Saul's hatred for Christians drips with intrigue.  Earlier, the narrative indicates that Saul had supported the plot to arrest, convict, and stone Stephen.  Saul then began a reign of terror in Jerusalem, ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.  Saul's persecution may have lasted as long as 3 years.  But instead of destroying the church, his efforts sent the gospel farther, faster.  Later on, we will learn how Paul's past actually helped in his newfound role as chief protagonist for Christianity. 

Please join us at 9:30am, as we gather together to give glory to God for all He has done for us!

Also, don't forget to join me in my office at 8:45am for a brief time of prayer before our worship gathering.

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 Mark Hester, as he continues his discipleship class titled, Informed Christianity.  Be sure and join us at 10:45am, in-person or on zoom.  See details below on how to join.

Discipleship Study:  Informed Christianity
10:45am to 11:45am
In-person and on zoom
Zoom Link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84125779768  

Finally, continue to pray for those in our church family.  

See you Sunday.

Pastor Doug

With yesterday being National Day of Prayer, I had the privilege of joining with 5 other pastors for a prayer walk through downtown Portland.  One moment that sticks out in my mind was an opportunity our group had to share Jesus with a man named James.  James currently lives in transitional housing near PSU.  He shared with our group that while he recognizes his sin and his need for forgiveness, he can't understand how Jesus could die for sins that he has not even committed yet.  We were able to share with him the complete and eternal forgiveness that was made possible through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  While James did not commit his life to Christ, I am hopeful that he will continue to investigate the forgiveness Jesus offers to everyone and that one day, he will accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  Until then, please join me in praying for James and your "One" who needs Jesus.   

This Sunday, we will continue our Fasten Your Seatbelts series, as we look at the first Christian to be killed for their faith in Jesus.  While the life of Stephen only makes up two chapters in Acts, his impact can be felt even today, as churches all around the world struggle to maintain their commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission.  Please join us at 9:30am as we will be in Acts 6 and 7.

Also, don't forget to join me in my office at 8:45am for a brief time of prayer before our worship gathering.

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 Mark Hester, as he continues his discipleship class titled, Informed Christianity.  This four-week class will combine Bible study with practical application, as Mark explores questions like:

1. What is a Christian's role in the world?
   
2. Why does worldview matter?
   
3. How do we discern what the Bible tells us to do?
   
4. In short, how do we become informed Christians?

Discipleship Study:  Informed Christianity
10:45am to 11:45am
In-person and on zoom
Zoom Link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84125779768  

Finally, continue to pray for those in our church family. 

See you Sunday.

Pastor Doug

Let me begin by thanking Pastor Roger, Pastor Norm and Pastor Avery for joining me last week, as we continued our journey through the book of Acts.  I hope you enjoyed hearing from each of these men as they shared their thoughts on what it would look like if our church looked more like the church in Acts.

This week, we will continue our Fasten Your Seatbelts series, as we take a peek into one of the first challenges faced by this brand-new movement called, "The Church".  Please join us at 9:30am as we will be in Acts 3 and 4.

Also, don't forget to join me in my office at 8:45am for a brief time of prayer before our worship gathering.

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 a brand-new discipleship class titled, Informed Christianity, led by Mark Hester.  This four-week class will combine Bible study with practical application, as Mark explores questions like:

1. What is a Christian's role in the world?
   
2. Why does worldview matter?
   
3. How do we discern what the Bible tells us to do?
   
4. In short, how do we become informed Christians?

Discipleship Study:  Informed Christianity
10:45am to 11:45am
In-person and on Zoom
Zoom Link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84125779768  

Finally, Wayne Smith passed away yesterday morning.  Please pray for Josie and the Smith family as they mourn the loss of Wayne.  Even though Wayne is no longer with us, we celebrate his homecoming, knowing that he is in the presence of Jesus. 

See you Sunday.

Pastor Doug

I'm excited for this Sunday for two reasons:

1. At 9:30am, we will kick-off a brand new series called, Fasten Your Seatbelts.  The reason behind the title is we will be joining the early apostles on a wild, roller-coaster type ride through the book of Acts.  Over the next several weeks, we will take a peak at how God used Gospel-Centered Multiplication to launch the First Baptist Church of Jerusalem.  However, during our journey through Acts, we will also witness how the early followers of Jesus dealt with opposition so ferocious and so deadly that any other organization would have folded immediately...but not these bold, unhindered disciples!  Come ready to "Fasten Your Seatbelts" and hang-on as God continues to transform us into the image of His Son, Jesus!
2. During our Sunday service, I will be introducing a month-long campaign called, Who's Your One?  The Who's Your One campaign is sponsored by NAMB and is a tool designed to help churches prioritize ownership of the Great Commission as we each intentionally pursue one person with the hope of the gospel.  That's the intention behind Who's Your One.  Join us on Sunday and learn more about your role in the gospel story of Jesus.

Also, don't forget to join me in my office at 8:45am for a brief time of prayer before our worship gathering.

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 discipleship class led by Larry Annes.

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

Thanks for keeping Parkside Fellowship a "House of Prayer".

See you Sunday.

Pastor Doug

As the Boyd family continues to mourn the loss of an exceptional pastor's wife, mom and grandmother, I want to thank you for your prayers, cards and words of encouragement.  Each day, as I think about my mom, I am drawn back to the words of Jesus in John 14:27...

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid." 

Peace.  Jesus says I give you peace.  He says I don't give as the world gives.  I don't give expecting something in return.  I just give because I love you.  Jesus doesn't make empty promises.  The peace of this world is the absence of noise or an emptiness, a quietness.  Jesus says, My peace means I'm going to be in your life.  You'll have a presence and a purpose you never dreamed possible.

This Sunday, as we wrap-up our series in John called, Gazing at Glory, our focus will be on John 14.  John opens this chapter with these famous words...Don't let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and trust also in me.  Join us this Sunday, April 11th, at 9:30am, as we look at the promises Jesus made that will help us navigate the storms of life that causes our hearts to tremble with fear and doubt.  Don't forget to join me in my office at 8:45am for a time of prayer before our worship gathering.

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 on zoom
Zoom Link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84125779768  

Thanks for keeping Parkside Fellowship a "House of Prayer".

Parkside Family, as you prepare your hearts to be together on Sunday, let me leave you with this prayer...

Jesus, we thank you that you understand us.  We thank you that you give us answers, that we can talk to you about anything.  You answer our prayers, you promise to never leave us.  Lord, when we look at the trouble in our lives and what it does to our heart, the storms that it brings, there's part of us that thinks nothing can calm them.  But we put our faith in your word.  We put our faith in you, Jesus.  We ask you to calm our troubled hearts.  We ask you to bring us your peace as only you can.  In your name we pray.  Amen.

See you Sunday.

Pastor 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

As we near the end of Lent, I want to jump ahead and share with you a portion of tomorrow's reading from the devotional 40 Days with Jesus that we have been going through as a church family:

Day 32.  I am perpetually with you, taking care of you.  That is the most important fact of your existence.  You need not fear the future, for I am already there.  When you make the quantum leap into eternity, you will find Me awaiting you in heaven.  Your future is in My hands; I release it to you day by day, moment by moment.  Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow.  (See Matthew 6:34)

I want you to live this day abundantly, seeing all there is to see, doing all there is to do.  Don't be distracted by future concerns.  Leave them to Me!  I am training you to keep your focus on My Presence in the present.  This is how to receive abundant life, which flows freely from My throne of grace. 

This Sunday, at 9:30am, Pastor Norm will continue our series, Gazing at Glory, as he unpacks for us John 11.  Please consider joining us in-person.  You can also join me in my 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 11:30am
In-person and Zoom options 
Link for zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84125779768

As I mentioned at our Annual Meeting, we have two ancillary committee vacancies.  We need to fill one open seat on our Personnel Committee and one open seat on our Legal Committee.  This Sunday, March 21, church members will have the opportunity to vote to confirm the following candidates for these two open positions. 

Legal Committee:  Jonella Malinowski
Personnel Committee:  Greg Malinowski

For those who attend in-person, you will be able to fill-out your ballot either before or after the service.  For those of you who wish to vote by email, you may do so by replying to this email.  Simply type the name of the candidate and type YES or NO next to their name.  Please include your name, so that we can confirm your status as a member of Parkside Fellowship. 

Should you have any questions about this process, please email Pastor Doug at doug.boyd@parksidefellowship.org or Mark Hester at mark.f.hester@gmail.com

Thank you for being a church that prays!

See you Sunday!

Pastor Doug

 I want to start off this week's edition of TAB with three important reminders:

1. Spring Forward is HERE!  Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday night.
2. Sunday Worship Gathering at 9:30am. Pastor Roger will continue our series, Gazing at Glory
3. This Sunday, at 10:45am, we begin a new discipleship class.  Details below:

This Sunday, March 14th, at 10:45am, Larry Annes will begin a class discussion based on the book, Not the Way It's Supposed to Be, by Cornelius Plantinga. In this study, we will be reminded that sin is persistent, perennial, and pernicious.  That sin is like garbage – and taking out the garbage once isn’t enough.  Finally, we will realize our need to recover the language of sin so that we can appreciate the beauty of grace.

Each participant will receive a book.  For those who will be attending via zoom, please email roger at roger.sharp@parksidefellowship.org, so that he can get you a copy of the book.
Zoom link for discipleship class:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84125779768
Please pray today during this Week of Prayer for North American missions. Your prayers help transform lives!

Bobby and LaKeisha Williams have a simple goal—to meet the deep need of New Orleans with the even deeper love of Christ.
In the city, some buildings are still boarded up from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The area around the Williamses’ church plant is predominantly African American and low-income.
“A lot of what we strive to do is provide resources,” Bobby said. “We try to educate people spiritually, financially, intellectually, you name it.”

That’s how their church—Next Level Church—got its name. They want to see people take their life to the next level starting right where they are. The church provides its neighbors with multiple forms of assistance from health fairs to meal distribution, all with the goal of creating community and leading them to Jesus.

“Despite the challenges, we’ve been able to make an impact, and we want to do even more,” Bobby said.
Prayer Requests

• Pray for Bobby and LaKeisha to persevere in ministry.
• Pray for the church’s compassion ministries to open doors to share the gospel.

See you Sunday.

Pastor Doug