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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 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.
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 Yesterday, I attended a virtual conference called, Future of the Church Summit (our SBC President J.D. Greear was a featured speaker). One statement that stuck with me, was made by Chris Hodges who pastors Church of the Highlands in Alabama. In talking about the future of the church, he said that even with all the fast-moving changes happening around us, the one thing he believes will never change is "a person's need to be known and their need to be needed"...to be a part of a community. As the church shifts and pivots with an ever-changing culture, we must never lose sight of a person's need to be loved! Today's lent reading spoke directly to this point.
I have loved you with an everlasting love. Before time began, I knew you. For years you swam around in a sea of meaninglessness, searching for love, hoping for hope. All that time I was pursuing you, aching to embrace you in my compassionate arms. When the time was right, I revealed Myself to you. I lifted you out of that sea of despair and set you down on a firm foundation. Jeremiah speaks to this as well in Jeremiah 31:3. "Long ago the Lord said to Israel: 'I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself." This Sunday at 9:30am, Larry Annes will continue our series "Gazing at Glory." This week we will focus on Jesus as the Light of the World from John 8. Don't forget to join me in my office at 8:45am for prayer! NOTE: Our Sunday service continues to meet at 9:30am, with two options for participating.
NOTE: For the month of March, our "after-church" zoom gathering will be focusing on prayer as we prepare our minds and hearts for Easter. This week we will be joining with other SBC churches all across America in praying for North American Missions. Sunday Mornings in March: "Prayer Focus" 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. On Sunday, March 21st, church members will have the opportunity to vote to confirm the following candidates for these two open positions.
If you currently have a listed prayer request, please let us know of any changes to the request. You can do that by replying to this email or emailing Pastor Doug at doug.boyd@parksidefellowship.org See You Sunday! Pastor Doug I'm excited to be back after a much-needed 2 week break. Thanks to Roger and the rest of our leadership team for keeping things moving forward while I was gone. God has blessed Parkside with some incredibly gifted leaders and I feel privileged to be able to serve alongside them!
Reminder: Parkside Fellowship Annual Meeting, tomorrow (Saturday) at 3:00pm. Don't forget that tomorrow (Saturday) is our Parkside Fellowship All-Church Annual Meeting. You have the option to attend in-person or on zoom beginning at 3:00pm. Here is the zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84138184552 Join us on Sunday at 9:30am, as we continue our series "Gazing at Glory." This week's focus will be on John 6, as we look at Jesus: The Bread of Life. 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 the month of February, our "after-church" zoom gathering will be joining our discipleship class titled, "Resolving Everyday Conflict". See below for information on the class. To receive a book, please email: roger.sharp@parksidefellowship.org Sunday Mornings in February: “Resolving Everyday Conflict” 10:45-11:45am You will need a copy of the book “Resolving Everyday Conflict” and your Bible. In-person and Zoom options Link for zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84125779768 Hopefully you are continuing to join Roger and I as we spend this Lent season, focusing on our Savior, Jesus. Below is a verse from day 5 that I thought was so appropriate during this season of life. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29 Finally, attached is the weekly prayer sheet. Thanks for praying! For His Glory. Pastor Doug Roger again this week. I just returned from getting an X-Ray...I'll know soon what I did to my ribs, but it was worth it. Mary Jo and I took full advantage of the snow last week hurling ourselves head first down Powerline Park on our sled. Well, I went airborne after hitting a bump and landed rib cage to metal. Ouch! Advil has been my close friend all week. I might have winced a time or two while preaching this past Sunday.
Sometimes, as we enjoy life, we are reminded of the frailty of our very bodies. Our spirit says, "I am young and can conquer the world!" - but our age and miles remind us of the truth of life. The body will ultimately fail, but Jesus offers renewal because of the cross. This season of Lent reminds us to face our trials and to recognize suffering. Suffering and pain are part of the human experience. During these next few weeks, draw closer to Jesus as we celebrate His power over suffering and death. Let me invite you to join us for "40 Days with Jesus." We have a devotional booklet that while guide you. If you still need yours, please contact us at the church office and we'll bring it to you or make arrangements for you to pick one up. "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I site and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely. O Lord." - Psalm 139:1-4 Larry Annes will be bringing the message Sunday as we continue our series "Gazing at Glory." We will sing a few songs led by our very own Lydia Annes, read Scripture, and pray. 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 the month of February, our "after-church" zoom gathering will be joining our discipleship class titled, "Resolving Everyday Conflict". See below for information on the class. To receive a book, please email: roger.sharp@parksidefellowship.org Sunday Mornings in February: “Resolving Everyday Conflict” 10:45-11:45am You will need a copy of the book “Resolving Everyday Conflict” and your Bible. In-person and Zoom options Link for zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84125779768 We all encounter conflict - whether it be with a coworker, family member, friend, or complete stranger. And yet we all desire harmony in our relationships. Resolving Everyday Conflict is a practical, biblical, and concise guide to peacemaking in everyday life. This biblical guide written by Ken Sande and Kevin Johnson will take you far beyond simply ending conflicts. Instead, true, life-changing reconciliation can take place in your relationships. Topics that will be covered include:
See you Sunday! Pastor Roger Roger here this week enjoying the snow and cold weather. Mary Jo and I have already burned through a few logs on the fireplace, trekked the snow-packed park next to the church, and savored a cup of coffee or two. These are memory-makers that remind us of seasons and the beauty each brings. I love this time of year for its uniqueness. Of course, I'm looking forward to the colors of Spring just around the corner, too.
"Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love." - 1 John 4:7-8 These verses are the first verses I memorized through song. Maybe you know the medley and just sang it as you read it. Maybe not. I learned it KJV-style like this: "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God, and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love....Beloved, let us love one another...1 John 4:7-8." I learned from an early age the importance of loving God with all that I am. As I grew into my teen years and then into young adulthood, I began to place barriers in front of that love. These self-imposed barriers create a void that lasts for many years if we are not diligent in recognizing them and removing them. We must begin to release and trust. In my message for Sunday, we will take a look a three barriers to love as we gain wisdom from John's gospel, chapter 4. Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well provides the framework. I invite you to read ahead and come ready to explore God's love as we worship Him this Sunday. We will sing a few familiar hymns, read Scripture, and encourage each other in fellowship. NOTE: Our Sunday service continues to meet at 9:30am, with two options for participating.
NOTE: For the month of February, our "after-church" zoom gathering will be joining our discipleship class titled, "Resolving Everyday Conflict". See below for information on the class. To receive a book, please email: roger.sharp@parksidefellowship.org Sunday Mornings in February: “Resolving Everyday Conflict” 10:45-11:45am You will need a copy of the book “Resolving Everyday Conflict” and your Bible. In-person and Zoom options Link for zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84125779768 We all encounter conflict - whether it be with a coworker, family member, friend, or complete stranger. And yet we all desire harmony in our relationships. Resolving Everyday Conflict is a practical, biblical, and concise guide to peacemaking in everyday life. This biblical guide written by Ken Sande and Kevin Johnson will take you far beyond simply ending conflicts. Instead, true, life-changing reconciliation can take place in your relationships. Topics that will be covered include:
Finally, attached is our weekly prayer list. See you Sunday! Pastor Roger "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." John 3:16
This is arguably the most well-known verse in the Bible. Even non-believers have probably heard variations of this verse, or at the very least, they've seen signs with John 3:16 written on them. Martin Luther referred to John 3:16 as, "the gospel in miniature". In other words, one can sum up the entire gospel with this one verse. John 3:16 is a culmination of all that happened from Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, to the moment when Nicodemus knocked on Jesus’ door in John 3:2 This Sunday at 9:30am, we will continue our series, Gazing at God's Glory, as we unpack the amazing truths found in the life-altering words of John 3:16. NOTE: Our Sunday service continues to meet at 9:30am, with two options for participating.
NOTE: For the month of February, our "after-church" zoom gathering will be joining Pastor Roger's discipleship class titled, "Resolving Everyday Conflict". See below for information on the class. To receive a book, please email Roger at roger.sharp@parksidefellowship.org Sunday Mornings in February: “Resolving Everyday Conflict” 10:45-11:45am You will need a copy of the book “Resolving Everyday Conflict” and your Bible. In-person and Zoom options Link for zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84125779768 We all encounter conflict - whether it be with a coworker, family member, friend, or complete stranger. And yet we all desire harmony in our relationships. Resolving Everyday Conflict is a practical, biblical, and concise guide to peacemaking in everyday life. This biblical guide written by Ken Sande and Kevin Johnson will take you far beyond simply ending conflicts. Instead, true, life-changing reconciliation can take place in your relationships. Topics that will be covered include:
See you Sunday! Pastor Doug This Sunday, as we continue our series, Gazing at God's Glory, our focus will be on a "secret" meeting between Jesus and a religious leader named Nicodemus. As strange as this may sound, I want you to read the words below from Ezekiel 36 in preparation for this Sunday's message. Don't worry, it will all make sense on Sunday...I hope!
"For here's what I'm going to do: I'm going to take you out of these countries, gather you from all over, and bring you back to your own land. I'll pour water over you, and scrub you clean. I'll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I'll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that's God-willed, not self-willed. I'll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands." Ezekiel 36:24-27 (The Message) 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. Also, don't forget to stick around after the service for our "after-church zoom gathering". We start at 10:45am. Parkside Fellowship Annual Meeting. February 27th. 3:00pm Our annual meeting (celebration) will take place at 3:00pm on Saturday, February 27th. Please save this date and plan to join us either in-person or on zoom. Also, about a week prior to the meeting, we will send each member an electronic ballot that they can complete and email back to the church. This will allow members the opportunity to vote using an electronic ballot. At our meeting, we will present the proposed 2021 budget and Church Council nominees for approval. Pastor Doug and Pastor Roger will also share what God accomplished this past year, even in the midst of a global pandemic, along with goals for 2021. I also want to thank all of you for your continued financial commitment to the ministry of Parkside Fellowship. During the early months of the pandemic and even into the fall, many churches struggled financially and had to make some tough financial decisions. Thankfully, because of your faithfulness, we were able to weather the storm and continue our commitment to the love God and love our community. Thank you so much for your faithful giving! Finally, thank you for praying and for giving of your time, talent and treasure. Continue to pray for Parkside Fellowship, asking God how and where he wants you to serve His church, so that others would know him and experience His glory! With love & appreciation, Pastor Doug As our nation and our community continues to live in a state of uncertainty and unrest, allow me to share a thought.
Some things are just evil. They can be feelings, events or even people. Joseph was one of those people who experienced evil things. You see, Joseph was his dad's favorite and it went to his head. Joseph couldn't help but throw this fact in the faces of his brothers. Instead of killing Joseph and solving the problem, they instead sold him into slavery. This horrible, backstabbing act of betrayal, led to a very long season of pain and suffering in Joseph's life. Sure, it worked out in the end, but that doesn't erase the evil. Remember what Joseph said about the evil actions of his brothers? He said, "As for you, you designed evil against me, but God designed it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are to today." This incredible story of human trafficking and betrayal in Joseph's life had an evil design, first by his brothers and then by Potiphar's wife, but with this same event, God's design was good. Joseph, as he sat in jail, had to decide which design to live under, God's good design or the evil design of his brothers. That's a hard one to accept. Anything that you and I experience, whether good or evil, lives under the sovereignty of God and contains two choices for us. Like Joseph, everyone of us makes a daily decision to live under God's good design or the enemy's evil design. As we continue to experience evil, the question is a simple one..."Whose design are going to live under?". Please join us this Sunday at 9:30am, as Pastor Norm continues our series, "Gazing at God's Glory". Our focus will be on John 1:35-51. In this story, Jesus tells Nathanael that as a disciple, he "will see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man". With this statement, Jesus is letting the disciples know that the glory of God will be seen throughout his ministry. There are two options for accessing our Sunday service: 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. Also, don't forget to stick around after the service for our "after-church zoom gathering". We start at 10:45am. Also, it is not to late to sign-up for our Parkside Women Zoom Discipleship Class titled, The Sermon on the Mount. This online class, led by Melanie Annes and Melissa Predmore, meets every Tuesday at 7:00pm You can register for this class on our facebook page. Here is the link: www.facebook.com/events/712020736392195 Nominations for Church Council If you know an active member of Parkside Fellowship with outstanding leadership ability, you can nominate them by submitting their name via email to doug.boyd@parksidefellowship.org or there will be submission forms available on Sunday. All submissions will be due no later than January 18th. Thank you for being a church that values prayer! "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 |
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