Pastor's Update

Mirror Image

I have always had a fascination of sorts with mirrors. I remember when I was younger one of my favorite things to do at Coney Island was to wander through the Hall of Mirrors. I also remember trying to figure out just how a mirror really worked. So I took one of my mom’s mirrors and proceeded to “find out.” I never did learn the secret but I did learn that it really is bad luck to break a mirror…especially when it’s your mom’s favorite mirror. Anyhow, I love how the Apostle Paul believed that he should live his life as a mirror.

I believe this is the way of life for a Revolutionary. We are called to be mirrors. Our Reflections should not be our own but rather the love, grace and peace of Jesus Christ. When our lives are mirrors, we will discover that we will be living the creed of the Revolutionary: Do whatever it takes to get closer to God and to help others to do the same.

It is the Year of the Revolution. A Revolution that starts with you and me. I believe that this Revolution is not something we simply sign up for or join. This Revolution is a way of life. This year you and I are going to be called to this way of life…to become Revolutionaries.

This Sunday we begin a new teaching series:
Reflections: A Lenten Journey

Ash Wednesday Service

February 17th at 7:00 pm
Originating in the fourth century of the church, the season of Lent spans 40 weekdays. It begins on Ash Wednesday and climaxes during Holy Week, with Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday), Good Friday, and concluding the Saturday before Easter. Originally, Lent was the time of preparation for those who were to be baptized. It was a time of concentrated study and prayer before their baptism at the Easter Vigil, the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord early on Easter Sunday. Since these new members were to be received into a community of faith, the entire community was called to preparation. This was also `the time when those who had been separated from the Church would prepare to rejoin the community.

Today, Lent is marked by a time of prayer and preparation to celebrate Easter. Since Sundays celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the six Sundays that occur during Lent are not counted as part of the 40 days of Lent. They are referred to as the Sundays in Lent. The number 40 is connected with many biblical events, but especially with the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for His ministry, by facing the temptations that could lead him to abandon his mission and calling. Christians today use this period of time for introspection, self examination, and repentance.

This Lent you are invited to look in a mirror at your own life and see your Reflection. Are you reflecting the Glory of Christ in your life? I hope this Lent, each of us will look at our Reflections and be mirrors of His love, grace and peace.

Family Promise is Coming!

February 21-28
Parkway is again honored to be God's hands and love our neighbors by hosting Family Promise guests during the week of February 21-28th ; we need servant volunteers to provide evening meals and hosting in our Worship Center. This is a great time for Grow Groups to fellowship and serve for one day. Families and individuals are especially welcome. Please sign-up now for the FP week by contacting Shirley Connally or at the Outreach Kiosk in the lobby on Sunday.

Second Mile Work Day

February 20, 9 am-12 noon
Parkway’s next Work Day at 2nd Mile Mission happens Saturday February 20th, the same day as youth SMYLERS. We will stock shelves, sort donations, and help in the warehouse and anywhere else needed. Bring yourself, your whole family, and your whole Small Group; serving together is fun! If you have questions or to sign up please contact Pam Johnson.

How does one get unstuck?

How does a person change? Why do I do the things I do and react the way I do? Ever wondered that? We have a way for you to dig deeper and find out. It is a new small group beginning this Thursday Feb. 18 for 10 weeks. This small group is all about greater and broader self-understanding. It will use the wonderful Grip Birkman Blueprint test to tell you your spiritual gifts and other unique particulars. It will show you how to relate better to others… even those whom you really don't like. Cost for the group and GBB test is $45. It will take roughly 15 minutes a day of personal work. You will get to know yourself more deeply and build some rich friendships while you are at it. Facilitated by Mike Johnson. Meeting in room MC128, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Thursday evenings. "... love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:39. Register at the calendar on www.parkwayumc.org. For more info e-mail Mike Johnson.

A Word from Matthew Scribe

As many of you may know, I have been fund raising for the National MS Society for the past six years, and as you may have guessed, I've signed up for my seventh MS 150 this April 17th and 18th. The MS 150 is a bike ride that covers approximately 170 miles from Houston to Austin over 2 days to promote awareness and raise money towards finding a cure and providing support for the 20,000 families in Texas alone affected by Multiple Sclerosis, including both counseling and medication support.

This year is my senior year in high school, so it may be my last ride for a while. In an effort to impact both my world and the world of those around me one last time, I've set 2 major goals for the MS 150:

1. Do both days with only 1 stop - lunch; other than that, straight through to Austin!
2. Raise over $2,000 dollars to help the thousands of Texans who suffer from Multiple Sclerosis.

Number 1 is all on me, but I need help from you, my friends, to raise money to help stop Multiple Sclerosis. For those of you who don't know, Multiple Sclerosis is a neurological disease affecting both muscle control and brain activity. Its effect can range from being unnoticeable to paralysis, and doctors still haven't found a cure.

The MS 150 and all that it stands for is something that I've been a part of for seven years, and I'd love to have you join me.

All donations are tax deductible. I accept cash, checks made out to the "National MS Society," and credit donations made online at http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/scribe by clicking on the donate button.

Kaizen Grow Group

Kaizen is a Japanese word that means ‘improvement.” Kaizen is a daily activity that results in small incremental changes that produce lasting results. The Kaizen Grow Group meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:00–7:00 pm. It is led by Steve Burns and myself. The Group is beginning a new study of the book by Francis Chan, Crazy Love. Faithworks will have the books for sale. For more information, contact either Steve or me.

Lost and Found

We have accumulated quite a few items found in and around Parkway’s campus. Beginning this Sunday though next Sunday, we will have a “Lost and Found” area set up in the Ministry Center Building. Please come by and see if any of these items belong to you. All unclaimed items will be donated to Second Mile Mission Center.

PLEASE EMAIL KATHY YOUR BIRTHDAY, YEAR NOT NEEDED!!