Pastor's Update

Gotta Be, Gotta Be Dominoes…

This Sunday is Palm Sunday…the beginning of Holy Week. It is the day Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. It is a story that has always fascinated me. I often wonder what would have happened if the unnamed owner of the donkey had refused to give it up? We still might have had a Palm Sunday entry, but perhaps not in the way Jesus had wanted it.

You might not know it, but a donkey was a very big thing in those days. The donkey was the equivalent of a car, a truck and a tractor all in one. It was a car because people used it to move around to do their shopping, a truck because it was used to carry a load and a tractor because it was used in cultivating the land. Add to this the fact that the donkey had never been ridden, so it had a very high market value. There is little doubt that giving up the donkey was a huge sacrifice. It was an act of faith…

Jesus needs each one of us to take the same step of faith that the owner of that donkey took. He needs you and me to be willing to share our “donkey.” What we offer may not seem like much but we never know the impact it might have in the Kingdom of God. What we do know is that when we are faithful to offer God whatever he needs, something great will happen. When we offer our “donkey” a Revolution can happen and lives will be changed.

Holy Week Schedule

We will have a special time of prayer on Wednesday from 6:00–6:30PM. This will be a time of prayer to prepare our hearts for the events of Holy Week.

On Maundy Thursday, we will offer a “Come and Go” communion in the Chapel from 7:00AM - 7:00PM. This is a great time for you to receive communion in a quiet and meditative setting.

The Good Friday Service will consist of a special corporate time of communion, a time of reflection, special music and a Good Friday message by Scott Rawlings. The service will last about an hour and will begin at 7:00PM.

On Easter Sunday we will offer three service times to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. The Sunrise Service will be at 6:30AM at the Sea of Galilee. There will also be two celebrations at our regular worship times in the Worship Center (9:00AM and 10:30AM).

For more information, contact Marty.

Parkway Day School Open House

This Saturday, March 27th, the NEW Parkway Day School invites you to an open house! The doors will be opened to the general public from 11:00-1:00. BUT, members and regular attend-ers of Parkway will get a special sneak peek beginning at 10:30! For more information, contact Tina Moran or call her at 281.433.7094.

Spring Luncheon with Susan O’Donnell!

Join us on Saturday May 8th in the Worship Center for lunch and Christian comedienne, national speaker and radio personality Susan O’Donnell! Susan O'Donnell has been in broadcasting for 25 years now...nine of it in secular radio in Oklahoma, Nebraska and Iowa...then, sixteen years ago God brought her to Houston to work with the Dove award winning #1 Christian Station in the Country. Susan is Assistant Program Director and Co-Host of KSBJ's Morning Show with Mike and Susan. She is a national speaker who travels the country using stand up comedy and song to remind people to Lighten Up! She's traveled to Nashville, Florida, Chicago, and New York-all while keeping her on air schedule every morning at KSBJ. Susan appeared at The Improv, and she's also opened for secular artists like Johnny Rivers at the Arena Theatre in Houston...to Christian artists like Kathy Troccoli, Avalon, Phillips Craig and Dean and Bob Carlisle.

Susan will talk about “How can we be the light of the world if we’re too afraid to Lighten Up?” Tickets are $25 each and will be sold between services on 3/28, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25 and 5/2. You can also purchase tickets online through Parkway’s website. Child care is available by reservation only. If you have any questions, would like to help plan this event, or make childcare reservations email Womens Ministry.

H.O.M.E. Project

Saturday April 24th
Can you spend one Saturday showing God's love to your neighbor? No experience required since “One carpenter can make a difference”. Each spring since 1995 a group of volunteers donate their time, skills and money to have a lot of fun repairing the homes of our neighbors who are having financial difficulties, senior citizens on fixed incomes, or just those who have no means of fixing their homes. Skill is not necessary if you are enthusiastic! Find out more and sign up yourself, family, and Grow Group for Parkway's Team at http://www.umhomeproject.org, or contact Kip Dornhorst.

Upcoming Eagle Project

God calls upon us every day. In November, I found my calling from God. I was to step up and assist the church in a major task that would prove my leadership and responsibility. I am coming to the church members now to present my Eagle Scout Project. Pastor Marty Vershel has asked me to build 2 communion rails in the Prayer Chapel that is in the Ministry Center. The price of the project is $1,000. I am asking that you find your calling and donate towards my Eagle Scout project as generously as you please. This project will benefit YOU as Parkway continues to grow as a House of Prayer. For more information, to donate and to help out, contact Andrew Throgmorton.

Men’s Ministry Presents…

Date Night at Parkway! Saturday, May 1st
Join us for dinner and a movie up in the Youth Building at Parkway. Guys here is your chance to take your wife out for a great evening filled with fellowship, food & a flick (sorry it will be a more of chick flick than an action film). No long wait times to be seated! No overpriced movie tickets and under heated popcorn! No worrying if she will order the most expensive dish on the menu! No teenagers disturbing your movie experience! Line up your babysitters now so you do not miss this event. More details to come.

Raise Money for Second Mile Ministries While Having Fun

Are you a walker, a runner, or an occasional stroller? Right next door is a fun walk on Saturday April 10 that can help raise money for Second Mile Ministries. We need you for Team Parkway UMC. If Parkway has the team with the most entries, we will be eligible to earn an extra $5000 for Second Mile. For more information on the various ways to participate, or to donate, pick up an information sheet on the “connect” table in the Worship Center lobby or contact Celeste Conlon.

Some Thoughts and Figures on Our Giving

If you did a study of the practice of worship in the Bible, you would discover that the primary way people worshipped God was by making an offering. People did not worship just by singing hymns and songs, or reading Scripture or listening to a sermon…people worshipped by giving to God. Giving to God is a way of expressing our gratitude, devotion and honor to God.

Today we don’t build an altar and sacrifice animals or offer fruits for our offering. What we do offer is our financial gifts as well as our very lives, and these are pleasing to God. When God sees what we offer, He doesn’t see a business deal or a financial transaction. Instead He sees our expression of our love for Him.

Our giving for 2010 is behind so far this year. It is through your generosity that Parkway can continue to reach out to our community and offer ministries that change lives. Thank you for all that you give.

PLEASE EMAIL KATHY YOUR BIRTHDAY, YEAR NOT NEEDED!!