Pastor's Update

Holy Week Schedule

Holy Week comes from the Latin term, Hebdomas Sancta, which means “Greater Week.” It is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter. It commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ. Traditionally, churches have special services and opportunities to remember Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. We are offering some great opportunities for you to prepare yourself for Resurrection Sunday this year. For more information about these events, contact me.

Wednesday, March 31st…We will have a special time of prayer from 6:00 -6:30pm. We will participate in Lectio Divina. This an ancient spiritual practice from the Christian monastic tradition. Its title derives from the Latin words meaning reading and divine/holy. In Lectio Divina, we seek to experience the presence of God through reading and listening, meditation, prayer, and contemplation. We will meet in the chapel for this experience. Make plans to join us for a different and exciting way to connect with God.

Thursday, April 1st…Thursday of Holy Week is known as Maundy Thursday. According to a common theory, the English word Maundy comes from the Latin mandatum, the first word of the phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" ("A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you"), the statement made by Jesus in John’s Gospel (13:34). To remember this day, we will offer communion in our chapel from 7:00 am to 7:00pm. This will be a “come and go” event. You are invited to come whatever time fits your schedule. This a time of reflection, meditation and communion.

Friday, April 2nd…Good Friday, is the day on which we commemorate the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross, the act that brought salvation to all who believe. It is the culmination of Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday, and it takes place two days before Easter Sunday. We will remember the events of that day with a time of reflection and meditation, special music and a sermon given by Scott Rawlings. The service begins at 7:00pm and will last about an hour.

Easter Sunrise Service, 6:30am…We will gather at The Sea of Galilee to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Marty will be preaching a short message entitled In the Garden, based on the Resurrection story found in The Gospel of John. Jeremiah Mohr and Lisa Moore will lead our time of worship and offer us special music. You might want to bring your own lawn chair and dress casual!

Resurrection Services, 9:00 and 10:30am…We will celebrate the Resurrection at our regular worship times in the worship center. Marty’s lesson is called Opening Day, based on the Resurrection story found in Matthew’s Gospel. Jeremiah and our worship team will lead us with music that celebrates that fact that Jesus is Risen! He is risen indeed!

Concert at The Sea of Galilee!!

April 11, 2010
Our worship band is giving a free outdoor concert beginning at 5:00pm, Sunday April 11th! We will have hot dogs and burgers (free but a love offering would be great!). This is a great opportunity to invite guests to “check us out.” We need our members and regular attend-ers to come, bring a friend, and then welcome and embrace those neighbors who visit us!

Remember the HOPE FOR NEW TERRITORY CD will be in our neighbor mailboxes. Why not walk across the yard or street and invite someone to come with you. The band will begin around 6:00pm. Be a Domino!! Join The Revolution!!

Opening Day!

I love Opening Day! I love being one of the first to try out a new restaurant in town. The anticipation and excitement of Opening Day outweighs the wait and the crowds. I also love being one of the first to see a movie. I love being in line on Opening Day so that no one can ruin the end of the movie for me. Most of all I love Opening Day of baseball season. As a player, it was the best feeling in the world. To think that the stuff of last season is over and gone. I loved that I could forget about the strike outs, the errors and mistakes. Opening Day meant I was given a clean slate…a new start. It was the best thing in the world!

I wonder if that is how the disciples felt that first Easter. To hear Jesus tell them, “Do not be afraid…” Imagine how Peter must have felt to know that he had a chance to try again. The denials were a thing of the past! Isn’t that the meaning of Easter? As Christ-followers, we are given another chance and a new beginning. The mistakes, errors and sins that we committed in the past our behind us.

Come celebrate our Opening Day this Resurrection Sunday!! Instead of hearing “Play Ball” we will proclaim, “He is risen! He is risen indeed!!”

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.

Carolina Creek Christian Camp

June 27th-July 3rd
This excellent Christian camp in Huntsville has partnered with Parkway to provide our children with a meaningful summer camp experience for nearly half the cost of sending your child to camp on your own; only $300 for a full Sunday through Saturday camp!!! At this low rate, perhaps you can scholarship your child’s unchurched friend! We do not accompany the children to camp, but all the children enrolled under Parkway’s name will be grouped together for the week. Parents must provide transportation to and from the camp. This camp session is open to ages 6-13. Register and pay online and be sure to spread the word and invite your child’s friend to attend as well.

Junior Senior Retreat

April 23rd-25th
High School Juniors and Seniors will be going to Gale and Kari Smith's ranch house for a time to learn about what college life will be like and ways to get plugged in at college. Thomas Nelson, a college minister of over 6 years will be speaking. We will leave the church at 4:30 on Friday. Cost is $40 per person. Register and pay online.

Summer Camp

July 5th-9th
Middle and High school students will be going to Orange Beach, Alabama this summer. This camp is sponsored by Student Life. The speaker will be Matt Chandler and the band will be Aaron Keyes. We will be staying at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, next to the ocean! The cost is $425 per person. We only have a limited number of spots available, so be sure to go online and register as soon as possible. This is going to be an awesome week and God is going to do some amazing things In these students lives.

PLEASE EMAIL KATHY YOUR BIRTHDAY, YEAR NOT NEEDED!!