Pastor's Update

INVITE YOUR NEIGHBORS TO THE CONCERT!!

Just before Easter all 5100 homes and apartments in the New Territory community received a free 5 song CD in their mailbox. The CD featured songs written by Top40 groups like the Goo Goo Dolls and Vertical Horizon, songs by artists like Jeremy Camp and Third Day. All songs were recorded and Produced by the band here at Parkway.

The CD, titled HOPE, was conceived as a musical invitation to New Territory Housing Community residents to look beyond the stress and challenges of the current recession and find hope through fellowship with neighbors at Parkway United Methodist Church.

The worship band will give a free outdoor concert for New Territory Housing Community residents on April 11 at 5:00 p.m. at the Parkway’s “Sea of Galilee” venue, located on the church grounds at 5801 New Territory Boulevard in Sugar Land. The concert will include free hamburgers and hot dogs for New Territory residents. For more information, contact me.

The Gospel of Crayola’s

Author and theologian Dallas Willard believes that we often miss the full meaning of the word, salvation. For Willard, the word means more than just forgiveness of sins or the escape from punishment. He writes, “the simple and wholly adequate word for salvation in the New Testament is ‘life.’” That is the message Jesus proclaimed, “I come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.”

When I think of this abundant life, my mind envisions a life that is flourishing...a life that is thriving. After all, God ‘s desire from the beginning was for us to thrive and flourish. Thriving is what God saw when He created life and saw that it was good. Thriving, abundant life is what human beings where created for. Instead of thriving, many of us languish...which is the opposite of thriving and flourishing. This was the fear of Henry David Thoreau who wrote, “when I came to die, (I would) discover that I had not lived.” This Sunday, our Risen Lord invites you and me to life...abundant, thriving and flourishing life.

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.

Candidates for UMC Ministry - Charge Conference

Monday, April 12th, 7pm
There are certain moments in the life of the church that are huge opportunities to see God working among His people. We witness God moving each time we baptize an infant, youth or adult. Each year when we see young people make their public profession of their faith during confirmation, we see God moving through Parkway.

This Monday evening, we will have the opportunity to witness the work of God once again. Monday, April 12th at 7:00 pm, we will have a Charge Conference to interview two men who are being called into United Methodist ministry. The United Methodist Discipline requires approval by a Charge Conference in order for someone to take the first step toward ordination. This Monday evening, Scott Rawlings and Rafael Koikoi will share with us their calling and field questions from us.

It is an honor for a church to be able to sponsor candidates for ministry. There is one church that I served which has seen 8 people enter into the ordained ministry from its membership. This church proudly displays the pictures of these men and women who have served and are serving the United Methodist Church in the Texas Annual Conference. Scott and Rafael begin that tradition here at Parkway.

I hope you will make plans to join us Monday evening, April 12th at 7:00 pm in the Youth Worship Center.

PLEASE EMAIL KATHY YOUR BIRTHDAY, YEAR NOT NEEDED!!