NEWS & NOTES

Sympathy

Sarah Carroll passed away last Tuesday, August 9. Our sympathy is with her children and family during this time. Services will be held Saturday at Park Avenue.  

Karen Brode passed away last Wednesday, August 10. Our sympathy is with her husband Gary, her son Brandon, and their entire family. Services are being organized by American Funeral Services for this Thursday.  

New Address

Ray and Marsha Jones have moved to Oklahoma City to be with their son. They can be contacted at their new address: 13104 Silver Eagle Trail, Edmond, OK 73013.  

Birth Announcement

Jerry and Jeanie Gregory are excited to announce the birth of their first great-grandchild. Charlotte (Lottie) Jean Davis was born on August 8th, in Oklahoma City, to Will and Shiloh (Cooksey) Davis.  

Park Avenue Wednesday Suppers

Our PAWS meals will start back on September 7. To volunteer to help, text PAWS SETUP or PAWS CLEANUP to 844-931-1822, or sign up on the app.  

SAMPACC

Our senior adult ministry will be gathering for a Pot Luck Dinner on Thursday, August 18, at 5:30 PM in the Atrium.  Make plans to join us for food, fellowship and a presentation by our own Thana Furr on old church buildings and their cultural significance. More details on bringing a dish will be sent out by email soon.

Upcoming Wednesdays:

  • Wednesday, August 17: Back to School Prayer. We will gather in the ARK at 6:30 PM to spend time in prayer and write letters of encouragement for our members and friends who are beginning their school year throughout Texoma.
  • Wednesday, August 24: End of Summer Cook Off. Our ministers will treat us to a cook out of hot dogs and hamburgers. Join us in the courtyard at 6 PM.
  • Wednesday, August 31: Praise Night at 6:30 PM.
  • Wednesday, September 7: PAWS will resume, and new DMCs will begin! DMC signups will be August 21 and 28. Be prayerfully considering how being in community can help transform your heart.

Let’s Get Acquainted

Guests and new members are invited to stay after service next Sunday, August 21, for a “Let’s Get Acquainted” lunch with our ministry staff and elders.  

Volunteers Needed

We have a need for Bible class teachers and assistants—male and female—for this Fall! Children in classes, especially Wednesday nights, need volunteers to mentor them. Please contact Rachel McClure at 903-624-6156 to volunteer.  

Youth Ministry

  • No Youth Class on Wednesdays in August we are following the whole church schedule. 
  • Sunday Aug. 14th: Back to School Swim Party at the Trotter’s House from 5:30-7:30pm. Bring a towel and a swim suit. Please bring $5 for dinner. 
  • Sunday Aug. 21st: Park Avenue youth Parents’ meeting from 5-6pm. We will be discussing the upcoming fall and winter. Students are welcome to join. During this time we will also have a time of worship together. This will take place of our normal Sunday nights. 
  • Sunday September 18th: Front Porch Parenting with David Fraze. Registration will begin soon. 
  • Fall Retreat October 8th-9th! Registration will be open soon!

PRAYER LIST

Prayer List—Marsha Jones, Mike & Barbara Hardy, Debbie Black, Kim Pendergrass, Peggy Clark, Charla Hinson, Vicki Ard, Bettye Henry  

Ongoing Needs—Chris Reinsch, Shawn Landrum, Larry Long, Corky & Linda  Armstrong, Sandra Aynes, Bobby & Peggy Slaughter, Kaile Williams (Norris), Roy Galyon, Karen Brode, Bob Gower, Jim Scroggins, Patrick Mullins, Ernie & Kathy Sturch  

Homebound—Ray & Marsha Jones, JD Huffman, Dewey & Joyce Martin  

Expectant Mothers—Ashley Briscoe, Brittni Calvert, Alissa Cope  

Missions—Hammer & Dela Afakule (Togo), Mario “Pepe”  Torre (Monterrey, Mexico), Jimenez family (Cartagena, Colombia), Cristian & Ana Corrales (Bucaramanga, Colombia)  

Friends of Park Avenue— Lynn McKee, Robert Hampton, Joyce Kane, Watkins family, Drena Engler, Carl Kirvin, Craig Dennis (former member), Rebekah Taylor (great niece of the Russell’s), Becky Sanchez (wife of Gil Sanchez, Director of orphanage in Mexico), Melba Ballou (former member), Greg Oliver (father of Karee Earnhart), Bill & Wanda Young (friends of Corky & Linda Armstrong)  

Please notify the church office at office@parkavenuechurch.com for updates to the prayer list.

TODD'S TAKE

Good morning and welcome to our worship. To all our guests, we are glad to have you with us. Members and guests, please complete a digital communication card that can be accessed on the church app or by scanning the QR code below.

This morning I will go after another Parishioner's Picks. You will certainly recognize today's passage as it is one of the most beloved verses in all the Bible.

I mistakenly asked you last week to mark your calendars for Sunday, October 9 for the celebration in recognition of paying off the Ark. The correct date is Sunday, October 2.

Calvin and Linda Henry are currently in Colombia visiting with some of our missionaries there. Later this week Jannie Bellows, who also works with our foreign missions ministry, will be visiting Monterrey, Mexico to visit the church there. Later in the month Kevin Dale and Calvin Henry will be joining her to encourage the brothers and sisters there  and to bring us back a report of their work.

No doubt you’ve heard of the recent Supreme Court ruling  that officially reversed Roe v. Wade, declaring that the constitutional right to abortion no longer exists. This was rightfully celebrated by those who uphold life, but this is hardly the end of the battle. Being pro-life is more than a vote or a political position. This ruling needs to be a call for the people of God to step up and not just oppose abortion but to truly care for the women and children who are most affected. The call to defend life is also a call to provide resources for women and homes for children when needed. Let me ask you to consider ways that you can be used to serve. Have you considered foster care? Have you considered adoption? Can you give financially to ministries offering these services? Can you be a support to foster and adoptive families?

Here are a couple of opportunities that have recently come by my desk. The Texoma Church Alliance to Aid Foster Families will be meeting Monday, August 22 from 7-8 pm at Legacy Bible Church. This alliance aims to support our community’s child welfare system and enrich the lives of local foster families. Also,  First Baptist Church in Sherman in conjunction with True Options Pregnancy Center will be hosting Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood clinic director turned pro-life advocate, on Sunday, September 11. She will share her testimony of how she is providing counseling and resources for women and families to move forward with hope and healing. Please let me know of any ministries you know of that are addressing this great need.

Sunday is always a great day to worship together, but let’s remember our whole lives are worship to God. Always be in prayer. Always look to love others. Honor God with your whole life!

I’m glad you’re here!