NEWS & NOTES

Yellow Roses
The yellow roses at the front of the auditorium are presented by Mark & Evelyn Ewig in memory of their daughter, Katherine Ewig. Please feel free to take a rose for yourself or to bless someone.
 
Marriage Getaway
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for your spouse? Invest in your marriage together by committing to the Marriage Getaway this February 24-26th!  This will be a great chance to relax, reflect, and reconnect with one another. Dr. Heidi Morris, licensed and professional counselor and professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Abilene Christian University will be our speaker for the weekend. The retreat will be held at the beautiful Chickasaw Retreat and Conference Center in Sulphur, OK. Register now on the church app. 
 
Youth Ministry
  • Park Avenue Youth Christmas Give Back: Students please bring $1 or $2 each youth group meeting for the next couple of weeks. Then on Dec. 22nd we are going to go bless families in our community. 
  • Sunday Dec. 11th: Christmas Party in the Gym! Please bring a $10 gift for our gift exchange and wear an ugly sweater! 
  • Jan. 13th-15th: Winterfest 2023! Get signed up online! 

Blue Christmas
Waples Memorial Church will host a service of hope for the holidays on December 21 at 6 PM.  This will be a quiet reflective service focusing on the comfort and light God offers us in dark and difficult times.
 
Kids Advent Activity
If you have not already picked up an advent activity for your family there are still some available in the atrium. One activity per family please!
 
Christmas Day Candlelight Service
This year, our annual candlelight service will be at 10 AM on Christmas morning, December 25. Join us with your family to celebrate the meaning of Christmas and the joy of Jesus' birth! 
 
Park Avenue Wednesday Supper
Join us this Wednesday, December 14 for the last PAWS meal of the year.  We are having Chicken Ritz Casserole, Green Beans, Rolls, Salad & Desserts. Chicken Nuggets, Tater Tots, & Fruit Cups will also be available for the kids. The meal will be prepared by Jim Russell and his team.
 
Christmas Holiday Schedule
 
 Wednesday, December 21
Classes/Groups will meet as normal
NO PAWS
 
Saturday, December 24
ONLINE ONLY—Christmas Eve Service at 6PM
 
Sunday, December 25
Christmas Candlelight Service at 10AM
No Bible Classes
 
Friday December 23, Monday 26 & Friday 30
Church Office Closed
 
Wednesday, December 28
No Church Activities
 
Sunday, January 1
Sunday Worship at 10 AM
No Bible Classes
 
Monday, January 2
Normal Schedule Resumes
 
 
 
TODD'S TAKE
Good morning and  welcome to our worship service. A special welcome to our guests. If you have any questions about Park Avenue or Christianity in general, feel free to track down one of our ministers or elders or contact us any time.
 
This morning we will return to the story of the Wise Men and the gifts they brought in honor of Jesus’ birth. Today will look at the gift of Myrrh.
 
As we end the year and look forward to 2023 here are a few things
to take note of
 
Covenant Sunday—January 8
Covenant Sunday has been a tradition here at Park Avenue for several years now. It’s a special Sunday to renew our commitment to the Lord. Each year we present a theme and this year’s is Trust in the Lord. In a world of uncertainty and change we will remind ourselves that God is faithful and trustworthy. In spite of what is happening around us we can find peace and hope as we trust him. Our theme verse will be Proverbs 3:5—Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
 
Elder Selection—January through March
Every three years we go through the process of appointing Elders to spiritually lead the church. This three year cycle allows us to recognize spiritually mature men who feel called to shepherd us. We have been blessed over the years with spiritual and visionary leadership. Be in prayer as we, as a church, go through this process. The schedule for Elder selection will be announced Sunday, January 15.
 
Grace Offering—April 9
It’s not too early to start talking about and preparing for Grace Offering on Easter Sunday. That Sunday’s offering will be dedicated to the outreach ministries of the church both locally and globally. A highlight is our children’s coin collection and Daisy’s Little Red Wagon which will be Sunday, April 2. Canisters will be available on Sunday, January 29 if you don’t have yours from last year.
 
What an honor and privilege for us to be together today to worship our God who loves us more than we can imagine. May that love continue to transform us into his likeness.
 
 
PRAYER LIST
Prayer List—Jesse Sims, Brandon Fulcher, Ernie & Kathy Stuch, Steve Black, Mickey Cobble, Ralph Stone, Kristi Porter-Francis
 
Ongoing Needs—Chris Reinsch, Shawn Landrum, Larry Long, Corky & Linda  Armstrong, Sandra Aynes, Bobby & Peggy Slaughter, Kaile Williams (Norris), Jim Scroggins, Roy Galyon, Ernie & Kathy Sturch, Patrick Mullins, Vicki Ard, Joyce Henshaw, Debbie Black, Ken Bell
 
Homebound—JD Huffman, Dewey & Joyce Martin
 
Expectant Mothers—Brittni Calvert, Alissa Cope, Lauren Claborn, Whitney Allison, Melanie Truxal
 
Missions—Hammer & Dela Afakule (Togo), Mario “Pepe”  Torre (Monterrey, Mexico), Jimenez family (Cartagena, Colombia), Cristian & Ana Corrales (Bucaramanga, Colombia)
 
Friends of Park Avenue—Rebekah Taylor (great niece of the Russell’s), Becky Sanchez (wife of Gil Sanchez, Director of orphanage in Mexico), Greg Oliver (father of Karee Earnhart), Ray & Marsha Jones (former members)
 
Please notify the church office at office@parkavenuechurch.com for updates to the prayer list.

 
 Sunday Schedule
Adult Bible Class - 9AM Atrium
 
Worship - 10:00 AM
 
Children Dismissed to Bible Classes at - 10:45-11:30AM
Babies -Nursery Area
2 & 3 Year Olds—Nursery Area
Pre K-6th Grade—Family Life Center
 
Youth Group Activities - 5:30-7:30PM
 
 Discipleship Making Communities (DMC’s)
Meet at various times and locations. Contact Lantz Howard for more information, or sign up at pacoc.net/groups
 
Park Avenue Church of Christ
 
3000 S. Park Avenue,
 
Denison, TX 75020
 
903-465-1288