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The Park Newsletter 5.18.12
Good Morning!
I recently had the honor of speaking at San Antonio Christian School’s middle school chapel. It’s always a fun group to be around; especially at the end of the school year! There were a few things that struck me by being around them for an hour. Not only was I blown away by the attentiveness of these 6th, 7th, and 8th graders but their worship band was awesome! They covered Switchfoot’s “Meant to Live” and I felt like I was witnessing future greatness as those kids played and sang their heart’s out to God. All the other kids surrounded the stage and worshiped right along with them.
I was reminded by them, and thankfully so, that God loves it when we use all that we have for His glory. Our lives are different because of him. Our lives are new because of him. This gives more than enough reason to sing and give Him thanks.
I was also reminded of this verse as the middle schoolers sang:
Psalm 27:4
“One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”I hope this encourages you as much as it encouraged me. Way to go SACS middle school!
Here are a few things going on around the Park:
Starting Point: Do you have questions about the Park? Would you like more information about how to get more involved? Stick around after service on May 20th. We would love to connect with you and give you more information about our faith community.
Esther Teaching Series: We are moving through the story of how a Jewish girl became the Queen of Persia. It is a truly amazing and inspiring story of God’s redemptive story. A great way to get more out of Sunday is to read before coming. So, check out Esther Chapters 4 & 5 for this Sunday.
Serving the Servants: on Saturday, May 19th we want to encourage you to grab a few friends, take a few minutes, and swing by your local fire station with some store-bought or home-baked goods and let them know how much you appreciate them and are praying for them. It is an amazing way to be a light in the community!
Summer Teaching Series: The Psalms - We are excited to study a few psalms this summer like we did last year. One new thing we will be doing is launching some community groups that will track along with the sermons each week. Currently existing groups can also participate in this study. If your group would like the materials, or if you would like to host a new group for the summer, please email Chris at chris@theparksa.org.
Have a great Friday and we will see you this weekend at the Park!
Chris
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The Park Newsletter 5.11.12
Good morning Park Community!
This past Sunday afternoon was amazing. There are certain things we do as followers of Christ that bring the realization that we are living out a faith that is centuries old, yet still alive and new. Baptism is one of those things. Jesus was baptized. He commanded his followers to go into all the world and make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to obey his commands (Matthew 28). We had the privilege of seeing 4 people get baptized! Seeing people make this public profession of faith in Jesus, aligning their lives with him, and wanting the the world to know it is always a huge encouragement to me.
We are excited about all that God is doing around us. A special thank you again to Jeff and Jana Galt for opening their home and showing great hospitality to the church!
Esther Teaching Series: We are moving through the story of how a Jewish girl became the Queen of Persia. It is a truly amazing and inspiring story of God’s redemptive story. A great way to get more out of Sunday is to read before coming. So, check out Esther Chapter 4 for this Sunday.
Celebrating High School Seniors and Summer Missions - Are you going on a mission trip this summer? Are you graduating high school? If you answered ‘yes’ to either of these questions, we would like to celebrate this with you this Sunday, May 13th. As a church the plan is to pray for you that morning in service so please come and let us honor you as you take these amazing next steps in your journey.
Serving the Servants: on Saturday, May 19th we want to encourage you to grab a few friends, take a few minutes, and swing by your local fire station with some store-bought or home-baked goods and let them know how much you appreciate them and are praying for them. It is an amazing way to be a light in the community!
Summer Teaching Series: The Psalms - We are excited to study a few psalms this summer like we did last year. One new thing we will be doing is launching some community groups that will track along with the sermons each week. Currently existing groups can also participate in this study. If your group would like the materials, or if you would like to host a new group for the summer, please email Chris at chris@theparksa.org.
Have a great Friday and we will see you this weekend at the Park!
Chris
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The Park Newsletter 5.4.12
Good morning!
There is a lot going on these days and we want to make sure you are in the loop. In addition to our move to Huebner Elementary on June 3rd, here are a few other important items to note:
Esther Teaching Series: We are moving through the story of how a Jewish girl became the Queen of Persia. It is a truly amazing and inspiring story of God’s redemptive story. A great way to get more out of Sunday is to read before coming. So, check out Esther Chapter 2:21 to Chapter 3 for this Sunday.
Park Picnic and Baptisms: We are excited about gathering together this Sunday to enjoy a time of food, fun, and baptisms. This is a church-wide event so we hope you will join us. There will be games and activities for kids. Here are some more details:
When and Where – Sunday, May 6 from 4-7pm at Jeff and Jana Galt’s House (303 Red Cedar)
Food – the main dish and drinks will be provided, but we are asking every family that attends to bring a side. Match the first letter in your last name to the items we would like you to bring:
A-E Chips, F-J Dessert, K-P Vegetable dish (hot vegetable dish, green salad, fruit salad, etc.), Q-Z Starchy side (potato, pasta, macaroni salads, etc.)
Celebrating High School Seniors and Summer Missions – Are you going on a mission trip this summer? Are you graduating high school? If you answered ‘yes’ to either of these questions, we would like to celebrate this with you on Sunday, May 13th. As a church the plan is to pray for you that morning in service so please come and let us honor you as you take these amazing next steps in your journey.
Serving the Servants: on Saturday, May 19th we want to encourage you to grab a few friends, take a few minutes, and swing by your local fire station with some store-bought or home-baked goods and let them know how much you appreciate them and are praying for them. It is an amazing way to be a light in the community!
Have a great Friday and we will see you this weekend at the Park!
Chris
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The Park Newsletter 4.27.12
I hope you are having a great Friday!I woke up today and for reasons God only knows I was reminded of a time while I was in Albania that I had the chance to hear John Stott preach. If you haven’t heard about him, pause right now and google him, then continue reading. I remember his sermon very well. It was a sermon on the necessity of biblical preaching. It was a sermon on the importance of sermons. Here was a preacher talking about preaching to a bunch of pastors and missionaries. Above all else, it was stirring and foundational in my own purpose and mission as a Christ-follower.He referenced Acts 2:42-47 in his sermon. It says, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”That day in Albania in 2005, as well as in his book he wrote later in 2007 called The Living Church, Stott talked about what the church should look like. Among other descriptions, he said that a living church is a group of Christ followers who enter into other people’s worlds just as God entered ours and bring the gospel message in word and deed. He proceeded to walk through each element of this section of scripture starting in verse 42. He says this in The Living Church, “The first characteristic Luke selects is very surprising; I do not think we would have chosen it. It is that a living church is a learning church.”I love this! We see in Acts the formation and daily workings of the early church and the first thing Luke mentions is their commitment to the Apostle’s teaching, which today we find in the Bible. I also think Stott hits on something here in that this may not be the first thing we today would describe a living church to be. How would you describe a living church?We hope to see you this Sunday as we continue through the story of Esther together.ChrisAnnouncements:Current Preaching Topic – We are beginning a new study through the book of Esther this Sunday. Read Chapter 2:5-20 before Sunday and come ready to dive in!
FCA Worship night - Fellowship of Christian Athletes and UNITE, a local ministry organization, are teaming up together for one great event! It is a Christian concert, Rise Up to Victory, on April 27th from 7-9 p.m. in the Greehey Arena. They will have great speakers and awesome local worship bands coming out to play. The concert is free for anyone and everyone. Look for “RiseUpToVictory” on facebook.
Baptisms on May 6 - Have you been thinking about being baptized? We will be doing a baptism service after church on May 6 at the Galt’s house. If you would like to sign up or if you have questions about it, please email info@theparksa.org and put Baptism in the subject line.
We are moving! - on June 3rd we will start meeting at Huebner Elementary School.
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The Park Newsletter 4.20.12
Good morning!
Are you ready for summer? I hope so because it is definitely on the way. The thing I love the most right now is that the grass is still fairly green and the plants around our house are growing and flourishing. Based on my experience from the last few years this will be short-lived as the temperatures begin to rise and the water restrictions begin to come into effect. I am already preparing mentally for this battle.
I really love taking care of a yard. There is something about it that relieves stress and is fun. I think I get this from my dad. When I was growing up, there was literally a competition on our street to see who would have the greenest lawn over the summer months. He would meticulously pull weeds and edge sidewalks to perfection. He had set times of when to water for optimum absorption. I am proud to say that my dad was consistently on the medal stand. The interesting thing to me is that the path to a green lawn started every fall and spring as he would make preparations to insure the best chance for a great looking yard.
So, where am I going with this? The thing that hits me is how this parallels to my spiritual walk with Christ. God is doing things in me now to prepare me for seasons yet to come. Am I aware that He is in fact at work? Do I recognize it? Am I onboard or am I resistant? Or, do I think I have it all under control and have no need for his direction?
I encourage you to wrestle with these questions as we continue to study the book of Esther. We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
Chris
Announcements:Current Preaching Topic – We are beginning a new study through the book of Esther this Sunday. Read Chapter 1:9 to 2:4 before Sunday and come ready to dive in!
FCA Worship night - Fellowship of Christian Athletes and UNITE, a local ministry organization, are teaming up together for one great event! It is a Christian concert, Rise Up to Victory, on April 27th from 7-9 p.m. in the Greehey Arena. They will have great speakers and awesome local worship bands coming out to play. The concert is free for anyone and everyone. Look for “RiseUpToVictory” on facebook.
Baptisms on May 6 - Have you been thinking about being baptized? We will be doing a baptism service after church on May 6 at the Galt’s house. If you would like to sign up or if you have questions about it, please email info@theparksa.org and put Baptism in the subject line.
We are moving! - on June 3rd we will start meeting at Huebner Elementary School.
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The Park Newsletter 4.13.12
Good afternoon!
I hope this Friday is off to a great start for you. We had a great Easter Sunday last week and we hope that you were able to spend time with family and friends celebrating the fact that Jesus has arisen. No other faith in the world makes a claim like this.
Paul talked about this in 1 Corinthians 15. He addresses people who were speaking against the resurrection. He says this,
“17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”
If Christ only gave us hope for this life only, then we as Christians would be the ones to be pitied the most. If all the Son of God came to do was give some sort of temporary hope, a here and now only life, then believing that falls incredibly short of being a message worth giving your life to.
As we move deeper into this year, my prayer is that the Easter story would be a daily reality for us all. He is risen! We have the keys of the kingdom. May we share the love of God in word and deed as we engage our city together.
See you Sunday!
Chris
Announcements:Current Preaching Topic – We are beginning a new study through the book of Esther this Sunday. Read Chapter 1 before Sunday and come ready to dive in!
Starting Point - Do you have questions about the Park? Would you like more information about how to get more involved? Stick around after service on April 15th for about 30 minutes. We would love to connect with you and give you more information about our faith community.
Baptisms on May 6 – Have you been thinking about being baptized? We will be doing a baptism service after church on May 6 at the Galt’s house. If you would like to sign up or if you have questions about it, please email info@theparksa.org and put Baptism in the subject line.
We are moving! – on June 3rd we will start meeting at Huebner Elementary School.
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The Park Newsletter 4.6.12
Happy Easter!
I hope you are truly having a Good Friday. Today we remember and celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He walked up the hill of calvary, carrying the cross, to pay our debt, because of His love. He made the way possible for us to be reconciled. The Savior is worthy of all glory, honor and power, amen. Here is a great scripture to reflect on:
“But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent ( not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” Hebrews 9:11-12
Special Note for this Sunday:
We are excited about celebrating this Sunday with you and your family at the Park. The service will be at the normal time (10am) however, we will be having some special music starting at 9:45am that you will not want to miss! We will also have some tasty goodies before service. So come a little earlier and join us!
Don’t forget! We are partnering with Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM) during Lent to provide men’s jeans/pants and men’s shoes to those in need. They can be new or lightly used. CAM has expressed that these items are a big need right now. So, bring your donations to the Park this Sunday and we will make sure they get where they need to go. Thank you in advance for your giving! For more about CAM go to www.christianassistanceministry.org
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Chris
Announcements:Current Preaching Topic – We are continuing our 4-week Lent series called Because of Your Love this Sunday. Read John 21 and we will see you Sunday!
Starting Point - Do you have questions about the Park? Would you like more information about how to get more involved? Stick around after service on April 15th for about 30 minutes. We would love to connect with you and give you more information about our faith community.
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The Park Newsletter 3.30.12
Good morning!
I hope you have had a great week. We are right in the middle of our Easter series Because of Your Love. So far we have looked at Christ as our hope and joy.
This Sunday we will turn our attention to Sacrifice. We have chosen some scripture for each day of the week for us as a community to read together during this series. We hope you have been able to track along this week. Today’s scripture is Acts 7. Read it this weekend and come ready to dive in on Sunday.
With Easter Sunday (April 8th) approaching we have begun recruiting extra volunteers for that morning. We are expecting an influx of friends and family members that Sunday and could use a few extra hands. If you would like to volunteer that morning you click on this link to sign up: https://thepark.ccbchurch.com/
w_form_response.php?form_id=16 Don’t forget! We are partnering with Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM) during Lent to provide men’s jeans/pants and men’s shoes to those in need. They can be new or lightly used. CAM has expressed that these items are a big need right now. So, bring your donations to the Park over the next 2 Sundays leading up to Easter and we will make sure they get where they need to go. Thank you in advance for your giving! For more about CAM go to www.christianassistanceministry.org
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Chris
Announcements:Current Preaching Topic – We are continuing our 4-week Lent series called Because of Your Love this Sunday. Read Acts 7 and we will see you Sunday!
Starting Point - Do you have questions about the Park? Would you like more information about how to get more involved? Stick around after service on April 15th for about 30 minutes. We would love to connect with you and give you more information about our faith community.
Serving the Servants - Mark it on your calendar: Tomorrow, March 31st we will be serving local hospitals by taking delicious food items to nurses and doctors to let them know God loves them and we appreciate them. We will meet at 10am at the Starbucks near Methodist Hospital (Medical Center). Call Brandon at 210-865-9232 for more info. Come join us!
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The Park Newsletter 3.23.12
Good morning!
I hope you have had a great week. This past Sunday we began a series called Because of Your Love. It’s an in depth look at several biblical accounts around the time of the crucifixion of people who were changed by the love of God. We looked at the cross this past week and Jesus’ interaction with the thief who was crucified next to him. We see Jesus offer Hope to this convicted criminal who had cried out to him. This same offer of hope, a confident expectation of relationship, continues today to all who will humbly surrender their lives to Christ. Jesus is truly our hope.
This Sunday we will turn our attention to Joy. We have chosen some scripture for each day of the week for us as a community to read together during this series. We hope you have been able to track along this week. Today’s scripture is Matthew 28:1-8. Read it this weekend and come ready to dive in on Sunday.
Don’t forget! We are partnering with Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM) during Lent to provide men’s jeans/pants and men’s shoes to those in need. They can be new or lightly used. CAM has expressed that these items are a big need right now. So, bring your donations to the Park over the next 3 Sundays leading up to Easter and we will make sure they get where they need to go. Thank you in advance for your giving! For more about CAM go to www.christianassistanceministry.org
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Chris
Announcements:Current Preaching Topic – We are continuing our 4-week Lent series called Because of Your Love this Sunday. Read Matthew 28:1-8 and we will see you Sunday!
Starting Point - Do you have questions about the Park? Would you like more information about how to get more involved? Stick around after service on April 15th for about 30 minutes. We would love to connect with you and give you more information about our faith community.
Serving the Servants - Mark it on your calendar: on March 31st we will be serving local hospitals by taking delicious food items to nurses and doctors to let them know God loves them and we appreciate them. We will meet at 10am at Methodist Hospital. Call Brandon at 210-865-9232 for more info. Come join us!
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The Park Newsletter 3.16.12
I hope you are having a good week!I wanted to make you aware of some ways to serve with Blueprint Ministry next week. They have a crew of student volunteers coming in next week and would love to have you serve with them. I’ve listed their help needs below. Please contact Tiffany Scott at tiffany@blueprintministry.com if you have any questions.- Building Cleaning Crew: three people daily (M-Th, 10am-12pm) - Light cleaning, replace toilet paper and paper towels, assist with trash disposal and after breakfast clean-up.
- Cooks: four people daily (M-Th, 4 pm-6:30pm) - Assist with preparation and cooking of meals that have already been planned.
- Servers: ten people daily (M-Th, 5:30-7:30pm) - Serve dinner to students and adults that are volunteering with Blueprint. Assist with dinner clean-up.
- Construction Liason: ten people daily (M-Th, 8am-4pm) - Coach volunteers on work-site safety and give general work-site instruction for basic home repair.
We kick of our Lent series Because of Your Love this Sunday. We look forward to seeing you at The Park!ChrisAnnouncements:Current Preaching Topic – We are beginning a 4-week Lent series called Because of Your Love this Sunday. Read Luke 23 and we will see you Sunday! Starting Point - Do you have questions about the Park? Would you like more information about how to get more involved? Stick around after service on April 15th for about 30 minutes. We would love to connect with you and give you more information about our faith community. Serving the Servants - Mark it on your calendar: on March 31st we will be serving local hospitals by taking delicious food items to nurses and doctors to let them know God loves them and we appreciate them. We will meet at 10am at Methodist Hospital. Call Brandon at 210-865-9232 for more info. Come join us!