The Messenger

Baptism
Congratulations to Jacob Barton who was baptized into Christ on November 26. We rejoice with Jacob and his family. 
 
Sympathy’s
Our sympathy is with June Washburn and her family after the passing of her sister, Jane Beardain on November 24. Services were held last Monday.
 
Our condolences are also with Anthony Bryant and Jessie Bryant Sarno after the recent passing of Anthony’s mother-in-law and Jessie’s grandmother. Services were held last Friday in Chickasaw, OK.
 
Thank You’s
Thank you for the calls, cards, and words of comfort in the loss of my sister, Jane.  They mean so much to me. June Washburn
 
Thank you for the cards, thoughts, prayers, and kind words during the loss of my mom. They are much appreciated. Mark Ewig
 
Barnabas Volunteers
The Barnabas food pantry has had a substantial increase in clients requesting food. They need volunteers to unload food products, stock shelves and help clients with shopping. If you can volunteer your time one or two days per week please contact Jimmy Elmore at  (903) 815-4480 or sign up on the app.
 
Ladies Gift Exchange
Ladies, join us for a gift exchange is tomorrow, Monday December 5 at 6 PM in the atrium. Bring a $10 wrapped gift, a finger food to share and a friend!
 
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! 
 
Youth Ministry

 
Park Avenue Wednesday Supper
This week we are having Spaghetti & Meat Sauce, (also Meatless Spaghetti), Green Beans, Garlic Bread & Desserts. The meal will be prepared by Shelly Calvert and her team.
 

Christmas Holiday Schedule

Wednesday, December 21
Classes/Groups will meet as normal
NO PAWS
 
Sunday, December 25
Christmas Candlelight Service, 10 AM
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.
 
As we approach Christmas Day, over the next three weeks I will  lead us in a look at the gifts of the Magi recorded in Matthew 2. The gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—seem unusual to us but very well may have some symbolic meaning illuminating some aspect of who Jesus is. The gold reminds us of Jesus’ kingship. The myrrh foreshadows his death. And the frankincense alludes to his role as high priest. We’ll talk about how each of those gifts relate to those roles of Jesus.
 
Whether or not the Magi had these associations in mind is a matter of debate and speculation. Yet, it is nevertheless impressive that these non-Jewish men of influence traveled the 900 miles from the East to worship the newborn child. All the while the vast majority of the Jews had no clue that the Messiah had been born right in their back yard.
 
Isn’t it odd how some people can recognize the royalty of Jesus while others simply miss it? During this Christmas season many will celebrate the holiday but how many will truly appreciate the magnitude of the birth of Christ?  It is my hope and prayer that the significance of what happened in Bethlehem is not lost on me. That same hope and prayer extends to all of you.
 
In the busyness of December amidst all the office parties, family gatherings, and shopping sprees please make the time to truly reflect on what it means that God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.
 
That’s what wise men and women do. They are able to see things that others don’t. They are able to appreciate the spiritual significance of the holiday while others go about their business oblivious to the outrageous and immeasurable love that God has for every one of us.
 
May you, like these wise men, be filled with wonder and worship at the coming of the king.
 
 
PRAYER LIST
Prayer List—Steve Black, Mickey Cobble, Ralph Stone
 
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)

 Sunday Schedule

Babies -Nursery Area

2 & 3 Year Olds—Nursery Area

Pre K-6th Grade—Family Life Center

 Discipleship Making Communities (DMC’s)

Meet at various times and locations. Contact Lantz Howard for more information, or sign up at pacoc.net/groups