Hi Parkway People!

My son has trouble understanding why he has to start going to bed earlier now because school doesn't even start until Thursday! The summer nights of staying up a little later and mornings of sleeping in are done for now. Changing rhythms is hard – but it comes with the changing seasons of life.

Often these seasons that force some change in our rhythms are a good chance to look at areas of our life that we've neglected. Maybe it's getting more sleep, unplugging from work in the evenings, not getting lost in scrolling on your phone. There are all sorts of normal rhythms we can work into or out of our life that do not do not give us what we need to be who we need to be.

As we get ready to step from one season to the next, take a moment to pause and consider the rhythms of your life that can use a change. But here's the catch - consider these rhythms from a spiritual point of view. We are quick to examine ourselves through the lens of self-improvement or productivity – but you know that there is more to who you are than the numbers on the scale, or how much you can accomplish in a day. Consider the spiritual rhythms of your life – the ways you practice openness and connection to God. What can you change to deepen your life as a follower of Jesus? How are you making room for connection, community, and good relationships?

We'll dig into spiritual rhythms in our next sermon series called [Re]Action, which kicks off August 18th, but for now plan to kick off this new season with our Back to School Bash this Sunday, August 11th!

This Sunday, we'll have one service at 10.30am, with lunch afterwords in the Ministry Center Atrium. We'll cover the pizza (including gluten-free), but we need you to bring a dessert to share! We've also hired a mini-golf company to set up an 18-hole course through the first-floor halls and classrooms – it'll be a fun celebration of a new school year and new season!

While you're here, let me round out reminders with two quick things– 

Sunday, August 18th we are:

• Kicking off the new sermon series
• Returning to regular Student Sunday School 
• Bringing back Table Talk – lunch at Live Oak Grill after the 10.30am service

Friday, August 23rd - Sunday, August 25th we are hosting a finalist candidate for the next Director of Student Ministries at Parkway. Pastor Kat and I are working to find the best time to organize an event for students and their parents to meet with them – if you are a parent of a student, watch for an email from Pastor Kat!

I'm looking forward to this new season. Blessings on the start of a new school year for all students, educators, and parents who feel like they aren't old enough to have a kid in the _____ grade.

See you soon!



Justin