James 1:27 says, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” James reminds us that Christianity isn’t just avoiding the things we aren’t supposed to do, but actively engaging in the things we are supposed to do. I am grateful for a church family whose heart is set on meeting the kinds of needs James describes as we work to support foster and adoptive care families and invest resources to care for our each other in and after times of loss. This month, we partner with Mission Dignity to provide care for widows of faithful pastors of the past. Stop by the mission focus table in the Welcome Center to find out more about Mission Dignity.

Judy and I are grateful for the time away on vacation, but as always we missed our church family and can’t wait to be back with you this Sunday. We had a great time touring the Mediterranean Coast, enjoying the beauty and wonder of ancient cities, and in Rome walking in the same places possibly as the Apostles Peter and Paul. Thank you for supporting and encouraging our staff as they lead well in my absence. We will continue to rotate through vacations and mission trips (not to mention all the Next Gen events that occur every summer) throughout the next couple of months. If we are in town, we will be here. We hope the same will be true for you.

I am excited about being back in the pulpit this week. We will continue in our series from the gospel of Mark and explore some lessons that we should learn from Garden of Gethsemane. The church will gather as it always does, at 9:30 and 11:00. I hope you will join us.

Please be sure to scroll down and check out the links to some of the events that are coming up on our calendar. Thank you for you faithfulness and your generosity to the work here at Parkview. We look forward to seeing you Sunday.

Sincerely,

Pastor Mike