This Week: January 16, 2021

THIS WEEK (007-362) IS PUBLISHED BIWEEKLY EXCEPT ONCE IN DECEMBER BY PARK CITIES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 4124 OAK LAWN, DALLAS, TX 75219, PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT DALLAS, TEXAS, 75219. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO THIS WEEK, 4124 OAK LAWN, DALLAS, TX 75219-3152

SUNDAY WORSHIP: 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

24/7 PRAYER HOTLINE: 214-224-2680 or 24/7prayer@pcpc.org

pcpc.org | 214-224-2500 follow parkcitiespca

PARK CITIES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TRICIA COTHRAN, EDITOR 4124 OAK LAWN AVENUE DALLAS, TX 75219-3152

THISWEEK@PCPC VOL. XXXII, NO. 1 | JANUARY 16, 2021

Park Cities Presbyterian Church exists to extend the transforming presence of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ in Dallas and to the world.

EVERYONE SUNDAY WORSHIP

We are continuing to assess the safety of our worshipers on a week to week basis. We are still REQUIRING all attendees to wear masks or cloth face coverings over the nose and mouth while in the church building. If you are uncomfortable with this, we understand and ask that you attend worship online. To help ensure we hold our worship services safely, we ask that you reserve a seat for you and childcare online at pcpc.org/reserve-seat.

If you or anyone in your party have had COVID-like symptoms in the past 7 days, we ask that you please worship online with us at pcpc.org/live.

NEW MEMBERS CLASS February 7, 2021

The New Member Class gives you the opportunity to hear from different ministry leaders and learn more about our church’s beliefs, purpose, vision, and mission. We talk about the benefits and expectations of membership and walk through the constitutional questions (membership vows) to join the church. We want all our members to connect to Christ and to one another, to abide in Christ, and to extend Christ. We want you to understand what these things mean and how you can take your next step in Christ as you become a member. More info at pcpc.org /events.

EPIPHANY, LENT, & HOLY WEEK PRAYER GUIDE 2021 Our Daily Prayer Guide will lead us through the book of Isaiah alongside prayers in the Psalms. Join us for a deep dive into God’s mighty acts of judgment and grace in the history of Israel with promises that point to the coming Messiah.

It is available through the PCPC app (download via Apple App Store or Google Play Store for free), so you can have access wherever you are throughout the day. You can also find it on our website at pcpc.org /resources.

LESSONS IN GENESIS The Senior Adult Ministry is offering an online Bible study video series entitled Lessons in Genesis. You can watch the lessons any time throughout the week!

Pastor Ron Williams led a 5-week course on Genesis during the fall of 2020.

For the 2021 spring semester, he will bring us themes in Genesis chapters 1-3 which give us an insight into Reality, Being, Relationship, Sin, and Salvation. In other words, the great Rubrics of God – Man – Sin – Christ – Salvation. Genesis is the Book of Beginnings. The Genesis narratives tell us how it all started. Join us online for Lessons in Genesis. More info at pcpc.org /resources.

MTW VIRTUAL MISSIONS CONFERENCE February 19–20, 2021 | FREE

THISWEEK@PCPC

VOL. XXXII, NO. 1 | JANUARY 16, 2021

PCPC is joining with other churches in the PCA for a Virtual Missions Conference in February! Many of our missionaries will be highlighted or will be available for live chats!

Mark your calendars for Friday night, February 19, and Saturday, February 20, and register now for free at mtw.org /vmc.

BAPTISMS

December 20, 2020

The King’s Stories

MARRIAGES

• Cara Sofia Cruz and Robert James Valach on December 19, 2020.

By Kay Gabrysch, Women’s Bible Study Teacher

When a child climbs onto a parent’s lap with a book in tow, he never says, “Will you tell me some facts about this, please?” Instead, a child will ask, “Will you read, or tell me a story?” From the earliest age, human beings are entertained, involved, and motivated by stories. When we open the pages of the New Testament, we find that the authors of the synoptic Gospels present Jesus as the consummate storyteller. Jesus spent approximately one third of His time in ministry creating stories that invited His listeners into a world where His message explained the Kingdom of God, demonstrated the character of God, and challenged His hearers to redirect their lives in order to live happily in that Kingdom.

The parables enabled Jesus’ hearers to envision themselves inside the experience of the people involved in the story.

Although Jesus was often very direct in His assessment of those around Him, it was His use of indirect speech in parables which seemed to have a more alluring, engaging effect on His audience. C.S. Lewis comments on what the audience heard: “The Foolish Virgins within the parable do not miss a beatitude; they miss a wedding party (Matthew 25:1-13). The Prodigal Son when he comes home, is not given spiritual consolations; he is given new clothes and the best dinner his father can put up (Luke 15:11-32).”

The parables enabled Jesus’ hearers to envision themselves inside the experience of the people involved in the story. It allowed them to insert themselves into the narrative and imagine what they might have done in that same situation. Jesus is the only person in the New Testament to tell parables. He used them to bring people to a level of sober judgment about themselves, a level of introspection, and an invitation to consider what it looks like to live in the Kingdom Jesus was inaugurating.

Will you invite someone to join you this semester?

OUR FAMILY

BIRTHS Ann Margaret Morrison Daughter of Taylor and Kyle Morrison

Elizabeth Ann Foose Daughter of Hannah and Daniel Foose

• Kent Harrison Benefield, son of Sam & Emily Benefield (Lake Highlands Parish) on December 17, 2020.

DEATHS

• Alice Wilcox (Northeast Dallas Parish) on December 22, 2020.

SYMPATHIES

• Lon & Julie Houseman (Park Cities Bradfield Elementary Parish) on the loss of his mother, Mary Houseman (Park Cities Bradfield Elementary Parish) on the loss of her grandmother, Cory & Jenny Fowler (Out of town members) on the loss of her grandmother, Avery Fowler (Out of town member) on the loss of her great-grandmother, Kathryn B. Houseman, on December 14, 2020.

John David Morrison Son of Sarah and Chris Morrison

general fund

budget

2020/2021 operating budget July 1, 2020—January 3, 2021 budget July 1, 2020—January 3, 2021 giving Budget Variance

$13,500,000 $7,615,096 $6,964,943 –$650,153

• Reg & Melony Combs (Lake Highlands Parish) on the loss of their son, Josh & Caleb Combs (Lake Highlands Parish) on the loss of their brother, Christopher Combs, on December 17, 2020.

• Marsha Crosby (Far Northeast Region Parish) on the loss of her son, John “Blake” Crosby, on December 27, 2020.

PCPC BIBLE STUDY SERIES This spring, we are studying The King’s Stories, focusing on the parables of Jesus. The study will begin in February, and it will be 11 weeks long taking off spring break and Holy Week. Our Kids Ministry has developed a special series for our children as they too hear Jesus’ stories.

We are excited to see what God will do in and through each of us as we study these selected parables of Jesus. We pray that this spring’s study will result in a greater unity in Christ and love for one another as we learn more about Jesus through the stories of our King.

WOMEN

PRESCHOOL

MEN

FOCUS/COUPLES

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

Supplement for women’s study

Tuesday mornings

Wednesday nights

Find more information and registeration at pcpc.org/studies.