This Week: November 7, 2020

EVERYONE sunday worship

We are continuing to assess the safety of our worshippers 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.

communion sunday

On Sunday, November 15, we will celebrate the Lord's Table in both 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services with additional time from 12:30–2:30 p.m. for those worshipping from home.

poinsettias in the sanctuary

Each year, we extend the opportunity to purchase a poinsettia ($11.00 each) in memory of or in honor of a friend or loved one. They will be in the Sanctuary Sunday, December 6. Our chancel area will be wreathed in these beautiful plants for our worship services from December 8 through Christmas Eve. Reservations online will close on Wednesday, November 25 at 10:00 p.m. pcpc.org/events We want to announce Boxes of Blessing will be quite different this year due to the pandemic, but the need to distribute food to those in need is still great and will still be addressed. We realize this is a big event our church family looks forward to every year but due to health and safety concerns, we will not be having a big, open packing event as in years past. The Boxes of Blessing organization will still be meeting the needs of our ministry partners and community this Christmas season by filling 8,000 boxes with non-perishable food to be distributed to those in Dallas who need it most. You can donate toward this cause at boxesofblessing.org/dallas-donate. There are many Thanksgiving and Christmas volunteer opportunities with PCPC Ministry Partners like Mercy Street, Vickery Trading Company, For the Nations, Voice of Hope and others! You can learn more by visiting pcpc.org/volunteer and typing in the keyword “holiday.”

VOL. XXXI, NO .22 | NOVEMBER 7, 2020 PARK CITIES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TRICIA COTHRAN, EDITOR 4124 OAK LAWN AVENUE DALLAS, TX 75219-3152

lessons in genesis

The Senior Adult Ministry is offering an online Bible study video series entitled Lessons in Genesis, with Pastor Ron Williams. You can watch the lessons any time throughout the week! pcpc.org/events

MISSIONS living on mission zoom call — ellen & reid porter

Join us Sunday, November 15, 6:30–8:00 p.m. in getting to know Ellen and Reid Porter, PCPC members and City Missionaries in Dallas. The Porters will share about their journey to becoming City Missionaries, their work with Advocates for Community Transformation and BraveLove, and how the Lord has called them to love their neighbors as they raise their family in Dallas. pcpc.org/events

214-224-2500 pcpc.org facebook.com/parkcitiespca twitter.com/parkcitiespca

THISWEEK@PCPC

boxes of blessing

WOMEN advent prayer

THISWEEK@PCPC

VOL. XXXI, NO. 22 | NOVEMBER 7, 2020

Come be a part of this incredible time to focus on our Savior's Incarnation through a short devotional and time of prayer on December 1, 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. We are requiring masks while you are in the building and maintaining a 6-foot safe distance between parties. If you develop any symptoms related to COVID-19, we ask that you abstain from joining us in person for this event. Please reserve your seat. pcpc.org/events

BAPTISMS

October 18, 2020

OUR FAMILY

death • Lorenzo “LL” Cotter, III (CC#13) husband of Ka Cotter (CC#13) on October 30, 2020.

Meet our newest PCPC City Missions Ministry Partner The Men of Nehemiah is a Christian organization designed to rebuild the lives of men and families that have been torn apart by the vicious onslaught of poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, crime, and violence.

sympathies Willson Phelps Cowan London Hannah Dunlap William James Heath, IV son of daughter of son of Lizzie and Clint Cowan Rick and Maggie Dunlap Meredith and Jay Heath

• Pete & Markay Deison (CC#22) on the loss of his brother, R.A. "Mickey" Deison, Jr. on October 13, 2020.

• Kurt & Pat Nelson (PCPC Missionaries) on the loss of their grandson, Jackson Bates, on October 26, 2020.

Care Clusters – pcpc.org/care/care-clusters/

Remington David Lopez Sasha Renee Kirk Lopez daughter of son of Ariel and Norman Lopez Ariel and Norman Lopez

The Men of Nehemiah began in New Orleans, LA out of a Pastor’s heart-wrenching desire to save his son from the grip of addiction. With His relentless love, coupled with the transformative power of the Gospel, Pastor Louis Harrell, Sr., a former Colonel in the US Army established The Men of Nehemiah. His son, Louis Harrell, Jr., was the first client and story of success. Since then, over 800 men and families have been served by Men of Nehemiah.

In 2005, following the devasting effects of Hurricane Katrina, Louis Jr., moved his family to Texas where he launched The Men of Nehemiah in southern Dallas, where they have recently celebrated 10 years of successful, life-transformative ministry.

Men of Nehemiah is a 9-12-month program. 45% of the clients are homeless; 65% have been incarcerated; 16% dropped out of high school and 100% suffer from the disease of addiction. The model for Nehemiah is a Christ-centered, military-style residential treatment facility. The men receive 12 hours of biblical studies/training per week and 13 hours each week of individual and group clinical services. They receive room and board, uniforms, and three meals a day at no-cost to the client.

In February 2020, Men of Nehemiah opened their first Transitional Living/Sober Living House along with a community garden. This provides a home for 10 men who need to continue in the community and continue their biblical and clinical services until they are ready to move back to their families or communities. Several of the graduates are on staff at Nehemiah as well. Both arriving at Nehemiah homeless and addicted, one graduate is now a licensed therapist on staff; another now serves as the Alumni/Phase 3 Director. Several other graduates/leaders are working and mentoring in the Nehemiah community. Nehemiah pairs each man with a mentor from the Dallas Community. These mentors come from all walks of life and are trained and equipped to serve in a mentoring relationship. Most of the clients have not had a positive male role model in their lives, and this relationship often evolves into a long-lasting friendship. No prior experience is needed, and they always need more mentors!

Men of Nehemiah relies heavily on its partnership with the local church. From volunteers and financial support, to regular prayer and worshipping together, Nehemiah would be far less effective as a ministry without the collaboration of the church.

THEN I SAID TO THEM, “YOU SEE THE TROUBLE WE ARE IN, HOW JERUSALEM LIES IN RUINS WITH ITS GATES BURNED. COME, LET US BUILD THE WALL OF JERUSALEM, THAT WE MAY NO LONGER SUFFER DERISION.” — NEHEMIAH 2:17

general fund

budget

THREE PHASE PROGRAM

Louis Robert Murphy son of Ashley and Christopher

John Taylor Yerger, Jr. son of Lauren and John Yerger

2020/2021 operating budget July 1—October 25, 2020 budget July 1—October 25, 2020 giving Budget Variance

Phase 1: Stabilization Clients are matched with a staff therapist and volunteer sponsor and begin working AA/NA steps 1-7. They complete Biblical homework and show they have embraced self-discipline.

Phase 2: Growth and Internalization Clients are required to work through steps 8-12 with a sponsor, complete Biblical homework, and show they have developed self-worth and embraced their ability to be leaders both in their family and their community.

Phase 3: New Beginnings Clients continue to work with their sponsor and attend three 12-step meetings a week.

They also must have two individual clinical sessions a month. They are required to have a job and save $1500 in their bank account before they can graduate.

For questions or opportunities to volunteer, please contact Melinda Russ at: mruss@themenofnehemiah.org or 214-202-2185.

STORY OF RESCUE — JOHNNY VERNON IV I am 41 years old and was born December 7, 1975 in West Dallas, TX. I grew up in the projects on Rupert Circle, one of the roughest areas in Dallas. This street held gangs, drugs, shootings, fights, murders, and everything in between.

I’ve been married thirteen years to a supportive, loving wife named Ramona. She is a Woman of Nehemiah.

I had two kids coming into the marriage and my wife, Ramona had one daughter who has given us three grandchildren.

I was addicted to drugs for 16 years, and my criminal record started at age 14 — always drug related. Three months prior to Nehemiah, I relapsed on powder cocaine. My life was spiraling out of control. I returned to selling drugs, staying out late, not coming home, cheating on my wife, drinking, being disrespectful and rebellious. I was on probation during this time and hit rock bottom. Wanting it to stop that night, I got on my knees and asked God to change my life. I called my mom shortly after. The next day she brought me to the Men of Nehemiah.

I entered Nehemiah on June 12, 2014. Being at Nehemiah, I have rededicated my life to God. He has restored my marriage and relationship with my children. I’ve obtained housing assistance. God has even provided tutoring for my barber license.

Nehemiah has instilled discipline, leadership, and self esteem. Because of this, I have confidence to lead my family in a spiritual relationship with God. Most importantly, I am a man of God. I have developed a praise lifestyle. I do devotionals and walk with gratitude, humility, integrity, loyalty, honor, courage, and selfless sacrifice, loving and putting others before myself. Eleven months of dedicated service to the Men of Nehemiah.

$13,500,000 $3,138,768 $2,904,777 –$233,991