Witness: May 1, 2017

VOL. XXVIII, NO. 2

MAY 2017

PARK CITIES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA) “Your faithfulness extends to every generation as enduring as the earth You created.”

Psalm 119:90

Our Wednesday Watchmen Bible Study group had previously gathered all kinds of toiletry items to stuff into bags for homeless women during the Come to the Table event in February.

I had brought some items as well, but I wasn’t going to go to the event because I felt I wouldn’t know anyone there. But something, or Someone, pushed me to go.

Of course, everyone was so welcoming and friendly as women of all ages met and quickly stuffed bags on an assembly line to be distributed via The Human Impact. Many wrote encouraging, personal notes for the women to find in their bag. That night I thought, “Perhaps someone will come to know Jesus from my note!” Everyone was so welcoming and friendly.

H

ave you ever said to yourself, “I don’t feel like going to that event because I won’t know anyone there,” and you don’t

go? Don’t we all feel the most comfortable going places with our friends or family?

Elizabeth Jordan, from The Human Impact, told us about one personal experience with a homeless woman. You know the situation when you think you have everything, and the other person has nothing, but the person who has nothing gives so much to the person who has everything? Hers is a story like that.

After packing the bags and then singing in the Sanctuary, I was going to go home, but again, I got a shove inside me to pick up that green sheet of paper with Jada Scruggs’ name and address on it, and I drove to her house for a dinner with seven other strangers.

way out of the comfort zone The entire evening was all about reaching out of your comfort zone and meeting new people. What a beautiful table and meal she and Anna Gilmore had prepared for all of us. But it was all about The Table. What can happen when eight ladies who have never met —meet? We were all strangers, but so connected in interesting ways. We came together at The Table.

2

MAY 2017 • PCPC WITNESS

After having such a lovely time with ladies I didn’t know, I realized that this project could bring more people together to inspire others. How much fun, and what a great teaching moment it would be to do this with your family, kids, and grandkids? How about meeting new neighbors by inviting them over to stuff bags for the homeless?

So, an expected, uneventful evening turned out to be an exceptional, inspiring evening of connecting with women.

Just when you think God isn’t paying attention, even to your mundane everyday outings, He shows up and guides you anyway. It reminded me that HE is always there even when I don’t think I need Him—I do.

—Fran Wittenberg Cashen

Left page, lots of conversation follows preparing bags of toiletries for the homeless.

Top, Mother-daughter duo Pam Dunn and Jennifer Carlson Right, Carla Gale writes a note for the recipient to find in her bag.

Below, worship in the Sanctuary was followed by small dinners in homes.

A PERFECT MIX Y

ou have probably heard the term “divine appointment,” but how many of us can know we have truly had one? I’m raising my hand!

Through the PCPC Women’s Come to the Table event, God put together a Divine dinner party around my table.

When the doorbell started to ring that night, my co-hostess Janet Yancy and I began to meet the incredible women and new friends whom God had sent— by way of PCPC. Our group was a perfect mix of long-time Dallasites and those who had recently moved here and were looking for new friends and connections through our church body.

It just so happened that we had so much in common we laughed and talked long into the night about everything from colleges and jobs to recipes and our love of Jesus. I have no doubt we will try to keep in touch, and for sure give each other big hugs at church.

Did this fun group just happen? I don’t think so.

—Betsy MacKay

PCPC WITNESS • MAY 2017

33

PREPARED TO SHARE Challenges to evangelism in a diverse culture

I

heard an interesting concept a few weeks ago as I listened to Kent Johnson’s talk, Living Faithfully in a Multi-National Corporation. He was speaking at the Church in the City Speaker Series luncheon sponsored by PCPC@ WORK held on March 8. The concept has occupied many of my thoughts since then.

pared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

As for business itself, there is a wealth of popular research on the impact that vulnerability has on innovation.

My thinking was “You cannot, nay, you even may not challenged by the think of it, deprive him, whose notion that within the consciousness differs from yours, workplace, broad of freedom of thought, of speech openness to diversity of thought is a and of the press. That they, from their necessary foundastandpoint pull down everything that is tion for being able holy in your estimation, is unavoidable.” share from a uniquely Christian perspective.

—Abraham Kuyper If we hope to enjoy the freedom to speak about what our faith means to us and how it influences our Employees thrive work, we have to encourage workwhen they have place cultures where all are free to ex- confidence and press their unique beliefs, even as they courage to share diverge from our own or from those new ideas. A of the majority. As Abraham Kuyper company where wrote in his lecture on Calvinism and open faith dialogue Science, “You cannot, nay, you even is welcome will may not think of it, deprive him, whose be a place where consciousness differs from yours, of vulnerability is safe freedom of thought, of speech and of and imagination, the press. That they, from their standcreativity, and point pull down everything that is holy innovation will thrive. in your estimation, is unavoidable.”

Experience counts We also should not fear the open Kent Johnson has sharing of divergent perspectives. As spent 37 years of his Christians, we know the true mescareer with Texas sage of hope. “The light shines in the Instruments. During darkness, and the darkness has not that time, he has overcome it” (John 1:5). As we engage carefully thought in open faith dialogues, the burden is through the applicaon Christians to know what it is that we tion of Christianity believe, and why— “Always being prein one of the largest 4

corporations in Dallas. Kent helped found the Christian Values Initiative (an official Diversity Initiative of Texas Instruments), and also served as Chair of Texas Instruments’ Diversity Network, consisting of all the company’s diversity initiatives. These efforts have been so impactful at Texas Instruments that as Kent is retiring from TI, he has had the opportunity to help other large corporations thoughtfully consider how they can promote open faith dialogue for the benefit of their employees, for the benefit of their business, and we pray, for the furtherance of the Gospel in this world.

—Sherrie Johnson

Kent Johnson

MAY 2017 • PCPC WITNESS

“And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

—Matthew 6:28-29

Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

P

ete Seeger asked that famous question in the song popularized by Peter, Paul and Mary in the 1960s. And maybe you wonder the same thing about the beautiful flowers displayed each Sunday morning in our worship services. Or maybe you wonder why we have them there at all!

We were made to long for beauty.

So enjoy the flowers as you enter a worship service—borrowed life though they may be—then look up to the God of Creation for whom we long and worship Him in all His eternal perfection and promise of eternity to us who believe in His Son.

We know God reveals Himself in creation to all mankind, and Jesus tells us to consider flowers. They are God’s exquisite display of color, design, texture, aroma, variety, and loving care.

It is the argument of the greater to the lesser—if He clothes the lilies with such beauty, will He not do so much more to shower His grace on His beloved ones?

who are homebound or in the hospital. Our members enjoy these gifts of love from PCPC that remind them that they remain in our hearts and on our minds. (Volunteers are always needed to help rearrange and distribute them.)

Also, they are often used by our Urban Ministries partners to decorate tables for an event. You might see them around the church during special seasons as well or at a PCPC ministry function to beautify a space. Sometimes they greet Good Samaritan applicants on a Monday morning as they gather at the Information Desk to apply for help.

There have been times when the worship flowers were used for a memorial service when the family could not afford flowers. And they have even shown up at a few weddings when a bride was on a very tight budget.

A pastor blogged, “When you look around for a sign that you are important or worthy or beautiful or of value, consider the lilies of the field, how they grow and the grace of the Lord that surrounds their brief, momentary existence. And then look up to the cross where God has not only declared us forgiven and new but worthy and of the greatest value to Him. The message of grace is all around you” (Larry Peters).

Borrowed life extended The worship service flowers lift our eyes in worship to a masterful Creator, but still—they stay so lovely for such a short time. And yes, they are costly.

Do they just get thrown away after the services? Rarely.

Isaac Watts wrote this familiar verse:: There’s not a plant or flower below but makes Thy glories known, And clouds arise, and tempests blow by order from Thy throne; While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care; And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God art present there. (“I Sing the Mighty Power of God’)

Where do all the flowers go? First, donors are asked to express their wishes. The flowers can be given to an honoree, some perhaps taken to a gravesite, or repurposed in many ways.

(Donors may not take the arrangements home due to IRS restrictions, as the cost is considered a charitable gift.) Most often, they are rearranged in small containers to be taken to those

PCPC WITNESS • MAY 2017

How to be a donor Would you like to honor someone or celebrate a birthday, wedding, or anniversary, or remember a beloved lost one? It will be noted in the worship bulletin. Our faithful volunteer Helen Stewart receives requests to give the flowers ($300 per Sunday) and oversees reservations. The calendar hangs on the wall in the Main Hallway, and sign-up cards can be found at the Information Desk. You can also see available Sundays, request a date, and donate online at pcpc.org/flowers.

Please contact Helen, 214-350-7449 or dstew10326@hotmail.com if you have questions about participating in this meaningful ministry.

—Terri Speicher 5

A word from Mark Davis: Thank you for all of the encouragement and feedback we have experienced since we announced the Extend Vision on March 26. Your response as a church body has affirmed what we have sensed from the Lord for the past five years.

It’s been exciting to hear the stories of how the Lord has been working in the lives of our people. Here is a story about how God has used PCPC to impact the life of one of our members, Ellen Porter, and what makes her most excited about the Extend vision.

I grew up in this church as a charter member and actually served in the nursery on that first Sunday in 1991 at Highland Park High School. (It was total chaos in there because so many people came.) I was a part of the youth group and went on mission trips this church sponsored. The richness of the

Gospel of God’s grace was poured into me at an early age through the ministries of Tim Tinsley, Skip Ryan, and so many others. I was married in this church; all my babies were baptized in this church; and, from what I understand, my ashes could be placed in this church when I die. So much of who we are and how the Lord has shaped us has come through the Holy Spirit using PCPC. Within these walls, the God of the universe has used this church and its members to bring me into a relationship with Him and give me a seat at my King’s table for eternity.

By God’s grace, I hope the same can be said about our children.

When Mark Davis asked my husband Reid and me if we would be interested in chairing this campaign, I have to say that we didn’t really even pray about it that much, we just said “yes.” This was a no-brainer for us because we love this place so much. We trust the wisdom and humility of our elders to go before the Lord in prayer, so we delight in putting ourselves under their authority and leadership, and so “yes.”

We know that they have prayed deeply and have fasted about this new vision for this church.

This EXTEND capital campaign, I believe, will accomplish what I have always longed for for this place that I love so much. There is so much that PCPC does so well. Most importantly, the biblical, Gospel-centered preaching and teaching offered to the little ones and all the way up to the oldest.

Sunday morning worship is divine by God’s grace, but our facilities inhibit a lot of what I hope to see happen with our church.

CONCEPTUAL EYE LEVEL RENDERING

6

MAY 2017 • PCPC WITNESS

CONCEPTUAL RENDERING OF CHILDREN’S AREA

Left, on Launch Sunday, March 26, Susan and Boots Nowlin recounted the miracles the Lord has done for PCPC over the last 25 years to give us our current facilities, and how He is at work yet again to allow us to expand to EXTEND.

NUMBER ONE: PARKING At first I didn’t get it. Before we had children, we came to the 8:00 am service and could park and walk right in. Now, on the occasions that we come to the 11:00 service, by the time we walk in, I’ve walked two blocks in heels with four grumpy children. I’m sweaty, exhausted, and usually feel that everyone needs a spanking. It’s just not the way to start a Sabbath. So, I can understand why a visitor may not want to come back to our church. It can be very discouraging!

NUMBER TWO: GENERATIONAL CROSSOVER My children don’t even know that high schoolers go here because they never see them. My older two boys are in third grade; they have no idea where the middle schoolers meet. We shuttle them into the worship service, they go down the stairs into the basement under the Sanctuary, and then they come up and out. The new conceptual design opens this entire facility up. They will see high schoolers,

NUMBER THREE: CAPACITY The space this campaign will enable for ministry is what is most exciting to Reid and me. We love the opportunity to welcome more people from the surrounding neighborhood and across the city so that they can enjoy the same Gospel-centered preaching, discipleship, and love that I have received my entire life.

We are on board, and I hope and pray that you all will jump on board, as well.

middle schoolers, and the church body as a whole. They will get to meet the Sunday school teachers whom I had growing up. The new facilities for children will accomplish this critical piece and will give our children a truer picture of what our church body really looks like. It will also demonstrate to young families that children’s ministry is a priority for our congregation.

PCPC WITNESS • MAY 2017

We look forward to seeing how the Kingdom will be further extended through New Doors, New Churches, and a New City at PCPC. We encourage everybody to find ways to participate in this new vision, and we continue to welcome your feedback. To see more of what Lord has done through this vision, please visit our microsite, extend.pcpc.org. continued on next page 7

continued from page 7 Here are some common questions we are hearing: • Why is there not a multi-purpose building/gymnasium?

It is not currently in the present scope of plans—however, we anticipate a multi-purpose gym in a second phase if campaign funds allow one.

L AUNCH S UNDAY March 26, 2017 Worshippers could not resist taking a peak at the EXTEND brochure during the worship services.

• Does PCPC plan to go into debt to accomplish this project?

PCPC does not plan to have long-term debt on the property, and we will plan the scope of our building and renovation not to exceed the amount of commitments received in the capital campaign.

• Are there plans to build a columbarium?

The session has affirmed the addition of a columbarium, and a committee has been studying what one would require.

Upon receiving campaign pledges, a full scope of our new building will be set and architects will begin to consider plans that may include a columbarium.

Join us on Commitment Sunday, April 30, at any of our three services, when there will be an opportunity to offer our three-year pledge cards to the Extend Vision in worship.

—Mark Davis ADULT RENOVATION

NEW COMMUNITY LOBBY NEW YOUTH SPACE NEW CHILDREN’S SPACE

200 NEW PARKING SPACES

250 NEW PARKING SPACES

8

PROJECTED SCOPE

MAY 2017 • PCPC WITNESS

Seniors enjoy a gifted storyteller PCPC’s own Nella

Phillips delivered a thoroughly entertaining book review on Gifted Hands, The Ben Carson Story. Nella is gifted in her own right appearing as “Miss Vicki” on WFAA’s Romper Room from 1969 to 1972. She is also a charter member of the PCPC choir and has acted in numerous musicals throughout the city. You’ve probably heard her voice in many local radio commercials as well over the years.

Friday, March 31, the Senior

Adult Ministry invited everyone to a book review and luncheon in Fellowship Hall. The very talented Nella Phillips blessed us with one of her flawless, entertaining, and inspiring reviews, this one the biography of Dr. Ben Carson, M.D., Gifted Hands. Nella spoke to an audience of about 85 women and men who arrived with great anticipation and expectations. Believe me, they were met! Below three of our attendees offer their thoughts regarding the morning.

As for me, it was a delightful!—a very gifted lady, speaking about a very gifted doctor, to an eager and appreciative audience of listeners!

—Jane Beasley

The book, Gifted Hands, by Ben Car-

son, M.D. told the enlightening story of the life and growth of trusting God in all circumstances. Everyone was inspired to rise for an ovation of the presentation, but mostly for the commitment of Dr. Carson’s life and skills.

The morning culminated with a delicious luncheon and more fellowship around the tables.

—Peggy Skidmore

Ab ove l eft, Nella Phillips Ab ove right, Lynne Hose ck (l) a nd Peggy Simpkin

On a beautiful Friday morning, senior

adults and their guests were enthralled as our multi-talented storyteller highlighted anecdotes from Dr. Carson’s life. His inspiring autobiography left many hearts touched and eyes teary as Nella revealed his humble beginnings in the ghettos and lessons taught by his single, but faith-filled mom.

Since his father abandoned the family when Ben was nine, this “normal kid,” Nella recounted, sometimes messed up or fell short. On those occasions his mother’s words often came to mind, encouraging him to press forward and achieve his goals, including a full scholarship to Yale University, where he met his equally brilliant and driven wife, Candy. His story is comprised of a long list of achievements and miracles, and Nella recalled many of them intriguingly and without a single note card!

—Cristie Adams

PCPC WITNESS • MAY 2017

As a raconteur, Nella’s intent is to both entertain and inform her audiences, which she did to perfection.

She shared many anecdotes beginning with Dr. Carson’s childhood in inner-city Detroit and emphasized his mother’s impact. She constantly exhorted him to do his best in school.

After many years of education including Yale and University of Michigan Medical School, he achieved his dream of becoming an accomplished pediatric neurosurgeon. At age 33 he became director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. In 1987, Dr. Carson gained worldwide recognition for his part in the first successful separation of Siamese twins joined at the back of the head. Nella’s lilting voice brought his story to life, surprising us with his many accomplishments and deep faith.

In the recent past Nella had the opportunity to meet Dr. Carson and wife Candy and was eager to share photos of the occasion with us. If you can attend one of her book reviews, you will be entertained.

—Charlotte Medley 9

F

or at least ten years, PCPC has participated in the West Dallas annual EGGstravaganza celebration hosted by PCPC ministry partner, Mercy Street. Whether the skies be sunny and warm or overcast and cool, this family-friendly event ushers in the Easter season as families across West Dallas gather at West Dallas Community School to enjoy bounce houses and obstacle courses, have their faces painted, hunt for Easter eggs, and eat hot dogs and popcorn. By the looks on their faces and the laughter in their voices, this is clearly a fun day for families.

—Charlotte Medley This year, PCPC youth were joined by students from YoungLife West Dallas for a pre-event training. Dr. Kyle Martin with Time to Revive spoke about practical and personal ways to evangelize using the Bible and a colored wrist band. Students learned to engage with individuals on a personal level before talking about the Gospel, and Brent Baker helped them apply this principle to the EGGstravaganza event. They arrived at West Dallas Community School equipped and eager to share the Gospel with children and families from the community.

—Jenna Tenpenny Armed with a carton of plastic eggs filled not with candy, but Scripture, our students were ready to tell the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection at EGGstravaganza. After grabbing cotton

candy and jumping in an inflatable bouncy castle, children, teenagers, and adults came to hear a volunteer walk them through a story starting at Palm Sunday and ending with the resurrection of Jesus.

Jordan Laird tells the resurrection story

We set up our Resurrection Egg station at four tables. There was a verse in each egg and a small object in eleven of the 12 eggs.

For example, a small leaf was placed in the first egg to represent Palm Sunday.

The last egg was empty, representing the empty tomb. The person listening to the story was handed a bag with all the objects and went treasure hunting to find the object that corresponded to each egg. Then at the end they could take the full carton with them. At the beginning, some of our students needed some help, but soon they could tell the story on their own. To watch their transformation from nervous to empowered to share the Gospel was awesome to witness.

We also made new connections with the many people who came to our station. One woman asked us to walk her

through the resurrection story so she could take it home and share it with her 16 grandchildren!

EGGstravaganza is similar to a small fair with petting zoos and bungee trampolines, but you can’t deny the purpose of this event is to glorify God. Easter egg hunts invoke excitement and result in candy rewards, but the most exciting reward is found not in a plastic egg, but in an empty tomb.

“But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said.

Come, see the place where He lay’” (Matthew 28:5-6).

—Kaelee Abbey PCPC and YoungLife West Dallas youth

G strava ganza G

10

MAY 2017 • PCPC WITNESS

Nobody Christ

COME BE A

FOR

We are honored to have Michael Oh as a plenary speaker for the 2017 PCA Global Missions Conference, November 10-12, at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. Find out more about conference details and volunteer needs at pcpc.org/world/gmc.

Tell the students to give up their small ambitions and come eastward to preach the Gospel of Christ.

—Francis Xavier

M

any people leave college with the goal to “be somebody.” And this usually means getting a good job, making good money, buying a nice house, driving a nice car, attaining some important position, and helping your kids to do the same.

For the Christian, “being somebody” usually means all of that and faithfully going to church on Sundays and Bible study during the week.

But I believe that Jesus is calling for people to be a nobody for Him—people who would forsake the “American dream” to be a part of bringing Gospel hope to the nations. People who don’t mind if they are not recognized, respected, praised, or promoted—as long as the name of Jesus is cherished, exalted, and adored. People who understand that Jesus didn’t come to this world and die on a cross so that we could have a comfortable suburban life and enjoy going to our local church’s corporate gathering on Sundays.

Jesus Is Calling Gifted Nobodies Jesus is calling people who could compete in the corporate rat race (and win)—but either choose not to so that they can share the Gospel with the neediest in Thailand or choose yes so that by excelling in their profession they can give gobs of money away for God’s global cause (something their co-workers wouldn’t understand). I believe that Jesus Christ is calling for well-trained, well-educated, godly, capable, wise, talented nobodies.

John Piper reminds us that we have three choices—go, send, or disobey.

And it’s my hope and prayer that the very best of this generation will go— young people who could be somebody in this world choosing to be nobodies for Jesus.

And that doesn’t mean that you have to be a preacher. There’s hardly a job or profession that you can have in America that you can’t do in the mission field. You can be a musician, a physician, a professor, a dog catcher, a secretary, an actuary, a bartender, a mixed martial arts fighter (it doesn’t matter). My point is that missions is simply doing what the Lord has gifted and called you to do—where there are few or no Christians—so that those who cannot be saved without believing in the Gospel would hear the life-giving good news of Jesus through you.

It’s choosing to forsake the comforts and glory of the American dream to live in an African jungle, or any foreign land, and speaking in a foreign tongue, choosing to be slightly uncomfortable and really need God so that He might have have the glory He is worthy to receive.

PCPC WITNESS • MAY 2017

But Why Make This Choice?

Why choose to be a nobody when you could be a somebody? Because life is not about us. It’s not about how much money you can make; it’s not about how secure and comfortable you can be; it’s not even about living a quiet life and being a consistent church attender. And not only is it not about us, it’s also not even about the nations that are lost without the Gospel.

Ultimately it really is about God. God is worthy to hear from each of His servants for whom He died—“Lord I would go anywhere for You. Lord, I would do anything for You.” We must realize that we have absolutely no right to tell God, “I’ll do this for You, but not that.” We must understand how globally worthy He is to be loved and adored, how incredibly hard the task of making Him known is, and how great are the sacrifices needed to see that happen. This is how much we want to see Jesus worshiped by every tribe, language, people, and nation — we are willing to be nobodies to see it happen.

He must become greater; I must become less (John 3:30).

Dr. Michael Young-Suk Oh is global executive director/CEO of the Lausanne Movement. He received his B.A., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Pennsylvania and completed an M.Div. at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School as well as an M.A. in regional studies, East Asia, at Harvard University. He currently serves as chairman of the board of directors for Christ Bible Institute. He and his wife, Pearl, have five children.

11

A n xiety:

F

or many of us, anxiety and depression impact us personally, whether that be in our own lives or in the lives of our friends and family members. On February 26, Dr. David Powlison, the Executive Director of the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) spoke at 9:30 and 11:00 am to several combined Sunday Morning Communities, primarily addressing the topic of anxiety.

Dr. Andrea Kim, a psychiatrist and PCPC member, recently said that she believes anxiety and depression to be “two sides of the same coin.” Her picture certainly gives credence as to why we need to be addressing these topics and why we need to become adept in the church at learning how to walk with others as they struggle. For far too long we have simply relied on telling people to just get over it. Unfortunately, all that does is drive the feelings deeper inside and create an unbearable form of isolation. Dr. Powlison shared very tenderly that we have better answers to give than that. The

DEALING WITH IT TOGETHER

key, however, is that if we do indeed approach it differently, it will require us to engage ourselves in significantly different ways.

Long ha ul ha nging in

In a recent article, Dr. Powlison asked an important question, “As church leaders, do you really love, identify with, and hang in there with struggling people? In his answer he stated, “A troubled person is a person to love, not a problem to fix.” He went on to say, “Do you actually love strugglers?

Do you identify with them? Can you say, ‘I am more like that person than different?’ Can you say, ‘We are in this together?’”

Christ embodies patience. He identifies and hangs in there with all His people through all their troubles.

He is committed to us for the long haul.” And if we are truly honest

with ourselves and others, we are all strugglers!

Someone I was visiting with said, “I have been very transparent with my friends about my acute anxiety, but I think they are getting tired of me, so I have started to share less and even retreat. I don’t want to be a burden.”

That story is quite common for someone who is struggling with anxiety and/or depression. As a church, we want to really love, identify with, and hang in there with them and for them.

We want to get better at that, which is part of the reason we had Dr. Powlison come speak to us. In that same article, Dr. Powlison said, “Caring well is not ‘people-who have-it-all-together-ministering-to people-whostruggle-with-

“A t rou bled pe rson is a pe rson to love, n ot a pro ble m to f ix.”

Dr. Powlison speaks to a large gathering of Sunday School communities.

12

MAY 2017 • PCPC WITNESS

problems.’” To truly help strugglers will require us to engage ourselves in significantly different ways.

K eeping it all in context

In his class teaching, Dr. Powlison brought new light to Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Rather than use this verse as a hammer, Powlison reminded us to see this truth in light of what our Father desires for us, especially when seen in the context. It is preceded by, “The Lord is at hand”; and is followed in verse seven by, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Dr. Powlison then got very practical, encouraging those who struggle with anxiety to list the issues that cause it.

From the list, they were then encouraged to take one individual cause at a time, which keeps it from being overwhelming. As he walked through the exercise, causes began to seem much more manageable for many. Too simplistic? Perhaps. But when we slow down we are more able to remember what resources we have available to us, and we remember God’s faithfulness to us in the past. We are more apt to be able to consider who we can ask for help. Most importantly, though, is our ability to call out more specifically to our Father in Heaven who cares deeply for us.

Getting personal

We deeply value community and church family at PCPC. We long to see that happen throughout the church, but especially in our Sunday Morning Communities and Small Groups. We want everyone to feel that PCPC is a safe place to share their struggles. We want to better equip everyone to know how to walk with one another in the midst of struggles. Anxiety is but one of those places that surfaces in the lives of our friends and family members.

Dr. Powlison continued, “Ask yourself how you approach people who are reticent to acknowledge their need for help.

Consider the factors in human relationship that make a person trust someone else.

Consider what elicits honesty between two people, and ask whether those factors are at work in your community.

Reflect on what you need to know about someone else in order to be truly helpful. What questions should you ask? How do you ask questions?

How do you listen well? What are you listening for? What do you say? How do you say it? How self-revealing are you? How do you help people define their need for change? How do you get practical? How do you encourage the change process in someone who may feel stuck, or afraid, or hopeless, or confused, or resistant, or self -righteous, or even hostile?”

These are all important questions.

We are seeking to lay a foundation at PCPC where we really love, identify with, and hang in there with struggling people. We want to put an end to hiding and isolation as a way of dealing with problems. We want to be a church that says, “We are in this together.” That like Christ, we would embody patience and be committed to the long haul as we walk with each other. May it be so, and may it begin with me.   

Dr. Powlison and the CCEF staff will be in Frisco on October 13-15 for their annual National Conference on Family (see right). Topics will include: God Ordains Family, God Disrupts Family, Every Single Family Member, Nurturing Family, Ministering to Families in Crisis, Adoption, Does Family History Matter?

God Redeems Family. Mark your calendars now!

—Pat Hobin

PCPC WITNESS • MAY 2017

FAMILY EMBRACING THE BLESSING, FACING THE BROKENNESS Family. What image springs to your mind? Big smiles and warm hugs?

Dark looks and harsh words? An empty frame and yearning for what never was and may never be? Perhaps it’s more complicated than that– maybe the smile is real, but the eyes reveal something more. Perhaps blessing and brokenness are tangled together. Or perhaps we’re troubled when we compare the snapshots in our mind with images of family immortalized by Norman Rockwell or the picture we envision of what a “Christian family” is supposed to be.

But what are we to make of the fact that in all of Scripture not one single family is held up as an idealized role model? How can that be? Because the Bible is no stranger to the complexities of family. At this year’s National Conference, we’ll be exploring the ways God forms and reforms family, how He shapes and reshapes us through family. Whatever our situation or experience, whether single or married, old or young, whatever roles we play, this conference will help us face the brokenness and embrace the blessing of family.

—from ccef.org/events/ event/2017-national-conference 13 13

ha g s n r i i sen! k e h t

E

PCPC children Prepare For Easter

phrem the Syrian, a fourth century theologian, made an interesting observation that children were both present at Christ’s birth and His death. Ephrem writes that as Christ entered Jerusalem the children’s elation over Christ’s entry is what prompted the Pharisees rebuke (Matthew 21:1-17; Luke 19:28-40). Christ’s retort to the religious elite was that even if the children did not praise Him, the rocks would.

Gratefully, we, at PCPC, do not have to rely upon rocks to praise the Lord.

Mary Margaret Michaelson Prepares for easter.

Hudson Fray creates easter artwork.

In leading up to Easter this year, the Children’s Ministry created several opportunities for children and families to reflect and understand the significance of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

The first opportunity was Easter Song and Story on April 7, an event geared for families with younger children.

Megan Manley, with the assistance of Jenny Darley and Carrie Woodward, led the gathering in singing songs about Jesus, His love for us, and the life He offers to us. The children sang loudly, played with musical instruments and even waved palm branches. Dispersed throughout the morning were times for PCPC staff members to read children’s books pastor brent baker leads about the true a lesson at Song & Story. meaning of Easter.

The morning was full of energy and fun, and that was just the beginning.

Lunch was provided to families, and, much to the children’s delight, Chic-fil-a chicken nuggets were served.

14

The morning was filled with laughter, joy, and conversations between parents and children. The event ended with a petting zoo. Children loved petting rabbits, piglets, goats and even a pony.

An evening of worship, fellowship, and fun

The second opportunity happened a two days later on Palm Sunday. Families gathered at PCPC for the first ever Preparing for Easter event. The hope for this time was to give families with older children an opportunity to reflect on Holy Week. The night was filled with music and portions of Scripture read in the Sanctuary. Hymns were sung loudly; then there was time for reflection as portions of Isaiah 53, Mark 15, and John 19 were read.

Dinner and dessert followed in Fellowship Hall. Elders and deacons were on hand to serve families as parents guided children through the dinner line. Holy Week and Easter crafts were prepared in advance, so kids could absorb the significance of this time on a tangible, creative level. The room was filled with vibrant dialogue, warmth, and laughter among parents and children. The evening was capped off with another petting zoo where children gleefully petted and played with chickens, rabbits, ducklings and a donkey.

Our staff had many hopes for these two events—for Gospel truths to settle in the hearts of our children and to serve as an oft-needed reminder to the parents as well; for fun and fellowship to occur between families that attended; for those outside of our church family to feel welcomed in and to partake in these special occasions; and for these times to serve as a platform for parents to engage with their children about the magnitude of Christ’s resurrection—what means for them as children and for us all.

—Austin Ariail MAY 2017 • PCPC WITNESS

a

lot can happen when 14 high school senior girls and six senior guys are put in charge of planning a mission trip to Nassau, Bahamas.

Over five meetings from January

serving well Olivia MItchell (l) and Beth Copeland hang out with Bahamian boys.

were doing would bring joy to the Russells as they transitioned back to the Bahamas. And it was a blast to see the eager spirit with which the students served.

to March, our students met to organize their mission trip. Their job was to plan meals, lead the team in worship, execute work projects, keep everyone hydrated and safe, and put on a VBS for young children in inner city Nassau. We five adult leaders were simply there to make sure no one caught fire or somehow wandered on to a cruise ship at the docks. What happened was incredible! I couldn’t have been more proud of our students!

Throughout the week we saw our students serve and lead in phenomenal ways. Monday and Tuesday mornings we rode out to Julian Russell’s home to assist with their move into their home after 20 years away in the U.S. The team would split up for different tasks ranging from painting the house to spreading top soil to clearing rocks which were carried in an aluminum bucket affectionately termed “the finger roaster.” We also got to catch up with Julian and catch a glimpse of the work the Lord is doing there. It was encouraging to know that what we

students shared how they saw Jesus in one another.The students were affirmed in the unique ways that God created them as their friends pointed out what they may not have seen on their own.

In the afternoon, we walked from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk, where we stayed, to a park where the students held VBS. Every day the young Bahamian kids would run towards our seniors, full of life and happiness. Whether it was a piggy-back ride, pushes on the swing-set, letting them braid a girl’s har, or holding them in their arms, our students became the hands and heart of Jesus every afternoon.

Our night didn’t end there. After group time the students went outside and stained and varnished the church’s benches. It was some of the most fun I had during the entire trip.

I don’t normally recommend staining benches under light from street lamps, but this was an exception. Music was played, turning the staining project into something of staining dance party. Students rotated from the staining-dance-party to the courtyard to talk or play until it was time for bed.

Sharing and sailing

What would a trip to the Bahamas be without a little time on a sailboat? The last day we chartered a sailboat out to Rose Island. We snorkeled along the reef and explored the island like castaways. After the week of service we had just experienced the day was particularly special. I don’t remember the last time I’d laughed that much during one week. Serving the Lord filled us with life and joy like nothing else. We learned that the Spirit will fill us with His strength when we are willing to pour ourselves out for Him. The fullness experienced in Nassau didn’t stay there, but came back in the hearts of our 20 seniors.

—Will Stockdale

After dinner, we all sat in a circle on the floor at the church for a time of worship led by our student worship team. The leaders rotated spearheading the debriefing time after worship.

We would discuss the devotional from that morning and give the students a chance to unpack the day they’d just had. It was a beautiful time of them sharing what they saw God doing around them. Then, what became for many the highlight of the evening: Encouragement Cards. Every person in the circle was given an index card.

On one side, they wrote a person’s name, and on the other an encouraging quality they saw in them. Then the

PCPC WITNESS • MAY 2017

15

A

fter many years in youth ministry, I’ve noticed that weekend retreats accelerate bonds of friendship and create space for multiple conversations on spiritual matters. The WKND this year proved no different. While we kept the format of the event nearly the same as last year, we brought more students this year to the conference at Planet Wisdom.

I saw God work out details when we were planning this event. Our prayer requests were about students signing up, for PCPC family host homes, for safe and adequate transportation, and for changed lives. God provided what we needed, even when we weren’t sure how. Some students returned for round two, but we had more who were new to The WKND, as well as friends brought who didn’t attend PCPC. We were at full capacity, and by the generosity of God and families of PCPC, we were able to make this event happen.

Bringing our group of about 50 to a conference of nearly 2,000 attending was exciting. There’s an energy in the room when that many people are singing, laughing, and listening to truth being taught. This year’s conference

16

Periodical Postage Paid at Dallas, Texas Vol. XXVIII, No. 2 • MAY 2017 PARK CITIES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 4124 OAK LAWN AVENUE DALLAS, TX 75219 WWW.PCPC.ORG

theme was Fearless. Every person has been overcome with fear at some point in their lives. The speakers talked about what causes fear in our lives and how God rescues us from it. They also talked about how fearing humanity is different than fearing God. Saturday afternoon we had the students debrief in their homes about what they learned at the conference, and in Sunday School some students shared with their peers the lessons they learned.

Weekend retreats also need an element of fun and entertainment. An illusionist performed magic tricks while making the crowd laugh with his comedic improvisation. His last illusion left the crowd in amazement and cheering loudly. Saturday we had a game night at one of the host homes. Danny Stimson led a group game while kids sat by the fire making s’mores. Other kids

were playing basketball and jumping on the trampoline. It was a time to hang out with our whole group and interact with others who weren’t in our host homes. Sunday morning brought a pancake breakfast and a lip sync battle: Girls vs Boys. If you want to know—the girls won.

At the end of The WKND or any retreat, being tired is natural, but worth it. Seeing all the students sit together in corporate worship in their matching t-shirts brought me joy like a proud parent. During the greeting time, I was able to tell an older couple about the event. They reminisced about their children being in youth groups and then encouraged me in my ministry.

The WKND allows for our staff and adult volunteers to focus on encouraging and teaching students for three days in a row. I love that we have added this spring retreat along with our fall retreat. It was a weekend full of truth, laughter, and junk food, and I can’t wait for next year.

—Kaelee Abbey

MAY 2017 • PCPC WITNESS