We’ve had such a beautiful series on resurrecting through our pain and grief over the past several weeks. If you know someone who has been through it lately, I highly suggest that you send them these services, starting with Easter. You never know how you can help someone with inspiration or a song.
This week, we go in a new direction. Joining Paul at the Areopogis in Athens, we get to experience one of his most moving and important sermons. In your devotions as you prepare for Sunday, I encourage you to really sit with the many important claims he makes. Join Rev. Richard for Bible study at 10 am on Sunday at the church (everyone is welcome!) so that you can learn more about the incredible movements Paul makes.
In worship, we will be focused particularly on: seasons. I ask: what season of life do you find yourself in, now?
Can’t wait to see you on Sunday!
Pax Christi,
Pastor Kaji
Scripture: Acts 17:22-34 (Year A, p. 317):
22 Now Paul stood in the center of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see in everything how devout you are. 23 For passing through and regarding objects of your worship, I found an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What, therefore, you all worship as unknown, this is what I proclaim to you: 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, the one who is Sovereign of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by human hands. 25 Neither is God served by human hands because of needing anything, since God gives to all life and breath and all things. 26 From one person God made all nations, all persons [women, men, and children], to inhabit the face of the earth and God ordered seasons and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would search for God and perhaps reach for God and find God, yet indeed God is not far from any one of us. 28 For ‘In God we live and move and have our being’; just as some among your poets have said, ‘For we too are the offspring God.’
29 “Since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the divine is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the craft and creativity of women and men. 30 At one time God overlooked ignorance; now God commands all women and men everywhere to repent. 31 For God has fixed a day on which God intends to judge the world in righteousness through a man whom God has appointed, giving assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
32 They heard of the resurrection of the dead. Some scoffed, yet others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 Thus Paul left from their midst. 34 Now some joined him, believing, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, as well as others with them.
Pastor Kaji’s office hours are Tuesdays between 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.
Please reach out to the church office to schedule an appointment regarding Pastoral Care and Other Church Business.
PACK 2023 [Park Avenue Church Kitchen 2023]
Funding PACC’s Kitchen!!
Dear Congregation,
It is with great enthusiasm that Park Avenue Christian Church announces the completion of the First Phase of construction. The Banquet Hall, Social Hall, Pantry, Conference Rooms, Bathrooms and Offices are complete. It has been a long process to get to this point!
However, we are not yet done! What is not complete is a kitchen. This is necessary to the functioning of the Banquet Hall and other associated planned revenue streams. A fully functioning kitchen will make that possible. Its completion is crucial to the future viability of the church.
We are reaching out to all congregation members to consider making what contribution[s] they can. Our needs are great. Current cost estimate is $291,000! It is not within the 2023 budget to cover this. Please help!
In the coming weeks, a campaign begins which will consist of an email to each congregation member followed by a phone call from volunteers for this campaign. Please use this as an opportunity to communicate your personal experience at The Park, what you would like to see improve, how The Park fits in with your future plans, and to express what your donation means to you (and to The Park). Your donation is tax deductible. Park Avenue Christian Church is a 501(c)(3) organization.
The show will feature art by local parishioners, plus 15 pieces by Ukrainian artists Sonia Atlantova & Olexander Klimenko—depicting icons on ammunition boxes. Proceeds will benefit a mobile hospital in Ukraine.
Opening reception on Thursday, May 11th, from 7 PM to 9:30 PM, in Wallace Hall.
Light refreshments will be served.
Art will be on display in Wallace Hall on Friday, May 12th, from Noon to 5 PM, and Saturday, May 13th, from 10 AM to 2 PM.
