Vol. XXII, No. 10 | may 12, 2012

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

We will elect elders and deacons Sunday, June 10, 10:40 am.

Why are you taking a sabbatical?We all need moments of rest and reflection. Really, it’s modeled after Christ and the Sabbath. There needs to be great attention given to the ideas of rest, reflec-

tion, and worship. It’s the Christ-inspired idea that we, ordained ministers at PCPC, need to have regular seasons of rest and reflection as a part of our lives. So in taking a sabbatical, I have the opportunity for reflec-tion and hearing the voice of the Lord. It’s dealing with stuff in your life, and it reignites the joy of your salva-tion.

Why now?Our session has in its personnel policies that each pastor receives a sabbatical every five years. This is a wise policy due to the demanding, non-stop nature of our job and calling. We need to recharge our batteries, so to speak. One of our elders said to me a year ago,

“Hey, it’s time for you to take a sabbatical.” I agreed, but he suggested last summer. I couldn’t do that because I believe a sabbatical should be eagerly anticipated and also planned. Therefore I needed to plan ahead, and let our church and our staff prepare for it as well. Honestly, any time before this would have been too soon. There has been too much to attend to, but now I believe we’re in a great place—so it’s time. Plus, in 25 years of ministry—10 years on staff at PCPC and four years as senior pastor—I’ve never had one.

What do you hope to gain?I hope to learn more and more what it means to abide in Christ—that my abiding will be stronger, by God’s grace. Second, I hope to truly learn what it means to be present in every area of my life—listening, convers-ing, especially with my wife and children. Third, I desire to understand God’s heart and call in regards to evangelism and making His name known.  Kristina, on the other hand, hopes I become a master carpenter in order to work on the house. [Laughs] No

seriously, I pray that the Lord would reveal Himself in new and powerful ways making me like the disciples, who were unable to stop speaking about that which they had seen and heard. I long to continue learning that God’s grace is everything in our lives, and His desire for us to serve Him in ministry is one of the great blessings of life.

What will you be doing?First of all, a sabbatical is not a vacation. I will spe-cifically be working on the areas of evangelism and stillness. Unsure of what fruit this will yield, I want to explore what evangelism looks like in my own life and in the life of this church. I have many thoughts on evangelism, particularly in the world today, but I haven’t been able to write them down. Regarding stillness, I’ll be exploring what it means to stop, listen, and follow. I’m asking: How can we as a church body pursue stillness more faithfully? I want to learn how to lead people on silent retreats. So I’ll be participating in a 7–10 day silent retreat in the mountains of North Carolina—alone. There will be no speaking. Someone will drop off food each morning, and I will spend each day in the Word, prayer, and meditation. Truthfully, I’m excited about it, but I suspect that it will be one of the most difficult things I have ever done—yet incredibly fruitful.

Will we see you at PCPC?No, but we will be in Dallas part of the time. I’ll be spending one night a week at a cabin to work on the projects of evan-gelism and stillness. We will be taking some family time to go to the beach once my kids are out for the summer. Then I’ll take my silent retreat in July, and attend Family Camp in late July.

Where will you worship?We will be worshipping at a variety of churches, which will be exciting. I’m interested in watching and learning from other churches. However, I might disguise myself and come to PCPC to observe [Smiles]. On the other hand, our kids will be worshipping at PCPC. Summer is big ministry time for our youth. While gone, we will miss worshipping with this body tremendously.

Who will be preaching?The preaching will be done by a variety of our pastors. We have so many gifted preachers on our staff who take the Word of God seriously and delight in making Jesus known. Our pastors will be preaching on The Gospel according to… which is a study of characters throughout the scriptures. Now many have asked if Skip will be preaching this summer. No, Skip will start preaching in early fall, which I’m very excited about. During my sabbatical, Patrick will preach several times, as well as our other ministers. These men will bless our people immensely.

What if we see you in the grocery store?Well, you probably won’t recognize me with my long hair and disguise [Snickers]. Just kidding. Certain-ly if you see me in the grocery store, you are welcome to come up and say hello—you can even buy my gro-ceries [Chuckles].

How can we pray for you?Pray that I would abide during this season. Pray that I would rest and be grateful for my salvation and the privilege of making known the name of Jesus. Pray against external and internal distractions as I pursue silence. Please pray for our good health and safety in travels. Then, pray that our church would con-tinue to grow in its focus on Jesus Christ as our Head.

What can we expect in the fall when you return?

This fall will be an exciting time at PCPC. As I mentioned, I am excited

that Skip is back on staff. The two of us sat down and worked on several ministry ideas, which we are excited about, but both Skip

and I agreed that we should launch those pilot ministries in the fall.

We’ll unveil more a little later, so be praying for Skip, because most of what

he’ll be doing starts this fall. One example: Skip will be traveling around many Sunday school classes sharing his story and new ideas about ministries the Lord is bringing to our church. Fall 2012 will be an exciting time at PCPC.

Sabbatical& suchTen questions with Mark Davis

“While gone, we will miss worshipping

with this body tremendously.”

by JD Lemming

a n n o u n C e m e n t s

May 12, 2012 This WeekThis Week May 12, 20122 3

o u r fa m i ly

General fund budget

2011/2012 operating budget

July 1–April 29, 2012 budget

July 1–April 29, 2012 giving

Budget variance

everyone

Communion SundayJoin the PCPC body on this Sunday as we celebrate Communion, Sunday, May 20, 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 am, Sanctuary. Contact jayne.bjork@pcpc.org or 214-224-2632.

Colin Howland concertPCPC’s Director of Music and Organist will present a fun and varied program of pieces for the “King of Instruments” Sunday, June 3, 4:00 pm, in the Sanctuary. Contact frances.cope@pcpc.org or 214-224-2635.

Congregational meeting for officer electionThe session has called a congregational meeting for Sunday, June 10, 10:40 am, for the purpose of electing new deacons and ruling elders for the class of 2016. Names and profiles of candidates will be published in This Week in May. The candidates have completed nine months of training with pastors and officers on the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Book of Church Order, the Bible, and other officer-specific readings, and have received session approval.

oak lawn West bible StudyThis weekly Bible study of singles in their 20s and 30s meets every Tuesday, 7:00 pm, in the Oak Lawn East High School Room. Join us for worship, teaching, and fellowship afterwards. Contact mckenzie.griffin@pcpc.org or 214-224-2728.

Welcome to lee JagersThe PCPC Counseling Ministry welcomes Christian counselor Lee Jagers to its team. Dr. Jagers specializes in working with individuals, couples, marriages, and families. For more information, visit http://counseling.pcpc.org. Contact counseling@pcpc.org or 214-224-2683.

urban MinisTries

Conversation partners neededHelp our ESL students practice their English this summer. Volunteer as a conversation partner/friend. You would meet regularly (when and where is up to you) to chat with a student one-on-one. Contact elizabeth.cunningham@pcpc.org or 214-224-2528.

dlF Celebration of Hope 2012On Saturday, June 23, 7:00 am–3:00 pm, serve with Celebration of Hope, a ministry of the Dallas Leadership Foundation working in partnership with needy communities to rehabilitate the low-income houses, particularly the elderly and disabled, so that they may continue to live in proper conditions.

Service neighborhoods:Hamilton Park, Jubilee Park, Wynnewood Heights, and Westmoreland Heights

What will volunteers be doing?Painting houses, registering volunteers, distributing workday supplies, food, and beverages, landscaping yards, and general community clean-up

Volunteers should wear cool and comfortable lightweight clothing. Continental breakfast, lunch, water, and soft drinks will be provided. Register on-site. Contact Cora Billingsley, rocobill67@sbcglobal.net or 214-882-1230.

WorlD Missions

Summer mission tripsIf you’re considering a mission trip this summer, we would like to highlight two options for you:  Visit http://pcpcmissions.org/world/short-term-trips/ or contact anna.graber@pcpc.org or 214-224-2551.

WoMen

Part-time employment opportunityPCPC seeks a part-time administrative assistant to the Women’s Ministry. A full job description can be viewed at www.jobsatpcpc.org. For more information, contact careers@pcpc.org.

Circle 5 meetingCircle 5 will have their May meeting on Tuesday, May 15, at the home of Ruth Millis. Contact Peggy Skidmore, pwskidmore@sbcglobal.net or 214-361-4704.

young FaMilies

Fourth grade graduationJoin us for a special graduation ceremony for our fourth grade class in Kidz Court, Rooms 104 and 106, Sunday, May 13, 11:00 am. Parents and siblings are welcome. Contact renea.conser@pcpc.org or 214-224-2729.

$11,100,000

$9,698,205

$10,111,465

$413,260

C a l e n da r

May11–12 Women’s Retreat, Montserrat Retreat Center, 224-2725

13 11:00 am Fourth grade graduation, Room 104/106, 224-272914 10:45–11:30 am Song and Story, Room 122, 224-278015 Circle 5 meeting, Home of Ruth Millis, 361-470415 7:00 pm Oak Lawn West Bible Study, High School Room, 224-272820 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 am Communion Sunday, Sanctuary, 224-263220 Moving On Up Sunday22 7:00 pm Oak Lawn West Bible Study, High School Room, 224-2728

30–31 Summer Sizzle (5th/6th), 224-276226–6/1 Florida Trip, Laguna Beach, 224-2762

June1–2 Summer Night Live (7th/8th), 224-2762

3 4:00 pm Colin Howland concert, Sanctuary, 224-2635

4–14 Walk Where Jesus Walked, Israel, 224-274110 10:40 am Congregational meeting for officer election, 224-2775

11–14 9:00 am–noon VBS, PCPC School of Rock19 Six Flags (Middle School), 224-2762

19–7/31 10:30-11:15 am Musikgarten classes, Musikgarten Room, 224-2633

23 7:00 am–3:00 pm DLF Celebration of Hope 2012, 882-1230

July12–30 July 12-30 Youth Ministry Asia mission trips, Asia, 224-2766

16 Hurricane Harbor (Middle School), 224-276222–8/4 PCPC Family Camp: Colorado, Sky Ranch at Ute Trail, 224-2762

23–27 Doulos Beach Retreat (7th/8th), 224-2762

sunday worship8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 am

Communionsundays, 8:00–9:00 amWednesdays, 5:30–6:00 pm

24/7 prayer hotline214-224-2680 or 24/7prayer@pcpc.org

Park Cities Presbyterian ChurchPresbyterian Church in america4124 oak lawn avenue Dallas, TX 75219214-224-2500www.pcpc.orgwww.facebook.com/parkcitiespca www.twitter.com/pcpcnews

Births• neely Catherine mason, daughter of Taylor and Jeb Mason, on november 3, 2011

• Hunt mcalister Hillman, son of kristen and sterling hillman, on april 30, 2012

Marriages• Brittany rae dickenson and spence thomas miller, on april 21, 2012

• laura danielle Gregory and Blake Jordan Brownshadel, on June 21, 2012

Deaths• Joyce Goldmann (CC#02), wife of stephen Goldmann (CC#02), mother of laura and Keith Benedict (CC#09/vineyard), grandmother of anna Kate, Charlotte, louisa, and tess Benedict (CC#09), on april 24, 2012

• lynn “ellen” Wroughton (CC#17/agape), wife of Jim Wroughton Jr. (CC#17/agape), daughter-in-law of Gloria and Jim Wroughton (CC#17/agape), on May 1, 2012

Sympathy• linda and Joseph Jenull (CC#06) on the loss of her mother, Dorothy v. Friddle, on april 12, 2012

• Carol and tom Bruton (CC#17/sos) on the loss of her mother, helen

“becky” buchanan, on april 13, 2012

• marilu and don dillahunty (CC#19) on the loss of his mother; melinda, marisa, Jonathan, Claire, and Grace dillahunty (CC#19) on the loss of their grandmother; laura and Josh farrar (CC#18) on the loss of her grandmother, Wilma sue Dillahunty, on april 21, 2012

“A proud faith is as much a contradiction as a humble devil.”

—Stephen Charnock

Song and StoryToddlers, bring your mom for some wiggly-giggly, laugh-out-loud, reading and singing fun Monday, May 14, 10:45–11:30 am, Room 122. Bring a sack lunch and meet friends inside or outside on the playground depending on the weather. No RSVP needed. This is the last meeting for the spring schedule. Contact amy.westervelt@pcpc.org or 214-224-2780.

Summer musikgarten classesLooking for something fun and musical for your young ones this summer? Join our Musikgarten classes for an exciting way to build your child’s knowledge and love of music June 19–July 31, Tuesdays, 10:30-11:15 am, Musikgarten Room. Visit www.pcpcartsacademy.org for class information. If you have any questions, contact Frances Cope. Babies-3 year olds are welcome! Contact frances.cope@pcpc.org or 214-224-2633.

sTuDenT MinisTries

moving on up SundaySave the date Sunday, May 20, Park Cities Presbyterian Church. Contact lily.riemer@pcpc.org.

youth ministry asia mission tripsThis summer the Youth Ministry has the opportunity to take two separate mission trips to Asia. There will be a trip for ninth and tenth grade students to East Asia, Thursday, July 12–Thursday, July 26. The other trip is for eleventh and twelfth grade students to Hong Kong, Thursday, July 12–Monday, July 30. Contact carrie.jussely@pcpc.org or 214-224-2766.

Did you miss an issue of This Week?You can download past issues in PDF format at www.pcpc.org. Just click on “resources” on the menu bar at the top of the page.

do you subscribe to e-this Week?stay up to date on upcoming PCPC events. subscribe at www.pcpc.org.

VBS 2012

June 11–149:00 am–noon

registration for vbs is full. if you would like to be placed on the waitlist, e-mail vbs@pcpc.org.

however, we are still looking for volunteers. all volunteers can register by visiting pcpc.org/registrations. Childcare is provided for those that volunteer.

MICHAEL Card

biblical imagination Conferenceoctober 19–21Park Cities Presbyterian ChurchQuestions? amy.tassos@pcpc.org

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.

PerioDiCalPosTage PaiD

aT Dallas, TeXas

Park Cities Presbyterian ChurchJD lemming, editor4124 oak lawn avenueDallas, Texas 75219-3152214-224-2711 • fax 214-224-2711www.pcpc.org

Vol. XXII, No. 10 | may 12, 2012May 13, 2012B a P t i s m s

olivia linda smithdaughter of emily and scott smith

Beckham Carswell Horanson of Michelle and eric horan

5reasons why it’s great being a PCPC middle school student in the summer.

4 3 2 1Summer Sizzle

Summer Nightlive

SixFlags

Hurricane Harbor

doulos beach Week

July 23–277th & 8th grade

July 165th–8th grade

June 195th–8th grade

June 1–27th & 8th grade

may 30–315th & 6th grade

www.pcpcmiddleschool.org Contact lily.riemer@pcpc.org or 214-224-2762.