See what the perfect gift is all about. - Park Cities Baptist Church

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Not Forgotten PCBC’s In-Home Ministry reaches out to members, and others, who aren’t able to attend church because of advanced age. Every month for the last 15 years, Bob Bates has gone to visit individuals who have been active at PCBC but, because advanced age limits their mobility, no longer are able to attend services. “I feel it’s the Lord’s work,” he said. “I was somewhat talked into it the first time I went to visit someone, but I found that I got more out of it than the person I went to visit.” Bob is one of about 50 PCBC members who are part of the church’s In-Home Ministry. They visit about 100 individuals who live at retirement and assisted-living centers and are not able to attend PCBC’s services or other activities. “Many of these people were foundation members of this church,” said Dorothy Wilkinson, PrimeTime minister. She oversees the In-Home Ministry. “They’ve given their lives serving in this church. Some taught Sunday school for 30 or 40 years. Some have been deacons. They can no longer come, but they certainly aren’t forgotten. They love their church and they’re still committed to it.” Still part of the church Merle Isom, 99, joined PCBC in 1942 and now lives at a retirement center a few miles from the church. She recently was visited by Tom and Connie Hill. “These visits are wonderful because it makes me feel like I still belong and am still part of the church,” she said. “I miss Park Cities people because that was part of my life. I love seeing them whenever I can.” “Serving with the In-Home Ministry is one of the greatest blessings we have had,” said Tom, who is Assistant Minister of Pastoral Care at PCBC. “We’ve served as missionaries and Connie has served as a schoolteacher, but to reach out to these people is the most touching and rewarding experience we’ve had.” Jack Gholson and his wife, Betty, have served with the In- Home Ministry since joining PCBC 15 years ago. “I can’t imagine the church not caring,” Jack said. “It just seems like it’s part of the mission. Most of the in-home people are still members and still part of the church. They’re 6 PCBC.ORG Dr. Allen Crenshaw, a member of PCBC since 1957. not forgotten.” Dr. Allen Crenshaw, 94, practiced as a general surgeon at Baylor Hospital beginning in 1936. He also served as a physician for an antiaircraft battalion that guarded Gen. George Patton’s European headquarters during World War II. He and his wife, Jackie, both live at an assisted-living center in North Dallas and recently were visited by the Hills. “I like people,” he said. “It’s important for me to see people and to be part of their lives.” Gaining perspective Members of the In-Home Ministry team conduct visits at least once a month, and some go more often. Many take flowers, cookies or candy. They remember birthdays, and deliver poinsettias at Christmas and lilies at Easter.
“Most of the time when I visit, I feel like I’ve rubbed shoulders with a person who’s very wise, faithful and committed to God,” Dorothy said. “They’re not involved in the hustle and bustle of life, so their thoughts are more serene and heaven-focused, and I feel as though I’ve stepped into that. Sometimes I come away from visits sad because they are sad and don’t like where they are in life or they wish they could be more active.” Many times during visits, the in-home members look back on their lives and the changes they’ve seen. “Making these visits gives you perspective,” Dorothy said. “Sometimes we say that older people don’t like change, and that may be true in some cases. But people who are 70 to 100 years old have experienced a lot of change and have been part of a lot of change in our world.” Psalm 103 Tom Hill read a passage from Psalm 103 at the end of his recent visit with Merle Isom: “Bless he Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases, who redeemeth thy life from destruction, who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfieth thy mouth with good things so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” “That’s a good place to stop,” Tom told her. “You’re just like an eagle. You’re still flying around.” “Very slowly,” Merle replied. Connie and Tom Hill visit Merle Isom, a PCBC member since 1942. Giving new life to beautiful flowers Every Monday morning, the colorful flower arrangements that brought glory to God during worship services the previous day are given new life. For the last five years, a group of women led by Betty Dilday has created several new arrangements from the large bouquets and then delivered them to individuals who are in the hospital or retirement homes or who have a new baby at home. Most weeks, the group is able to make five to nine new arrangements. Flowers from a wedding or funeral can add to that number. Individuals who have donated flowers for the services give their permission for this ministry. “This is a very practical way of using these flowers and it makes people who receive them feel loved and appreciated,” Betty said. “It also gives the people who donated the flowers an opportunity to serve in this additional way.” The ministry began with women who attend the Mary/ Martha Class, which Betty teaches, and since then has drawn other women. Today, a group of about 25 women each serve one Monday morning a month for about two hours to create the new arrangements. “This is a wonderful ministry and a great use of resources,” said Dorothy Wilkinson, Prime Time minister. Above (left to right): Betty Dilday, Vinitia Smith, Ginger Cunningham, Julie Wilson, Maxine Shannon, Mae Lantrip, Ann Hamilton, Penny Robertson, Faynell Parker, Merikay Presley, Sue Plemons, Margaret Johnson, Sue Jennings and Marian King Not pictured: Jean Parrish, Betty Thomas, Nancy Withrow, Shirley Skipworth, Mardi Myers, Eunice Norfleet, Herb Parker, Nancy Young, Linda Hatcher, Carolyn Cardinal, Donna Goodman and Kathy Langford JOURNAL • December 2009 7
Page 1 and 2: Park Cities Baptist Church • pcbc
Page 3 and 4: Emile Pandolfi Extraordinary pianis
Page 5: Christmas 2009 Special Events Chris
Page 9 and 10: get involved in our 1:8 ministries
Page 11 and 12: NEW MEMBERS By Statement/Letter Gre

See what the perfect gift is all about. - Park Cities Baptist Church

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