These are uncertain times we’re living in, but I’m reminded of Isaiah 26:3, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trust in you.” Our times may be uncertain, but our God definitely isn’t!

Even though we can’t be together in person, Park Avenue is incredibly blessed with technology that can minister to our church family, community, and nation. We’ve even had a church from California contact us about doing their own Park & Pray because they saw our event online! How awesome is that!

While COVID-19 has prevented us from meeting in one location, it won't stop us from worshiping, communicating, studying, and praying together. We have many resources to help you and your family grow in your faith from home and stay connected to our fellowship. Here are a few ways you can stay in touch: All things Park Avenue can be found on our website!

PAUMC.com: Our website is being updated almost daily at this point. As we have updates, resources, and information we want to get to you, our website will be the first place where you can see that information.

Here’s how to worship on Sunday Morning:

LiveStream – paumc.com/live & on the PAUMC App We’re incredibly blessed with being able to livestream in both of our worship spaces. Join us on Sunday mornings at paumc.com/live to watch at 8:55am and 11:00am. Each stream will go live about 10 minutes before the service actually starts. It’s common for streams to crash if everyone jumps on at the same time, so by opening the window early we hope to prevent our servers from being bogged down all at once. (See the Livestream Q&A for troubleshooting.)

Park Avenue App: Event information, sermons, and livestreaming are all available on the PAUMC App. If you’re looking for information about PAUMC and you’re on a mobile device, this is the easiest way to access it.

We Now Have Adult Sunday School!

Access at PAUMC.com, PAUMC App, and YouTube! We’ll post a weekly adult Sunday School lesson on our YouTube channel and post it on our website and App as well. Try your best to stay in touch with your class via phone, text, or email until we can all be together again!

Another Discipleship Resource:

RightNow Media: RightNow Media is the top Christian video library. It’s like the "Netflix of Video Bible Studies" and has a huge library of faith-based videos that you can access whenever and wherever you want—on your phone, tablet, computer, or on your TV at home. You will have FREE access to thousands of video resources to help you with parenting, marriage, discipleship and more. It includes content for all ages and stages of life, and all of your family members are invited to set up their own accounts as well. Setup your account at paumc.com.

Ways to Stay Connected:

MyPAUMC.com:

MyPAUMC is our church database. Members and visitors are granted a login. You can view your groups within the church you’re in (like Sunday School or bible studies) and will have the ability to connect and communicate with your friends. It’s a good idea to make sure your information is updated in our system so we have your correct mailing address, email, and phone number so we can stay in touch.

Facebook.com/ParkAvenueUMC We love to connect with you on Facebook! We’ll post updates and encouragement. Please tag us or send us pictures so we can see how you’re doing too!

YouTube.com/c/ParkAvenueUMC Our YouTube channel has all of our sermon and service videos. We’re expanding our library and posting videos of our children’s ministries and others as we create content. It’s a great way to share the Word of God with others!

Student Ministry Too!

If you have a middle or high school student who wants to get connected into our tribe, now’s the time to do it! Our Student Director, Dane Boruff, is hosting online weekly Bible studies and Sunday School, along with utilizing other communication tools. If you want to be added to our group, just email, text, or call Dane @ daneboruff@paumc.com or (229) 563-9806.

I recognize that technology can be overwhelming and frustrating at times. We get frustrated too when learning and figuring out new programs! Let us know how we can help, and we’ll do our best to assist you how we can. Brooks, Chris, and I are grateful to serve you and continue to connect with you during these trying times. Lift your voices with us as we sing, “Because He lives I can face tomorrow Because He lives all fear is gone Because I know He holds the future And life is worth the living just because He lives!” Stay encouraged, and God bless! Victoria Mooneyham Digital Creative Director victoriamooneyham@paumc.com

Livestream Frequently Asked Questions:

I'm Getting an Error Message.

If the live screen has an error (which is likely leading up to the event), refresh your web-browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.)

In Chrome – click the circle symbol with the arrow at the upper left of your Chrome screen For Mac – press ⌘ R For PC – press F5 If there is an error on your phone app, close the app and start it again.

This is the most common problem with Livestream. Please always refresh your browser or device.

My Video is Choppy.

If the video is choppy, check your internet speed with speedtest.net or download the app and test your speed. Minimum download speed should be 1.5 or more

Make sure you don’t have a lot of programs open on your device. Too many apps or programs running on your device will slow the processing speed significantly.

My Question Isn't Answered Here. Who Do I Contact?

Contact Chris Williams, Technical Director. He will only be able to respond and address any issues outside of livestreaming times/events. chriswilliams@paumc.com

What System Requirements & Browser Should I Use?

To watch an event on Livestream, please ensure you have the following: System Requirements: Windows 7 or higher, Mac OS X 10.6 or higher Supported desktop browsers:

Google Chrome 45+ Mozilla Firefox 49+ Safari 10+ Microsoft Edge 15+ **Internet Explorer 11 - requires Flash plugin to be installed

Supported mobile browsers: Chrome 45+, Safari 10+ (iOS) Internet Connection: 5-10mbps download speed is recommended.

What Is My Required Internet Connection?

We recommend viewing Livestream from a wired connection with a download speed of at least 1.5 Mbps. To test your speed, go to www.speedtest.net. Bandwidth fluctuates constantly (especially on Wi-Fi and mobile internet), so running multiple tests is recommended.

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March 30, 2020 Vol. XXXVI No. 4

STUDENT MINISTRIES - Dane Boruff, Director - daneboruff@paumc.com

Greetings! As I sit writing this, we are in the middle of an unsure time. There are so many things

that we have planned for the coming weeks and I am praying fervently that this sickness will pass,

and that we will be able to get back business as usual. In the meantime, we are making every effort

to stay connected. We will continue having Bible study through Zoom (video conferencing), as

well as communicating regularly through an app called Slack and sending out regular video

devotionals. If you are interested in joining either of these please contact me at

daneboruff@paumc.com. Also, if any of you have a need, please do not hesitate to reach out to me

and I will do everything in my power to meet it. This pestilence will pass, and God is so much

bigger than any virus. Take heart, for we are covered by the blood of the lamb and the lamb has

overcome the world!

I love you and there is nothing you can do about it!

jimmytowson@paumc.com - Rev. Jimmy Towson, Senior Pastor - (478)538-9067

jamiebone@paumc.com - Jamie Bone, Associate Pastor - (229)563-5599

MISSIONS - Jennifer Clark, Director - jenniferclark@paumc.com.

A Huge Thank You to everyone who supported the Mother-Son Luau by attending or

volunteering. I am so thankful for this church and the way you support the Missions of Park

Avenue.

We know that there is a desire to serve during this time. Please be on the lookout for opportunities

on the church website www.paumc.com.

The Clothes Closet will be closed, please hold all donations until we reopen.

Our first Rise Against Hunger event has been postponed. A new date is forthcoming.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES - Lynn Yost, Director - lynnyost@paumc.com

Hey Kids! Goodness, what a whirlwind this week has been. You have all been in my heart and in my

prayers. A verse that continues to come to mind is Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong

and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you

wherever you go." We talk to each other so much about God being with us at school, church,

whenever we're away from our families-now we can focus on God's presence right there with us in

our homes, with our families. He is there, He is in control, and He is what binds us together in Christ.

Parents, be checking your email and the website for resources. I'm trying to choose some for you that

will be valuable but not overwhelming. If you didn't come through our "Drive-through Sunday

School" to pick up a packet of materials for your children, come by anytime. Packets are labeled by

group level and are in baskets with our mobile library. I miss you all and love you so much-but Jesus

loves you more than you can imagine!

The Link

100 E. Park Avenue, Valdosta, Georgia 31602

(229) 242-3562 www.paumc.com

A “Safe Sanctuaries” Church

MOVING PEOPLE CLOSER TO CHRIST

MUSIC MINISTRY - Kathy Wright, Director - kathywright@paumc.com

Greetings to all! We trust in God’s faithfulness to carry us through these unsettling times. How

grateful we are for live-stream and all the technology that we can now use to communicate with

each other!

We will continue to live-stream our services! We are thankful to Chris Williams and his crew for

their dedication to get the job done! We are thankful for the choir members, soloists, Laine, and

Annakate for their willingness to be here and be part of our services!

Please check our website (paumc.com) often for updates and announcements. Feel free to email, call

or text to stay in touch! Pray – pray – pray!!

I love our church family! Kathy

IN Hospital: Cindee Hiers At Home: Jack Edwards Todd Windham James Corbett Buddy Bass Jane Hearn Jadan Pitcock David Beaty Pam Peters Irene Bennett Priscilla Cowart Dana Boruff Bob Rutland Bill Bennett Becky Mullican Cay Simmons Jake Jarnagin Michael Horowitz David Arnold Janet Blalock Marge Hamilton Mell Woodward Rosemary Leviton Mike Crowe Florence Bone Rusty Ingram Gary Minchew Janet Nichols

ALL OUR HEALTHCARE WORKERS

BIBLE STUDIES: All Bible studies for March and April at the church are on hold until

May 1st, at this time.

UPCOMING STUDIES: On Hold Until Further Notice: Jennifer Sumner will lead, Entrusted, 2

Timothy, by Beth Moore. This study is open to everyone and will start

Wed., May 6th from 6:00-7:45pm in the Jars of Clay SS Room, A-20. Go

to https://parkaveumc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/100/responses/new to sign up. To register, contact Jennifer at jsumner19@gmail.com.

…is extended to Mark Ridley for the loss of his sister, Connie Ridley McNab, of Valdosta. We send prayers of comfort & peace to Mark and the family.

…is extended to Mary Perry for the loss of her brother-in-law, Charles Connor Crook, Jr., of Goat Island, SC. We lift the family up in prayer.

…is extended to Sandra Davis for the loss of her brother, Richard Lee Mullins, of Griffin, GA. We are so sorry for your loss & will be praying for you & the family.

Guy Franklin McAllister, Sr. entered immortality on March 14, 2020. Our prayers go

out to the children, Jim McAllister, Vic Ledbetter, & Cindee Hiers, and the family.

Contemporary Worship Pastor:

Brooks Mooneyham

Dir. of Children’s Ministries: Lynn Yost

Dir. of Nursery: Lindsey Moore

Dir. of Missions: Jennifer Clark

Dir. of Music & Worship: Kathy Wright

Dir. of Operations: Terry Hiers

Dir. of Student Ministries: Dane Boruff

To view weekly updates for Park Avenue members

and attendance totals, log in to mypaumc.com and

the information will be posted on the Home page.

If you have any problems logging in, contact

Vic tor ia Mooneyham by emai l at

victoriamooneyham@paumc.com.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Who would have ever heard of such a thing 3 weeks ago? “Social distancing” is

what the Junior High dance monitors used to do back in the day. I know some of

you know what I’m talking about!

This new term will be remembered, along with “Coronavirus” and “COVID-19”

by most of us for the rest of our lives. For some of you, your grandchildren will

ask, “What were you doing when the Coronavirus hit?”

So, in order to “flatten the curve” - another popular term, we are to keep a safe

distance of 6 feet to prevent the rapid spread of this virus. And, for some of us -

that’s really hard to do. I believe that God wired us for physical touch. In fact,

Jesus often used physical touch to heal those who were sick. He touched the leper

(Matt. 8:3), touched the woman with fever (Matt. 8:15), touched the eyes of two

blind men (Matt. 9:30), and touched the ears of the deaf man (Mark 7:32).

Touching others was an important part of Jesus’ ministry.

But, we can’t (or shouldn’t) touch anyone. And, to top it off, we must wash our

hands when we touch anything. “Social distancing” is tough but necessary right

now.

Here’s the good news: Jesus doesn’t have to practice “social distancing.” He is as

close as a whisper, as near as a heartbeat or a gentle touch. He’s really close right

now. The only “social distancing” being practiced with him is when we choose to

keep him at “arm’s length” or more.

In difficult times, Christ’s closeness brings comfort and peace. It brings the

understanding that things will be okay, everything will work out and we are going

to be just fine. That’s hard to conceive when people we know and love are

struggling with health, finances, separation, loneliness and more. But, it’s true.

We WILL be all right because HE is near.

The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 145:18

We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People

everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 75:1

Debbie and I miss you so much and can’t wait for that day when we are back

together again in our church and social distancing is a thing of the past!

Blessings,

The Altar Guild will decorate the Traditional and

Contemporary services with lilies for Easter again this

year. Church members may honor or remember a

loved one in a special bulletin insert by making a

$18.00 donation. These donations will provide the lilies needed

for decorating and any excess funds will be given to our church

Missions. The deadline for orders is Mon., April 6th.

In Honor: __________________________________

In Memory of:_______________________________

By: __________________________________ _

Number of Lilies:_____________________________

**If you make a donation and would like to take a lily, please wait until

after the 9:45 or 11:00 services. Thank you.

If you can offer assistance to those

needing help during these times please

let the staff know. Fill out the form

located online at paumc.com. Scroll

down until you see I WANT TO HELP!

and click on the link.

If you need assistance (help picking up groceries or

medication or have other needs), fill out the form online at

paumc.com titled I NEED HELP!. You may also call the

church office at 229-242-3562 and leave a message on the

needs line (option #3). This line is checked daily.

If you have a prayer request, please call the church office

at 229-242-3562 and leave a message on the Prayer Line

(option #2). This voicemail is checked daily.