Parksville Salvation Army Church and Community Services
141 Memorial Avenue, Parksville Parksville, BC, Canada

The pandemic has put a major spotlight on the issue of homelessness. The situation is intense as communities everywhere grapple with the converging crises of homelessness, overdose, and COVID-19. US&THEM follows four charismatic people who reveal the heartrending realities of their lives. The severe challenges of life on the street are portrayed with an unapologetic openness, in both emotive and humorous ways. All are struggling with addiction issues rooted in their painfu...l childhood histories. The filmmaker, Krista Loughton, hopes to shine light on some of the challenges facing those who are homeless or under-housed, while also giving hope for some of the opportunities to address those same issues. To learn more and to watch the trailer, visit: www.usandthemthefilm.ca. If you purchased a ticket, look for an email with the link to the film coming to your inbox on May 25. Watch the documentary any time before Friday night, then join us for the virtual discussion on Zoom with Krista at 7pm. (Zoom link will be emailed May 27.) If you have not yet purchased a ticket, time is running out! Tickets are only $30 each (+ service fee), are on sale until May 25 (https://parksvillesalvationarmy-bowlofhope.eventbrite.ca), and include: * handmade bowl, * pint of frozen homemade soup, * access to the documentary film US&THEM, and * interactive and engaging discussion with the filmmaker, Krista Loughton, on World Hunger Day (May 28) at 7pm. Thank you to our event partner, Arrowsmith Potters' Guild for creating and donating the beautiful bowls, and to our sponsors, Rotary Club of Parksville AM, Isle Golf Cars Inc., and Sysco Canadanada for helping us cover event expenses! We could not do this without you! #GivingHopeToday #BowlofHope #BowlofHopeToGo #WorldHungerDay #usandthem

Reflect: Are you worshipping God in a way that will raise you up to where you can take hold of God, having such intimate contact with Him that you know His mind about the ones for whom you pray? Are you living a holy relationship with God, or have you become hard and dogmatic?... Do you find yourself thinking that there is no one interceding properly? Then BE that person yourself! Be a person who worships God and lives in a holy relationship with Him. Get involved in the real work of intercession, remembering that it truly is a work - work that demands all your energy, but work which has no hidden pitfalls. Preaching the gospel has its share of pitfalls, but intercessory prayer has none whatsoever. Prayer: Heavenly Father, Straighten out my relationship with you and teach me to pray rightly and effectively. I want to be someone that you can use to pray for others. (My Utmost for His Highest)

The soup is made, and the bowls will be ready for drive-thru-pick-up next week! We have two choices of soup (both gluten- and dairy-free): Chicken Vegetable Rice OR Vegan Minestrone. You will have the option (based on availability) to choose the color of your bowl at pick up.... If you purchased a ticket, look for an email with more information about pick-up dates and times. If you have not yet purchased a ticket, now is the time! Tickets are only $30 each (+ service fee), are on sale until May 25 (https://parksvillesalvationarmy-bowlofhope.eventbrite.ca), and include: * handmade bowl, * pint of frozen homemade soup, * access to the documentary film US&THEM, and * interactive and engaging discussion with the filmmaker, Krista Loughton, on World Hunger Day (May 28) at 7pm. Thank you to our event partner, Arrowsmith Potters' Guild for creating and donating the beautiful bowls, and to our sponsors, Rotary Club of Parksville AM, Isle Golf Cars Inc. , and Sysco Canada for helping us cover event expenses! We could not do this without you! #GivingHopeToday #BowlofHope #BowlofHopeToGo #WorldHungerDay #usandthem

Now enrollment of officers in the making! Will you commit to hold these folks up in prayer?

What an absolutely heartwarming message from one of our hard-working, dedicated, and caring Soup Kitchen volunteers! Thank you Sarah, for your beautiful words and your service to our community! #GivingHopeToday

We are disheartened to see a local business close its doors in our community, however we are extremely grateful to Hal for the donation of brand new: * tops * pants * jackets * shoes * boots and more from Oceanside Clothing Co. Thank you for your gift! We wish you well in your next venture. Items are for sale at our Parksville Thrift Store (192 Island Hwy W) and Qualicum Beach Thrift Store (671 Beach Rd) while supplies last.

Reflect: How much do you feel that you're 'being good enough before God' relies on the effort you put in? "A pitiful, sickly and self-centered kind of prayer and a determined effort and selfish desire to be right with God are never found in the New Testament. The fact that I am TRYING to be right with God is actually a sign that I am rebelling against the work done on the cross by Jesus Christ. ... I pray, "Lord, I will purify my heart if You will answer my prayer - I will walk rightly before You if You will help me." But I CANNOT make myself right with God; I CANNOT make my life perfect. I can only be right with God if I accept the atonement (the reconciliation of God and humankind through Jesus Christ) of the Lord Jesus Christ as an absolute gift. Are you and I humble enough to accept it? Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to surrender all my rights and demands and cease from all my self-effort to be good enough for you. Enable me to leave myself completely in your hands and trust you to do that work in me. Your work on the cross was enough. I believe it.

It's sunny outside and the snow is melting, so it's a good time to visit one of our three Thrift/Furniture Stores in PQB. Follow our Parksville Salvation Army Thrift and Furniture Stores Facebook page for specials, news, unique items and information. And...today's is Senior's Discount Day! ... Thrift Store proceeds help support our Food Bank and Soup Kitchen! #GivingHopeToday

Have you heard about (or seen) the fantastic advent children's features being created by our neighbours down in Nanaimo? https://youtu.be/UX6N0NmvRrE

Join us for church! https://youtu.be/ODi9ZlKSZlI