Psalm 92—Artwork

Learn more about Christ in the Psalms artwork and download artwork guides here.

Person: Benjamin Rogers

Benjamin Rogers is a Kentucky-born artist that has resided in the Denver area for the last four years with his wife Emma and son Everett. He studied painting and drawing at Northern Kentucky University, Louisiana State University, and Arizona State University where he completed his MFA. He teaches art full-time at Red Rocks Community College. His work has been featured on the covers of “New American Paintings” and “Fresh Paint Magazine” and his work has been exhibited throughout the country.

Piece: Oil Painting

This traditional oil painting combines a few thoughts that are captured in Psalm 92: The mandolin represents the musical worship described in the psalm. The knife represents the lethality of God and how His enemies will perish. The watermelon represents the sweetness of life and what it is to know God, but it also elicits a knowledge of the fragility of the watermelon. People have a physical understanding of the ease in which the knife can move through the watermelon, which is painted in a way that resembles flesh. This demonstrates the fruits of God’s goodness while reminding us that the fear of the Lord is wisdom.

in Blog • Christ in the Psalms Artwork

Psalm 91—Artwork

Learn more about Christ in the Psalms artwork and download artwork guides here.

Person: Jennie Pitts Tucker

Originally from Austin, Texas, Jennie graduated with a BFA from Baylor University in 2012. She started her own art business in 2014, “Jennie Lou Art,” and now works as a full-time artist in Denver. She specializes in live wedding/event painting and custom pieces. Learn more at jennielouart.com or on Instagram at @jennielouart.

Piece: Acrylic Painting

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. (v.1)

Last year, I went through a long season of depression and anxiety. In the midst of the ever-present darkness in my mind, I often felt alone and afraid. I came across Psalm 91 in my desperation, and found the words comforting and soothing to my fears. Although it took many months (and doctors) to help me come out of depression, I always held on to a sliver of faith. I had hope that God would restore my joy and help me out of this miserable mindset. All I had to do was dwell in the shelter of my Savior, and trust I was safe in His shadow. Today, the Lord has brought me from darkness into the light again, He has restored my joy. Looking back, I can see how the Lord was with me, even when I felt so alone in the darkness. Despite what I saw and felt, He was working out my redemption and salvation, even in the dark, making me more like Himself.

Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways. (v.9–11)

This painting is an abstract illustration of the very real conflict that arises within us when our emotions tell us one thing and the Truth of God’s Word assures us of another. The dark parts of the painting represent how we can so often feel like we are alone in the darkness and sin consumes us as we wander in the wilderness—we feel trapped and desperate for a way out. The bright colors rising beyond the cave represent the reality that our Father is working out salvation in the depth of our darkness. Although the figure is physically in a dark space alone, praying for God’s help, there is something happening just beyond what she can see—Eden is arising out of the darkness. Life rises from the darkness, and Jesus rose to bring us life. This painting is a picture of our Savior, Jesus, and how his death assures us of life and purpose, even when we cannot see.

Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation. (v.14–16)

in Blog • Christ in the Psalms Artwork

Psalm 90—Artwork

Learn more about Christ in the Psalms artwork and download artwork guides here.

Person: Bruce Butler

I am a graphic designer and musician from the East Coast. In 2012, I moved to Denver from Buffalo, New York to be closer to family and began designing for WorldVenture, a missions organization in Littleton. Now I create brands and digital artwork as a freelancer and work in the specialty coffee industry through Sweet Bloom Coffee in Lakewood. I co-lead a Gospel Community in the Sloans Lake neighborhood and, in my free time, I enjoy playing music, cooking with friends, and spending time with my nieces and nephew. You can see more of my work on Instagram at @madebybruce or by visiting madebybruce.com.

Piece: Digital Artwork

In Psalm 90, Moses writes about the brevity of life and God’s provision therein, charging his readers to pray with him, “Teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (v.12) The piece depicts a human life, starting on the far left with the silhouette of an infant, maturing progressively to become an old woman on the far right. In each increment, a different image is shown, starting coherently in the center and losing its stability as it drifts away toward the top and bottom edge of the piece, becoming almost dreamlike. Rhetorically, this first seeks to illustrate that each season of life is greatly variable from the next—more complex than “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter,” but no less diverse. Second, though it seems clear in the moment, every season is hardly discernible at its edges, and for each human life as a whole, Moses writes, “You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream…” (v.5)

in Blog • Christ in the Psalms Artwork

Campus Outreach Baptisms

We’re grateful to work closely and share several staff members with Campus Outreach Denver. During the critically formative college years, Gospel voices make an enormous difference. On Sunday, May 19, Campus Outreach baptized four people at Park Church.

Since 2016, we’ve seen 61 people make decisions for Christ through the work of Campus Outreach at the University of Denver, the University of Northern Colorado, and Colorado School of mines. These decisions for Christ are in addition to countless Gospel conversations, Bible studies, retreats, and other organized outreaches. To learn more and explore supporting Campus Outreach Denver, visit their website here.

The photos above were taken by Melanie Fenwick.

in Blog

Commissioning Cristi Antholz

On Sunday, May 5, we commissioned Cristi Antholz as she leaves our church body for ministry and marriage in Scotland. She’ll be serving with her husband-to-be, Martin, at a ministry called 20Schemes, planting churches to engage with and serve Scotland’s poorest.

If you’d like to support them and the work they’re doing, click here and select “Martin Black” in the “Preference” dropdown menu.

Above are several photos from the commissioning, taken by Melanie Fenwick.

in Blog

Park Kids Summer Changes

As we do every summer, we’ll be inviting elementary students to join adults for the entirety of service running Sunday, June 2 through Sunday, August 25. Here’s what you need to know:

CHILDREN AGES 0–5

No changes. Park Kids will still be available downstairs for children ages 0–5 at every service.

STUDENTS GRADES K–5

No Park Kids classes. Elementary students will join their extended church family for the entire service. Activity packets are available in the foyer, and include memory verses, coloring pages, and games. Additionally, elementary students will be engaged with during the messages and singing.

Why do we do this? First, it serves as a reminder to both students and adults that the Church is comprised of many age groups that make up the whole body. Too often, the children feel like a separate community instead of the critical demographic that they are. Second, keeping students in the service helps them see the example of their parents and parents’ friends worshiping Jesus together through singing, praying, and learning together. Lastly, the reduced number of classes each Sunday relieves the work load of our volunteers during the less-busy summer months. It’s a a great way for us to serve them and thank them for their work year-round.

With any questions, please contact kaitlin@parkchurchdenver.org.

in Blog

Biblical Theology Workshop for Women

Hello, Women at Park!

Planning an event a year in advance seems a little early, right? However, when you have something that you think is worth your time, it’s usually smart to block out your calendar early.

That’s why we wanted to alert you that registration is now open for our Biblical Theology Workshop for Women with Nancy Guthrie at Park Church on May 2, 2020.

Over three sessions, Nancy Guthrie will help us to get to know our Bibles better as we learn to trace major themes that run from Genesis to Revelation. We won’t simply be sitting and listening. We’ll be interacting with each other and working together to trace particular themes.

The three sessions promise to be energetic and fun. They include:

  1. Telling the Bible’s Big Story
  2. Tracing the Bible’s Main Themes
  3. Making the Bible’s Intended Connections

If you missed hearing Nancy speak at Park two years ago, she is an excellent Bible teacher and her passion for the Word radiates through her communication.

We want to encourage you to grab spots while they’re still available! In June, Nancy will personally email pastors across the city and state to invite their women. I don’t want you to wait and then find it’s sold out! (That happened at our event last year!)

Additionally, we are offering a discount code for women who attend Park Church! You can use the code, PARK10 for $10 off the registration fee of $32.

SIGN UP HERE

If you’re interested in volunteering at the event, shoot me an email at kyle@parkchurchdenver.org before you register.

Kyle Nelson

P.S. Still not convinced?! Check this out.

in Blog

Commissioning the Rodlands

In March, we commissioned Jefff and Lindsey Rodland and about 75 folks from Park to go and start a new church in south Denver. We’re excited to see what God does through the Rodlands and Redeemer Community Church!

Here are a few photos from their commissioning, taken by Melanie Fenwick.

in Blog

Easter & Good Friday Artwork 2019

Person

Our artwork for Easter and Good Friday this year was done by Bruce Butler of Art /Rhetor. In addition to being a graphic designer and artist, Bruce co-leads a Gospel Community and often plays electric guitar at Park Church (and all around Denver). Most recently, Bruce has also joined the team at Sweet Bloom Coffee as a barista.

Piece

This piece aims to represent all that we celebrate on Easter. The white line coming in from the left represents Jesus entering into the sinful world in purity, as joined by the darker lines made from images signifying death. The left hand illustrates His work on Good Friday: the climax where all the consequences of our rebellion from God met in Jesus, were taken on by Him, and He died under the wrath of God and at the hands of sinful men.

Between the two hands, the darkness and hopelessness of the 3 days Jesus lay in the tomb is illustrated. For his followers, and I imagine for Satan himself, this time must have been a space where sin and death seemed like it had won. Though Jesus had foreshadowed His resurrection (John 2:19, etc.), the visceral reaction of seeing a close friend and leader you believed to be God incarnate viciously beaten and slain must have put the disciples in a state of deep pain and shock.

However, as we know, Jesus rose from the grave on the third day, claiming victory over sin and death. Sin and death’s reign over humanity came to a conclusion at the work of Jesus’ still-pierced hands (John 20:27). Now the life of Jesus, experienced by those who physically met him hundreds of years ago, is a light still continuously shown and refracted, able to be experienced by all who put their faith in Him through the Holy Spirit. This is illustrated by the right hand, where on the other side of Jesus’ death was a radiant joyous life that flows forever.

Click the image below to enlarge.

in Artwork • Blog