Happy New Year!
Sunday
Winter Sunday School classes start this Sunday, January 7th, at 9am. Classes include Nuturing Communal Practices: Lectio Divina (Parlor) by Natalee Ellis, A Theology of Storytelling (Room 211) by Chris Manus, Processing Grief through Faith and Community (Prayer Chapel on 2nd Floor) by Jon Rinkus, and Deep Dive Into Matthew 22: Loving God and Loving Your Neighbor (Southside Room) by Jerry Brown. Classes will run for six weeks from January 7 through February 11, 2024. Click here for descriptions of classes and sign ups, or text “school” to 626.727.9498. Email Pastor Chip with questions.
Name Tag First Sundays—a pre-covid tradition revamped for 2024—we invite you to find the table in the lobby on each first Sunday of the month and write out your name on the blank labels. Decorate the tags to your heart’s content. We hope to get to know one another better as we learn names and faces. Find Pastor John Jay’s chalkboard for ideas.
Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30am as we partake in communion together (crackers are gluten-free)! The nursery will be open as usual for our toddlers and babies. Please note that because this will be the first Sunday of the month, our kids five years old and up will join us in the sanctuary for service. Our youth are invited to join us for worship and Taking Down the Greens afterward. The Prayer team will be available at the front of the sanctuary toward the end of the service to pray with those who would like to receive prayer.
Join us after service this week for the Taking Down of the Greens as we pack away our Christmas decorations and get our Sanctuary ready for the new year. First, we’ll have lunch together provided by the church (email Pastor Lindsay if you have dietary restrictions). We hope you can stay for this fun communal experience!
The Friends In Deed Food Pantry item for this Sunday is canned chicken/tuna.
A Special Invitation
We would love to incorporate new vocalists into our beautiful FBCP choir as 2024 begins. Practices resume Wednesday, January 17th, at 7pm. Email Pastor Leslie to let her know if you’re interested. No prior experience is required to participate.
Next Week
Our next Coffee + Conversation with Pastor John Jay is set for Sunday, January 14th, at 9am. This is a great time for any of you to chat with our lead pastor about any questions you may have, or share with him how you found FBCP and meet other people also newer to the community. Coffee and pastries will be served, and the group will meet from 9-10am in his office off Holly St. Text “coffee” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP. Limited to the first 8 people.
Help give the gift of life! Sign up to participate in the American Red Cross’ Blood Drive FBCP is hosting on Sunday, January 14th, in a mobile clinic parked on Holly St. from 9 am - 3 pm. Schedule an appointment here: January 14th Blood Drive Sign-up (NOTE: Be sure to sign up for the one in Pasadena located at 75 N Marengo Ave.)
Join us as we pray for our global servants around the world next Sunday, January 14th, after worship in the Parlor. We invite you for thirty minutes of prayer for our FBCP-supported American Baptist servants in Mexico, Lebanon, Turkey and Thailand as they love and support others around the world and share the light of Christ through service.
Coming Up
Folks ages 55+ are invited to join us on Wednesday, January 17th, at 12:30pm for a potluck lunch in the Southside Room! It will be great to continue getting to know one another, and we will have some fun activities planned. Email Pastor Chip with any questions.
We will have our FBCP Basics Class after worship service on Sunday, January 21st, at 12:30pm in the Southside Room. This is a great space for those who have been coming for a while and are interested in learning more about our church and/or becoming a member. Pastors John Jay and Chip will go over our history as an American Baptist church, and you’ll have a chance to ask questions you may have about the FBCP community. Lunch will be provided. Text “basics” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP. Email Pastor Chip for more details.
We invite you to join the LGBTQ+ community, parents and allies for our FBCPride Group monthly gathering on Sunday, January 21st, at 5pm in the Southside Room. This month we will hear Pastor John Jay and Kevin share about their friendship and the intersection of theophanies, trauma, and church life. Join us for a potluck meal, and if you are able to bring an item (no pressure), check out what we need at our Potluck Sign-up. Text “pride” to 626.727.9498 if you’re new to the group and want to receive our emails.
Save the Date for our beloved Community Dinners! Groups of folks will gather in host homes around the city on Friday, January 26th. To sign up, text “dinner” to 626.727.9498. These dinners are a wonderful time to share a meal, and it is a great way to get to know other church members better. Don’t wait to sign up. We hope you can participate whether you are new or seasoned!
Weekly + Biweekly Happenings
Thursday Bible Study | Returns 1/11 | Parlor
Yarn Crafts Group | 1/14 at 12pm | Parlor
Passive Aggressive Pickleball | 1/21 at 7pm | Gym
Six Weeks at a Glance
1/7 - Winter Sunday School Begins
1/7 - Taking Down of the Greens
1/14 - Mobile Blood Drive
1/14 - Coffee with Pastor John Jay
1/14 - Prayer for Global Servants
1/17 - 55+ Event
1/20 - Youth Girls Hangout
1/21 - FBCP Basics Meeting & Lunch
1/21 - FBCPride Meeting
1/26 - Community Dinners
1/28 - Oaxaca Interest Meeting
2/10 - Lunar New Year
Grace and peace to you as we head into the weekend. We can’t wait to worship with you in our sanctuary on Sunday!
Less without you,
The FBCP Community
