Tonight
Watch the movie Why in the World with us tonight, May 10th, at 6pm in the Sanctuary (note: change from the Chapel). This movie explores the deeper questions of life as two friends follow a wise, slightly eccentric homeless man who they hope will show them the meaning of life. Armed with nothing in their quest but five basic questions, they cross more than 50 countries in search of answers, piling one uproarious misadventure on top of another as they seek to crack the code of existence. See you soon!
Sunday
Our Spring Sunday School classes continue through May 19. This Sunday, the Reconstructing Bible Basics class will be on a break for Mother’s Day, but Spiritual Values in Literature: Lila will meet as usual.
Join us at 10:30am for worship in the Sanctuary this Sunday! The nursery will be open as usual for our toddlers and babies. Our kids five years old and up can join us for the first part of worship and then will be dismissed to their classrooms with their leaders. They can sit with their parents or join us in the front rows at the start of service. Our regular youth gathering is postponed this week due to Mother’s Day. 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.
We invite all women to enjoy a five-minute complimentary massage on Mother’s Day, May 12th. Massage chairs will be set up in the back of the sanctuary and will be available throughout the service.
The Friends In Deed food pantry item this week is toiletries, including baby items and feminine products.
Gift from Pastor John Jay
Did you get your copy of Ordinary Theology? John Jay’s first published booklet is a condensed treatment of the core beliefs motivating the leadership of our church community, written from the context of the primary teaching pastor. We printed these booklets small enough to fit in your back pocket or purse/fanny pack, and the costs have been covered by the Foundation (many thanks). If you love what you read, take a second copy and share with a friend. Yay books!
Elbow Grease
FBCP Work Day—Saturday, May 18th, from 9am-1pm
Option #1: Jessica H and Jensen are so excited to begin fixing up the youth room to make it more inviting and useful for gatherings. Here are a few ways you can help. First, we are collecting used (but in good condition) picture frames of various sizes and styles. Second, they are planning a work day to rip out carpet and paint the walls. Lastly, if you would like to prepare some lunch or snacks for the work day, that's another way you could join the fun. Text “paint” to 626.727.9498 to let us know you want to help. Thanks for supporting our growing youth as they reimagine their space and all the ways they can share it with the congregation at large!
Option #2: On Saturday, May 18th, also from 9am-1pm, we invite you to join us for a landscape beautification project. We especially need strong diggers and folks with shovels on the front end of the time frame. We are grateful for Renee and Brian leading this venture. Text “plant” to 626.727.9498 if you can make it for any amount of time. Mark your calendars!
The FBCPride Group invites the LGBTQ+ community and allies to hear our own Mary Glenn, Assistant Professor of the Practice of Chaplaincy and Community Development at Fuller Seminary, on Sunday, May 19th, from 5-7pm in the Southside Room. Mary will speak to us about knowing ourselves, our belovedness, and our giftings, all of which help us to be a loving presence in Pasadena for the LGBTQ+ community. She will facilitate a conversation and exercises for growing our self-awareness and self-kindness, and emphasize that everyone is needed. As Pastor John Jay closes his emails, we are "less without you," and we hope you can join us for this meeting--and for the continued journey of LGBTQ+ inclusion in Pasadena. Text "pride" to 626.727.9498 if it's your first time to the group. And lastly, if you can help out with the potluck, please sign up here :).
Calling all service-oriented folks to our final recruitment meeting for our October missions trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. Pastor John Jay would love for you to join him on this trip! We’ll gather for lunch after worship on Sunday, May 26th, for about an hour to nail down details and solidify our team. The cost for this week-long trip will be about $1000 plus your airfare. Text “Oaxaca” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP for the 26th.
Join us as we pray for our global servants around the world for 30 minutes after worship on Sunday, May 26th, in the Parlor. We use this time to remember 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.
Join us for our next Passive-Aggressive Pickleball Group practice at 7pm on Sunday, May 26th, in the gym off Union St. Bring a sweater and water, and text “pickle” to 626.727.9498 if you haven’t already. Email Tim with questions. We have paddles and balls available to use.
The 55+ Group is having a "Spring Treasures Exchange Party" on Friday, May 31, at 6:30pm. To celebrate the Spring season, we're asking everyone who attends to bring 2-3 gardening or kitchen items from your home. This can be an opportunity for you to do some Spring cleaning and to discover a new treasure. Be sure not to purchase anything. We will also be having a potato bar potluck—we furnish the potatoes and ask you to bring a topping if you can! Email Pastor Chip with questions.
June
Help us prepare for our Blessing of Graduates on Sunday, June 2, as we take time to honor and celebrate our graduates of all ages. Please fill out this form if you are graduating from high school or any higher education so we can include you in the blessing!
Help give the gift of life! Sign up to participate in the American Red Cross’ Blood Drive FBCP is hosting on Sunday, June 2nd, in a mobile clinic parked on Holly St. from 9 am - 3 pm. Schedule an appointment here: June 2nd Blood Drive Sign-up (NOTE: Be sure to sign up for the one in Pasadena located at 75 N Marengo Ave.)
Pride Events
We hope you can join us for these fun Pride events in June:
On Saturday, June 1, from 12:30-1:00pm the City of Pasadena will raise a Pride flag at 100 N. Garfield Ave (City Hall) in honor of Pride Month. Stop by if you have time! More details can be found here.
Join us at the Altadena Walkabout in Altadena on Saturday, June 8th, with activities from 10am-6pm. FBCP will participate in an 11:30am Spiritual Event at the Altadena Baptist Church, and have a booth at the Altadena Senior Center from 2pm-6pm. Contact pride@fbcpasadena.com if you would like to volunteer for a 2-hour shift.
The Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department presents its 3rd annual Love, Loud & Proud Pride Month celebration on Saturday, June 22nd, from 5-9pm. The event features drag performances and story time, live music, dance competitions, local food trucks, arts & crafts activities, face painting, and resources from local LGBTQ+ organizations, community partners and allies. This is a free, family-friendly event with food available for purchase.
Scholarships Available
The FBCP Foundation is a separate entity established in 1958 by members committed to contributing financially to the church in the present and future years. Each year the Foundation has some funds set aside to disburse to FBCP members for post-secondary educational scholarships. Members interested in applying for the 2023-2024 academic year can apply here. Applications are due Monday, June 24, 2024.
Regular-ish Happenings
Spring Sunday School | Sundays through 5/19 | 9-10am
Grief Group | 5/19 at 9am | Room 214
Yarn Crafts Group | 5/19 at 12pm | Parlor
FBCPride Group Meeting | 5/19 at 5pm | Southside Room
Holy Walkamolies Hiking Group | 5/25 | 9am | TBD
Passive-Aggressive Pickleball | 5/26 at 7pm | Gym
Six Weeks at a Glance
5/12 - Mother’s Day Massages
5/18 - Work Day: Gardening + Youth Room Renovation
5/19 - Spring Sunday School Ends
5/19 - FBCPride Group Meeting
5/25 - Holy Walkamolies Hike
5/26 - Oaxaca Meeting
5/26 - Prayer for Global Servants
5/26 - Passive-Aggressive Pickleball
5/31 - 55+ Group Event
6/01 - Pasadena Pride Flag-Raising Event
6/02 - Blessing for Graduates
6/08 - Altadena Pride Walkabout
6/16 - Father’s Day Massages
6/19 - Juneteenth
6/22 - Men’s Breakfast
6/22 - Pasadena Pride Event
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
