Saturday
Time for our FBCPride field trip! For those heading to the USC One Archives tomorrow, please meet in the loading zone on Union St at 11:30am. We will carpool to lunch, followed by an archive presentation of the largest collection of LGBTQ+ history in Los Angeles. Email Pastor Chip with questions.
Sunday
Our Fall Sunday School classes continue through November 2nd on Sundays at 9am. This week the Theology of Hospitality class will be meeting in the Basement Kitchen. Click here for more information.
Join us at 10:30am for worship in the Sanctuary! Our scripture this week is Psalm 51 and our theme from Breathing Under Water is Step 7: Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings. 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. Our youth are invited to join us for our regular lunch and fellowship after service. 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.
As an American Baptist Church, we share in the long history of global servants who have been called to work cross-culturally to show people the love of Christ and proclaim God’s reign of justice, peace and abundant life for all creation. This month you can give to the World Mission Offering (WMO) in support of International Ministries (IM), the organization that sends and supports the American Baptist global servants. We hope you will step into the flow of generosity as you consider how you might give above and beyond your regular offering to support God’s work around the world through the WMO. Last week we shared about the work of Kit Ripley and Faye Yarbrough, and this week we’ll highlight Molly and Eliberto Juarez. Click here to give online (select WMO from the drop down menu), or make your offering during Sunday worship.
Our Basics Class will meet after worship this Sunday, October 19th, at 12:30pm in the Southside Room for those who are interested in learning about our church. Pastors John Jay and Chip will walk you through our church history, our American Baptist denomination, and the meaning behind some of our practices like baptism, communion and membership. Lunch will be provided. Text “basics” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP. Email Pastor Chip for more details and/or if you are attending and will need childcare.
The Friends In Deed food pantry item this week is cereal.
Ordination
We invite everyone to celebrate the official ordination of Pastor Riley Taylor on Sunday, October 26th, at 2pm in the Sanctuary. This step of ministerial accomplishment is so exciting to celebrate and acknowledge together as a community. We hope you can all join us.
Musical Invitation
Preparations for Advent are underway, and you are invited to participate! We are assembling an Advent Handbell Choir for the Candlelight Carol Service. We are looking for 5 more people to participate. It will involve weekly rehearsals beginning Monday, November 3rd, at 7pm in the Sanctuary, a dress rehearsal on December 13th, and the performance on December 14th. You do not need prior handbell experience to participate, though some basic music knowledge will be helpful. Email Pastor Leslie or text “bells” to 626.727.9498 to sign up!
Community Dinners
Pastor Chip invites you to save the date for Friday, November 7th, for our Community Dinners! We love these times sitting around small tables together and are grateful to our volunteer hosts for opening up their homes around the city. Sign up today to participate in a dinner by texting “dinner” to 626.727.9498. Pastor Chip will be in touch with you about your assigned spot in the coming weeks. We hope you can join us!
Coming Up
Monday Study will continue as a discussion on the upcoming sermon text and theme. We gather in the Parlor from 12pm-1pm each week for a wild time of interpretation, imagination, theological training, storytelling, and general merriment. No prep is required to join the fun, and you are welcome to bring your lunch and enjoy during this hour. Bring a printed Bible if you have one (we have extras), a pen and notebook, and all the curiosity you can muster. Can't wait to study together! Email Pastor John Jay with questions.
Parents, join us for Parent Night Out on Friday, October 24th, from 6-9pm. We'll serve snacks and provide activities for your kids while you eat dinner, shop, or take a nap! You can register your kid(s) with this link.
Join us on Saturday, October 25th, at 9am for our quarterly Men’s Breakfast in the Park off Union St. You won’t want to miss the meal or the time of fellowship together. Text “bacon” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP.
Pastor Andrew invites everyone to show their inner child and wear a friendly Halloween costume on Sunday, October 26th. We look forward to seeing what you come up with, and there might even be a treat!
All Saints Day
On All Saints Sunday, November 2nd, we will pause to remember those in or connected to our community who have died in the past year by saying their names out loud. It is our tradition to hold our loss and grief together as the body of Christ in this sacred practice. Please use the form link below to share their names with us.
more in November
Small Group Leaders—thank you for your leadership this fall launching our small groups! Please note a meeting for all leaders on Sunday, November 2nd, at 9am in the Southside Room. Thanks!
Join us after worship in the Parlor on Sunday, November 2nd, for thirty minutes of prayer for our American Baptist global servants. If you are interested in joining with this group, please email Jeannette or Judy. This will enable us to send you an email about the specific matters for which we will be praying.
You’re invited to our next FBCPride Group Meeting on Sunday, November 2nd, after worship in the Southside Room. Pastor John Jay will share how FBCP became an affirming church and his thoughts on expansive love. Text “pride” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP if you are new. FBCPride is a monthly gathering of LGBTQ+ Christians and allies to grow in friendship, education, love and support.
Also on November 2nd, Pastor Andrew, Stormie, and Helen invite families to hang out in the park by the Gym after worship on Sunday, November 2nd. Pack a lunch or grab a local bite to eat and enjoy outside while the kids run around until about 1:30pm. Email Pastor Andrew with questions
Thanks to the folks who serve on our De-escalation Team, a team focused on caring for the needs of folks who might walk in off the streets needing help. Our volunteers are available to talk with folks who might need help while the pastors are busy during the service. Text the word "calm" to 626.727.9498 if you enjoy this line of work and Gaby will be in touch with you regarding the next training at 9am on November 9th.
Immediately after Sunday service on Sunday, November 9th, there will be a Town Hall meeting in the Sanctuary to present the 2026 budget proposal for consideration as we prepare to vote at our Gratitude Night potluck on Sunday, November 23rd. This is a time that we give thanks and remember God’s faithfulness this past year while also looking toward what God has for us in the months ahead. Email Marcie with questions.
Meal Train
We invite folks to participate in a Meal Train for the Turner family as they welcome a new baby, Gracie, into their family. David and Laura, along with sister Rae, are so thankful for this addition to their family (born September 30th), and appreciate any help with meals while they focus on bonding these next couple of weeks. Click here for details.
Six Weeks at a Glance
10/11-10/18 - Oaxaca Missions Trip
10/18 - FBCPride Outing to USC One Archives
10/19 - Basics Lunch
10/24 - Parent Night Out
10/25 - Men’s Breakfast
10/26 - Costume Sunday
10/26 - Riley’s Ordination Service
11/2 - Small Group Leader Meeting
11/2 - All Saints Sunday
11/2 - FBCPride Group
11/2 - Family Park Hangout
11/2 - Prayer for Global Servants
11/3 - Advent Handbell Practice Begins
11/7 - Community Dinners
11/9 - De-Escalation Team Training
11/9 - Town Hall Business Meeting
11/16 - Leslie’s Ordination Service
11/23 - Gratitude Night
11/27-11/28 - Office Closed for Thanksgiving
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
P.S. First Baptist Church of Pasadena has weekly worship services on Sundays at 10:30am at 75 N. Marengo Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101. If you’re driving in, we invite you to park at 150 E Holly St and bring in your ticket to the lobby for validation. We are also a block away from the Memorial Park Station on the A Line. Contact the office with questions.
