a song for Ed, a prayer for us

Friends at FBCP,

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of Ed Enriquez's passing. Many of you have undoubtable already received this sad news from phone calls and text messages together. Thank you for being so proactive and aware of one another. 

Ed died Saturday, May 2, in his home. We do not have details at this time regarding the cause of his death. Ed was a force of nature in the bass section with his great voice, jolly smile, and hospitable spirit. I can imagine Ed sitting in the last row of the choir loft, singing with all his gusto, full of intention while cupping his left hand over his ear so he could lean into his part. I miss him so much already.

We are beginning the process of planning for a memorial time that is fitting to this moment when gathering is difficult. As always, the liturgy for Ed will be the work of us all, so we will let you know as soon as we have more information more about those plans.

If you'd like to send a card of condolence, their mailing address is 3761 Primavera Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90065. You can also use the button below to send a word of comfort and love to the family.

Please join us in praying for Kathie and their daughter, Hannah. Friends, it is already a difficult time, and sometimes there are no words for the pain that is found in loss. We encourage you to be fully present to God in your sorrow.  May God be loving and gracious in His comforting embrace.  

We love you so much, and we're here for you.

Pastors Leslie and John Jay

Sunday Special EP 8

Hi, Friends!

Thanks for helping us celebrate Pastor Mary last week! We hope you are finding ways to celebrate family and friends in new and creative ways. We talk about that in this week's video in case you need ideas.


After you watch the video, you and your family members can use the following discussion prompts and activities to apply the lesson—woot!

Talk It Out

  • Recap: How were the disciples trying to go back to their old ways?

  • Check In With Yourself: How are you feeling as you think about what life will be like when we can leave our homes freely again?

  • Wonder: What are you wondering right now as you think about the disciples choice to go back to fishing after Jesus rose from the dead

Apply It

  • Set up a breakfast like Jesus did! Grab any breakfast foods or some bread and fish crackers. Imagine what it would have been like for the disciples to eat breakfast with Jesus after a long night of fishing. Invite anyone in your house to join you and read the story together from John 21!

  • Think about what Pastor Mary said about how she has changed during this quarantine season. Draw a picture or make a list of the ways you have changed, even in small ways, and how you want to stay changed whenever we are out of social distancing. 

  • Jesus was present with the disciples, and that meant the world to them. Is there someone who could use a little drive-by parade or a short visit from a safe distance? Talk to your parents and see if you can think of someone who needs your presence, even if it's over a video call or from the car.

We are praying for you! Please remember to email/call/text with any prayer requests you have.  Happy Easter, friends! 

Much 💗,

Pastors Lindsay and Mary







Phenomenal Friday #18

Daily, weekly and skateboards!

Each week we will send out a message like this, with all of the week’s daily encouragements in one place. Some of you might want to have those daily messages each day (hence the name😉) and we put a button right up top to help you sign up for that list. Otherwise, you will get a reminder about the week’s content if you are on our main text and email list. If you aren’t, the bottom of every webpage has a spot to get signed up. Hope you enjoy this one. It was fun to make.

A Parade for Mary

Blessings and Peace from Brian

FBCP Families | Weekday Wonders 7

Hi, Friends!

We send you lots of love in this eighth week apart from each other. Wherever you are, know that we are praying for you and holding you in our hearts. Our gratitude for you in this season has only grown. We pray you feel encouraged and proud of all the ways you have adapted in a very unpredictable and hard time. You are such rockstars, even if you don't always feel like it!

Here are some weekday wonders for you that we are excited to share:

New Wonders

AT-Home Space Travel

NASA has curated some fun and educational resources and activities for people of all ages! Get out of the house and into the galaxies if you need a change of scenery.

Ham it Up!

If you loved Hamilton, then check out all the free resources at EduHam! Through EduHam, students study primary source documents from the Founding Era, learn how Lin-Manuel Miranda used such documents to create the musical Hamilton, and finally create their own original performance pieces based on the same material. EduHam at Home participants will be invited to submit their own Hamilton-inspired pieces (songs, raps, spoken-word poems, or scenes), and selected student performances will be shared on social media and this website.

Reminders for families

Eight weeks in, you may have a good rhythm down at home. You also may be hitting a wall or finding that you still could use some strategies to help everyone find a healthy flow together. Here are three simple reminders about keeping things balanced at home.

Journaling through Challenge

This printable journal is one helpful way to help kids process things that are hard and reflect on the ways they are succeeding in a challenging time. It might be a good tool to start meaningful conversations and remind your kids that they can thrive in this challenging season even when things feel like failures. 

Sunday Specials

Sunday Video

This Sunday Pastor Mary and I will be exploring the story of Jesus' third appearance to the disciples. It involves lots of fish and some bread, so if you have any fish crackers or a loaf of bread, feel free to gather some before you watch! Oh, and you can always check out previous Sunday worship stuff at this page on our website.


Youth Hangout! 

We have had a great time with our youth on Sundays, and we are so grateful that we can stay connected with them. Here is the meeting link that you can use each week to hop on the hangout. This week we are delivering food to our youth since we normally would share a meal. We hope it reminds you how much we love and miss you! 


Connection Corner

Kids can Spread 💗

There are many folks in our church who were homebound before social distancing began or who live alone, and they could use an extra boost of love. We would love for our kids and youth to help encourage those church family members with a note or drawing. Please use the button below to get all the information you need to help brighten someone’s day and help our church stay connected!

Safe Visiting

We are offering some individual connection times next week! If you would like us to visit you over Zoom or from a safe distance in front of your home, let us know. We would love to "see" you in some way! 

Sending you so much love and virtual hugs!



With gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay & Pastor Mary







Sunday Special | EP 7

Hi, Friends!

Are you finding ways to stay cool? We pray that you are drinking lots of water and staying in the shade! 

Thanks for all your prayers for Brody last week. We have an update on that in our video this morning, which is another look at doubting Thomas and some ways we can deal with our own doubts. This is a very strange time, and it's normal to feel afraid and to wonder if God cares. Join us as we talk all about it and hear a personal story from Pastor Mary about trusting God!

After you watch the video, you and your family members can use the following discussion prompts and activities to apply the lesson—woot!

Talk It Out

  • Recap: What did Jesus say to Thomas after he showed him the scars?

  • Check In With Yourself: How are you feeling this week—does it feel easy to trust God or hard?  

  • Wonder: What are you wondering right now as you think about the way Jesus responded to Thomas?

Apply It

  • Make your own Trust-O-Meter! You can draw a simple one like we had in the video, with one end saying something like "No thank you" and the other end saying something like "I'm all in!" Then think about where you are with your own trust in God. And be honest! God wants you to feel free to say how you are feeling. Then pray for God to help you trust.

  • Ask someone to read with you the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (what awesome names!)  in chapter 3 of the book of Daniel in the Bible. It's a great story about trusting God in a very scary situation. Ask God to encourage you as you read it! Here is an adapted version of the story for younger readers.

  • Watch and sing along with this song about trusting God instead of being afraid. Sing it as a way to help you feel God's love and blessing!

We are praying for you! Please remember to email/call/text with any prayer requests you have.  Happy Easter, friends!

 

Much 💗,

Pastors Lindsay and Mary










Phenomenal Friday

Your Weekly Community Mixtape

Friends at FBCP,

Starting today, we are going to send out a roundup of all our daily encouragements in a list that you can listen to at your own pace. You can always check out the daily encouragement on our website each evening, but we figured a compilation each week would be super fun and convenient.

So, we are excited to drop our first mixtape full of diverse and generous voices from our community. This week we have a fantastic lineup, complete with a guided prayer walk in nature by Cynthia, a song by John Jay, a heartfelt and silly gratitude from Chip and Lindsay, and a pastoral word and special invitation from Gretchen.

Turn up your speakers or grab your headphones, and get ready to jam out to our first encouraging mixtape. We promise you will be blessed in listening. Feel free to share with all those you love.


A Letter From Our Board Moderator

Family at FBCP,

On behalf of the Board of Deacons at First Baptist Church of Pasadena (FBCP), blessings to you and your family during these unusual and uncertain times. While each of us has had to adapt to changes in our regular activities in the way we shop, work, worship, and relate to each other, remember we still have unfettered and continuous access to God through prayer.

Since the COVID-19 crisis began, the Pastor, staff, and Board have continued to meet and discuss the many issues related to changes in our worship services, daily communications, outreach, and the administration of business. As such, in order to comply with local requirements (Stay Home and Safe Distancing), the Board has been meeting via telecon and virtual teleconferencing. While this is not ideal and outside of the specific language in the FBCP bylaws (which state “…regular Board meetings will be held at the church”), the Board unanimously determined this adjustment is necessary to continue the essential work of the church and to ensure effective planning and operations until this crisis is resolved. While this change was necessary, we do take the bylaws seriously. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at board@fbcpasadena.com  or Pastor John Jay at johnjay@fbcpasadena.com.

As you may know, there are members of FBCP (or their family members) who have been impacted directly or indirectly by COVID-19. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!!! The leadership, staff, and volunteers of FBCP want to help. If you are aware of an unmet need or a member who is suffering from anxiety, depression or isolation, please reach out to the pastoral staff. Resources have been identified and additional information is available to assist during this time. While this has been an exceedingly difficult time, it is the time for us to be “The Church.” Although we are not in a physical building, we are “The Church.”  Let us reach out to one another and be proactive in serving our elderly members, physically limited members, and those members who are alone. Let us live our faith and remember we are the hands that serve others in love and gratitude for the glory of the Father!

Until we meet again, and I am hoping it is soon!

Blessings,

Barbara A. Walker | FBCP Moderator

FBCP Administrative Office (626) 793-7164 

Board of Deacons board@fbcpasadena.com

Pastor John Jay johnjay@fbcpasadena.com.

Pastor Gretchen Saalbach gretchen@fbcpasadena.com

Pastor Lindsay Dorman lindsay@fbcpasadena.com

FBCP Families | Weekday Wonders 6

Hi, Friends!

Yesterday was Earth Day, so many of the resources we are sharing are related to creation. But before we get to those, I want to make sure you make note of our Kid Movie Party (aka a Parents' Night In) this Saturday starting at 5:00 PM. See the details below for more information.

Without further ado, here are some weekday wonders for you that we are excited to share:

New Wonders

All About Recycling at Home

This post has tons of fun ideas about how to help reduce waste at home, and it even links to some fun online games that teach kids about recycling. I love the roles they have for family members to each do their part to cut down on waste and save money, too!

Regrow Vegetables With Water and a Bowl

Did you know you can grow a new head of lettuce and other vegetables with just some water and a container? No dirt required, and it's easy even for those of us who don't have green thumbs. Plus, it's free and super helpful now that our grocery store trips are so limited. Happy super easy gardening!

Nature Art

This post has great ideas about how to make art using items found in nature. You could do Cynthia's guided nature prayer with the family to help get everyone more in tune to creation around your home, and then let the creativity flow! 

Petting Zoo for Instruments

That's right—the Virginia Symphony has curated a virtual petting zoo for instruments, and it's pretty cool! They have a bunch of videos about each of their beloved music makers and some worksheets to go with them. Developed for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade, the videos introduce children to how each instrument makes sound, how they are made, and how they are used within the symphony.

Sunday Specials

Sunday Video

This Sunday Pastor Mary and I will be exploring what it looked like for Thomas to doubt God and what we can do when we doubt, too. We always want our kids and youth to feel allowed to express their doubts and questions when it comes to their faith, and we trust that God knows how to help us get through those times of uncertainty. It should be a fun morning of growing together! Oh, and you can always check out previous Sunday worship stuff at this page on our website.

Youth Hangout

We have had a great time with our youth on Sundays, and we are so grateful that we can stay connected with them. Here is the meeting link that you can use each week to hop on the hangout. Yay for youth—we love you!

Connection Corner

Kid Movie Party/Parents' Night In

Before all of this virus stuff happened, we had originally planned to do another Parents' Night Out this coming Saturday. While we know that parents can't go out, we thought that it would be fun to do a virtual movie night with the kids (and maybe parents can make use of that time, too!). So, this Saturday evening from 5:00-7:00ish pm, all kids are invited to pull up a chair/bean bag/couch/big pillow, grab a picnic dinner, and join us in front of a computer or device for a movie night together while we are apart. We will show the movie from my computer by sharing my screen, so all your kids need is access to Zoom. We are so sad that we can't provide popcorn and delicious treats, but you can certainly bring whatever you want to eat at the party. Pets and stuffed animals are welcome, too. Here is our Zoom link to join the fun. Hope to see you there!

Keep In Touch (safely!)

Pastor Mary and I will continue to reach out to families and make sure you have  what you need, but we are always a phone call, text, or email away! We can pray, tell you a joke, figure out a way to get you supplies, entertain your child so you can drink some coffee—whatever you need. You also will be hearing from someone else in the church who is one of our Connection Team leaders, and they are eager to come alongside you as well. 

Sending you so much love and virtual hugs!

Pastor Lindsay & Pastor Mary





John Jay

lyrics

Great Rejoicing

Thad Cockrell

There's gonna be a great rejoicing
There's gonna be a great rejoicing

The troubles of this world
Will wither up and die
That river of tears made by the lonely
Someday will be dry
There's gonna be a great rejoicing

There's gonna be a great joy river
There's gonna be a great joy river

Questions of this world
Someday will be known
Who's robbing you of peace
And who's the giver
There's gonna be a great joy river

Someday you will find me
Guarded in His fortress
Open heart and wings
That never touch the ground
Someday we will gather
In a grand reunion
Debts of this old world
Are nowhere to be found
Nowhere to be found

There's gonna be a great rejoicing
There's gonna be a great rejoicing

There's gonna be a great rejoicing
Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm
Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm
Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm...

Sunday Special EP 6

Hi, Friends!

We still miss you! We know Easter wasn't quite the same, but we pray you were blessed as you reflected on the resurrection and all that it means for us. This week we have a video that explores what Jesus did after he rose from the dead. The week after that first Easter was full of surprising moments from Jesus. Check out the video to find out what happened!

After you watch the video, you and your family members can use the following discussion prompts and activities to apply the lesson—woot!

Talk It Out

  • Recap: What did Jesus choose to do after He rose from the dead?

  • Check In With Yourself: How are you feeling as you hear about Thomas who doubted Jesus? Do you have any questions or doubts? 

  • Wonder: What are you wondering right now as you think about how Jesus chose to spend His days after rising from the grave?

Apply It

  • The disciples needed help to understand that Jesus rose and that He loved them still. Think about a time when you felt God's presence, help, or love. Draw a picture of that moment and hang it up somewhere to remind you of that moment.

  • In the story today, we learned that Jesus offered the disciples peace. When do you feel most at peace?  There are lots of ways to stop and take a peaceful moment in the middle of your day!

    • You could try sitting and taking ten slow, deep breaths.

    • You could sit  and listen to a song that helps you think about God.

    • You could do something like dancing or stretching to help your body feel more relaxed and free to move.

    • You could close your eyes and listen to the noise outside, paying attention to sounds you might not have noticed before. 

    • You can always pray and ask God to help you feel His peace.

We are praying for you! Please remember to email/call/text with any prayer requests you have.  Happy Easter, friends! 

Much 💗,

Pastors Lindsay and Mary

In Pasadena as it is in Heaven

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