John Jay
Dan
Sunday Special | EP 9
Hi, Friends!
Happy Mother's Day! To all the mother figures out there, we thank God for you and the ways you help your children grow and thrive. You show us more of who God is, and that is a beautiful gift, indeed. Thank you for all you do!
It's time for another Sunday School video, and this week features a challenge that Pastor Mary had to complete and a challenge for all of our viewers, too. We hope you enjoy!
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 ask Peter three times, and what was the response?
Check In With Yourself: Which person did you feel most like in the story as you heard it—Peter, who needed forgiveness, or Jesus, who needed to forgive?
Wonder: What are you wondering right now as you think about the conversation between Peter and Jesus?
Apply It
Take the 3-Part Mother's Day Challenge!
1. Tell your mom why you love her: Mom, I love you because…
2. Tell your mom why you are grateful for her: Mom, thank you for…
3. Ask your mom what you can do to serve her: Mom, what can I do for you?
Think about the ways that God is also like a mother. What are some of your favorite things about your mom? How can those things help you understand more about who God is? Make a list and hang it up to remind you!
Find some ways to express your love for God! You could draw a picture, say a prayer, sing a song, build something out of legos, or anything else that comes to mind. Then share it with God!
If you need some more ideas about celebrating mom, head on over to this page for some homemade Mother’s Day gift ideas!
We are praying for you! Please remember to email/call/text with any prayer requests you have.
Much 💗,
Pastor Lindsay and Pastor Mary
Leslie
Phenomenal Friday #19
Cards for mother’s day
For the Moms
We have a special card (designed by Corrie!) that you can print out and give to someone you want to honor on Mother’s Day. Or if you are up for some coloring, we have a black and white version that you can bedazzle with any colors you want!
FBCP Families | Weekday Wonders 8
Hi, Friends!
We pray that you are finding moments of rest, joy, and connection. For all the parents out there, hear us when we say that you are doing a great job! We are here to support you however we can.
Here are some weekday wonders for you that we are excited to share:
New Wonders
babysitter/nanny
If you need help with childcare in your home, Brianna Johnson (from our church family!) is looking for a family or two to work for now and during the summer. She is super qualified and has a ton of energy! You can contact her directly at brilynnxd@gmail.com or you can always reach out to me for more information.
10 Ways to Pray with Kids
The folks at Illustrated Ministry have some wonderful resources for praying in creative ways with kids, complete with tons of free printables to help. Check out the list of prayer ideas here!
Crash Courses
If you're looking to learn some new things, check out the various online lessons for all kinds of topics at Crash Course. Let us know what you learn!
Kitchen Experiments to Do with Kids
If you are looking for some fun science activities for your kids to do, check out this post with a bunch of kitchen experiments to do with kids (including how to make ice cream in a bag!).
Sunday Specials
Sunday Video
This Sunday Pastor Mary and I will be looking at the number three and what it has to do with Peter, Jesus, and us! Oh, and you can always check out previous Sunday worship stuff at this page on our website.
Youth Hangout
We had such a fun time with a big turnout of youth last week! My heart was so full after being with them. We will continue to send food on the first Sunday of the month to our youth. We are on for our regular noon call this Sunday, and here is the meeting link that you can use each week to hop on the hangout.
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!
With gratitude for you,
Pastor Lindsay & Pastor Mary
For the Teachers
Gretchen
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
Leslie
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
Ken
Lindsay and Friends
Brian
Lindsay
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