FBCP Families | 38

Hi, Friends!

In light of the recent surge coming off of the Thanksgiving holiday, we met with our COVID Advisory Team in collaboration with the Board to determine the safest and most responsible way forward with our Advent gatherings. After much discussion, we decided to take this weekend off from in-person gatherings. This will allow us to take the time needed to examine and tighten our safety protocol and make sure we have the safest ways to gather going forward. It also allows one more week of distance in case anyone was exposed during Thanksgiving travel. Next week we plan to return to gathering with some extra protocols in place (like increased spacing between seats, temperature checks, etc.). Our goal is to continue to move through advent together as safely as possible.

So, that also means we have decided to postpone the Advent Liturgy for Families with kids by one week, but we still have a special and safe drive-by event happening tomorrow during the time we would have had the liturgy in the park. Read on for all the details!

Saturday, December 5th

We will be at the church tomorrow at 10:30AM with hot cocoa, cookies, and some very special Advent materials for you to use at home. You can drive by anytime between 10:30-11:30AM and pick up your Advent supplies and yummy treats. Our kit has an Advent wreath for you to make and a special devotional just for families and kids. We want you to have it this week so that you can celebrate and "do" Advent well! Drive by on Union Street to pick up all your goodies from the safety of your car.

Saturday, December 12th

We will then have our Advent Liturgy for Families with Kids next Saturday at 10:30AM in the park with all the usual joy and fun. We hope you will join us both Saturdays for the chance to celebrate Advent and connect safely with one another!

Friends In Deed Gift Drive

As part of the Advent liturgy in the park, we are also inviting our families and kids to embrace a spirit of generosity and love for our neighbors. As you may know, each year at FBCP we participate in a gift drive for Friends In Deed. They know the neighbors in our city who are most in need, and we get the joy of buying Christmas gifts for them. This is a fun and special way that we get to love others and remember God's generosity to us. It's simple—just click on the button below to see the sign up sheet and all the instructions. We hope you will take a look at the list of kids and their gift wishes so that you have time to purchase something and bring it to our Family Liturgy on December 12th. Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for being Jesus to other kids in our neighborhood!


Winter Crafts

We've had pretty beautiful weather, but if you are craving some snow and ice then check out these fun activities to help bring winter into the house! In each project, use ice (or creative substitutes) to get hands-on with the “magic” of winter. I love the ice lanterns! 

Sunday 

Kids

This week we have another story for Advent and ways you can use your Advent wreath. We hope you will make time to celebrate as a family and really savor the days leading up to Christmas!

Youth

This week we will have a Youth Zoom gathering at noon, and we will be sending lunch via DoorDash! Here is the meeting link that you can use to hop on the hangout. Parents, I will send out an email to get their lunch orders.

Sending you so much love and virtual hugs!

With gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay & Pastor Mary

Phenomenal Friday #48

Today we have some important updates about worship this week and the rest of Advent. John Jay explains it all in the audio below along with some updates about ways you can engage in the Advent season outside of Sundays. See below for a written version of the update.

 

THE FRIENDS IN DEED GIFT DRIVE

 
 
 

Hey friends,

Pastor John Jay here. Very important set of updates for you today, so please listen to the end. I am going to share some changes to Sunday worship, and then Pastor Lindsay will share some exciting other announcements. This coming Sunday, December 6th, we will be suspending our outdoor worship service for one week. In its place, we are putting together a special Advent Liturgy for the Living Room. We are also postponing our Saturday family worship in the grass, and will be setting a new December date for that family worship event. Pastor Lindsay will be in communication with our families once we finalize details.

So why the changes and cancelations? Simply put, we recognize that the virus is surging in our area and want to take extra precautions to continue worshipping safely and together. Our Covid Advisory Team in collaboration with our Board and staff met this week over Zoom to adjust our winter plans so that we can keep meeting safely. Our plan is to return to the garage in one week on December 13, with some adjusted expectations and safety measures. We are returning to a more drive-in model of worship, especially for folks who are high risk. We will therefore be reducing our seating area and spreading the chairs out a little further, as well as doing temperature checks on the way into the garage for everyone. We also will be asking everyone to head on home pretty soon after worship concludes to avoid mixing households in close conversation. I get it, we love and miss one another. And we will keep doing everything possible to safely gather for worship together. But we need everyone to continue in our community agreements and practices while in this critical period of time. The end is in sight, so lets all get there together!

So far none of our staff or leadership have gotten the virus, thanks be to God. This has been at great personal sacrifice on the part of these leaders, who all have cut every unnecessary risk out of our lives so that we can continue in our vocational service. Please pray for your pastors and leaders. And pray for one another. The holidays are a season full of heightened emotions, and we want to keep showing up for one another in generosity and love. To do that we will be asking you to embrace our four main practices when in the garage. Please correctly wear a mask at all times when not in your vehicle. Especially we must all give our neighbors at least 6 feet of physical distance when talking. If you have been symptomatic or been exposed to someone who has tested positive, please stay home and listen to our streamed worship service online until you are able to return safely for yourself and others. And continue to sanitize your hands and avoid touching your face often.

Thank you for your support and prayers as we make some adjustments for our continued safety and togetherness.

THIS WEEK’S TRACKS

Sunday Special | EP 38

Hey, Friends!

Our next Liturgy for Families with Kids is this coming Saturday, December 5th, and we are so pumped! We'll have songs, a Bible story, Advent crafts, yummy snacks, and so much joy to share. We hope you can join us for this safe time of worship together! Because we want to be sure to have enough supplies, it would be great if you could fill out this quick RSVP form.  Thanks to all those who have let us know they can join—we get so excited to see you!

 A SUNDAY SPECIAL (ON MONDAY!)

For those who tune into our weekly videos, we had to wait an extra day to make this week's episode. You can watch it here! Pastor Mary reads a short book to help us get into the Advent season and focus on hope this week since we lit the hope candle on our Advent wreath at Outdoor Church. You can take time this week to look for signs of hope in your life. Watching the sunrise is one way to remember how the light of Christ invades the shadows—a sign of hope we get every morning. Happy Advent!

Much love,

 

Pastors Lindsay and Mary

FBCP Families | 37

Hi, Friends!

Yesterday my family and I spent time sharing the things we are grateful for, and you and your families were part of that list! I hope you have been able to find time for rest, play, and gratitude no matter what this holiday week looked like for you this year. We continue to thank God for you and your beautiful families! Read on for information about our upcoming Advent Liturgy for Families with Kids (we are so excited!).

Advent Liturgy for Families with Kids

Our next worship party in the park is Saturday, December 5th, at 10:30AM. We will have songs, a Bible story, Advent crafts, and all the joy and fellowship we need to get into the spirit of Christmas. We hope you’ll join us for this safe outdoor worship experience in our church park! If you know you are coming or hope to come, would you take a minute to RSVP using the link below so that we can make sure to have enough special Advent supplies for all? Thanks!

 

Friends In Deed Gift Drive

As part of the Advent liturgy in the park, we are also inviting our families and kids to embrace a spirit of generosity and love for our neighbors. As you may know, each year at FBCP we participate in a gift drive for Friends In Deed. They know the neighbors in our city who are most in need, and we get the joy of buying Christmas gifts for them. This is a fun and special way that we get to love others and remember God's generosity to us. It's simple—just click on the button below to see the sign up sheet and all the instructions. We hope you will take a look at the list of kids and their gift wishes so that you have time to purchase something and bring it to our Family Liturgy on December 5th. Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for being Jesus to other kids in our neighborhood!


Advent Devotional

This Sunday at Outdoor Church we will be sharing an Advent devotional made by the folks over at SALT. This year's booklet features poetry by Maya Angelou with weekly prayers and activities to help journey through the Advent season with intention. You can access a digital copy of it here. We hope it blesses you as you prepare your heart for the coming of Christ. (Parents, please note that a an Advent devotional for kids will be given out at our liturgy in the park!)

Sunday 

Kids

This week we are sharing a special story to help us begin a thoughtful season of Advent together. Perhaps this year more than ever we need to pay extra attention to all the special (and sometimes strange!) moments leading up to the birth of Christ, and we are excited to be on the journey of Advent with you.

Youth

This week we will have a Youth Zoom gathering at 2PM. Here is the meeting link that you can use to hop on the hangout. Our next gathering in the park will be December 6th, so mark your calendars. Keep an eye out for more information about Christmas happenings for youth, too!

Sending you so much love and virtual hugs!

With so much gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay & Pastor Mary

Happy Thanksgiving from FBCP

Friends at FBCP,

On this Thanksgiving, we are so grateful for our beloved church family and all the ways you love each other well. In case you missed Gratitude Sunday, we wanted to share our staff gratitudes for this community along with a Thanksgiving prayer from Mary to bless your holiday and remind you of God’s goodness. We always thank God for each of you and remember you in our prayers.

Less without you,

The FBCP Staff

Paul

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed thy hand hath provided.
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain]

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow–
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! 

Advent Liturgy In the Park

Dear Families with Kids,

We are so excited to invite you to our upcoming liturgy in the park on Saturday, December 5th, at 10:30AM! We will have singing, Advent crafts, a Bible story along, and yummy treats, along with all the joy that multiplies when we are together. We can't wait!

As part of that special service, we are also inviting our families and kids to embrace a spirit of generosity and love for our neighbors. As you may know, each year at FBCP we participate in a gift drive for Friends In Deed. They know the neighbors in our city who are most in need, and we get the joy of buying Christmas gifts for them. This is a fun and special way that we get to love others and remember God's generosity to us. It's simple—just click on the button below to see the sign up sheet and all the instructions. We hope you will take a look at the list of kids and their gift wishes so that you have time to purchase something and bring it to our Family Liturgy on December 5th. Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for being Jesus to other kids in our neighborhood!

We know that Christmas will be different this year, but our love for you and the gift of Jesus will only continue to grow. We can't wait to celebrate and prepare our hearts to receive the baby born in a manger!

With joy,

Pastors Lindsay and Mary

Sunday Special | EP 37

Happy Sunday, Friends!

Today we have a video about gratitude because God seems to think that thankfulness is really important. We read a special book and have a time of giving thanks for our FBCP families. Oh—and there's also information about how to develop a super power! Feel free to wear a superhero cape as you watch.

Parents, we know that the holiday season might be a reason for your young ones to feel disappointed, sad, and maybe even angry. We pray that they will have space to be honest about their feelings (or in fancy terms, to lament) while also starting a regular practice of gratitude to help them stay rooted in God's love and hope. You might even consider making an "Appreciation Station" in your home: just put out a jar, some note cards and pens, and each day reflect on what was worthy of appreciation. Write it down and place it in your jar, remembering that it usually takes us 21 days to form a habit. See how this practice affects your family, and don't forget that writing is more powerful than just thinking it to ourselves! (See this post for inspiration.)

We are so thankful for you!

Much love, 

Pastors Lindsay and Mary

FBCP Families | 36

Hi, Friends!

We had so much fun with our families last Saturday at our liturgy in the park! Thanks for those who were able to join us for a morning of worship, fun, and gratitude. Make sure you see the info below about our next park liturgy (yay it's almost Christmas season!). As Thanksgiving approaches, we know that this year holds a lot of loss in terms of holiday celebrations and time with loved ones. We pray that the practice of gratitude gives you peace and joy this week and that you know how loved and important you are to us at FBCP.  We thank God for each of you!

Advent Liturgy for Families with Kids!

Our next worship party in the park is Saturday, December 5th, at 10:30AM. We will have songs, a Bible story, Advent crafts, and all the joy and fellowship we need to get into the spirit of Christmas. We hope you’ll join us for this safe outdoor worship experience in our church park! I’ll be sending out an RSVP link soon so that we can make sure to have enough special Advent supplies for all.

Holiday Cooking and STEM

One of the best parts of the holiday season is cooking (or eating!), and KiwiCo has some great ideas for teaching your kids about STEM as you make yummy creations in the kitchen. Here's to learning as we cook!

Sunday 

Kids

This week we are making a video about gratitude in honor of Thanksgiving week. We have a special book to read, too, and some ways to develop your own super power in the midst of challenging circumstances.

Youth

This week we are gathering safely in the park at 10:15AM! We will continue to practice safe physical distance, wear masks, and use hand sanitizer. After our regular time together we will head up to the garage for the Gratitude Celebration with the church at large. Hope to see you Sunday!

Sending you so much love and virtual hugs!

With gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay & Pastor Mary

In Pasadena as it is in Heaven

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