Weekly Updates 09.17.2021

Friends at FBCP,

Here are the updates and announcements you need for the week.

  • Join us this Sunday for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30AM. Come early to hang out with folks in the lobby and prepare for worship. The nursery will be open as usual for our toddlers and babies. Our kids four years old and up can join us in the park, and youth are invited to join us for worship and then will gather afterwards in the lobby. As a reminder, here are our community guidelines for being together in the sanctuary.

  • We’ll begin our service with an open time of sharing gratitudes, so we invite you to consider this prompt as we head into Sunday: What is a verse or passage of scripture for which you have found yourself most grateful recently?

  • You can also prepare for worship by listening to Sunday’s scripture in this recording by Pastor John Jay. The passage is Matthew 4:1-11, and you’ll hear a combination of music and scripture in this week’s meditation.

  • This week we are asking you to bring your favorite non-perishable dinner food item for the Friends In Deed Food Pantry if you are able. Right now this will help meet a major need in their supply. Thanks for contributing!

  • You’re invited to our Thursday noon Bible study! Join us each week on campus for a lively discussion about the upcoming Sunday teaching text. Email Pastor Chip for more details.

  • We are super excited to once again host a Women’s Brunch this Saturday, September 18th, at 10AM! Join us in the park for a delicious meal and the chance to get to know one another. We’ll also hear a personal story of faith from our own Jessica Henson (you can check out her work here!). All women and girls are welcome, and feel free to bring a friend who could use an encouraging time of food and fellowship. Register here so we can prepare enough chairs and food.

  • On Sunday, October 3rd, we are launching a new Sunday School hour for all ages—that means adults, too! We are excited to have four different classes you can choose from based on your interests, and each class will meet at 9:00AM on Sunday mornings before worship. To learn more about our class offerings and sign up, please use this form.

  • Today’s the last day to register for the annual gathering for American Baptist Churches in our region. This year’s meeting takes place September 30-October 2 at Gardena Valley Baptist Church. You can also choose to attend virtually if you are not able to join in person. You can click here for the Annual Meeting Brochure, which has information about the sessions and speakers for each day. Click here to register online, or you can click here for the mail-in registration form. If you have questions or would like to attend as a delegate, please contact Pastor Lindsay. Let us know if you have any questions or need help registering.

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

 

FBCP Families | 09.11.2021

Hi Friends,

Gavin, Brody, and I are preparing to fly back to Los Angeles today, and we are so grateful for the time we had with Gavin’s family. I am excited, though, to be back with everyone at church tomorrow and can't wait to see you! Today's email is short but has all you need to know for Sunday worship and kids programming. Next week I look forward to sharing a resource for parenting that has been helpful to me. I hope to see you tomorrow!

Kids

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers under four years old. Childcare will be open from 10:10 AM until the end of worship. Parents can enter the building through the park gate on Union Street or from the courtyard by the sanctuary. 

Our kids four to ten years old can join us in the park for a time of learning and playing together. We are excited to continue exploring what it means to be a good neighbor and who our neighbors really are. Parents can enter from the Union Street gate and sign their children in for the morning starting at 10:10 AM. After worship in the sanctuary, parents can reunite with their kids in the park. We will have cups for water but also invite kids to bring a reusable water bottle to use at our filling stations. 

Youth 

This Sunday the youth are invited to join us for worship in the sanctuary followed by our regular time of fellowship and lunch after the service ends. Youth can head to the lobby to gather after worship, and we will plan to wrap up around 1:30 PM. This week we will continue our exploration of Matthew in conjunction with the new preaching series. We are excited to learn more about Jesus and all that we can discover as we look at scripture together. 

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay (with love from Pastor Mary!)

Weekly Updates 09.10.2021

Friends at FBCP,

Here are the updates and announcements you need for the week.

  • Thanks for your prayers over John Jay’s dad, Jay. We are happy to share that he is now home and recovering well. You can listen to the full update here. Praise God and thanks to this community for all the prayerful support!

  • This Sunday we are worshipping in the sanctuary at 10:30AM. Come early to hang out with folks in the lobby and prepare for worship. The nursery will be open as usual for our toddlers and babies. Our kids four years old and up can join us in the park, and youth are invited to join us for worship and then will gather afterwards in the lobby. As a reminder, here are our community guidelines for being together in the sanctuary.

  • We’ll begin our service with an open time of sharing gratitudes, so we invite you to consider this prompt as we head into Sunday: Recall a time when you heard the voice of God. Was your response gratitude... or something else?

  • You can also prepare for worship by listening to Sunday’s scripture in this recording by Pastor John Jay. The passage is Matthew 3:13-17, and you’ll hear it repeat in the style of Lectio Divina with different sounds that add texture and demand attentive listening.

  • This week we are asking you to bring canned tuna or canned chicken for the Friends In Deed Food Pantry if you are able. Right now this will help meet a major need in their supply. Thanks for contributing!

  • You’re invited to our Thursday noon Bible study! Join us each week on campus for a lively discussion about the upcoming Sunday teaching text. Email Pastor Chip for more details.

  • We are super excited to once again host a Women’s Brunch on Saturday, September 18th, at 10AM! Join us in the park for a delicious meal and the chance to get to know one another. We’ll also hear a personal story of faith from our own Jessica Henson. All women and girls are welcome, and feel free to bring a friend who could use an encouraging time of food and fellowship. Register here so we can prepare enough chairs and food.

  • On Sunday, October 3rd, we are launching a new Sunday School hour for all ages—that means adults, too! We’ll have different classes you can choose from based on your interests, and each class will meet at 9:00AM on Sunday mornings before worship. Email rsvp@fbcpasadena.com for more information and to sign up.

  • You’re invited to attend the annual gathering for American Baptist Churches in our region! This year’s meeting takes place September 30-October 2 at Gardena Valley Baptist Church. You can also choose to attend virtually if you are not able to join in person. You can click here for the Annual Meeting Brochure, which has information about the sessions and speakers for each day. Click here to register online, or you can click here for the mail-in registration form. If you have questions or would like to attend as a delegate, please contact Pastor Lindsay. Let us know if you have any questions or need help registering.

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

 

FBCP Families | 09.04.2021

Hi Friends,

I pray that you are able to find rest and refreshment this weekend, for I know from many of you that this is a busy and stressful time. I'm in North Carolina visiting Gavin's family this week so they could see Brody after being apart so long. One of Gavin's favorite things to do when he's here is to go fishing, and coincidentally this morning I read this post about the connection between fishing and the way our walk of faith can feel at times. In the midst of these days which seem for many to be full of both hope and waiting, joy and heaviness, these words felt timely: "For some people, God seems easily attainable, as familiar as a lucky coin in the pocket, as conjurable as steam from a teapot. But for many of us, God is more elusive, and at best, we hope God is there, here, in here, but we can claim no rational certainty. In this way, encountering God is a lot like encountering a cutthroat trout that you can’t see. You can place yourself in a suitable location, prepare yourself, reach out your line, and—wait. And hope. And wait. And hope some more. And wait some more." Whether you are waiting, hoping, or wondering if God is near, know that you have a church community who loves you and is with you out on the waters. I hope you have a beautiful time of worship and a blessed week ahead.

Joining our Team

We are growing our Family Ministry volunteer team, and we would love to talk to you about helping us minister to the younger generations in our church family. It's a fun and meaningful way to deepen your own faith, learn alongside our kids, and build relationships that help us see more of who God is. Let us know if you want to learn more!

Kids

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers under four years old. Childcare will be open from 10:10 AM until the end of worship. Parents can enter the building through the park gate on Union Street or from the courtyard by the sanctuary. 

Our kids four to ten years old can join us in the park for a time of learning and playing together. Pastor Mary will be there with Michael for a fun morning together! Parents can enter from the Union Street gate and sign their children in for the morning starting at 10:10 AM. After worship in the sanctuary, parents can reunite with their kids in the park. We will have cups for water but also invite kids to bring a reusable water bottle to use at our filling stations. 

Youth 

This Sunday the youth are invited to join us for worship in the sanctuary followed by our regular time of fellowship and lunch after the service ends. Youth can head to the lobby to gather after worship, and we will plan to wrap up around 1:30 PM. This week we will begin our study of Matthew in conjunction with the preaching series that kicks off on Sunday. We are excited to learn more about Jesus and all that we can learn together as we look at scripture. 

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay with love from Pastor Mary

Weekly Updates 09.03.2021

Friends at FBCP,

Here are the updates and announcements you need for the week.

  • This Sunday we are worshipping in the sanctuary at 10:30AM, and this week we will partake in communion together. Come early to hang out with folks in the lobby and prepare for worship. The nursery will be open as usual for our toddlers and babies. Our kids four years old and up can join us in the park, and youth are invited to join us for worship and then will gather afterwards in the lobby. As a reminder, here are our community guidelines for being together in the sanctuary.

  • We’ll begin our service with an open time of sharing gratitudes, so we invite you to consider this prompt as we head into Sunday: What is a new beginning or fresh start for which you are grateful?

  • Hearing Scripture in a new way: Pastor John Jay here. I want to share something fun, a little weird, and hopefully helpful. I am always looking for new ways to hear Scripture. Sometimes I will take the weekly text to an unexpected location to read it, like the top of a mountain hike or the roof of my house. Other times I will illuminate the words by hand as a way to slow down my own listening. Lately I have been putting all of my new music and sound skills to use in my weekly Scripture study. This week I am sharing my study track with you so you can hear what I am using to prepare for Sunday. This particular track is a combination of several interesting sound textures. The most obvious sound you hear is the reading from Matthew 3:1-12. This is both looping like a Lectio Divina reading and also sampled on top of itself like a glitchy artifact. If you listen with earphones (you really should), you will notice the spoken word audio keeps leaping toward you and falling away. Sometimes this emphasizes sections that will surprise you. Parts of it are hard to discern the specific words, as they crash together into a sonic jumble. This will force deep listening, which is kind of the point. The main musical melody is a short cello sample from last Sunday. I recorded the rehearsal on my field recorder and was able to create a melody sample from a few cello bars played by Nat.

    This is my latest mad process for Scripture study. It makes use of the unique tools I have learned and the way I process ideas and content through the week. I encourage you to find your own practice around Bible reading and study. Too often we engage the Bible as a dry academic textbook. This is a tragedy. Give that much of the Bible is poetry, we would be better served reading it like a love letter or a songbook, not for how we can master its knowledge, but how we can be awakened by its call. Click here to listen to the track. Happy listening/reading.

  • This week we are asking you to bring canned soup or chili for the Friends In Deed Food Pantry if you are able. Right now this will help meet a major need in their supply. Thanks for contributing!

  • You’re invited to our Thursday noon Bible study! Join us each week on campus for a lively discussion about the upcoming Sunday teaching text. Email Pastor Chip for more details.

  • We are super excited to once again host a Women’s Brunch on Saturday, September 18th, at 10AM! Join us in the park for a delicious meal and the chance to get to know one another. We’ll also hear a personal story of faith from one of the women in our community. All women and girls are welcome, and feel free to bring a friend who could use an encouraging time of food and fellowship. Register here so we can prepare enough chairs and food.

  • You’re invited to attend the annual gathering for American Baptist Churches in our region! This year’s meeting takes place September 30-October 2 at Gardena Valley Baptist Church. You can also choose to attend virtually if you are not able to join in person. You can click here for the Annual Meeting Brochure, which has information about the sessions and speakers for each day. Click here to register online, or you can click here for the mail-in registration form. If you have questions or would like to attend as a delegate, please contact Pastor Lindsay. Let us know if you have any questions or need help registering.

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

 

FBCP Families | 08.28.2021

Hi Friends,

We know that those of you who are parents have a lot on your plate right now as we navigate uncertainty in school settings, life with unvaccinated kids, and the stress of so many daily decisions. It's especially tough when it feels as though others without those concerns seem able to move on more easily despite the pandemic. We see the hard work, persistence, and faithfulness you have poured out as parents—and that you are still being asked to extend. It's been a marathon, not a sprint, and we haven't lost sight of your unique challenges. We are praying for you and are here to listen, pray, and help in any way we can. You are not alone, and you are dearly loved!


If you aren't a parent with school-aged children, we have a meaningful way you can encourage our families with kids. Just email us and we will get back to you with a fun and easy way to come alongside them. We are grateful that this community is one of support and love in the midst of challenges.

Having and Being Good Listeners

This article points to one of the many reasons we know it’s so important that we choose to be in community with one another, to tell our stories and to listen well. I pray that this congregation is one where you feel seen and heard. If you’re still getting to know folks or haven’t yet plugged in fully, this reading is a great reminder about the way we were designed to need one another. May we live into that calling as relational people of a relational God.

Kids

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers under four years old. Childcare will be open from 10:10 AM until the end of worship. Parents can enter the building through the park gate on Union Street or from the courtyard by the sanctuary. 

Our kids four to ten years old can join us in the park for a time of learning and playing together. Parents can enter from the Union Street gate and sign their children in for the morning starting at 10:10 AM. After worship in the sanctuary, parents can reunite with their kids in the park. We will have cups for water but also invite kids to bring a reusable water bottle to use at our filling stations. It's been hot, so we will keep them hydrated!

Youth 

This Sunday the youth will have our regular time of fellowship and lunch after the service ends.  Youth can head to the park for our gathering, and we will plan to wrap up around 1:30 PM.

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay & Pastor Mary

Weekly Updates 08.27.2021

Friends at FBCP,

Here are the updates and announcements you need for the week.

  • This Sunday we are worshipping in the sanctuary at 10:30AM. Come early to hang out with folks in the lobby and prepare for our time together. As a reminder, here are our community guidelines for worship in the sanctuary.

  • We’ll begin our service with an open time of sharing gratitudes, so we invite you to consider this prompt as we head into Sunday: In what ways are you grateful for a practice that has helped calm your anxieties, fears and/or anger?

  • After worship this week we will hold our Basics class for folks who are new to our congregation and want to know more about who we are and what life in our community looks like. This class is also part of our membership process, so if you are wanting to join our community officially, this is for you! If you want to attend but haven’t signed up, please email Pastor Chip to be added to the list!

  • This Sunday the nursery will be open as usual for our toddlers and babies, and those parents can enter through the park or the courtyard off the sanctuary and pick their kids up after worship ends. Our kids four years old and up can join us in the park, and parents can drop them off at the Union Street gate. Youth will be serving on our hospitality team and then will gather after worship. Yay for all ages learning and growing in our church!

  • This week we are asking you to bring cereal for the Friends In Deed Food Pantry if you are able. Right now this will help meet a major need in their supply. Thanks for contributing!

  • You’re invited to our Thursday noon Bible study! Join us each week on campus for a lively discussion about the upcoming Sunday teaching text. Email Pastor Chip for more details.

  • Calling all singers: Choir Retreat is almost here! On Saturday, September 4, at 9AM we will have a half day retreat here at FBCP for a time of reflection and rehearsal. We will have coffee and snacks in the morning and will conclude our time together with lunch at noon. If you have never been involved in choir, now is the time to check things out. Wednesday rehearsals at 7:00PM will resume on September 8 as well. For more information, contact leslie@fbcpasadena.com.

  • You’re invited to attend the annual gathering for American Baptist Churches in our region! This year’s meeting takes place September 30-October 2 at Gardena Valley Baptist Church. You can also choose to attend virtually if you are not able to join in person. You can click here for the Annual Meeting Brochure, which has information about the sessions and speakers for each day. Click here to register online, or you can click here for the mail-in registration form. If you have questions or would like to attend as a delegate, please contact Pastor Lindsay. Let us know if you have any questions or need help registering.

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

 

FBCP Families | 08.21.21

Hi Friends,

I'm in Lake Tahoe with my family for a little vacation, and we've had a sweet time together despite the smoke. It's been a reminder of how precious God's creation is and our calling to care for all of it as we also care for one another. This short poem about praying hands reminds me to look for evidence of faith and connection with God everywhere, even in the wings of butterflies. I will miss you on Sunday, but I pray and know it will be a beautiful time of worship and learning for all ages. Pastor Mary will be in the park ready to receive kids with our awesome volunteers, and Pastor Chip will be ready to lead the youth after worship ends. I look forward to seeing you all next week!

Thanks to all those who have had a chance to help us update our roster for kids and youth.  After the long season apart during the pandemic, we want to make sure our records are updated and that we can help kids and youth get to the right classes going forward. If you still need to fill out their updated information, you can do so here. Thank you! 

Kids

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers under four years old. Childcare will be open from 10:10 AM until the end of worship. Parents can enter the building through the park gate on Union Street or from the courtyard by the sanctuary. 

Our kids four to ten years old can join us in the park for a Bible story, activity, and snack. This week we are excited to celebrate another birthday, too! Parents can enter from the Union Street gate and sign their children in for the morning starting at 10:10 AM. After worship in the sanctuary, parents can reunite with their kids in the park. As always, we will have cups for water but also invite kids to bring a reusable water bottle to use at our filling stations.

Youth 

This Sunday the youth will join us in the sanctuary for worship and then have a time of fellowship and lunch.  Those who want to serve with kids can join us in the park during service, and any youth in the sanctuary are welcome to be part of our hospitality team. Once worship ends, youth can head to the park for our gathering.  We will plan to wrap up around 1:30 PM.

We are moving forward with plans to use some grant money the youth received from the Fuller Youth Institute. The project will allow us to update or redesign a space in the church building that can be used by lots of people in the church, and the youth are busy thinking through the best option for the greatest impact. We are looking for other adults in our congregation to help us with planning and implementing our design, so if you want to get to know the youth better and be part of this intergenerational project, let me know! Stay tuned for more updates as our plans unfold.

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay (with love from Pastor Mary, too!)

Weekly Updates 08.20.2021

Friends at FBCP,

Here are the updates and announcements you need for the week.

  • This Sunday we are worshipping in the sanctuary at 10:30AM and we have a full service planned. Come early to hang out with folks in the lobby and prepare for our time together. As a reminder, here are our community guidelines for worship in the sanctuary.

  • We’ll begin our service with an open time of sharing gratitudes, so we invite you to consider this prompt as we head into Sunday: Is there a person or practice that has given you refuge or strengthened you in the last year?

  • This Sunday the nursery will be open as usual for our toddlers and babies, and those parents can enter through the park or the courtyard off the sanctuary and pick their kids up after worship ends. Our kids four years old and up can join us in the park, and parents can drop them off at the Union Street gate. Youth will be joining us in the sanctuary for worship or serving with kids.

  • This week we are asking you to bring canned soup for the Friends In Deed Food Pantry if you are able. Right now this will help meet a major need in their supply. Thanks for contributing!

  • You’re invited to our Thursday noon Bible study! Join us each week on campus for a lively discussion about the book of Galatians. Email Pastor Chip for more details.

  • Calling all singers: Choir Retreat is almost here! On Saturday, September 4, at 9am we will have a half day retreat here at FBCP for a time of reflection and rehearsal. We will have coffee and snacks in the morning and will conclude our time together with lunch at noon. If you have never been involved in choir, now is the time to check things out. Wednesday rehearsals at 7:00 pm will resume on September 8 as well. For more information, contact leslie@fbcpasadena.com.

  • International Ministries (IM) invites prayers and support for Haiti and the people of Haiti in the wake of the August 14 earthquake, which devastated the southern portion of the Caribbean nation. As of August 19, the deaths of over 2,000 persons and injuries of more than 12,000 are attributed to the 7.2 magnitude quake, which struck about 150 km west of the capital city, Port-au-Prince. The initial quake has been followed by ongoing aftershocks and compounded by heavy rains and flooding from Tropical Storm Grace. These natural disasters occurred even as the Haitian people continue to endure years of social unrest, economic hardships, increased gang violence, and heightened political unrest in the aftermath of the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Due to the volatile situation in the country, IM and our partners are not able to deploy and support personnel effectively, but they are working with partners in Haiti to equip those already there who are able to help. Persons wishing to support relief efforts can do so online through IM's website or send checks directly to International Ministries with the designation “OGHS–Haiti Relief” written on the memo line of the check.

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

 

FBCP Families | 08.14.2021

Hi Friends,

It was so special to have worship take place in the sanctuary last week and for our kids to begin a regular Sunday rhythm of being together in Sunday school! We are ready for another week of learning and playing with our kids, and we will also have time for a back-to-school blessing for all our students and adults who serve as faculty and staff at schools. We are praying for all our kids who are making this big transition in what is still a tumultuous time with the virus. Let us know if your child could use an extra call or word of encouragement from us.

Last weekend Pastor Mary's brother-in-law Rand died after battling cancer for over a year. He was the spouse of her sister, Cher, with whom Mary has a very close relationship. Please keep Mary, her mom Bunny, and their family in your prayers as they grieve and process this loss. She was blessed by the special sign the kids made for her last Sunday, and your prayers mean a great deal to her.

Kids and Youth Roster Updates

In case you missed it last week, we would still love to get an update for our kids and youth rosters! Our online database keeps great track of birthdays and ages, but it does not always update the grade levels for our kids and youth. After the long season apart during the pandemic, we want to make sure our records are updated and that we can help kids and youth get to the right classes going forward. If you have a child or youth, would you please take a quick minute to fill out their updated information on this form? Thank you! 

Kids

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers under four years old. Childcare will be open from 10:10 AM until the end of worship. Parents can enter the building through the park gate on Union Street or from the courtyard by the sanctuary. 

Our kids four to ten years old can join us in the park for a Bible story, activity, and snack. This week we are also excited to celebrate a birthday and eat a yummy treat! Parents can enter from the Union Street gate and sign their children in for the morning starting at 10:10 AM. After worship in the sanctuary, parents can reunite with their kids in the park. Oh! And we will have cups but also invite kids to bring a reusable water bottle to use at our filling stations.

Parents, please note that this week we will bring the kids into the front of the sanctuary for a back-to-school blessing at the very end of the worship service. After some careful consideration and planning, we feel it is safe to have the kids in the sanctuary for this brief time while no singing is taking place and minimal people will be speaking. We value this kind of intergenerational practice, and we pray that our kids, youth, and school employees feel loved and encouraged by their church family at this big time of transition. When the time of blessing is over, we will exit back to the park and wait for parents to come and sign their kids out. If you have any questions or concerns about our plan, please feel free to email Pastor Lindsay.

Youth 

This Sunday the youth will join us in the sanctuary for worship and then have a time of fellowship and lunch.  Those who want to serve with kids can join us in the park during service, and any youth in the sanctuary are welcome to be part of our hospitality team. Once worship ends, youth can head to the park for our gathering. We'll be working on a big ongoing project, and we will plan to wrap up around 1:30 PM.

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay & Pastor Mary

Weekly Updates 08.13.2021

Friends at FBCP,

Here are the updates and announcements you need for the week.

  • This Sunday we are worshipping in the sanctuary at 10:30AM and we have a full service planned. Come early to hang out with folks in the lobby and prepare for our time together. As a reminder, here are our community guidelines for worship in the sanctuary.

  • We’ll begin our service with an open time of sharing gratitudes, so we invite you to consider this prompt as we head into Sunday: What is something the last year has taught you that you’re grateful to carry forward?

  • This Sunday the nursery will be open as usual for our toddlers and babies, and those parents can enter through the park or the courtyard off the sanctuary and pick their kids up after worship ends. Our kids four years old and up can join us in the park, and parents can drop them off at the Union Street gate. Youth will be joining us in the sanctuary for worship or serving with kids.

  • This week we are asking you to bring canned chicken or tuna for the Friends In Deed Food Pantry if you are able. Right now this will help meet a major need in their supply. Thanks for contributing!

  • We have resumed our Thursday noon Bible study! Join us each week for a lively discussion about the book of Galatians. Email Pastor Chip with any questions.

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

 

FBCP Families | 08.07.2021

Hi Friends,

Tomorrow will be a special day for the life of our church family as we gather again inside our beloved sanctuary. We have learned so much about what it means to worship God during uncertain times, in unconventional places, and with unusual practices. Thanks to all who made worship in the garage a meaningful and life-giving experience through such challenging times. This Sunday we will again be surrounded by the beauty of our sanctuary, and it will be an emotional and powerful time of worship together. We will be in masks, which will be a sign of our continued love and commitment to one another. This next season of church life holds great potential as we look to the future with one another in mind.

To keep our kids safe and minimize risk with our unvaccinated population, we plan to hold our kids programming outside until we feel it's wise to go indoors. We are so grateful to have a park space that we have learned how to put to good use for all kinds of things like family liturgies, Sunday programming for kids, and a summer camp. Tomorrow we will be ready for a beautiful morning of learning and connecting with our kids (more details below). And after worship, all generations will gather in the park for a potluck, one of our favorite ways to fellowship at FBCP. We hope to see you there!

Roster Updates

Our online database keeps great track of birthdays and ages, but it does not always update the grade levels for our kids and youth. After the long season apart during the pandemic, we want to make sure our records are updated and that we can help kids and youth get to the right places going forward. If you have a child or youth, would you please take a quick minute to fill out their updated information on this form? Thank you! 

Kids

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers under four years old. Childcare will be open from 10:15AM until the end of worship. Parents can enter the building through the park gate on Union Street or from the courtyard by the sanctuary. 

Our kids four years old and up can join us in the park for a fun morning including a Bible story, activity, and snack. Parents can enter from the Union Street gate and sign their children in for the morning starting at 10:15AM. After worship ends, parents can reunite with their kids in the park. We hope you can stay for the potluck, too!

Youth

This Sunday the youth will join us in the sanctuary for worship and then attend our all-church potluck in place of our usual youth gathering. Youth who want to serve with kids can join us in the park, and any youth in the sanctuary are welcome to be part of our hospitality team. 

We hope to see you soon!

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay & Pastor Mary

Weekly Updates 08.06.2021

Friends at FBCP,

Here are the updates and announcements you need for the week. Read to the end for a special video link!

  • In case you missed the announcement on Wednesday, here is our worship update for shifting inside this Sunday, August 8th. Bring your favorite mask and be ready for all the emotions that will come with being together inside again. We are so pumped to be in our beautiful sanctuary and to share a potluck in the park afterwards. You’re invited to bring main dishes and side items to share with your church family. Potlucks are a speciality at FBCP, so we hope you can stay for fellowship and yummy food. We hope to see you there!

  • This Sunday we have some special instructions for our families with kids. The nursery will be open as usual for our toddlers and babies, and those parents can enter through the park or the courtyard off the sanctuary and pick their kids up after worship ends. Our kids four years old and up can join us in the park, and parents can drop them off at the Union Street gate. Kids in the park can reunite with their parents after worship at our potluck outside. We are so excited to have regular Sunday programming with our kids again! Youth will be joining us in the sanctuary for worship or serving with kids.

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

 

FBCP Families | 07.31.2021

Hi Friends,

Camp was such a blast this past week! We learned so much while having an awesome time together, and we had the best team of camp volunteers on the planet. We explored the idea that we were made for love—to both give and receive love well. As we dove into our daily themes, our campers were insightful about all kinds of concepts like being brave, wise, and generous as we serve and make others feel loved and safe. We shared Bible stories, played games, ate yummy snacks that tied to our themes, made gifts to give to local service partners, learned to sign a blessing, sang worship songs, and were visited by some super silly puppets. We even had a bounce house and water slide to end our week. Thanks to everyone who made it such a beautiful time of learning and playing together!

This Sunday we are worshipping in the garage for the last time before going back to the sanctuary, and we would love for families with kids to join us if they are able. It's also a communion Sunday, which is always a reminder of our call to gather and share the love of Christ with one another. We hope to see you there!

For the Animal Lovers

If your kid loves animals, then they might enjoy the free resources on this page. You can scroll down to find videos with veterinarians and experts on guide dogs along with fun printable activities. We thank God for all the imaginative creatures in creation!

Kids

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers under four years old! Childcare will be open from 10:15AM until the end of garage worship. We hope this allows our youngest children to have a safe place to play and connect with each other and our loving nursery staff. If you're interested in helping with our nursery team, please let us know.

On August 8th we will welcome our entire church family back into the sanctuary! Stay tuned for more details about how the morning will flow for kids—we have some fun plans in the works . We hope you will also stay after worship for a big potluck in our park. We look forward to a special time of coming together in our beautiful sanctuary!

Youth 

This Sunday the youth will have a chance to gather and also learn more about the opportunity to join our hospitality team. We will serve lunch and finish around 1:30PM as usual. We are so thankful that we have such awesome youth in our church family!

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay & Pastor Mary

Weekly Updates 07.30.2021

Friends at FBCP,

Here are the updates and announcements you need for the week:

  • Early next week we will be posting our next worship update in preparation for shifting inside on August 8th. We will share any changes to our indoor practices in that communication. Our outdoor practices will stay the same for all activities that are in the open air. Also, tell your friends to get vaccinated. It is the best practice you can adopt if you have not yet.

  • Speaking of August 8th, we will also be having a potluck after worship! You’re invited to bring main dishes and side items to share with your church family. Potlucks are a speciality at FBCP, and we are so excited to share this kind of meal with one another.

  • This Sunday we will be gathering in the garage at 10:30AM for worship, and it’s also communion Sunday. You can bring your own elements or have a wafer and juice pack we provide. It’s our last Sunday in the garage, and we have lots to praise God for as we reflect on how we have been able to worship in creative ways during the past year. Come early to settle in and greet one another. See you there!

  • During worship in the garage, our nursery will be open for babies and toddlers. Parents can enter off Union Street to drop kids off and sign them in. We are so grateful our youngest ones have a place to play and connect!

  • This week we are asking you to bring cereal for the Friends In Deed Food Pantry if you are able. Right now this will help meet a major need in their supply. Thanks for contributing!

  • We are back on for Thursday noon Bible study! Join us in the park for a lively discussion about the book of Galatians. Email Pastor Chip with any questions.

  • Choir will have a rehearsal August 4th at 7:00pm in preparation for worship on August 8th. You can contact Pastor Leslie for more info and to lend your voice to our community.

Grace and peace to you as we head into the weekend. We can’t wait to worship with you on Sunday!

Less without you,

The FBCP Community

 

Weekly Updates 07.23.2021

Friends at FBCP,

Here are the updates and announcements you need for the week:

  • We are keeping an eye on the changing indoor requirements coming from local health agencies. We will share any changes to our indoor practices after our Covid Advisory Team meets on August 1. Our outdoor practices will stay the same for the next two weeks as we continue to meet in the garage.

  • This Sunday we will be gathering in the garage at 10:30AM for worship. Come early to settle in and greet one another. We know it’s been a hot week, so bring a water bottle to fill at our water stations. See you there!

  • During worship in the garage, our nursery will be open for babies and toddlers. Parents can enter off Union Street to drop kids off and sign them in. We are so grateful our youngest ones have a place to play and connect!

  • This week we are asking you to bring cereal for the Friends In Deed Food Pantry if you are able. Right now this will help meet a major need in their supply. Thanks for contributing!

  • To our families with kids, here is the registration for our kids camp if you still want to sign your kids up. Camp runs from July 26-30, and we can’t wait to play and connect with our church family. Keep an eye out for a parent email coming soon to all registered campers!

  • Please note that next week on Thursday, July 29th, we will take a break from Bible study but will resume the following week. Email Pastor Chip with any questions.

Grace and peace to you as we head into the weekend. We can’t wait to worship with you on Sunday!

Less without you,

The FBCP Community

 

In Pasadena as it is in Heaven

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