Weekly Updates 12.03.2021

Friends at FBCP,

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

This Sunday

• Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30 am as we 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 stay for our youth lunch and Christmas party. 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 are you grateful for?

• You can also prepare for worship by listening to this week’s scripture recording. You’ll hear a combination of sounds and scripture in this meditation on Matthew 1:18-25.

• Advent began last Sunday and this year’s Advent devotional uses Mary Oliver’s poetry from her book Devotions. Feel free to pick up a printed copy at the Connections desk in the lobby or click here for a digital copy.

• Click here to listen to FBCP’s The Advent Album. You can also pick up a CD copy on Sunday at the Connections desk in the lobby. Any and all proceeds will go directly to support our local partners, Friends in Deed.

• Join Rene and John Jay from 9-10 am for our Advent Sunday School class that explores the season and all of its power and promise. The class meets in the parlor Sunday mornings during Advent until December 19th, and childcare will be available so parents can attend. The curriculum uses the exquisite poetry of Mary Oliver as a lens to focus our hearts uniquely on Advent themes and practices. Copies of the poems will be provided, and no experience or expertise is required! Click here if you still want to sign up.

• This week we are asking you to bring hearty soup and/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!

• Partner with us in generosity through Friends In Deed’s annual Christmas for the Kids gift drive. Every year we get the honor of helping to provide gifts for Friends In Deed’s families with kids as we are reminded of God’s generous gift of Jesus to our world. This will be the last Sunday to sign up and we still have 36 unclaimed gift requests left to fill! Click the button below to sign up to bring a gift. Unwrapped gifts should be dropped off at the church no later than Sunday, December 12th.

Future Happenings & Other News

• 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.

• Come and bring your friends next Sunday, December 12th, to join in our 78th Annual Candlelight Carol Service at 6 pm in the sanctuary! Help us celebrate the Christmas season as we sing together and are reminded of hope made real in the birth of Jesus. Childcare for toddlers and infants (4 years and under) will be provided, and there will be a cookie reception after the service. Feel free to grab some of our invitation cards in the lobby area to share with friends.

• Calling all bakers and/or cookie lovers…we need cookies for our Candlelight Carol Service cookie reception! Whether you do the baking yourself or someone else does it for you, we’re asking, if possible, for you to bring 2-3 dozen cookies to share with family and friends. Cookies can be dropped off Sunday morning, December 12th, at the lobby desk before our regular morning worship service so they can be prepared and put out later in the evening for the carol service.

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

Weekly Updates 11.26.2021

Friends at FBCP,

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

This Sunday

• Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30 am as we begin Advent. 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 stay for our regular youth gathering and lunch. 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: Knowing that the holidays can sometimes be a time of heightened tension, is there a family or friendship practice which you are especially excited and grateful for this year?

• You can also prepare for worship by listening to this week’s scripture recording. You’ll hear a full song in this meditation on Matthew 1:1-17.

• Advent begins this Sunday and this year’s Advent devotional uses Mary Oliver’s poetry from her book Devotions. Feel free to pick up a printed copy at the lobby desk or click here for a digital copy.

• Join Rene and John Jay this Sunday, November 28th, from 9-10 am as they kick off a special Advent Sunday School class that explores the season and all of its power and promise. The class will meet in the parlor for 4 weeks until December 19th, and childcare will be available so parents can attend. The curriculum will utilize the exquisite poetry of Mary Oliver as a lens to focus our hearts uniquely on Advent themes and practices. Copies of the poems will be provided, and no experience or expertise is required! Click here to sign up.

• Interested in finding out more about FBCP, our history as an American Baptist church, and what we’re all about? New to FBCP? Join this upcoming Basics class in the Southside Room after worship service this Sunday when Pastor John Jay and Pastor Chip will go over what it means to be part of the FBCP community. Email Pastor Chip for more details.

• This week we are asking you to bring peanut butter 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!

• 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. Click here to give online or make your offering during worship on Sunday.

Future Happenings & Other News

• 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.

• Come and bring your friends on Sunday, December 12th, to join in our 78th Annual Candlelight Carol Service at 6 pm in the sanctuary! Help us celebrate the Christmas season as we sing together and are reminded of hope made real in the birth of Jesus. Childcare for toddlers and infants (4 years and under) will be provided, and there will be a cookie reception after the service. Feel free to grab some of our invitation cards in the lobby area to share with friends.

• Calling all bakers and/or cookie lovers…we need cookies for our Candlelight Carol Service cookie reception! Whether you do the baking yourself or someone else does it for you, we’re asking, if possible, for you to bring 2-3 dozen cookies to share with family and friends. Cookies can be dropped off Sunday morning, December 12th, at the lobby desk before our regular morning worship service so they can be prepared and put out later in the evening for the carol service.

• Partner with us in generosity through Friends in Deed’s annual Christmas for the Kids gift drive. Every year we get the honor of helping to provide gifts for Friends in Deed’s families with kids as we are reminded of God’s generous gift of Jesus to our world. Unwrapped gifts should be dropped off at the church no later than Sunday, December 12th. Click the button below to sign up to bring a gift!

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 | 11.23.2021

Hi Friends,

Gavin, Brody, and I are waiting for our baby girl to arrive any day now, and we are so thankful that she will grow up in this special community at FBCP! We will keep you posted and can't wait to introduce her to our village. In my absence, Pastor Mary will be overseeing Children's Ministry and Pastor Chip along with Grace and Grant Goodman will be overseeing the Youth Ministry. I'm so grateful they are in such great hands! 

There are some important dates and events coming up, so read on for all the details and let us know if you have any questions. 

Adult Advent Sunday School

During the four Sundays of Advent, there will be one adult Sunday School offering taught by Rene Scheys and John Jay. The class will center on theology and the poetry of Mary Oliver, and it will correspond to a devotional we'll share with the church at large. If you are planning to attend that class, please click here to sign up as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly for childcare . Thanks so much!

Kids

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open at 8:50 AM for parents who are attending our Advent Sunday School class and then for our regular worship hour. Parents can enter the building through the park gate on Union Street or from the courtyard by the sanctuary. 

Our kids five to ten years old can join us in the park for a time of learning and playing together. For any parents who plan to attend our adult Sunday School class, we will make sure we are ready to receive kids at 8:50 AM. Parents can enter from the Union Street gate to sign their kids in and can reunite with their kids in the park after worship. Pastor Mary and our team will be ready for a fun morning together. This week we will begin a new focus for the four weeks of Advent, and our theme is "Looking for Light." We can't wait to anticipate Jesus' birth together and to be the light in the darkness.

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• Why does John describe Jesus as the light?

• What are some ways that we can shine the light of God's love?
  

Children's Choir

For the Candlelight Carol Service, our kids five years old and up will be singing two songs. Cynthia will be teaching the kids the songs during their regular Sunday morning programming. You can encourage your child to practice using these listening tracks: Do You Hear What I Hear? and Go Tell It On the Mountain. Here is a lyric sheet for your reference. Please note the following dates and times:

• Saturday, December 11th: Dress Rehearsal 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM The kids will get fitted for their costumes for the Carol service, practice singing in the sanctuary, and run through the live nativity. We will provide some snacks. Please bring your child to the Chapel for drop off and pick up.
   

• Sunday, December 12th: Candlelight Carol Service - Arrive by 5:30 PM Kids will sing one song in their regular clothing (this is a chance to wear their favorite Christmas outfit!), and then they will change into their nativity costume. For kids who will be angels, we recommend bringing light-colored clothing that can easily be worn underneath. Any shoes are fine. Please bring your child to the chapel no later than 5:30 PM so that we can run through the songs one more time and get kids into place before the service starts at 6:00 PM. We will provide some snacks, too.
  

Youth 

This Sunday the youth will be gathering for their usual time of lunch and fellowship. We'll be following the scripture from worship service as we reflect on the season of Advent together. We'll wrap up by 1:30 PM, and parents can pick up their kids in the park. 

Youth Participation in the Carol Service
The youth do not have any singing or speaking parts to prepare, but we hope they will be part of our live nativity in the service. They will also be invited to help light candles right before the service starts that evening during the prelude. Please note the following dates and times for rehearsal and the event:

• Saturday, December 11th: Dress Rehearsal 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM The youth will get fitted for their costumes for the Carol service and run through the live nativity. We will provide some snacks. Please bring your youth to the Chapel for drop off and pick up.

• Sunday, December 12th: Candlelight Carol Service - Arrive by 5:30 PM Please bring your youth to the chapel no later than 5:30 PM so that we can run through logistics one last time and send them to light candles just before the service starts. We will provide some snacks, too.

Have a wonderful week!

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay 

Weekly Updates 11.19.2021

Friends at FBCP,

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

This Sunday

• Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30 am for Christ the King Sunday. 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 stay after for lunch and Hanging of the Greens. As a reminder, here are our community guidelines for being together in the sanctuary.

• Help us decorate the sanctuary for Christmas after service! We’ll kick off our Advent season with the Hanging of the Greens following worship on Sunday. We’ll eat lunch together before getting to work in the sanctuary hanging garlands, putting up lights, and having fun together while listening to some Christmas music.

• 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: Gratitude can be a simple practice. So in that spirit, share two or three simple things for which you are thankful from this last hour.

• You can also prepare for worship by listening to this week’s scripture recording. You’ll hear a combination of sounds and scripture in this meditation from Matthew 11:1-19.

• This week we are asking you to bring canned vegetables or fruit 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!

• 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. Click here to give online or make your offering during worship on Sunday.

Future Happenings & Other News

• Thursday noon Bible study will take a break next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. We’ll pick right back up though on Thursday, December 2nd. In the meanwhile, may you have a blessed Thanksgiving next week.

• Advent begins on Sunday, November 28th, and this year’s Advent devotional uses Mary Oliver’s poetry from her book Devotions. Pick up a printed copy in the lobby starting this coming Sunday or click here for a digital copy.

• Starting Sunday, November 28th, join Rene and John Jay Sunday mornings from 9-10 am for a special Advent Sunday School class that explores the season and all of its power and promise. The class will meet November 28-December 19 and childcare will be available so parents can attend. The curriculum will utilize the exquisite poetry of Mary Oliver as a lens to focus our hearts uniquely on Advent themes and practices. Copies of the poems will be provided, and no experience or expertise is required! Click here to sign up.

• Interested in finding out more about FBCP, our history as an American Baptist church, and what we’re all about? Join us for our next Basics class on Sunday, November 28th, in the Southside Room after worship service when Pastor John Jay and Pastor Chip will go over what it means to be part of the FBCP community. Email Pastor Chip for more details.

• Come and bring your friends on Sunday, December 12th, to join in our 78th Annual Candelight Carol Service at 6 pm in the sanctuary! Help us celebrate the Christmas season as we sing together and are reminded of hope made real in the birth of Jesus. Childcare for toddlers and infants (4 years and under) will be provided, and there will be a cookie reception after the service. Feel free to grab some of our invitation cards in the lobby area to share with friends.

• Partner with us in generosity through Friends in Deed’s annual Christmas for the Kids gift drive. Every year we get the honor of helping to provide gifts for Friends in Deed’s families with kids as we are reminded of God’s generous gift of Jesus to our world. More information on how to participate will be announced in service this Sunday and in the upcoming weeks.

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 | 11.18.2021

Hi Friends,

It's hard to believe that this Sunday we will be decorating our sanctuary for Christmas at our annual Hanging of the Greens event after worship! You and your families are invited to stay and help (lunch included). As we draw near to the season of Advent, we are excited to enter a time of expectation and reflection together. We'll be sharing some family advent devotional materials on Sundays if you are able to come to church. We hope they are a resource for families with kids—and a reminder that less truly is more! If you aren't able to pick up printed copies, you can still access a digital copy of the family devotional and accompanying poster. 

Adult Advent Sunday School

During the four Sundays of Advent, there will be one adult Sunday School offering taught by Rene Scheys and John Jay. The class will center on theology and the poetry of Mary Oliver, and it will correspond to a devotional we'll share with the church at large. If you are planning to attend that class, please click here to sign up so we can plan accordingly for childcare . Thanks so much!

Kids

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open from 8:50 AM until the end of worship so that parents can also opt to join one of our Sunday School classes. Parents can enter the building through the park gate on Union Street or from the courtyard by the sanctuary. 

Our kids five to ten years old can join us in the park for a time of learning and playing together starting at 8:50 AM, too! Parents can enter from the Union Street gate to sign their kids in and can reunite with their kids in the park after worship. Pastor Mary and I have some different games and activities they can choose from during the adult Sunday School hour, and then we'll transition to our regular Bible lesson and time of play during the worship hour at 10:30 AM. This week we continue to turn our focus toward gratitude and those who have encouraged us in the faith. We can't wait to explore what scripture has to tell us about this theme for the next few weeks!

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• Paul tells the church that when they are anxious, they should pray and give thanks. What does it mean to be anxious?

• How might praying to God and giving thanks help us when we are anxious?

Children's Choir

For the Candlelight Carol Service, our kids will be singing two songs. Cynthia will be teaching the kids the songs during their regular Sunday morning programming. Here are listening tracks for the songs so they can practice at home: Do You Hear What I Hear? and Go Tell It On the Mountain. Here is a lyric sheet for your reference. In addition, both kids and youth are invited to participate in the nativity. We look forward to an intergenerational service as we reflect on the arrival of the Christ child!

Youth 

This Sunday the youth will participate in the Hanging of the Greens (it's tradition for youth to help, too!). Lunch will be provided and we'll have a great time getting ready for Advent with all the decorations and Christmas music. Parents are welcome to stay, too! We look forward to an intergenerational time together. 

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay 

P.S. Once again, here are some important dates you can mark for kids and youth:

• December 4: Youth Christmas Party at FBCP

• December 11: Candlelight Carol Service Rehearsal 10:30am-12:00pm — Kids and Youth 

• December 12: Candlelight Carol Service — Kids and Youth arrive by 5:30pm

FBCP Families | 11.13.2021

Hi Friends,

This Sunday is full of so much good stuff! During the worship service, we will have two child dedications, and our kids will come to the sanctuary from the park to be part of this special moment in the life of our church. We hope it will help them remember and understand the importance of belonging to one another as a church family. Tomorrow is also our Gratitude Night potluck dinner at 6:00pm. We will have childcare for babies and toddlers. All other kids are welcome to join us in the gym for dinner. I look forward to sharing these significant moments with you and our community.

Mark Your Calendars!

In case you missed the email last week, here are some important dates you can mark for kids and youth:

• November 21: Hanging of the Greens after worship — Open to everyone of all ages!  The youth will participate in lieu of our regular gathering. Lunch is provided.

• December 4: Youth Christmas Party at FBCP

• December 11: Candlelight Carol Service Rehearsal 10:30am-12:00pm — Kids and Youth 

• December 12: Candlelight Carol Service — Kids and Youth arrive by 5:30pm

For the Candlelight Carol Service, our kids will be singing two songs. Cynthia will be preparing the children's choir during their regular Sunday morning programming (yay!). Here are listening tracks for the songs so they can practice at home: Do You Hear What I Hear? and Go Tell It On the Mountain. Here is a lyric sheet for your reference. In addition, both kids and youth are invited to participate in the nativity. We look forward to an intergenerational service as we reflect on the arrival of the Christ child!

Kids

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open from 8:50 AM until the end of worship so that parents can also opt to join one of our Sunday School classes. Parents can enter the building through the park gate on Union Street or from the courtyard by the sanctuary. 

Our kids five to ten years old can join us in the park for a time of learning and playing together starting at 8:50 AM, too! Parents can enter from the Union Street gate to sign their kids in and can reunite with their kids in the park after worship. Pastor Mary and I have some different games and activities they can choose from during the adult Sunday School hour, and then we'll transition to our regular Bible lesson and time of play during the worship hour at 10:30 AM. This week we continue to turn our focus toward gratitude and those who have encouraged us in the faith. We can't wait to explore what scripture has to tell us about this theme for the next few weeks!

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• Who has encouraged you to love and follow God in a special way? 

• How could you encourage others to love like Jesus?

Youth 

This Sunday the youth will NOT gather after worship because  we have an inaugural gathering with the Pasadena Youth Coalition at McDonald Park from 2-4 pm. Let us know if your youth needs help with transportation. Fancy ice cream will be included along with games and connecting activities.  We're excited to partner with other youth in our city to see what we can learn and do together!

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay 

P.S. If you missed my email earlier this week regarding our plans for kids in the coming months in light of Covid, you can read it here.

Weekly Updates 11.12.2021

Friends at FBCP,

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

This Sunday

• Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30 am. We are excited to have Rich Freeman, one of our global servants, join us for worship on Sunday and share a bit about the cross-cultural work he does. If you would like to join him for lunch following service to learn more about how God is working in Turkey, please email Pastor Lindsay at lindsay@fbcpasadena.com. As usual, 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. Please note there is no youth gathering afterward this week. As a reminder, here are our community guidelines for being together in the sanctuary.

• Come to Gratitude Night Potluck in the gym at 6 pm this Sunday, November 14th! Along with our annual business meeting when we’ll vote on the proposed 2022 budget and board nominees, we’ll gather to share a meal and give thanks for all of God’s faithfulness this past year. Based on your last name, as you’re able, please bring a side or salad (A-G), dessert (H-O), or main dish (P-Z) of about 10 servings to share with your FBC friends and family. Childcare for toddlers and infants will be provided. Click here for more information on the items presented at this past Sunday’s Town Hall which will be voted on.

• 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: Who in your life would you thank for being the best picture of Jesus to you?

• You can also prepare for worship by listening to this week’s scripture recording. You’ll hear a combination of sounds and scripture in this meditation from Matthew 10:1-42.

• 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!

• 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. Click here to give online or make your offering during worship on Sunday.

• Help give the gift of life! Sign up to participate in the American Red Cross’ Blood Drive FBCP is hosting on Friday, November 19th, in the gym from 10 am - 4 pm. A blood drive representative will in the lobby this Sunday before and after service to take donor sign ups. You can also go here to find out more information and/or to sign up and schedule an appointment: November 19 Blood Drive Sign up (NOTE: Be sure to sign up for the one in Pasadena located at 75 N Marengo Ave.)
  

Future Happenings & Other News

• 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.

• As our staff begins preparing for some office transitions, you’ll notice some changes as we settle into new rhythms. One of these changes we’ve implemented is the Sunday liturgy recording is being posted and made available the next day on Monday. Please note this does not impact listening to the livestream on Sundays at 10:30 am.

• The time to decorate for Christmas is here! Come and join us after service next Sunday, November 21st, in the sanctuary as we hang garlands, put up lights, and have fun while listening to some Christmas music. We’ll eat lunch together before getting to work.

• Starting November 28th, join Rene and John Jay Sunday mornings from 9-10 am for a special Advent Sunday School class that explores the season and all of its power and promise. The class will meet November 28-December 19 and childcare will be available so parents can attend. The curriculum will utilize the exquisite poetry of Mary Oliver as a lens to focus our hearts uniquely on Advent themes and practices. Copies of the poems will be provided, and no experience or expertise required!

• Interested in finding out more about FBCP, our history as an American Baptist church, and what we’re all about? Join us for our next Basics class on Sunday, November 28th, in the Southside Room after worship service when Pastor John Jay and Pastor Chip will go over what it means to be part of the FBCP community. Email Pastor Chip for more details.

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 | 11.06.2021

Hi Friends,

We have lots of exciting happenings this month for our church family, including our Town Hall meeting this Sunday right after worship and our Gratitude Night potluck dinner on November 14th. If you want to stay after worship for Town Hall, you can pick your kids up in the park or the nursery after the meeting is over. At Gratitude Night, we will have childcare for babies and toddlers. All other kids are welcome to join us in the gym for dinner. 

We are also excited to look ahead to the season of Advent. Because we know the calendar can fill up fast, here are some important dates you can mark for kids and youth:

• November 21: Hanging of the Greens after worship — Open to everyone of all ages!  The youth will participate in lieu of our regular gathering. Lunch is provided.

• December 4: Youth Christmas Party at FBCP

• December 11: Candlelight Carol Service Rehearsal 10:30am-12:00pm — Kids and Youth 

• December 12: Candlelight Carol Service — Kids and Youth arrive by 5:30pm

For the Candlelight Carol Service, our kids will be singing two songs. In addition, both kids and youth will be invited to participate in the nativity. Cynthia will be preparing the children's choir during their regular Sunday morning programming (yay!), and I'll be sending some song tracks over email to help your kids sing along and practice at home. We look forward to an intergenerational service as we reflect on the arrival of the Christ child. We'll be sending out more details about each event in the weeks to come, but we wanted to be sure you have those dates in mind as we head into Advent. 

Kids

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open from 8:50 AM until the end of worship so that parents can also opt to join one of our Sunday School classes. Parents can enter the building through the park gate on Union Street or from the courtyard by the sanctuary. 

Our kids five to ten years old can join us in the park for a time of learning and playing together starting at 8:50 AM, too! Parents can enter from the Union Street gate to sign their kids in and can reunite with their kids in the park after worship. Pastor Mary and I have some different games and activities they can choose from during the adult Sunday School hour, and then we'll transition to our regular Bible lesson and time of play during the worship hour at 10:30 AM. This week we are turning our focus toward gratitude and various practices that ground us in thankfulness. We can't wait to explore what scripture has to tell us about this theme for the next few weeks!

Youth 

This Sunday the youth will gather after worship for lunch and fellowship. We'll spend time talking about this week's scripture passage from Matthew and then work on our youth room renovation plans. Parents can pick up their youth at the park gate off Union at 1:30PM. 

As a reminder, on Sunday, November 14, we have an inaugural gathering with the Pasadena Youth Coalition at McDonald Park from 2-4 pm. Keep an eye out for another email with details about that event.  We're excited to partner with other youth in our city to see what we can learn and do together!

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay 

Weekly Updates 11.05.2021

DON’T FORGET TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK!

Friends at FBCP,

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

This Sunday

• 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.

• Immediately after Sunday service there will be a Town Hall meeting in the sanctuary to present the 2022 budget proposal and board nominees to the congregation for consideration as we prepare to vote on them at Gratitude Night on Sunday, November 14th. Click here for more information.

• 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: When have you been grateful for a spark of light during a heavy/painful/scary season in your life?

• You can also prepare for worship by listening to this week’s scripture recording. You’ll hear a combination of sounds and scripture in this meditation from Matthew 8:23-28.

• 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!

• 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. Click here to give online or make your offering during worship on Sunday.
  

Future Happenings & Other News

• 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.

• As our staff begins preparing for some office transitions, you’ll notice some changes as we settle into new rhythms. One change is that starting with this coming Sunday’s service, the Sunday liturgy recording will be posted and made available the next day on Monday. Please note this does not impact listening to the livestream on Sundays at 10:30 am.

• Gratitude Night will be another time for potluck (yum, yum)! We’ll meet in the gym at 6 pm next Sunday, November 14th, as noted above. Based on your last name, as you’re able, please bring a side or salad (A-G), dessert (H-O), or main dish (P-Z) of about 10 servings to share with your FBC friends and family. We’re looking forward to another delicious time of fellowship, food, and friendship with you all!

• As the last year and a half has made the reality of how precious life is, our church wants to invite you to help give a gift of life by participating in the American Red Cross’ Blood Drive that FBCP is helping to host in the gym on Friday, November 19th, from 10 am - 4 pm. For more information and/or to sign up and schedule an appointment, go here: November 19 Blood Drive Sign up (NOTE: Be sure to sign up for the one in Pasadena located at 75 N Marengo Ave.)

• The time to decorate for Christmas is here! Come and join us after service on Sunday, November 21st, in the sanctuary as we hang garlands, put up lights, and have fun while listening to some Christmas music. We’ll eat lunch together before getting to work.

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 | 10.30.2021

Hi Friends,

Happy weekend! Tomorrow marks the start of traditions in the liturgical calendar and in our neighborhoods. Here is a summary (adapted from SALT's weekly Almanac) of this weekend's special celebrations:

October 31 is Halloween, or “All Hallow’s Eve.” Though on the surface it can seem like Halloween is all about candy and scary costumes, it's also a beautiful picture of intergenerational sharing and joy when we open our homes to friends and strangers alike. You can read a brief theology of Halloween here (I share it every year because it's such a good reminder of what the day can mean!). November 1 is All Saints' Day, a festival celebrating all the saints, known and unknown. November 2 is All Souls’ Day, honoring those who have died (especially relatives). All three of these days — October 31 through November 2 — are sometimes collectively called “Allhallowtide.” And in communities of Mexican heritage, many celebrate this three-day period as the Dia de los Muertos, “The Day of the Dead,” a time for gathering to pray, remember, and commune with friends and family members who have died.

Tomorrow in worship we will set aside time to honor the names of loved ones who died in the last year, and it will be a beautiful time to come together and bear witness both to loss and our shared hope. Read on for details about kids and our plans for them!

Kids

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open from 8:50 AM until the end of worship so that parents can also opt to join one of our Sunday School classes. Parents can enter the building through the park gate on Union Street or from the courtyard by the sanctuary. 

Our kids five to ten years old can join us in the park for a time of learning and playing together starting at 8:50 AM, too! Parents can enter from the Union Street gate to sign their kids in and can reunite with their kids in the park after worship. Pastor Mary and I have some different games and activities they can choose from during the adult Sunday School hour, and then we'll transition to our regular Bible lesson and time of play during the worship hour at 10:30 AM. This week in our lesson from Matthew, we will look at the end of the book of Matthew and Jesus' final instructions to his disciples.  

Pastor Mary and I invite kids (of all ages!) to wear a costume to church tomorrow if that would bring them joy! We'll have fun Halloween snacks and activities as we learn about spreading God's love and light (both while trick-or-treating and all the time). If your child isn't into costumes, no problem! It'll be a fun morning for all, and we look forward to learning and growing together with your precious kids.

Youth 

This Sunday the youth are invited to join the Hospitality team in the morning, and then we will gather after worship for lunch and fellowship. We'll spend time talking about this week's scripture passage from Matthew and then work on our youth room renovation plans. There may also be treats and definitely a few tricks. Parents can pick up their youth at the park gate off Union at 1:30PM. We look forward to this time with our youth!

Upcoming Youth Happenings
As a reminder, the youth have a room renovation planning party on Friday, November 5, from 5:30-9:30 pm. On Sunday, November 14, we have an inaugural gathering with the Pasadena Youth Coalition at McDonald Park from 2-4 pm. Keep an eye out for another email with reminders about those events. 

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay 

Weekly Updates 10.29.2021

Friends at FBCP,

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

This Sunday

• Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30 am. 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 stay for our regular youth gathering and lunch. As a reminder, here are our community guidelines for being together in the sanctuary.
  
  

• On Sunday for All Saints Remembrance we will pause to remember those 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 linked below to share their names with us.

• 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: How has the practice of gratitude affected other parts of your life? Do you notice your attention shift in response to regular gratefulness?

• You can also prepare for worship by listening to this week’s scripture recording. You’ll hear a combination of sounds and scripture in this meditation from Matthew 8:18-22.
  
  

• 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!
  
  

• 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 and next, 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. Click here to give online or make your offering during worship on Sunday.
  
  

Future Happenings & Other News

• 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.

• Immediately after Sunday service next week on November 7th, there will be a Town Hall meeting in the sanctuary to present the 2022 budget proposal and board nominees to the congregation for consideration as we prepare to vote on them at Gratitude Night on Sunday, November 14th. Mark your calendars for these important dates as we give thanks and remember God’s faithful goodness this past year while also looking toward what God has for us in the year ahead. We will share some supporting materials ahead of these meetings so you can pray and prepare.

• Gratitude Night will be another time for potluck (yum, yum)! We’ll meet in the gym at 6 pm on November 14th as noted above. Based on your last name, as you’re able, please bring a side or salad (A-G), dessert (H-O), or main dish (P-Z) of about 10 servings to share with your FBC friends and family. We’re looking forward to another delicious time of fellowship, food, and friendship with you all!

• As the last year and a half has made the reality of how precious life is, our church wants to invite you to help give a gift of life by participating in the American Red Cross’ Blood Drive that FBCP is helping to host in the gym on Friday, November 19th, from 10 am - 4 pm. For more information and/or to sign up and schedule an appointment, go here: November 19 Blood Drive Sign up (NOTE: Be sure to sign up for the one in Pasadena located at 75 N Marengo Ave.)

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

Weekly Updates 10.22.2021

Friends at FBCP,

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

This Sunday

• Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30 am. 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 stay for our regular youth gathering and lunch. As a reminder, here are our community guidelines for being together in the sanctuary.
  
  

• This Sunday, October 24th, at 6 pm in the chapel, we will have an evening service of prayer and healing centered around songs and communal prayer. We are all carrying a lot, and we hope this is a time to set some of those burdens down and connect to God, self and one another.
  
  

• We’ll begin our service with an open time of sharing gratitudes, so we invite you to pay special attention to your Saturday and Sunday morning for moments of wonder and/or astonishment as you consider this prompt as we head into Sunday: In the last couple of days, where have you been astonished by beauty?

• You can also prepare for worship by listening to this week’s scripture recordings. You’ll hear a combination of sounds and scripture in this meditation from Matthew 8:1-17.
  
  

• This week we are asking you to bring canned vegetables or fruit 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!
  
  

• 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 and next, 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. Click here to give online or make your offering during worship on Sunday.
  
  

Future Happenings & Other News

• 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.

• Next Sunday, October 31st, for All Saints Remembrance we will pause to remember those 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 linked below to share their names with us.

• It’s hard to believe, but the time has come again for our annual Town Hall and Gratitude Night potluck! Immediately after Sunday service on November 7th, there will be a Town Hall meeting to present the 2022 budget proposal and board nominees to the congregation for consideration as we prepare to vote on them at Gratitude Night on Sunday, November 14th at 6 pm. Mark your calendars for these important dates as we give thanks and remember God’s faithful goodness this past year while also looking toward what God has for us in the year ahead. We will share some supporting materials ahead of these meetings so you can pray and prepare.

• As the last year and a half has made the reality of how precious life is, our church wants to invite you to help give a gift of life by participating in the American Red Cross’ Blood Drive FBCP is helping to host in the gym on Friday, November 19th, from 10 am - 4 pm. For more information and/or to sign up and schedule an appointment, go here: November 19 Blood Drive Sign up (NOTE: Be sure to sign up for the one in Pasadena located at 75 N Marengo Ave.)

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

Weekly Updates 10.15.2021

Friends at FBCP,

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

This Sunday

• Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30AM. 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 the potluck. As a reminder, here are our community guidelines for being together in the sanctuary.
  
  

• Baptisms, new member service, and potluck are all this coming Sunday, October 17th! We’re so excited to celebrate this time together as a family during service and afterward as we share a potluck meal in the park. We always love the diversity of flavors people bring to our communal table! Just so none of us overloads on yummy baked goods, we’d like to ask based on your last name, if you’re able, to bring a main dish (A-J), a side/salad (K-R), or a dessert (S-Z) of about 10 servings to share with your friends here. Potlucks are a special time here at FBCP, so we hope you’ll join us that day for some fantastic food and fellowship.
  
  

• You can also prepare for worship by listening to this week’s scripture recording. You’ll hear a combination of sounds and scripture in this meditation from Matthew 7.
  
  

• 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 started our new Sunday School hour for all ages. Don’t worry if you missed the last two weeks - there’s still one more chance to join! 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. Childcare will be provided so parents can opt in, too. To learn more about our class offerings and sign up, please use this form.
  
  

• 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 and next, 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. Click here to give online or make your offering during worship on Sunday.
  
  

• This past Sunday we introduced the newest member to join the FBC staff—Astyn! She’ll be helping out as a Worship Associate so you’ll be seeing plenty more of her. Here’s a little intro from her:

  I’m from right here in Pasadena! I literally grew up in church, being a pastor’s kid. I graduated college in 2019 and have been doing full time music ever since: singing, writing, arranging, and worship leading. I’m so excited to be here and to help encourage involvement in worship!

  Join us in welcoming Astyn to our quirky but oh-so-awesome FBC family!

Future Happenings & Other News

• 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.
  
  

• Next Sunday, October 24th, at 6 pm in the chapel, we will have a service of prayer and healing centered around songs and communal prayer. We are all carrying a lot, and we hope this is a time to set some of those burdens down and connect to God, self and one another.
  
  

• On All Saints Sunday, October 31st, we will pause to remember those 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 linked below to share their names with us.

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 | 10.12.2021

Hi Friends,

Last week we shared that we have another new baby in our community, and I'm happy to report that Danielle and Craig Christen are home now with baby Margaret! Their daughter Adelaide loves her baby sister, and they are adjusting to this new stage of life. One of the practical ways we can support them is to bring them a meal. Here is a meal train link for anyone who wants to help them in that way. Thanks for being a generous and loving community!

This coming Sunday we have a special service with three baptisms and the reception of multiple new members. It's going to be a beautiful time of worship followed by a potluck, which is always a specialty at FBCP! We hope you can join us for the morning, and parents can read more below about how we will invite kids to be part of some of the worship service.

Kids

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers under four years old. Childcare will be open from 8:50 AM until the end of worship so that parents can also opt to join one of our Sunday School classes. 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 starting at 8:50 AM, too! Parents can enter from the Union Street gate to sign their kids in and can reunite with their kids in the park after worship. Pastor Mary and I have some different games and activities they can choose from during the adult Sunday School hour, and then we'll transition to our regular Bible lesson and time of play during the worship hour at 10:30 AM. This week in our lesson from Matthew, we will explore how Jesus views justice and peace. 

Please note that we will pause our regular morning plans to bring the kids to the sanctuary during some of the baptisms. Pastor Mary and I feel safe inviting them into this special time of worship while everyone is masked, and we will have a special section where they can sit to join in this important moment in the life of our congregation. We will then return to the park for the duration of the morning and then see everyone at the potluck. It's going to be such a beautiful morning! If you have questions or concerns please don't hesitate to reach out.

Youth 

This Sunday the youth will join the all-church potluck! We look forward to a time of fellowship and good food with them and our community at large. Next Sunday we will resume our regular youth gathering after worship. 

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay 

FBCP Families | 10.09.2021

Hi Friends,

I have exciting news to share—we have another new baby in our community! Danielle and Craig Christen had a sweet baby girl yesterday, and both mom and baby are doing well. You can pray for them as they welcome this newest addition and for their daughter Adelaide who is now a big sister. I'll be sharing a meal train link in the coming week for anyone who wants to help support them that way. Praise God for this gift of new life in our church!

One of the best parts of being in a community is when we each have space to share our gifts and passions with one another. Some of you may know Jose and Jessica Lim, and we are grateful for their presence in our community. Their daughter Grace is a high school student who started her own online art classes for kids—and they are free! If you would like to enroll your child for the next class session, you can check out this website and fill out the boxes under the "Sign Up" section. Materials are included for up to 24 students. The next class starts October 21, and what a gift to give our kids the chance to explore their creativity and learn from passionate teachers like Grace! 

Kids

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers under four years old. Childcare will be open from 8:50 AM until the end of worship so that parents can also opt to join one of our Sunday School classes. 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 starting at 8:50 AM, too! Pastor Mary and I have some different games and activities they can choose from during the adult Sunday School hour (including one that will smell yummy and get us in the fall spirit!), and then we'll transition to our regular Bible lesson and time of play during the worship hour at 10:30 AM. This week we continue with our series looking at the book of Matthew together. We will explore what it means for us to be salt and light, and we have a fun science experiment to help us with the lesson. Parents can enter from the Union Street gate to sign their kids in and can reunite with their kids in the park after worship. 

Youth 

This Sunday the youth are invited to join us for worship in the sanctuary followed by fellowship and lunch after the service ends. If they want to come early, they can help with kids or join a Sunday School class. We'll gather in the parlor and do some more work on our youth renovation project. To simplify things for pick up, parents can meet their youth in the park at 1:30PM. We can't wait to hang with our youth!

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 10.08.2021

Friends at FBCP,

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

This Sunday

• Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30AM. 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 friendship for which you are particularly grateful?
  
  

• You can also prepare for worship by listening to this week’s scripture recording. You’ll hear a combination of sounds and scripture in this meditation focusing on the Lord’s prayer.
  
  

• This week we are asking you to bring a jar of peanut butter 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!
  
  

• Last Sunday we started our new Sunday School hour for all ages. Don’t worry if you missed last week - there’s still time to join! 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. Childcare will be provided so parents can opt in, too. To learn more about our class offerings and sign up, please use this form.
  
  

• In the months of October and November we are highlighting the ways God is at work around the world and inviting you into a season of extra generosity. 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 and next, 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. Here is one inspiring story of the ways IM global servants are being equipped to help children who are most vulnerable. 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.
  

Future Happenings

• 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.
  
  

• Next Friday, October 15th, the Pasadena Senior Center will be holding a Life Remembrance Service beginning at 11:30 a.m. in memory of Michael Coxson, a loved member of their community and ours. John Jay will be officiating the service as we join them in remembering Michael. This service is open to any in our community who would like to attend.
  
  

• Baptisms, new member service, and potluck are all coming up Sunday, October 17th! We’re so excited to celebrate this time together as a family during service and afterward as we share a potluck meal in the park. We always love the diversity of flavors people bring to our communal table! Just so none of us overloads on yummy baked goods, we’d like to ask based on your last name, if you’re able, to bring a main dish (A-J), a side/salad (K-R), or a dessert (S-Z) of about 10 servings to share with your friends here. Potlucks are a special time here at FBCP, so we hope you’ll join us that day for some fantastic food and fellowship.
  
  

• On Sunday, October 24th, at 6 pm in the chapel, we will have a service of prayer and healing centered around songs and communal prayer. We are all carrying a lot, and we hope this is a time to set some of those burdens down and connect to God, self and one another.
  

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 | 10.02.2021

Hi Friends,

Tomorrow is an exciting day as we kick off our Sunday School classes for adults and youth! If you are still interested in joining a class, it's not too late. Childcare is available so that parents can participate, too. You can register here or let us know if you have questions about the different offerings we have. Note that these first classes will last eight weeks, and then a new set of classes will be offered as we continue with future sessions. Read on for more information about our plans for kids during the 9 o'clock hour. 

Kids

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers under four years old. Childcare will be open from 8:50 AM until the end of worship so that parents can also opt to join one of our Sunday School classes. 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 starting at 8:50 AM, too! We have some different games and activities they can choose from during the adult Sunday School hour, and then we'll transition to our regular Bible lesson and time of play during the worship hour at 10:30 AM. Parents can enter from the Union Street gate to sign their kids in and can reunite with their kids in the park after worship. This week we are starting a new series looking at the book of Matthew together. We will begin by thinking about all the people we call "family," whether they are part of our family of origin or chosen friends in our lives. We hope to see your kids there!

Youth 

This Sunday the youth are invited to join us for worship in the sanctuary followed by fellowship and lunch after the service ends. If they want to come early, they can help with kids, join a Sunday School class, or set up communion. This week the youth will stay in the sanctuary to help put away communion after worship, and then we will head to the parlor for our regular time together. We will plan to wrap up around 1:30 PM. We can't wait to hang with our youth!

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay 

P.S. I know the weather isn't sure what time of year it is, but it's October and the fall season is upon us! For those of you with kids who love science and nature, you might have fun trying these fall-themed experiments with things like leaves and pumpkins. 

Weekly Updates 10.01.2021

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: As you practice daily gratitude, is there a theme arising in your thankfulness?
  
  

• You can also prepare for worship by listening to this week’s scripture recording. That link will take you to a playlist of all the recordings so far for Matthew, and this week you’ll see there are two new tracks! Happy listening and meditating on scripture.
  
  

• This 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. Childcare will be provided so parents can opt in, too. To learn more about our class offerings and sign up, please use this form.
  
  

• This week we are asking you to bring a a hearty soup/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.
  
  

• Baptisms, new member service, and potluck are all coming up Sunday, October 17th! We’re so excited to celebrate this time together as a family during service and afterward as we share a potluck meal in the park. We always love the diversity of flavors people bring to our communal table! Just so none of us overloads on yummy baked goods, we’d like to ask based on your last name, if you’re able, to bring a main dish (A-J), a side/salad (K-R), or a dessert (S-Z) of about 10 servings to share with your friends here. Potlucks are a special time here at FBCP, so we hope you’ll join us that day for some fantastic food and fellowship.
  

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 | 09.25.2021

Hi Friends,

Last Saturday we had a beautiful time of food and fellowship at the Women's Brunch, and it was such a special intergenerational gathering for our church family. Jessica Henson shared about her own walk of faith and how her understanding of God's Kingdom has required a process of constantly learning and expanding her vision and way of thinking—and that it's taken community and more people at the proverbial table to grow as God keeps calling her to grow. It was a great reminder of our call at FBCP to help expand our collective vision of the Kingdom. 

For those of you who are parents, that includes our ever-growing understanding of what it means to love our children and raise them in healthy and supportive ways. I love to share resources with you when I come across something that I imagine might be helpful to others, too. Today I want to share a reminder about a seemingly obvious but precious resource we have—each other. In the past weeks I have had the privilege of talking with multiple parents in our community, and while each of their stories is unique, there are many common threads. You all have such wisdom, experience, and profound questions when it comes to parenting and faith, and I'm so thankful that we can lean on each other and share our journeys as we seek the best for our children. We look forward to creating more opportunities for our parents to connect and deepen their relationships, for those are some of the greatest resources God has gifted to us. Thank you for being such a special village to my family and to one another.

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 wrap up our unit on what it means to be a good neighbor. Pastor Mary and some fabulous Family Ministry volunteers will be helping the kids assemble special packs they can pass out to neighbors in need, and we are excited for them to spread love outside our church walls. 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. 

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 and making plans for our youth room renovation. We can't wait to hang with our youth!

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay 

Weekly Updates 09.24.2021

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.

• The Rose Bowl Half Marathon is Sunday morning with limited street access around the church from 6AM- 12:30PM. Be sure to check out the road closure map so you can plan your route and give yourself extra time you might need for getting to service.

• 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: When has Jesus been faithful to bring healing or help when you felt powerless?
  
  

• You can also prepare for worship by listening to this week’s scripture recording. The passage is Matthew 4:12-25, and you’ll hear a combination of sounds and scripture in this week’s meditation.
  
  

• This week we are asking you to bring a baking item (e.g., flour, sugar, oil, etc.) 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.
  
  

• 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. Childcare will be provided so parents can opt in, too. To learn more about our class offerings and sign up, please use this form.
  

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