Weekly Updates 04.15.2022

Friends at FBCP,

Join us for Good Friday service tonight

We will remember Christ’s crucifixion and death tonight at our Good Friday Service this evening at 6 pm in the chapel. Pastors John Jay and Leslie will lead our time together. Please email Pastor Lindsay if you need childcare for nursery-age children.

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

This Sunday

• Celebrate Easter with us this Sunday starting with a potluck brunch and mariachi band at 10 am in the courtyard! We will have an egg hunt and a craft table open for kids during the brunch. Based on your last name, if you’re able, we’re asking you to bring about 10 servings of something savory (A-L) or sweet/fruit (M-Z) to eat and share with your friends here as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection together. Nursery care will be provided for ages four and under starting at 10:45 am.

• Snip and bring some flowers from your yard or a neighbor’s yard (with permission!) to place on the cross that will be outside in the courtyard area during Easter Brunch. The decorated cross will be carried into the sanctuary right before Easter Service begins at 11 am.

• Join us for Easter worship service and a baptism at 11 am in the sanctuary immediately following the brunch! The nursery will be open as usual for our toddlers and babies. Please note that this Sunday our kids five years old and up will join us in the sanctuary for service. Youth are also invited to join us for worship. Prayer ministers will be available at the front of the sanctuary toward the end of the service to pray with those who would like to receive prayer.

• The Friends In Deed Food Pantry item for this Sunday is canned chicken/tuna.

Future Happenings & Other News

• As a reminder, there is no noon Bible study next week. The study will resume on Thursday, April 28th.

• Iris and Jason Chen will be leading the third couples class next Sunday, April 24th, at 5 pm in the chapel. To sign up, you can text “couples” to (626) 727-9498. Please email Pastors Lindsay and Mary if you need childcare during this month’s class.

• We’ll be starting a new 8-week series of Sunday School classes for Spring on Sunday, May 1st. Similar to before, classes will meet from 9-10 am before service, and childcare will be available so parents can attend, too. More information about each class will be coming next week. Text “school” to 626.727.9498 or email Pastor Chip if you’re interested or want to learn more. You’ll be able to sign up for classes either online or at the Connections Desk in the church lobby starting on Sunday, April 24th.

• Please keep Stormie and Dustin in your prayers in this tender season. In lieu of flowers, the Millers have asked folks to consider a donation to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, specifically for The Heart Institute program in honor of Gibson James Miller. You can make a donation here. You can also support them in the coming weeks by helping to provide meals. Click here for more details and to sign up for the meal train.

• We are grateful to partner with and support Melanie Baggao, Kit Ripley, Tim and Patti Long, and Rich and Laura Freeman in the work they do as American Baptist global servants working directly with refugees, migrants, and/or vulnerable girls and women around the world. Go here to read their latest news and to learn about how God is at work through them.

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 | 04.09.2022

Hi Friends,

Thank you for your continued support and love for Stormie and Dustin during this tender time of loss. We will host a special service honoring the life of their son Gibson this Sunday at 4pm in the park. They would like this to have a family-friendly feel, so please bring a blanket to sit on. If you would like to come alongside the Millers by sending a meal in the coming weeks, you can sign up on this meal train. Thank you for praying for them as they walk this difficult journey. Your love has meant a great deal to them and will continue to be a vital part of their healing. 

Holy Week and Easter

This Sunday, April 10th, kids will be singing with the adult choir in the first part of the service as part of our Palm Sunday tradition. After singing, they will be dismissed to experience a kind of Holy Week tour all around the church, including their classroom.  Parents, please help your child learn the songs by playing the "Rejoice the King is Coming" video at home or in the car. You can check out this lyric sheet to help! This week we are asking kids to arrive at 9:15 AM to practice the song and get ready for the morning. You can meet us in the lobby of the sanctuary. Parents, we invite you to hang out with each other over coffee and fresh churros in our lobby prior to service. We hope it's a time to connect with other parents and enjoy some yummy breakfast treats. 

You are invited to join us for our Holy Week services. Both services are at 6 pm in the chapel, and kids are welcome to join. Maundy Thursday service will be on Thursday, April 14th. This will be an intimate service led by Pastor Chip and Astyn. We will partake in communion together as well as foot washing. Good Friday service will be on Friday, April 15th. Pastors John Jay and Leslie will lead our time together as we remember Christ’s crucifixion and death leading into Easter Sunday. If you need nursery childcare for either service, please let us know.

Next Sunday is Easter, and we'll have an all-church potluck brunch at 10:00 AM with a live mariachi band! There will be a craft table and an egg hunt for kids, too. We'll begin worship at 11:00 AM that morning, and our kids five years old and up will join us in the sanctuary for Easter service. We'll have nursery childcare as usual for our littles ones during worship. We hope to see you there for this most special morning as we celebrate the meaning of resurrection! 

KIDS

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open starting at 10:15 AM so you can drop your child off and head to the sanctuary for worship. 

Our kids five to ten years old will help us sing at the start of worship and then head out for a time together. As we enter Holy Week, there is still time to do some Lenten practices as a family with intention and open hearts. You might consider asking the following questions the next time you share a meal or family time together.

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• What kind of king is Jesu? Why did he ride into town on a donkey? 

• Why did Jesus wash his disciples' feet? What can we learn from that moment?

Please note that early childcare at 9:00 am will resume after Easter. In the meantime, we will open our nursery spaces for any parent who wants to play with their kids while the other parent is in early choir practice on Sunday.

YOUTH

This week we are on track for our regular youth gathering after service. We'll meet in the park for lunch and a time of discussion as we look at Palm Sunday and Holy Week together. We'll also keep taking steps with our youth room renovation project.

Have a wonderful weekend, and I hope to see you Sunday!

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 04.08.2022

Friends at FBCP,

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

This Sunday

• All our COVID-19 restrictions have been removed. We recommend always having a mask with you even if you don’t choose to wear one as you may find yourself in need of one as we continue to be mindful of each other in worship. Please remember that we each are navigating different contexts and have varying comfort levels as we continue to build a community of generosity, curiosity, and love. Read the entire update on our practices and plans for worshiping together here.

• Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30 am as we celebrate Palm Sunday! The nursery will be open as usual for our toddlers and babies. Please note that this Sunday our kids five years old and up will help lead us in worship for the first part of service. We are asking them to arrive at 9:15 am to practice singing, and parents are invited to enjoy pastries in the courtyard at that time. Youth are also invited to join us for worship and then stay for our regular youth gathering and lunch. Prayer ministers will be available at the front of the sanctuary toward the end of the service to pray with those who would like to receive prayer.

• We will join together this Sunday afternoon at 4 pm outside in the FBCP park for a special liturgy honoring Gibson James Miller. Parents Stormie and Dustin would like this to have a family-friendly feel, so please bring a blanket to sit on as you would at a family picnic. In lieu of flowers, the Millers have asked folks to consider a donation to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, specifically for The Heart Institute program in honor of Gibson James Miller. You can find out more information here.

Please keep Stormie and Dustin in your prayers as we approach this service of remembrance and comfort. You can also support them in the coming weeks by helping to provide meals. Click here for more details and to sign up for the meal train.

• The Friends In Deed Food Pantry item for this Sunday is peanut butter.

Future Happenings & Other News

• We will not have Thursday noon Bible study the next two weeks starting on April 14th. The study will resume on April 28th.

• You are invited to join us next week for our Holy Week services. Both services are at 6 pm in the chapel. Please email Pastor Lindsay if you need childcare at either service for nursery-age children.

  • Maundy Thursday service will be on Thursday, April 14th. This will be an intimate service led by Pastor Chip and Astyn. We will partake in communion together as well as foot washing.

  • Good Friday service will be on Friday, April 15th. Pastors John Jay and Leslie will lead our time together as we remember Christ’s crucifixion and death leading into Easter Sunday.

• We will celebrate Easter next Sunday on April 17th beginning with a potluck brunch and mariachi band at 10 am in the courtyard! We will have an egg hunt and a craft table open for kids during the brunch. Based on your last name, if you’re able, we’re asking you to bring about 10 servings of something savory (A-L) or sweet/fruit (M-Z) to eat and share with your friends here. Worship service will be immediately afterward at 11 am with the children joining us for service to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. Nursery care will be provided for ages four and under. We hope you can join us for both!

• We need your help to decorate the cross on Easter Sunday with greenery from all over our city! Snip and bring some flowers from your yard or a neighbor’s yard (with permission!) to place on the cross that will be outside in the courtyard area during Easter Brunch. The decorated cross will be carried into the sanctuary right before Easter Service begins at 11 am.

• Iris and Jason Chen will be leading the third couples class on Sunday, April 24th, at 5 pm in the chapel. To sign up, you can text “couples” to (626) 727-9498. Please email Pastors Lindsay and Mary if you need childcare during this month’s class.

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 | 04.02.2022

Hi Friends,

By now you should have received the sad news that Stormie and Dustin's baby died this morning in the NICU. This is an especially tender time for them, so thank you for your continued prayers and support. We will keep you posted about ways to come alongside them in the coming days and weeks and months. Know that your presence and words of love do make a difference as they walk this journey of grief.

This Sunday marks the beginning of some important additions to our ministry with kids. Parents, please read on for all the details so you know what to expect and how your kids can participate in the coming weeks. We are eager and excited for our children to be more integrated in the larger community as we worship together!

This Sunday, April 3rd, kids who are above nursery age will join their families in the sanctuary for worship. Please know that the presence of kids is a blessing, not a burden; we welcome all the ways they show up and pray that we would make space for them to do so fully. Going forward, kids will join us in service on the first Sunday of each month. 

Next Sunday, April 10th, kids will be singing with the adult choir in the first part of the service as part of our Palm Sunday tradition. After singing, they will be dismissed to go to their classrooms for the first time in two years—we are so excited for them to be back in their spaces! Please help your child learn the songs by playing the "Rejoice the King is Coming" video at home or in the car. You can check out this lyric sheet to help! On Palm Sunday, we are asking kids to arrive at 9:15 AM to practice the song and get ready for the morning. Parents, we invite you to hang out with each other over coffee and pastries in our lobby prior to service. We hope it's a time to connect with other parents and enjoy some yummy breakfast treats. 

Stay tuned for information about Easter Sunday!

KIDS

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will open at 10:15 AM, so you can drop your child off and head to the sanctuary for worship. 

Our kids five to ten years old can join us in the sanctuary for service!

As we approach Holy Week, there is still time to do some Lenten practices as a family with intention and open hearts. You might consider asking the following questions the next time you share a meal or family time together.

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• If you were able to do any of the Lenten practices from your kit, how did it go? 

• When have you felt most connected to God in the last few weeks?

Please note that early childcare at 9:00 am will resume after Easter. In the meantime, we will open our nursery spaces for any parent who wants to play with their kids while the other parent is in early choir practice on Sunday.

YOUTH

This week we are on track for our regular youth gathering after service. We'll meet in the park for lunch and a time of discussion as we continue to look at the book of Matthew together. We'll also keep taking steps with our youth room renovation project.

Have a wonderful weekend, and I hope to see you Sunday!

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 04.01.2022

Friends at FBCP,

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

This Sunday

• All our COVID-19 restrictions have been removed. We recommend always having a mask with you even if you don’t choose to wear one as you may find yourself in need of one as we continue to be mindful of each other in worship. Please remember that we each are navigating different contexts and have varying comfort levels as we continue to build a community of generosity, curiosity, and love. Read the entire update on our practices and plans for worshiping together here.

• Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30 am as we partake in communion together and Pastor Lindsay shares a teaching with us! The nursery will be open as usual for our toddlers and babies. Please note that this Sunday our kids five years old and up will join us in the sanctuary for service. Youth are also invited to join us for worship and then stay for our regular youth gathering and lunch. Prayer ministers will be available at the front of the sanctuary toward the end of the service to pray with those who would like to receive prayer.

• You can 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 26 read by Corrie.

• The Friends In Deed Food Pantry item for this Sunday is cereal.

Future Happenings & Other News

• Women’s Brunch is tomorrow on Saturday, April 2nd, at 10 am outside in the park! It will be a time to share a delicious meal, get to know some awesome ladies, and hear a personal story of faith from Kris Laski. All women and girls are welcome. You can enter through the Union Street side gate. Email Pastor Lindsay or text “brunch” to (626) 727-9498 to RSVP.

• You are invited to join us for our Holy Week services. Both services are at 6 pm in the chapel, and childcare will be provided for nursery-age children.

  • Maundy Thursday service will be on Thursday, April 14th. This will be an intimate service led by Pastor Chip and Astyn. We will partake in communion together as well as foot washing.

  • Good Friday service will be on Friday, April 15th. Pastors John Jay and Leslie will lead our time together as we remember Christ’s crucifixion and death leading into Easter Sunday.

• We will celebrate Easter Sunday on April 17th beginning with a potluck brunch and mariachi band at 10 am in the courtyard! We will have an egg hunt and a craft table open for kids during the brunch. Based on your last name, if you’re able, we’re asking you to bring about 10 servings of something savory (A-L) or sweet/fruit (M-Z) to eat and share with your friends here. Worship service will be immediately afterward at 11 am with the children joining us for service to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. We hope you can join us for both!

• We need your help to decorate the cross on Easter Sunday with greenery from all over our city! Snip and bring some flowers from your yard or a neighbor’s yard (with permission!) to place on the cross that will be outside in the courtyard area during Easter Brunch. The decorated cross will be carried into the sanctuary right before Easter Service begins at 11 am.

• Please continue to keep Stormie, Dustin, and their baby son, Gibson, in your prayers during this critical time in the NICU. We will keep you updated as we have news to share. Thank you for your continued prayers over this precious new life in our community.

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 | 03.26.2022

Hi Friends,

It's hard to believe that we are two weeks away from Palm Sunday and Holy Week! Our kids began learning a song for Palm Sunday last week, and they will sing it with the adult choir as they process into the sanctuary with palm leaves on April 10th. We love this moment for intergenerational worship! Cynthia will be practicing the song each week with the kids, and they can practice with this song sheet at home. Stay tuned for more information about when kids should plan to arrive on April 10th for this special service.

As we continue to pray for the people of Ukraine, some of your kids may have questions about the conflict and what is happening. If you are looking for a resource to help you talk about war in an age-appropriate way with your kids, you might find this book helpful. It's written by a journalist who has covered many wars, and it is designed specifically for young people. Your kids have an opportunity to donate to Ukraine relief efforts, so be sure to ask them about what they might want to contribute to the special offering bucket that is out each Sunday in our kid space.

Join Our Team

Our ministry is growing, which is such great news! In order to love and serve our kids well, we need more caring adults to hang out with kids and teach on Sunday mornings. If you have wondered what it means to be part of our kid ministry team, please join us this Sunday at 9:00 AM for an informational meeting and training. Current volunteers are also invited to attend so they can get acclimated to our indoor spaces before we bring the kids inside on April 10th. We need a variety of personalities, gifts, and interests; if you aren't sure whether Family Ministry is a good fit, come and find out! Email us if you are interested.

Marriage Class

This Sunday is also another marriage class from 5-6:30 pm. You are welcome to join even if you didn't attend the last one! This month's topic is intimacy, so it's sure to be fun. Text "couples" to (626) 727-9498 to sign up and receive updates. If you plan to attend and need childcare, please email lindsay@fbcpasadena.com so we can be sure to have enough food and qualified adults. 

Sunday

KIDS

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open starting at 10:15 AM so you can drop your child off and head to the sanctuary for worship. 

Our kids five 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 to sign their kids in. Our team will be ready for a fun morning together with your kids! This week we will continue to reflect on the season of Lent and create a tool to help us draw nearer to God in prayer and meditation (and it involves glitter!). We hope that you feel inspired as a family to move through Lent with intention and open hearts.

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• If you were able to do any of the Lenten practices from your kit, how did it go? 

• How could you be helpful to someone in your life like the angels were helpful to Jesus?

Lenten Kit
You'll notice that there is a lot of optional information in the Lenten kit we sent home (we have more if you didn't get one!). There are cards with simple practices to do at home every day and some supplemental explanations about the church and various traditions for this season. Please just use what's helpful and ignore the rest! We hope that your families experience nearness to God and discover new spiritual insights by choosing small practices to do at home together this Lenten season.

Please note that early childcare at 9:00 am will resume after Easter. In the meantime, we will open our nursery spaces for any parent who wants to play with their kids while the other parent is in early choir practice on Sunday.

YOUTH

We had a blast last Sunday at the Pasadena Youth Coalition gathering! This week we are back on track for our regular youth gathering after service. We'll gather in the park for lunch and a time of discussion as we continue to look at the book of Matthew together. 

Have a wonderful weekend, and I hope to see you Sunday!

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay

P.S. In case you missed my previous emails, below are our plans for moving kids indoors. 

Starting April 3rd, kids who are not in the nursery will join us for worship in the sanctuary every first Sunday of the month. If your child has a hard time sitting in service, that's okay! We don't need your kids to be still and silent; we understand that they bring a different kind of energy and focus. If you are struggling with how to make first Sundays work for you and your family, we can help—so let us know! We believe in intergenerational worship and want to support our families as we nurture these moments we have together as a whole church.

On April 10th, our programming for kids will return to our indoor classrooms. Masks will become optional, and we will emphasize compassion and respect for one another knowing that our kids will experience varying levels of comfort in this transition. As we get closer to April 10th, I'll send a reminder about which classrooms are for which age groups. 

April 10th is also Palm Sunday, and our kids will join the adult choir as they process into the sanctuary with palm leaves. It will also mark the start of our regular routine for kids to join the worship service for the first part before being dismissed to their classrooms.

We are so excited to welcome kids back into their spaces and to have more opportunities for them to join the church at large! Keep an eye out for more information in the coming weeks.

Weekly Updates 03.25.2022

Friends at FBCP,

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

This Sunday

• All our COVID-19 restrictions have been removed. We recommend always having a mask with you even if you don’t choose to wear one as you may find yourself in need of one as we continue to be mindful of each other in worship. Please remember that we each are navigating different contexts and have varying comfort levels as we continue to build a community of generosity, curiosity, and love. Read the entire update on our practices and plans for worshiping together here.

• Come for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30 am as the Hoving Home Choir joins us! In addition to singing in service and sharing their testimonies, the women from Hoving Home will be in the lobby with their homemade items available for purchase. 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. Beginning this Sunday, we will resume our pre-pandemic practice of having prayer ministers available at the front of the sanctuary toward the end of the service to pray with those who would like to receive prayer.

• You can 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 25.

• Our church family is growing, and we need folks to step up and serve our families with kids well! Pastor Lindsay and Mary will be leading a Family Ministry training class this Sunday at 9 am for anyone interested in learning more about joining their team to help with kids. Email Lindsay or text “kids” to (626) 727-9498 for more information.

• The Friends In Deed Food Pantry item for this Sunday is canned chicken/tuna.

• John Jay and Corrie will be leading the second couples class this Sunday, March 27th, at 5 pm in the chapel. To sign up, you can text “couples” to (626) 727-9498. Please email Lindsay if you need childcare.

Future Happenings & Other News

• Congratulations to our own Brian Duncan who was just featured as the Hero of the Week with KNX radio for his work that brings healing to seniors through music! Listen to the KNX audio clip of the feature here.

• The memorial service for Albert Rivas, Isabell Norgaard’s son, will be tomorrow, March 26th. The service will be at 10 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church located at 2889 N Lincoln Ave in Altadena.

• Women’s Brunch is returning next Saturday, April 2nd, at 10 am outside in the park! It will be a time to share a delicious meal, get to know some awesome ladies, and hear a personal story of faith from one of the women in our community. All women and girls are welcome. Email Pastor Lindsay to register.

• We will be having our Basics Class after worship service on Sunday, April 10th, at 12:30 pm in the parlor for those who are interested in learning more about our church. Pastors John Jay and Chip will go over our history as an American Baptist church and what it means to be part of the FBCP community. Lunch will be provided. Email Pastor Chip for more details.

• In addition to our regular tithes and offering, we are taking an additional offering for Ukraine emergency relief. You can find out more information about how to support those suffering in Ukraine through prayer and finances here.

• We have been invited by Stormie and Dustin Miller to support them in prayer as they face some complications with their pregnancy. The plan is to deliver the baby via c-section on the morning of Wednesday, March 30th. Please join us in praying for the various teams who are scheduled and anxiously awaiting Baby Boy Miller’s arrival. You can learn more here.

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 | 03.19.2022

Hi Friends,

Our ministry is growing, which is such great news! In order to love and serve our kids well, we need more caring adults to hang out with kids and teach on Sunday mornings. We cannot adequately keep our kids safe without your help, and we definitely won't have as much fun without you! If you have wondered what it means to be part of our team, please join us on Sunday, March 27th, at 9:00 AM for an informational meeting and training. Current volunteers are also invited to attend so they can get acclimated to our classrooms before we bring the kids inside on April 10th. We need a variety of personalities, gifts, and interests; if you aren't sure whether Family Ministry is a good fit, come and find out! Email us if you are interested.

MARRIAGE CLASS

Next Sunday, March 27th, is another marriage class from 5-6:30 pm. You are welcome to join even if you didn't attend the last one! This month's topic is intimacy, so it's sure to be fun. Text "couples" to (626) 727-9498 to sign up and receive updates. If you plan to attend and need childcare, please email lindsay@fbcpasadena.com so we can be sure to have enough food and qualified adults. 

KIDS

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open starting at 10:15 AM so you can drop your child off and head to the sanctuary for worship. 

Our kids five 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 to sign their kids in. Our team will be ready for a fun morning together with your kids! This week we will continue to reflect on the season of Lent and create a tool to help us draw nearer to God in prayer and meditation (and it involves glitter!). We hope that you feel inspired as a family to move through Lent with intention and open hearts.

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• If you were able to do any of the Lenten practices from your kit, how did it go? 

• What could you spend some time praying over this week?

Lenten Kit
You'll notice that there is a lot of optional information in the Lenten kit we sent home (we have more if you didn't get one!). There are cards with simple practices to do at home every day and some supplemental explanations about the church and various traditions for this season. Please just use what's helpful and ignore the rest! We hope that your families experience nearness to God and discover new spiritual insights by choosing small practices to do at home together this Lenten season.

Please note that early childcare at 9:00 am will resume after Easter when adult Sunday school classes start back up. In the meantime, we will open our nursery spaces for any parent who wants to play with their kids while their partner is in early choir practice on Sunday.

YOUTH

This Sunday we have another Pasadena Youth Coalition gathering! We'll eat lunch at church and then carpool over to McDonald Park for a fun time of connecting with youth from local churches. We'll hang out there from 1-3 PM. Let me know if your youth needs a ride there and/or home.

Have a wonderful weekend, and I hope to see you Sunday!

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay

P.S. In case you missed my previous emails, below are our plans for moving kids indoors. 

Starting April 3rd, kids who are not in the nursery will join us for worship in the sanctuary every first Sunday of the month. If your child has a hard time sitting in service, that's okay! We don't need your kids to be still and silent; we understand that they bring a different kind of energy and focus. If you are struggling with how to make first Sundays work for you and your family, we can help—so let us know! We believe in intergenerational worship and want to support our families as we nurture these moments we have together as a whole church.

On April 10th, our programming for kids will return to our indoor classrooms. Masks will become optional, and we will emphasize compassion and respect for one another knowing that our kids will experience varying levels of comfort in this transition. As we get closer to April 10th, I'll send a reminder about which classrooms are for which age groups. 

April 10th is also Palm Sunday, and our kids will join the adult choir as they process into the sanctuary with palm leaves. It will also mark the start of our regular routine for kids to join the worship service for the first part before being dismissed to their classrooms.

We are so excited to welcome kids back into their spaces and to have more opportunities for them to join the church at large!

Weekly Updates 03.18.2022

Friends at FBCP,

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

This Sunday

• As of last Sunday all our COVID-19 restrictions have been removed. We recommend always having a mask with you even if you don’t choose to wear one as you may find yourself in need of one as we continue to be mindful of each other in worship. Please remember that we each are navigating different contexts and have varying comfort levels as we continue to build a community of generosity, curiosity, and love. Read the entire update on our practices and plans for worshiping together here.

• Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30 am for a special board led service! 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.

• The Friends In Deed Food Pantry item for this Sunday is soup.

Future Happenings & Other News

• Congratulations to our own Elizabeth Nyamayaro! Elizabeth will be having a reading and book signing of her memoir, I Am a Girl from Africa, at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena (on Colorado) this coming Wednesday, March 23rd, at 7 pm. Her memoir details her journey from a village in Zimbabwe to becoming a Senior Advisor at the United Nations. If you would like to be part of this exciting event, click here for more details.

• John Jay and Corrie will be leading the second couples class next Sunday, March 27th, at 5 pm in the chapel. To sign up, you can text “couples” to (626) 727-9498. Childcare will be provided.

• Our church family is growing, and we need folks to step up and serve our families with kids well! Pastor Lindsay and Mary will be leading a Family Ministry training class on Sunday, March 27th, at 9 am for anyone interested in learning more about joining their team to help in the nursery and with kids. Email Lindsay or text “kids” to (626) 727-9498 for more information.

• Women’s Brunch is returning on Saturday, April 2nd, at 10 am! It will be a time to share a delicious meal, get to know some awesome ladies, and hear a personal story of faith from one of the women in our community. All women and girls are welcome. Email Pastor Lindsay to register.

• In addition to our regular tithes and offering, we are taking an additional offering for Ukraine emergency relief. You can find out more information about how to support those suffering in Ukraine through prayer and finances here.

• We have been invited by Stormie and Dustin Miller to support them in prayer as they face some complications with their pregnancy. Stormie has provided updated requests for us to be lifting up in prayer. You can learn more here.

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 | 03.12.2022

Hi Friends,

This Sunday begins our relaxation of Covid restrictions, but our kids will remain in the park through this month. We still have some room renovations to finish and some volunteers to recruit, and we hope that a longer rollout for kids will give them time to acclimate and feel comfortable with the changes. You can help by talking with your kids about our plans so they have an idea of what to expect in April. We are so excited to welcome them back into their rooms and to the sanctuary on a regular basis! 

Starting April 3rd, kids who are not in the nursery will join us for worship in the sanctuary every first Sunday of the month. We believe this is an important practice for multiple reasons. Research indicates that children and youth who are part of larger church worship services are more likely to have a lasting faith and participation in a church community. We believe it's important for our younger church members to experience our communal worship practices and to feel part of them on a regular basis. The rest of the church also benefits from worshiping alongside our children and seeing the fullness of our church family. Your kids' presence in our sanctuary is a blessing. If your child has a hard time sitting in service, that's okay! We don't need your kids to be still and silent; we understand that they bring a different kind of energy and focus. If you are struggling with how to make first Sundays work for you and your family, we can help—so let us know! We believe in intergenerational worship and want to support our families as we nurture these moments we have together as a whole church.

On April 10th, our programming for kids will return to our indoor classrooms. Masks will become optional, and we will emphasize compassion and respect for one another knowing that our kids will experience varying levels of comfort in this transition.

April 10th is also Palm Sunday, and our kids will join the adult choir as they process into the sanctuary with palm leaves. It will also mark the start of our regular routine for kids to join the worship service for the first part before being dismissed to their classrooms.

Join Our Team

Our ministry is growing, which is fantastic! In order to love and serve our kids well, we need more caring adults to hang out and teach on Sunday mornings. If you have wondered what it means to be part of our team and want to find out more, please join us on Sunday, March 27th, at 9:00 AM for an informational meeting and training. Email us if you are interested!

KIDS

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open starting at 8:50 AM for parents who are attending a Sunday School class. 

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. Pastor Mary and our team will be ready for a fun morning together with your kids! This week we will continue to reflect on the season of Lent and engage in practices to help us draw nearer to God. We hope that you feel inspired as a family to move through Lent with intention and open hearts.

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• If you were able to do any of the Lenten practices from your kit, how did it go? 

• When has prayer helped you feel closer to God?

Lenten Kit
You'll notice that there is a lot of optional information in the Lenten kit we sent home last week (we have more if you didn't get one!). There are cards with simple practices to do at home every day and some supplemental explanations about various traditions for this season. Please just use what's helpful and ignore the rest! We hope that your families experience nearness to God and discover new spiritual insights by choosing small practices to do at home together this Lenten season.

YOUTH

This Sunday the youth are invited to attend worship and then gather for their usual time of lunch and fellowship following the service, and this week we'll meet in the park. We'll be following the scripture from worship service as we reflect on the book of Matthew together. We'll wrap up by 1:30 PM for pickup.

Youth, mark your calendars for our next Pasadena Youth Coalition gathering on Sunday, March 20th! We'll eat lunch at church and then carpool over to McDonald Park at 1 PM for a fun time of connecting with youth from local churches. Youth parents, be on the lookout for an email from me this week with more details. 

Have a wonderful weekend, and I hope to see you Sunday!

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 03.11.2022

DON’T FORGET TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD FOR DAYLIGHT SAVINGS!

Friends at FBCP,

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

This Sunday

• Starting Sunday we will be removing all our COVID-19 restrictions. We recommend always having a mask with you even if you don’t choose to wear one as you may find yourself in need of one as we continue to be mindful of each other in worship. Please remember that we each are navigating different contexts and have varying comfort levels as we continue to build a community of generosity, curiosity, and love. Read the entire update on our practices and plans for worshiping together here.

• 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.

• The Friends In Deed Food Pantry item for this Sunday is pasta sauce.

Future Happenings & Other News

• The funeral service for longtime beloved member Ulyses “Chappy” Chapman will be tomorrow Saturday, March 12th, at 10 am in the sanctuary. A reception will follow afterward at 11 am in the gym. Please note the reception will NOT be a potluck.

• John Jay and Corrie will be leading the second couples class on Sunday, March 27th, at 5 pm in the chapel. To sign up, you can text “couples” to (626) 727-9498. Childcare will be provided.

• Our church family is growing, and we need folks to step up and serve our families with kids well! Pastor Lindsay and Mary will be leading a Family Ministry training class on Sunday, March 27th, at 9 am for anyone interested in learning more about joining their team to help in the nursery and with kids. Email Lindsay or text “kids” to (626) 727-9498 for more information.

• In addition to our regular tithes and offering, we are taking an additional offering for Ukraine emergency relief. You can find out more information about how to support those suffering in Ukraine through prayer and finances here.

• We have been invited by Stormie and Dustin Miller to support them in prayer as they face some complications with their pregnancy. Stormie has provided updated requests for us to be lifting up in prayer. You can learn more here.

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

Service for Chappy

Friends at FBCP,

This is a reminder that the funeral service for longtime beloved member Ulyses “Chappy” Chapman is this Saturday, March 12th, at 10 am in the sanctuary. A reception will follow afterward at 11 am in the gym. Please note that the reception is no longer a potluck as previously announced. Food will be catered, and there will be time for folks to share memories of Chappy during the reception as well. We hope you are able to join us for this service as we honor a dearly loved and special member of our congregation.

With thanks,

John Jay and the Staff at FBCP

FBCP Families | 03.05.2022

Hi Friends,

I hope you had a chance to read the letter that went out last week outlining our plans moving forward in terms of Covid protocols. Today I want to share our additional plans for kids and their spaces in the coming weeks and months. This is an overview, and I will share more pertinent details as we approach each of the following dates. 

• Starting April 3rd, kids who are not in the nursery will join us for worship in the sanctuary every first Sunday of the month. We believe this is an important practice for multiple reasons—and I'll explain all of that in next week's email!

• On April 10th, our programming for kids will return to our indoor classrooms. Their rooms have been reorganized and cleaned out with a new reading room, too! We will still venture outside whenever it makes sense for us to use the park area for a lesson or activity, but we are so excited to be in our permanent kid spaces once again. As we get closer to April 10th, I'll send a reminder about which classrooms are for which age groups. 

• April 10th is also Palm Sunday, and our kids will join the adult choir as they process into the sanctuary with palm leaves. It will also mark the start of our regular routine for kids to join the worship service for the first part before being dismissed to their classrooms—more on that coming soon as well.

We are so excited to welcome kids back into their spaces and to have more opportunities for them to join the church at large! Keep an eye out for more information in the coming weeks.

Join Our Team

Our ministry is growing, which is fantastic! In order to love and serve our kids well, we need more caring adults to help and teach on Sunday mornings. If you have wondered what it means to be part of our team and want to find out more, please join us on Sunday, March 27th, at 9:00 AM for an informational meeting and training. Email us if you are interested!

Sunday

KIDS

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open starting at 8:50 AM for parents who are attending a Sunday School class. 

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. Our team will be ready for a fun morning together with your kids! This week we will introduce the season of Lent and provide some simple practices you can do at home over the coming weeks. We hope that you feel inspired as a family to move through Lent with intention and open hearts.

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• What is the season of Lent about? 

• What spiritual practice are you most excited to try this Lent?

• What helps you feel close to God? 

YOUTH

This Sunday the youth are invited to attend worship and then gather for their usual time of lunch and fellowship following the service, and this week we'll meet in the park. We'll be following the scripture from worship service as we reflect on the book of Matthew together. We'll wrap up by 1:30 PM for pickup.

Starting March 13th, the youth will return to meeting in the youth room on the second floor. We will also continue our room renovation together in the coming months. We’ll share ways that you can contribute to the youth space in the coming months (like donating games, painting, and other fun stuff!).

Have a wonderful weekend, and I hope to see you Sunday!

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 03.04.2022

Friends at FBCP,

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

COVID-19 Update

• If you are on our all church email list, you should have received our latest COVID-19 update announcing our plans to remove all our COVID-19 restrictions beginning Sunday, March 13th. You can read the entire update on our practices and plans for worshiping together here.

This Sunday

• Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30 am as we partake in communion together. 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 we move out of the Omicron peak, FBCP’s latest COVID-19 practices and plans can be found here.

• The Friends In Deed Food Pantry item for this Sunday is canned chicken/tuna.

Future Happenings & Other News

• The Red Cross will have a blood drive in the gym on Friday, March 11th, from 10 am - 4 pm. To schedule an appointment, sign up here. Red Cross volunteers will also be in the lobby space to take sign ups Sunday morning before and after service.

• The funeral service for longtime beloved member Ulysses “Chappy” Chapman will be Saturday, March 12th, at 10 am in the sanctuary. A reception will follow afterward at 11 am in the gym.

• Community dinners will be Friday, March 18th, at 6:30 pm with a few spots still remaining. You can stop by the Connections Desk on Sunday to sign up. You can also sign up to be an alternate in case someone needs to drop out.

• In addition to our regular tithes and offering, we are taking an additional offering for Ukraine emergency relief. You can find out more information about how to support those suffering in Ukraine through prayer and finances here.

• In celebration of Black History Month, we highlighted some of the lives and voices who have shaped our communal life and faith at large as well as locally here at FBCP. Some of those highlighted included Dr. William Pannell, Rev. Dr. Gardner C. Taylor, and Dr. Carolyn L. Gordon. You can learn more here.

• We have been invited by Stormie and Dustin Miller to support them in prayer as they face some complications with their pregnancy. Learn more about the specific ways you can be lifting them up here.

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

Support for Ukraine

Friends at FBCP,

Today we wanted to let you know about some ways you can come alongside those suffering in the midst of the attack on Ukraine. As an American Baptist Church, we are connected to the larger body of American Baptists, including those serving in Europe, and we want to share with you the opportunity to support their ongoing efforts with your financial gifts and your prayers.

In response to immediate needs resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, International Ministries (IM) has sent an initial grant of $15,000 in emergency relief to the European Baptist Federation. As part of the One Great Hour of Sharing fund, the money will go to provide humanitarian aid for Ukrainian Baptists. This grant joins a larger, global Baptist response to this evolving situation. Initial relief will provide basic provisions—food, shelter, medicine, and hygiene items—to at least 2,500 people who are fleeing their homes. Displaced people will be served by distribution centers set up by the Ukrainian Baptists to provide temporary shelter and relief. In addition, the threat of the incursion and the invasion have resulted in refugees fleeing to neighboring countries. In those countries, Baptists are also responding. There will be ongoing needs both within Ukraine and in the surrounding countries.

Additional financial relief is urgently needed. Beyond your regular offerings and tithes, you can support relief efforts through FBCP by giving online; just select "Ukraine Relief" on the drop-down menu. You can also send checks directly to the church at 75 N Marengo Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101. Please designate your contribution “OGHS–Ukraine Relief” in the memo line of your check. On Sunday we will have an opportunity for you to make a contribution during our offering time as well.

While financial support will provide for physical needs, the need for prayer is paramount. IM Area Director for Europe, the Middle East and Liberia Rev. Charles Jones shares, “We ask American Baptists to join in prayer for our Baptist sisters and brothers, and all the people of Ukraine: for protection and provision for those who suffer, and for peace to be restored. And for our Baptist sisters and brothers and all peace-loving people in Russia, that God will give them courage to pursue peace.” American Baptist global servants in Europe are all well and safe; we ask for your prayers for their continued security.

Thank you for joining our American Baptist brothers and sisters during this crisis.

less without you,

Pastor John Jay and the FBCP staff

FBCP Families | 02.26.2022

Hi Friends,

Tomorrow is another chance for us to gather together for a time of worship and connection. It is a joy to see your kids and youth and to witness their curiosity and faith from week to week. I want to give a special thanks to Ada, Bennett, and Ruthie for sharing their gifts in our scripture reading last week. I was so moved by their participation and the chance for our kids to join the larger church in worship. What a beautiful church family we have!

As I look forward to our time together tomorrow, I also am weary with the news of war and tragedy in our world. In crises like these, I can't help but think about the children impacted and the ways they need protection and refuge. If your own children are at a stage where you can talk about what's happening, I encourage you to invite them to pray with you as a family, while also reminding them that they are safe with you. I try to steer clear of social media, but this post has some good tips on having these kinds of hard conversations. At the end of this email you'll find a prayer written by Kate Bowler, an author we have shared before (and one of John Jay's professors from Duke). Use it if you need help to find the words, or invite your family to write their own prayer together.

LENT

This Wednesday we will have an Ash Wednesday service at 6pm in the chapel to mark the beginning of Lent, which is the 40-day period leading up to Easter. Childcare will be available for our toddlers and babies, and all other children are invited to join us in the service. We’ll be sharing some Lenten resources for families next Sunday, and we hope they will allow you to make some room for reflection and connection in this liturgical season.

KIDS

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open starting at 8:50 AM for parents who are attending a Sunday School class. 

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. Our team will be ready for a fun morning together with your kids! This week we will wrap up our study of Paul's letter to the Corinthians and his focus on love, and we'll talk about Black History Month together. What a perfect time to remember the church's call to love well! You can help your child explore that at home by starting some conversations with your family using the questions below.

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• Who showed you love this week? 

• What are some simple ways we can love other people well everyday?

• Where do you see a need for more love in our world?

YOUTH 

This Sunday the youth are invited to attend worship and then gather for their usual time of lunch and fellowship following the service, and this week we'll meet in the park. We'll be following the scripture from worship service as we reflect on the book of Matthew together. We'll wrap up by 1:30 PM for pickup. 

Have a wonderful weekend, and I hope to see you Sunday!

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay

A blessing for Ukraine
written by Kate Bowler

God, the unthinkable has happened.

Swiftly, relentlessly,
by stealth and through open destruction,
the peace and beauty of the ordinary,
has been shattered in a day.

O God of justice and might,
We call to you to come and bring this suffering to an end.
Comfort these trembling hearts.
Shield the vulnerable.
Strengthen those with the resources and the resolve
to protect what they love
in the face of such overwhelming force.

Grant wisdom to the nations of our world, to our leaders, and to us,
to grasp the unfathomable,
to see evil in its true light,
and come against it unflinchingly.

Dear Ukraine,
though we shudder to watch what is happening
We will not look away.

Weekly Updates 02.25.2022

Friends at FBCP,

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

COVID-19 Update

• If you are on our all church email list, you should have received our latest COVID-19 update sent earlier this afternoon announcing our plans to remove all our COVID-19 restrictions beginning Sunday, March 13th. You can read the entire update on our practices and plans for worshiping together here .

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 we move out of the Omicron peak, FBCP’s latest COVID-19 practices and plans can be found here.

• The Friends In Deed Food Pantry item for this Sunday is peanut butter.

• John Jay and Corrie are leading a new couples class that meets once a month on a Sunday evening. The first class will be Sunday, February 27th, 5-6:30 pm in the chapel. Childcare is provided. Learn more about the class and/or sign up here.

Future Happenings & Other News

• For the rest of February in celebration of Black History month, we will be highlighting some of the lives and voices who have shaped our communal life and faith at large as well as locally here at FBCP. This past week featured Dr. Gardner C. Taylor. You can learn more here.

• Join us as we begin the Lenten season on Wednesday, March 2nd. We will gather at 6:00 pm in the chapel for a worship service which will conclude with the imposition of ashes. Childcare for those four years and younger will be provided.

• The Red Cross will have a blood drive in the gym on Friday, March 11th, from 10 am - 4 pm. To schedule an appointment, sign up here.

• The funeral service for longtime beloved member Ulysses “Chappy” Chapman will be Saturday, March 12th, at 10 am in the sanctuary. A potluck reception will follow afterward at 11 am in the gym.

• Community dinners will be Friday, March 18th, at 6:30 pm. Signups will begin this Sunday, February 27th.

• We have been invited by Stormie and Dustin Miller to support them in prayer as they face some complications with their pregnancy. Learn more about the specific ways you can be lifting them up here.

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 02.18.2022

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.

• The Friends In Deed Food Pantry item for this Sunday is canned chicken/tuna.

Future Happenings & Other News

• For the rest of February in celebration of Black History month, we will be highlighting some of the lives and voices who have shaped our communal life and faith at large as well as locally here at FBCP. This past week featured Dr. William Pannell. You can learn more here.

• John Jay and Corrie are leading a new couples class that meets once a month on a Sunday evening. The first class will be Sunday, February 27th, 5-6:30 pm in the parlor. Childcare is provided. Learn more about the class and/or sign up here.

• Join us as we begin the Lenten season on Wednesday, March 2nd. We will gather at 6:00 pm in the chapel for a worship service which will conclude with the imposition of ashes. Childcare for those four years and younger will be provided.

• The Red Cross will have a blood drive in the gym on Friday, March 11th, from 10 am - 4 pm. To schedule an appointment, sign up here.

• We have been invited by Stormie and Dustin Miller to support them in prayer as they face some complications with their pregnancy. Learn more about the specific ways you can be lifting them up here.

• As we move out of the Omicron peak, you can read the latest update on FBCP’s Covid practices and plans here.

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 | 02.18.2022

Hi Friends,

We hope you enjoyed the cookies and notes of love that our kids passed out after worship last Sunday. They sure are wonderful examples of God's love! I'm excited for our kids to be present for part of worship this coming Sunday (see below for more details). This week's scripture will be read by one of our kids, and it will be a special chance to honor the diversity of age that makes our community so beautiful and healthy. In future months, we are excited to create more opportunities  for our entire church to be together for spiritual formation after so much segregation by age due to Covid precautions the last two years. We'll be inviting more of you to be involved in Family Ministries, too, and we hope you will consider joining our team as we prepare to move back into our classrooms. Stay tuned for more information about how you can be part of all the fun!

MARRIAGE CLASS

John Jay and Corrie are leading a new couples class that meets once a month on a Sunday evening. The first class will be Sunday, February 27th, from 5:00-6:30 pm in the parlor. Childcare is provided, and we will provide some food for the kids since it takes place during a typical dinner time. Learn more about the class and/or sign up here. If you plan to bring your kids for childcare, let us know so we can prepare enough supplies and food. We hope this will be a place where couples can receive meaningful encouragement and support.

KIDS

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open starting at 8:50 AM for parents who are attending a Sunday School class. 

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. Our team will be ready for a fun morning together with your kids!

Please note that we will head into the sanctuary at 10:40 AM this week so the kids can be there for part of worship. If you arrive at the park and don’t see us, don’t worry! You can bring your child to the sanctuary and they can join us there. Parents can pick up their kids in the park after worship as usual.

This week we will continue our emphasis on the church's call to love well. You can help your child explore that at home by starting some conversations with your family using the questions below.

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• Who is an example of God's love in your life?

• What kinds of words does Paul use to describe love?

• Where do you see a need for more love in our world?

YOUTH 

This Sunday the youth are invited to attend worship and then gather for their usual time of lunch and fellowship following the service. This week we'll meet in the park. We'll be following the scripture from worship service as we reflect on the book of Matthew together. We'll wrap up by 1:30 PM for pickup. 

Youth parents, I thought you might find this article from the Fuller Youth Institute helpful. It talks about how to begin conversations about mental health at home and offers some ideas for supporting youth who may be struggling with issues like anxiety or depression. We know our youth have faced a lot during the pandemic, and we are here to walk alongside you and them as we navigate this next season of life together.

Have a wonderful weekend, and I hope to see you Sunday!

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay

FBCP Families | 02.12.2022

Hi Friends,

I cannot tell you how good it was to be back with you all last Sunday after being away for two months. My heart was full of so much joy seeing all of you and your precious kids. I cannot wait for Emma Kate to meet all of you and for her to grow up surrounded by your love and example. Thank you for all the ways you have supported us in this season!

I'm excited to be back in regular communication with you through these weekly emails. If you are new to this mailing list, you can expect to receive these once a week with all the information you need to know for FBCP families with kids. We include details for Sunday worship and often share other resources that might be useful. Read on for all the things!

MARRIAGE CLASS

John Jay and Corrie are leading a new couples class that meets once a month on a Sunday evening. The first class will be held Sunday, February 27th, from 5:00-6:30 pm in the parlor. Childcare is provided. Learn more about the class and/or sign up here. We hope this will be a place where couples can receive meaningful encouragement and support.

KIDS

Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open starting at 8:50 AM for parents who are attending a Sunday School class. 

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. Our team will be ready for a fun morning together with your kids! This week we will continue our new focus on the church's call to love well. Our kids will spend time looking at verses from 1 Corinthians before preparing some tangible expressions of love for the congregation. Parents, this Sunday you can reunite with your kids in the sanctuary lobby after worship; our kids will be waiting there to spread some love to folks as they leave worship!

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• Why do you think Paul wrote to the church about love?

• What kinds of words does Paul use to describe love?

• Where do you see a need for more love in our world?

YOUTH 

This Sunday the youth are invited to attend worship and then gather for their usual time of lunch and fellowship following the service. Note that this week we will gather in the courtyard area right beside the sanctuary (not the park). We'll be following the scripture from worship service as we reflect on the book of Matthew together. We'll wrap up by 1:30 PM, and parents can pick up their kids in the courtyard.

This Sunday I have a special opportunity for the youth to serve. After the teaching time during worship, all youth are invited to join me in heading to the park to help tear down the tables and supplies from the kids ministry. Our kids will be occupied with handing out a special love gift at the end of service, and they could use our help getting the park ready for a private event later that day. It will be an easy and fun way to serve our church in love! We'll head to the courtyard afterward for fun, food, and fellowship (candy included).

I hope to see you tomorrow as we gather for a beautiful morning together.

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay