FBCP Families | 05.14.2022

Hi Friends,

I sure missed you last Sunday, and I am eager to see you tomorrow! During worship we will have a baby dedication, and those are always a powerful reminder of what it means to be a community of belonging, trust, and faithfulness. As you hear the language of dedication and witness the presence of a precious new life in our midst, I pray you feel a renewed sense of your own place in our church family. I am so thankful that you are part of this special community and that our kids have a loving place to grow in faith. 

And as a reminder, over the next couple of months you can continue to play hymns at home and invite your kids to listen, too. We are excited to continue our study of hymns together!

Parent Night Out

Do you need a night on the town? A nap? A chance to read that book? A visit to the movie theater? We are looking ahead to a Friday night when you can drop your kids off at church and head out for a fun date or whatever you want to do with that time. We did these Parent Night Out events prior to the pandemic and are excited to bring them back so that parents can have some time to themselves on a Friday night (and your kids get to have fun, too!).

If you haven't had a chance yet, could you please respond to let us know if you would take advantage of a Parent Night Out on Friday, May 27th, anytime from 5:30-9:00 PM? We know that it is Memorial Day weekend, so we are trying to get a sense of how many of you would be available to use a night with free childcare.

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 those who are attending Sunday School before service. 

Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for the first part of worship. They can sit with us in the front pews or with their parents, and then we will be dismissed to head to our kid spaces together. If they are coming early with parents who are in a Sunday School class, they can be dropped off upstairs at 8:50 AM. (If you need help finding the upstairs classrooms, just text Pastor Lindsay and we will help you find your way!) 

We are continuing with our study of Jonah this Sunday, so here are some questions to explore as a family during the week:

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• What does the book of Jonah teach us about God's love for people—even our enemies?

• What are you still wondering about after hearing the story of Jonah these last few weeks?

YOUTH

The youth will gather for our usual time of lunch and discussion after worship. We'll gather in the lobby after service ends, and you can pick your youth up at the front gate on Marengo at 1:30 PM (or text me if you want to pick them up on Union Street). 

Youth, mark your calendars for Saturday, May 28th! We will attempt an escape room together (so pray we make it out alive!). I'll send more information to parents in the coming weeks.

I hope to see you tomorrow!

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 05.13.2022

Friends at FBCP,

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

This Sunday

• Our new teaching focus is called HYMN STUDIES. As we are able, we will be making listening tracks to go along with each week. Listen to the tracks we have so far by clicking the button above (these hymn tracks will also be our homepage for a while)!

• Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30 am as we witness the baby dedication of Margaret Christen! The nursery will be open as usual for our toddlers and babies. Our kids five years old and up can join us for the first part of worship and then will be dismissed to their classrooms with their leaders. They can sit with their parents or join us in the front rows at the start of service. Our youth are 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.

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

Future Happenings & Other News

• We want to let you know about a couple members in our congregation who have asked for help as they navigate a particularly challenging time. In addition to lifting them up in prayer, you can also support them with some meals.

  • Cynthia Kirby - Cynthia’s family needs help as her daughter is on bed rest and meal preparation is difficult. If you’d like to find out more information and sign up click here.

  • Rachel Peña - Rachel and Primo need help as she recovers from arthritis inflammation and is unable to prepare dinner. To find out more information and sign up go here.

• John Jay and Corrie will be leading the next couples class on Sunday, May 22nd, at 5 pm in the chapel. To sign up, you can text “couples” to (626) 727-9498. Please email Pastor Lindsay if you plan to attend and need childcare.

• The FBCP Foundation is a separate entity established in 1958 by members committed to contributing financially to the church in the present and future years. Each year the Foundation has some funds set aside to disburse to FBCP members for post-secondary educational scholarships. Members interested in applying for 2022-2023 academic year can apply here. Applications are due Monday, June 27, 2022.

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

Meal Trains for Cynthia and Rachel

Friends at FBCP,

One of the ways we practice generosity and care for each other as a community here at FBCP is through providing tangible help in times of crisis and need. We want to let you know about a couple members in our congregation who have asked for help as they navigate a particularly challenging time. In addition to lifting them up in prayer, you can also support them with some meals.

• Cynthia Kirby - Cynthia’s family needs help as her daughter is on bed rest and meal preparation is difficult. If you’d like to find out more information and sign up click here.

• Rachel Peña - Rachel and Primo need help as she recovers from arthritis inflammation and is unable to prepare dinner. To find out more information and sign up go here.

Thank you for loving on our sisters in this time of need.

Less without you,

John Jay and the Staff at FBCP

FBCP Families | 05.07.2022

Hi Friends,

We are visiting Gavin's family in North Carolina this week, so I will miss seeing you all on Sunday! I am wishing all the moms a very happy Mother's Day, and I am so thankful for the ways you have demonstrated the love of God to your kids (and that you share your wonderful kids with us!). If you want to find out some fun trivia about the origin of Mother's Day and other historical moments that happened this week in May, you might enjoy this week's Theologian's Almanac from Salt. It includes Julian of Norwich, George Lucas, and Florence Nightingale, which is quite a lineup!

And as a reminder, over the next couple of months you can continue to play hymns at home and invite your kids to listen, too. We are excited to continue our study of hymns together. 

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 those who are attending Sunday School before service. 

Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for the first part of worship. They can sit with us in the front pews or with their parents, and then we will be dismissed to head to our kid spaces together. If they are coming early with parents who are in a Sunday School class, they can be dropped off upstairs at 8:50 AM. (If you need help finding the upstairs classrooms, just text Pastor Lindsay and we will help you find your way!) 

We are continuing with our study of Jonah this week, so here are some questions to explore together during the week:

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• What are some ways you can tell what someone is feeling?

• Who do you talk to when you are lonely or sad? When can we talk to God about our feelings? 

YOUTH

This week we will not have our youth gathering because it is Mother's Day. We hope our youth can enjoy time with their families and give their moms some extra love! 

Youth, mark your calendars for Saturday, May 28th! We will attempt an escape room together (so pray we make it out alive!). I'll send more information to parents in the coming weeks.

Have a wonderful weekend and a blessed Sunday of worship!

With much love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 05.06.2022

Friends at FBCP,

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

This Sunday

• Our new teaching focus called HYMN STUDIES started last Sunday. As we are able, we will be making listening tracks to go along with each week. You can listen to last week and this week’s tracks by clicking the button above (these hymn tracks will also be our homepage for a while)!

• 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 five years old and up can join us for the first part of worship and then will be dismissed to their classrooms with their leaders. They can sit with their parents or join us in the front rows at the start of service. Our youth are 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 also have a special appreciation for all the women in recognition of the many ways they can be a nurturing presence in our community and lives.

• Last Sunday we kicked off the Spring Sunday School classes. Classes are meeting from 9-10 am until June 19th, and childcare is available so parents can attend, too. The following three classes are being offered this time:

  • Pattern, Symbol, and Form: Exploring Faith Through Design | Jessica Henson and Chris Torres

  • Contemporary Issues: Missions | Nori Ochi

  • Incarnate: Developing a More Expansive View of Mental Health | Michael Mann and Mady Snyder

  You can read more about each class and sign up online here if you would still like to join.
  

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

Future Happenings & Other News

• We have a Basics Class after worship service next Sunday, May 15th, at 12:30 pm in the parlor for those who are interested in learning more about our church and/or becoming members. 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.

• John Jay and Corrie will be leading the next couples class on Sunday, May 22nd, at 5 pm in the chapel. To sign up, you can text “couples” to (626) 727-9498. Childcare will be provided.

• Please keep Stormie and Dustin in your prayers in this tender season. You can also support them in the coming weeks by helping to provide meals. There are still some slots available in May, so click here for more details and to sign up for the meal train.

• The FBCP Foundation is a separate entity established in 1958 by members committed to contributing financially to the church in the present and future years. Each year the Foundation has some funds set aside to disburse to FBCP members for post-secondary educational scholarships. Members interested in applying for 2022-2023 academic year scholarship can apply here. Applications are due Monday, June 27, 2022.

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 | 04.30.2022

Hi Friends,

It was awesome to have our kids join us for the start of worship last week, and we look forward to having that as a regular practice. Tomorrow is the first Sunday of the month, which means that kids who are not in the nursery will join us in the sanctuary for the entire service. It is also the Sunday when we share communion, and I encourage you to talk about that sacrament with your kids. They are always welcome to come to the table when they feel comfortable and ready to do so. Some of our kids will help prepare the elements before service starts, so it is going to be a beautiful picture of all ages working together as a church family. 

This Sunday we start a new preaching series on hymns, and it's going to be such a fun and rich time of learning each week. You can play this week's hymn at home and invite your kids to listen, too. There is much beauty and profound insight in the hymns we sing, and we are excited to explore them together with fresh ears and eyes. Happy listening!

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 those who are attending Sunday School before service. 

Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for worship. If they are coming early with parents who are in a Sunday School class, they can be dropped off upstairs at 8:50 AM. Parents can then pick them up before they go to worship. (If you need help finding the upstairs classrooms, just text Pastor Lindsay and we will help you find your way!) 

You might want to have some discussion this week about how your kids are experiencing church and our worship service. It's a great time to let them ask questions, too!

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• What stood out to you in worship on Sunday?

• Why do you think it is important to have people of all ages in our church family?

YOUTH

This week we are on track for our regular youth gathering after service. We'll gather in the courtyard for lunch and discussion based on the hymn and scripture from worship. 

Next week we will not have our youth gathering because it is Mother's Day. We hope our youth can enjoy time with their families and give their moms some extra love.

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

With love and gratitude for you,

Pastor Lindsay

P.S. Because we just celebrated Earth Day, here are some fun ways to invite kids to be  involved in recycling at home.

Weekly Updates 04.29.2022

Friends at FBCP,

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

This Sunday

• Our new teaching focus called HYMN STUDIES starts this Sunday. As we are able, we will be making listening tracks to go along with each week. The first two week’s are ready for you to listen, just click the button above (these hymn tracks will also be our homepage for a while)!

• 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. Please note that because this will be the first Sunday of the month, our kids five years old and up will join us in the sanctuary for service. Our youth are 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’ll be starting the Spring Sunday School classes this Sunday, May 1st. Classes will meet for eight weeks from 9-10 am before service, and childcare will be available so parents can attend, too. We’ll be offering the following three classes this time:

  • Pattern, Symbol, and Form: Exploring Faith Through Design | Jessica Henson and Chris Torres

  • Contemporary Issues: Missions | Nori Ochi

  • Incarnate: Developing a More Expansive View of Mental Health | Michael Mann and Mady Snyder

  You can read more about each class and sign up online here.
  

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

Future Happenings & Other News

• Thursday noon Bible study will be resuming next week on May 5th. Email Pastor Chip if you would like more details.

• Thursday, May 5th, is the National Day of Prayer. There are two local community events happening that day sponsored by some of our local ministry partners:

  • The Annual Pasadena Mayor’s Interfaith Prayer Breakfast hosted by Friends In Deed will take place at the Pasadena Convention Center from 7:30-9 am. Seats are available so contact Pastor Chip for more information.

  • The Clergy Community Coalition will be hosting a Citywide Worship and Prayer Event in the evening from 7-8:30 pm outside at Memorial Park. You can find out more information here.

• We will be having our Basics Class after worship service on Sunday, May 15th, at 12:30 pm in the parlor for those who are interested in learning more about our church and/or becoming members. 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.

• Please keep Stormie and Dustin in your prayers in this tender season. You can also support them in the coming weeks by helping to provide meals. There are still some slots available in May, so click here for more details and to sign up for the meal train.

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 | 04.23.2022

Hi Friends,

Happy Easter! It was such a beautiful time together with all of you as we celebrated the resurrection last Sunday. Watching our kids hunt eggs, play, and paint together was a blast! This week we will begin a regular practice of having kids join us for the first part of worship. We are excited for them to get a chance to sing and feel part of our larger church community before heading to their classrooms. Parents, you can sit with your kids for the first part of worship or you can bring them to Pastor Mary and me in the first couple pews down in the front of the sanctuary. There will be a clear dismissal time for any kids who are still sitting with their families, and you can pick your kids up in their classrooms upstairs after worship. If you joined us more recently and aren't sure where to find the classrooms, we will have people ready to help show you the way. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Marriage Class

This month Iris and Jason Chen are leading the couples class, and it promises to be a rich time of learning and sharing. The class will run this Sunday from 5:00-6:30 pm in the chapel. We know this will be a time when couples can receive meaningful encouragement and support. If you plan to bring your kids for childcare, please let us know so we can prepare enough supplies and food.  

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 join us in the sanctuary for the start of worship and then they will be dismissed with their leaders to their classrooms. This week we are starting a new study of Jonah, and we are excited to explore the story together. 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 was Jonah supposed to tell the people of Nineveh?

• When have you felt scared or unsure about something you have been asked to do? How can the story of Jonah help you the next time?

YOUTH

This week we are on track for our regular youth gathering after service. We'll gather in the courtyard for lunch and a time of discussion as we talk about the meaning of Easter 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 04.22.2022

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 five years old and up can join us for the first part of worship and then will be dismissed to their classrooms with their leaders. They can sit with their parents or join us in the front rows at the start of service. Our youth are 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.

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

• Iris and Jason Chen will be leading the third couples class on Sunday evening 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.

Future Happenings & Other News

• Thursday noon Bible study will be resuming next week on April 28th. Email Pastor Chip if you would like more details.

• We’ll be starting the Spring Sunday School classes on Sunday, May 1st. Classes will meet for eight weeks from 9-10 am before service, and childcare will be available so parents can attend, too. We’ll be offering the following three classes this time:

  • Pattern, Symbol, and Form: Exploring Faith Through Design | Jessica Henson and Chris Torres

  • Contemporary Issues: Missions | Nori Ochi

  • Incarnate: Developing a More Expansive View of Mental Health | Michael Mann and Mady Snyder

  You can read more about each class and sign up online here. We will also have sign-ups at the Connections Desk in the church lobby this Sunday, April 24th.

• Please keep Stormie and Dustin in your prayers in this tender season. You can also support them in the coming weeks by helping to provide meals. There are still some slots available in May, so 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 | 04.16.2022

Hi Friends,

A huge thanks to our kids for doing such a beautiful job leading worship on Palm Sunday! Their presence was such a blessing, and it was a lovely picture of God's kingdom to see them and the adult choir singing and praising God together. An extra thanks to our parents who came a little early to help the morning go smoothly. We are so grateful for our families with kids! 

As we wait on this Holy Saturday for the resurrection of our Lord, I pray that you are able to pause and be still for a moment. Tomorrow will surely be a day for great rejoicing, but God is with us in the waiting. I have thought many times today about how quiet the world must have seemed to the disciples as they grieved this day. If you are in a season of waiting in your own life, know that God is present with you in that sacred in-between space, and we are here to hold you in hope. 

Easter for Kids and Youth

We have a special morning for our church family tomorrow, and we hope you can join us! Come at 10:00 AM for an all-church potluck brunch in our courtyard by the sanctuary. There will also be a live mariachi band, and you're invited to bring flowers to place on the cross before worship begins. Pastor Mary and I will have an egg hunt and a craft table for our kids, and they are invited to bring their Easter baskets if they have a special one they use each year (if not, we'll have some extra!).  

We'll begin worship at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary. Our youth and all kids five years old and up will join us in the sanctuary for Easter service, and we are excited that one of our kids will be baptized in worship, too! We'll have nursery childcare as usual for our littlest ones during worship starting at 10:50 AM. We hope to see you there for this most special morning as we celebrate the reality of the resurrection!

Waiting in great hope with you,

Pastor Lindsay

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