FBCP Families | 05.06.2023

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

We are also happy to announce that we have installed some new doors and a user-friendly entry system for our kid spaces. You probably noticed the new doors on the second floor last week and a small reader installed on our nursery door. We take the safety of our kids seriously, and we have been working for many months to update our access points so that our kid spaces are secure with a seamless system.

This week we are ready for our parents and volunteers to try it out! Because this Sunday is a first Sunday, only our nursery rooms will be used for kids. Next week our parents of older kids will be able to try out the second floor doors. Nursery parents, that means you'll be our first to use the new system. You’ll use the middle door in the nursery wing as usual; there is a small black reader on the door. All other doors will remain closed and locked during childcare hours.

To get set up, you'll need a smartphone. If you do not have one, just let me know and we will make arrangements for you. For smartphone users, follow these steps:

1. Please go here to download the app that works for your phone.

2. Keep an eye out for an email from ProdataKey Cloud Systems that will have an activation link. If you have the app and you press the link in the email, you should automatically be set up and ready to go. You'll need to enable Bluetooth on your phone for the system to work. 

3. To enter the door, you just need to have the app open on your phone when you get close to the reader. The phone can remain in your purse or pocket; it just needs to be on your person. You'll hear a click and the door will be unlocked for you. That's it!

If you need help, we will be available on Sunday to assist. Please let me know if you have any questions, and send along any feedback as we try out this new system. We are so thankful to our Foundation and the Earle family for their generous support to make this happen, and to Dave Ekstrand for all his logistical help.

Kids Camp

Yay! We hope you saved the date for June 19-23 for our annual kids summer camp for ages 5-11 years old. We are focusing on all the ways that God has created us for light and goodness as we explore both literal and metaphorical light. Our summer camp is always an awesome time for our kids to get to know each other and other adults in their church family better. We invite members of our congregation to lead activities based on their own passions and expertise, and this year is going to be a blast! You can register your kids here. Please let me know if you have any questions or need help with registration. If you are an adult in our community and you want to help with any part of camp, let us know! 

Youth Families, our summer camp is also a chance for our youth to serve and have fun together as camp leaders. Let us know if your youth is able to join us for the week or part of the week. We love hanging with our youth, kids, and adult volunteers!

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 those who are attending Sunday School before service. 

Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for worship and communion since this is the first Sunday of the month. Make sure your child picks up a fun survey to fill out during worship—Pastor Mary will have that ready in the lobby, and it's always a favorite activity for our kids (and youth!). Any kids who are coming early with parents attending a Sunday School class can be dropped off upstairs at 8:50 AM. 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:

• In a church family, do we all have to agree on everything all the time?

• How do our differences make us a better community?

YOUTH

We are excited to have our regular youth gathering after worship this week! Parents can pick up their kids at the park gate on Union Street at 1:30 PM. 

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 05.05.2023

Tomorrow

• On Saturday, May 6th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel, everyone is invited to attend a short 30-minute recital given by our very own cellist, Nat, and his chamber group, Nth Trio. Nth Trio was selected as one of 20 chamber groups worldwide to compete at the 50th annual Fischoff Chamber Competition, and this recital on May 6th is an opportunity to play for friends and family.

Sunday

• Spring Sunday School Classes are in motion on Sundays at 9 a.m., and it’s not too late to join! Our three wonderful classes include Spiritual Growth by Jerry Brown in the Southside Room, Emotions Management by Gaby Martinez in Room 211, and Spiritual Values in Literature: Gilead by Rene Scheys in the Parlor. Email Pastor Chip with any questions.

• 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 for our regular youth gathering and lunch afterward. The Prayer team 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 have our FBCP Basics Class after worship service this Sunday, May 7th, at 12:30 pm in the Southside Room for those who are interested in learning more about our church and/or becoming a member. 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. Text “basics” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP. Email Pastor Chip for more details.

• This week, the Friends In Deed food pantry item is toiletries including feminine products and baby products.

• John Jay scored one of the most poignant descriptions of finding meaning in life, an excerpt from John O’Donohue’s To Bless the Space Between Us. Listen here to find out what haunts all of us in our search for vocation, if you missed yesterday’s text.

Coming Up

• We hope you can join us on Wednesday, May 17th, at 6 p.m. in the Chapel to honor and remember our beloved church member Kathy Danowsky. Kathy was part of the FBCP Choir, and they will be offering a piece in her memory.  There will be a reception following the service in the Southside Room.

• Sign ups are happening now for Community Dinners on Friday, May 19th! Text “dinner” to 626.727.9498 to sign up. These dinners are a wonderful time to share a meal, and it is a great way to get to know other church members better. We hope you can participate whether you are new or seasoned!

• Our next Public Theology meeting is Sunday, May 21st, after worship service. We value all voices, and we hope you can join us for lunch in the Southside Room. Text “local” to 626.727.9498 if you’re new to the group, and lunch will be provided. Email Pastor Lindsay if you have any food restrictions, please.

• Our next FBCPride Group will meet from 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 21st. Pastor John Jay will explore the topic of “Gender” to close out our meetings before our June (pride month) party and summer break. Stay tuned for some summer social activities.

• We'll be hosting a Blood Drive in the Gym on Friday, June 2nd, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. If you or someone you know is able and willing to donate, please sign up here. We greatly appreciate you joining forces with us to generously give the gift of life.

• Pastor John Jay is starting a monthly summer course called “Healing the Masculine.” During these sessions on June 3rd, July 8th and August 5th at 10 a.m. in the Chapel, he will explore the constraining language many of us have learned around the masculine and strive to teach a more expansive vision. Open to those exploring the masculine side of themselves, ages 14 & up. Cost is $50. If the cost is prohibitive, please email sally@fbcpasadena.com for financial assistance. Registration and payment links are found on the link above.

• Our men’s ministry hopes you can join us for breakfast tacos on Saturday, June 3rd, from 9-10 a.m., before Pastor John Jay’s “Healing the Masculine” seminar. It will be a great time of food and fellowship, and we promise to have coffee, too!

• We would like to invite any new folks to enjoy a cup of coffee and scone with Pastor John Jay from 9-10 a.m. on Sunday, June 4th, in his office (enter on Holly St.). Sign up by texting “coffee” to 626.727.9498. Come with any questions or comments, and get to know more about our church through this casual conversation.

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Spring Sunday School | Weekly at 9 a.m. 4/23 thru 6/25 | Locations vary

• Thursday Noon Bible Study | Weekly at 12 p.m. | Parlor

• Yarn Crafts Group | Biweekly at 12 p.m. | 5/21 in the Parlor

• Easy-Going Basketball | Biweekly at 7 p.m. | 5/28 in the Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

5/6 - Nat’s Chamber Recital
5/7 - Basics Class
5/14 - Mother’s Day (Massage!)
5/17 - Kathy Danowsky’s Memorial Service
5/19 - Community Dinners
5/21 - Public Theology
5/21 - FBCPride Meeting
5/24 - Senior Event
5/29 - Memorial Day | Office Closed
6/2 - Blood Drive
6/3 - Men’s Breakfast
6/3 - Healing the Masculine
6/4 - Coffee + Coversation
6/10 - Altadena Pride Walkabout
6/17 - Women’s Brunch

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 04.29.2023

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

The weather finally feels like spring is here and summer is around the corner! We are praying for our families with kids as many of them begin the final month of school with all the events and activities that come at the end of the year. We are also looking forward to our summer camp, and registration is open starting today! See below for details.

We are also happy to announce that we have installed some new doors and a user-friendly entry system for our kid spaces. You'll notice the new doors this week, but we are still getting the system ready for our parents and volunteers to use. Keep an eye out for an email next week with more information. We are excited for the updated security and ease of access for our families! 

Kids Camp

Yay! We hope you saved the date for June 19-23 for our annual kids summer camp! We are focusing on all the ways that God has created us for light and goodness as we explore both literal and metaphorical light. Our summer camp is always an awesome time for our kids to get to know each other and other adults in their church family better. We invite members of our congregation to lead activities based on their own passions and expertise, and this year is going to be a blast! You can register your kids here. Please let me know if you have any questions or need help with registration. If you are an adult in our community and you want to help with any part of camp, let us know! 

Youth Families, our summer camp is also a chance for our youth to serve and have fun together as camp leaders. Let us know if your youth is able to join us for the week or part of the week. We love hanging with our youth, kids, and adult volunteers!

Youth Hospitality This Week

This Sunday is a fifth Sunday, and that means our youth are invited to join our hospitality team. They can arrive for our 10:00 AM huddle and then Pastor Chip will get them ready for the morning. It's a fun way for our youth to help us welcome guests and set the tone for a joyful morning together. Email Pastor Chip if your youth is able to join!

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 those who are attending Sunday School before service. 

Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for the start of worship and then be dismissed to head to their classrooms together. They can begin service with their families or sit with Pastor Mary and me in the front pews. We are excited to spend time together as we continue to explore how Jesus spent his time after the resurrection. We can't wait to see your precious kids!

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• What does it mean to be a good leader?

• What does it mean to be a good follower?

• When is it hard for you to follow or lead?

YOUTH

We are excited to have our regular youth gathering after worship this week! Parents can pick up their kids at the park gate on Union Street at 1:30 PM. 

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 04.28.2023

Sunday

• Our Spring Sunday School classes continue this Sunday at 9 a.m., and it’s not too late to sign up. Click here or simply come to class on Sunday. Email Pastor Chip with any questions.

• Join us at 10:30 a.m. for worship in the sanctuary! 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 our regular lunch and fellowship after service (and thank you to those youth who volunteered to help with hospitality this week!). The Prayer team 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.

• Join us today after worship service for a 20-minute prayer circle to pray for our global partners Mel Baggao (Lebanon) and Kit Ripley (Thailand).

• Our crafty group invites all folks ages 7 & up (all skill levels) to continue learning and working on individual yarn projects after service today in the Southside Room. As members continue to gain practice, we will be able to develop charity projects to give to the community, made with love. BYO snacks or lunch and be ready to have fun!

• Our basketball night for folks who just like having a good time continues to meet every other Sunday at 7 p.m. in the Gym. We hope you can join us Sunday night! No RSVP needed.

• This week, the Friends In Deed food pantry item is rice.

Coming Up

• On Saturday, May 6th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel, everyone is invited to attend a short 30-minute recital given by our very own cellist, Nat, and his chamber group, Nth Trio. Nth Trio was selected as one of 20 chamber groups worldwide to compete at the 50th annual Fischoff Chamber Competition, and this is recital on May 6th is an opportunity to play for friends and family.

• We will have our FBCP Basics Class after worship service next Sunday, May 7th, at 12:30 pm in the Southside Room for those who are interested in learning more about our church and/or becoming a member. 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. Text “basics” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP. Email Pastor Chip for more details and/or if you are attending and will need childcare.

• Sign ups start now for Community Dinners happening on Friday, May 19th! Text “dinner” to 626.727.9498 to sign up. We could still use a couple more host homes, so contact Pastor Chip if you’re interested. These dinners are a wonderful time to share a meal, and it is a great way to get to know other church members better. We hope you can participate whether you are new or seasoned!

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Spring Sunday School | Weekly at 9 a.m. 4/23 thru 6/25 | Locations vary

• Thursday Noon Bible Study | Weekly at 12 p.m. | Parlor

• Yarn Crafts Group | Biweekly at 12 p.m. | Sunday in the Southside Room

• Easy-Going Basketball | Biweekly at 7 p.m. | Sunday in the Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

4/30 - Prayer Circle for Global Servants
5/6 - Nth Trio Recital
5/7 - Basics Class
5/14 - Mother’s Day (Massage!)
5/19 - Community Dinners
5/21 - Public Theology Meeting
5/21 - FBCPride Meeting
5/29 - Memorial Day | Office Closed
6/3 - Healing the Masculine
6/10 - Altadena Pride Walkabout
6/17 - Women’s Brunch (updated date)

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 | 04.22.2023

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

Happy weekend! I pray that you are able to enjoy the sunny weather and some time to be outside. This week I read an article from The New York Times about the benefits of walking. It was a good reminder of all the ways that our physical bodies are connected to the invisible parts of us (like creativity and joy): "Hippocrates proclaimed that 'walking is man’s best medicine.' The good doctor also knew that walking provided more than mere physical benefits when he suggested: 'If you are in a bad mood, go for a walk. If you are still in a bad mood, go for another walk.' He was alluding to what so many who came after would attest, that walking not only nourishes the body but also soothes the mind while it burns off tension and makes our troubles recede into a more manageable perspective." I hope with this beautiful weather that you are able to find some time to walk around. Thanks be to God for spring!

Youth Hospitality Next Week

Next Sunday is a fifth Sunday, and that means our youth are invited to join our hospitality team. They can arrive for our 10:00 AM huddle and then Pastor Chip will get them ready for the morning. It's a fun way for our youth to help us welcome guests and set the tone for a joyful morning together. Email Pastor Chip if your youth is able to join!

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 those who are attending Sunday School before service. 

Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for the start of worship and then be dismissed to head to their classrooms together. They can begin service with their families or sit with Pastor Mary and me in the front pews. We are excited to spend time together as we continue to explore how Jesus spent his time after the resurrection. We can't wait to see your precious kids!

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• What was Jesus trying to teach his disciples after He rose from the dead?

• What did Jesus seem to care about the most?

YOUTH

We are excited to have our regular youth gathering after worship this week! Parents can pick up their kids at the park gate on Union Street at 1:30 PM. 

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 04.21.2023

Sunday

• Our Spring Sunday School classes begin this Sunday, and we have three wonderful choices. Sign up here or simply come to class on Sunday. Email Pastor Chip with any questions.

  1. Spiritual Values in Literature: Gilead by Rene Scheys (Parlor)

  2. Spiritual Growth by Jerry Brown (Southside Room)

  3. Emotion Management by Gaby Martinez (Room 211)

• Join us at 10:30 a.m. for worship in the sanctuary! 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 our regular lunch and fellowship after service. The Prayer team 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.

• Our next FBCPride Meeting will be this Sunday evening, April 23rd, from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Southside Room. We will have the pleasure of hearing from Jerry Brown, who helped develop resources for Gay Christians in the 1970s and '80s in Texas when there was nothing else available. He found ways to encourage other Gay men across the country with scripture and devotionals, and continued his ministry in California when he moved out here with his late partner, Ron. Join us for fellowship and a one-of-a-kind story. We will also have a survey that will help us plan for next year, so we hope you can make it! Dinner provided; $8 optional donation.

• This week, the Friends In Deed food pantry item is peanut butter.

Next Week

• Join us next Sunday, April 30th, after worship service for a 20-minute prayer circle for our global partners to pray for Mel Baggao (Lebanon) and Kit Ripley (Thailand). We will meet in the Parlor.

• Join our Yarn Crafts Group after worship next Sunday, April 30th, in the Southside Room (note temporary room change) for knitting, crocheting, and beyond. Text "yarn" to 626.727.9498 if you’re new.

• Our Easy-Going Basketball Group continues next Sunday, April 30th, at 7 p.m. in the Gym. Headed by Jason C, this team is for everyone who loves the game but isn’t fresh off the college bench. Email Misterjchen@gmail.com if you have questions.

Coming Up

• We will have our FBCP Basics Class after worship service on Sunday, May 7th, at 12:30 pm in the Southside Room for those who are interested in learning more about our church and/or becoming a member. 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. Text “basics” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP. Email Pastor Chip for more details and/or if you are attending and will need childcare.

• Our beloved Community Dinners are happening on Friday, May 19th! Sign-ups will begin next Sunday. For this week, please contact Pastor Chip if you are available to host a dinner at your home. Thank you for considering this generous ask!

Support for Snoopy Fong

Our friend Sharon “Snoopy” Fong is still very much in need of our support and love. They have discovered some additional tumors, and the treatment plan is still being discerned; you can read the latest update with details from Ken here. If you would like to send a meal or a gift card for meal delivery, you may do so here. Thank you for walking with the Fong family through your prayers and acts of loving support.

Take a Listen

Kevin recorded an episode on The Kinship Collective podcast this week, and it’s worth a listen! He shares his story growing up as a Gay man in Canada, being his helpful authentic self wherever he moved, finding his identity as a Christian in recent years, and the powerful encounters he has had with God.

Content warning: discussion of abuse.

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Spring Sunday School | Weekly at 9 a.m. 4/23 thru 6/25 | Locations vary

• Thursday Noon Bible Study | Weekly at 12 p.m. | Parlor

• Yarn Crafts Group | Biweekly at 12 p.m. | 4/30 in the Southside Room

• Easy-Going Basketball | Biweekly at 7 p.m. | 4/30 in the Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

4/23 - Spring Sunday School Begins
4/23 - FBCPride Meeting
4/30 - Prayer Circle for Global Servants
5/7 - Basics Class
5/14 - Mother’s Day (Massage!)
5/19 - Community Dinners
5/21 - Public Theology
5/21 - FBCPride Meeting
5/29 - Memorial Day | Office Closed
6/3 - Women’s Brunch

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 | 04.15.2023

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

Happy Easter! It was so beautiful to be with you last Sunday and to celebrate baptisms alongside the resurrection of Christ. I feel so thankful that my own kids get to experience joy and love in such a generous community on special days like Easter. I found this resource with some simple practices for families to do at home between Easter and Pentecost. We'll have some copies printed to send home tomorrow as well. May you be filled with hope in this Easter season as we live into the story of new life in the Kingdom of God. He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

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 those who are attending Sunday School before service.  

Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for the start of worship and then be dismissed to head to their classrooms together. They can begin service with their families or sit with Pastor Mary and me in the front pews. We are excited to spend time looking at how Jesus spent his time after the resurrection. We can't wait to see your precious kids!

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• What stood out to you from Easter service?

• What does it mean to call ourselves "Easter people"?

YOUTH

We are excited to have our regular youth gathering after worship this week! Parents can pick up their kids at the park gate on Union Street at 1:30 PM. 

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 04.14.2023

Sunday

• Join us at 10:30 a.m. for worship in the sanctuary! 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 our regular lunch and fellowship after service. The Prayer team 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.

• Join our Yarn Craft Group after worship in the Parlor this Sunday, April 16th, for knitting, crocheting, and beyond. Bring your own lunch, and text "yarn" to 626.727.9498 if you’re new.
  

• As a reminder, there will be no Public Theology meeting this month. Stay tuned for information about our next gathering and other opportunities for local engagement. Contact Cynthia with any questions or to get involved if you haven’t had a chance to join a meeting yet.

• Our Easy-Going Basketball Group continues this Sunday, April 16th, at 7 p.m. in the Gym. Headed by Jason C, this team is for everyone who loves the game but isn’t fresh off the college bench. Email Misterjchen@gmail.com if you have questions.

• This week, the Friends In Deed food pantry item is fruit and vegetable juice.

Next Week

• Our next session of classes begins April 23rd, and we have three wonderful choices. Sign up here or at the Connections Desk on Sunday. Email Pastor Chip with any questions.

  1. Spiritual Values in Literature: Gilead by Rene Scheys (Parlor)—The class will read, enjoy, and discuss Marilynne Robinson’s wonderful novel, which is written as a letter from a small-town pastor, nearing retirement, to his very young son. The pastor is a kind and complicated character, full of great love and faith—and deeply honest about both.

  2. Spiritual Growth by Jerry Brown (Southside Room)–This class will study the Bible’s direction on how to grow spiritually and nurture your prayer life. Please bring your Bibles with you to class.

  3. Emotion Management by Gaby Martinez (Room 211)–This class will explore the roots of emotions and why anger is a common struggle for many people. We will explore cycles of emotion and practice tools to honor God in us. Our goal is to help you deepen our relationship with God and live in His joy.

• Our next FBCPride Meeting will be next Sunday, April 23rd, from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Southside Room. We will have the pleasure of hearing from Jerry Brown, who helped develop resources for Gay Christians in the 1970s and '80s in Texas when there was nothing else available. He found ways to encourage other Gay men across the country with scripture and devotionals, and continued his ministry in California when he moved out here with his late partner, Ron. Join us for fellowship and a one-of-a-kind story! Dinner provided; $8 optional donation.

Coming Up

• Join us Sunday, April 30th, after worship service for a 20-minute prayer circle for our global partners to pray for Mel Baggao (Lebanon) and Kit Ripley (Thailand). We will meet in the Parlor.

• We will have our FBCP Basics Class after worship service on Sunday, May 7th, at 12:30 pm in the Southside Room for those who are interested in learning more about our church and/or becoming a member. 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. Text “basics” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP. Email Pastor Chip for more details and/or if you are attending and will need childcare.

Support for Mark Norwood

Some of you may know that our friend Mark Norwood recently came home from the hospital after having an intense surgery to address his cancer. We are glad to report that he is recovering well, and we thank God for this progress with his treatment!

Recovery will be a slow process, and he is limited in what he can lift and carry. As he recovers, he could use our help in the following ways:

• Providing a meal through this meal train we have set up.

• Taking him to the grocery store and carrying groceries inside.

• Helping with any errands that come up.

• Loaning him a shower bench if anyone has one they aren’t using.

If you would like to help with practical needs other than the meal train, please reach out to Pastor Lindsay and she can coordinate with you.

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Spring Sunday School | Weekly at 9 a.m. 4/23 thru 6/25 | Locations vary

• Thursday Noon Bible Study | Weekly at 12 p.m. | Parlor

• Yarn Crafts Group | Biweekly at 12 p.m. | Sunday in the Parlor

• Easy-Going Basketball | Biweekly at 7 p.m. | Sunday in the Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

4/23 - Spring Sunday School Begins
4/23 - FBCPride Meeting
4/30 - Prayer Circle for Global Servants
5/7 - Basics Class
5/14 - Mother’s Day (Massage!)
5/19 - Community Dinners
5/21 - Public Theology
5/24 - Senior Event

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 | 04.08.2023

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

Thank you so much to all the families who were able to have kids lead us in worship last week for Palm Sunday! We are so thankful that our kids can lead us in singing and for their presence in our church family. Thanks to the parents who came early—we know what it can take to get things going in the morning, and we are grateful for the help to make these special Sundays happen. A huge thanks to Cynthia for leading the Kids Choir and sharing her love of worship with us!

A Holy Saturday Practice

Last night was a really meaningful time as we listened deeply to the scriptures of Jesus' death. As we wait on this holy Saturday, here is a little practice from the resource Little Way Chapel that you might want to do at home as a family: 

On Holy Saturday, Jesus is in the grave. Prepare both your heart and home today for the resurrection. It is both a time for mourning, but also a time of Easter hope. Pray the breath prayer below throughout the day as we inch closer and closer to the resurrection. The prayer comes from 16th century theologian and mystic St. John of the Cross, most famous for his work Dark Night of the Soul.

Inhale: Through the cross

Exhale: To the light

Easter at FBCP

We look ahead to Easter with great anticipation. We hope your family can join us for our potluck brunch at 10 AM Easter morning and worship at 11 AM. Don't forget to bring flowers from your neighborhood or home to help us decorate the cross! We'll also have a craft table and an egg hunt for kids during the brunch hour. Kids and youth will join us in service, and childcare will be available for nursery-age children starting at 10:50 AM.

Much love to your families on this special weekend in the life of our church. I pray that we each experience Jesus in tender and profound ways as we prepare to usher in the reality of His resurrection. 

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 04.07.2023

Tonight

• Join us for our Good Friday service at 6 p.m. tonight in the Chapel. This special service will serve as a reflection on scripture. The pastors and our wonderful FBCP Choir will lead us through a time to remember Christ’s crucifixion and death on the cross. Childcare will be provided for nursery-age children.

Sunday🌸Easter

• We will celebrate Easter Sunday beginning with a potluck brunch and mariachi band at 10 a.m. in the courtyard!  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. 

• We need your help Sunday morning to decorate the cross with flowers and greenery from all over our city! Snip and bring in some flowers when you come for brunch at 10 a.m. on April 9th and place them on the cross outside the gates on Marengo.

• Easter worship will begin at 11 a.m. immediately following the brunch. Nursery care will be provided for ages four and under. Our kids five years old and up will join us in the sanctuary for an all-church service. Youth are invited to join us for worship. We will not have our regular youth gathering this week so that families can enjoy Easter together. The Prayer team 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.

• This week, the Friends In Deed food pantry item is cereal.

Next Week

• We hope you can join us for the funeral service of Robbie Gregory-Hancox next Tuesday, April 11th, at 11 a.m. in the Chapel. A viewing will also occur from 10-11 a.m. and all are welcome to join us in honoring this special member, loved by so many. A light reception will follow in the Southside Room.

• Join our Yarn Craft Group after worship in the Parlor next Sunday, April 16th, for knitting, crocheting, and beyond. Bring your own lunch, and text "yarn" to 626.727.9498 if you’re new.

• Our Easy-Going Basketball Group continues next Sunday, April 16th, at 7 p.m. in the Gym. Headed by Jason C, this team is for everyone who loves the game but isn’t fresh off the college bench. Email Misterjchen@gmail.com if you have questions.

Spring Sunday School Starting Soon

• Our next session of classes begins April 23rd, and we have three wonderful choices. Sign up here or at the Connections Desk on Sunday. Email Pastor Chip with any questions.

  1. Spiritual Values in Literature: Gilead by Rene Scheys (Parlor)—The class will read, enjoy, and discuss Marilynne Robinson’s wonderful novel, which is written as a letter from a small-town pastor, nearing retirement, to his very young son. The pastor is a kind and complicated character, full of great love and faith–and deeply honest about both.

  2. Spiritual Growth by Jerry Brown (Southside Room)–This class will study the Bible’s direction on how to grow spiritually and nurture your prayer life. Please bring your Bibles with you to class.

  3. Emotion Management by Gaby Martinez (Room 211)–This class will explore the roots of emotions and why anger is a common struggle for many people. We will explore cycles of emotion and practice tools to honor God in us. Our goal is to help you deepen our relationship with God and live in His joy.

Coming Up

• Our next FBCPride Meeting will be on Sunday, April 23rd, from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Southside Room. We will have the pleasure of hearing from Jerry Brown, who helped develop resources for Gay Christians in the 1970s and '80s in Texas when there was nothing else available. He found ways to encourage other Gay men across the country with scripture and devotionals and continued his ministry in California when he moved out here with his late partner, Ron. Join us for fellowship and a one-of-a-kind story! Dinner provided; donations to help with food appreciated.

• Join us Sunday, April 30th, after worship service for a 20-minute prayer circle for our global partners to pray for Mel Baggao (Lebanon) and Kit Ripley (Thailand). We will meet in the Parlor.

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Thursday Noon Bible Study | Weekly at 12 p.m. | Parlor

• Yarn Crafts Group | Biweekly at 12 p.m. | 4/16 in the Parlor

• Easy-Going Basketball | Biweekly at 7 p.m. | 4/16 in the Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

4/7 - Good Friday Service
4/9 - Easter Sunday | Flowers, Brunch & Service
4/11 - Robbie Gregory-Hancox’s Funeral Service
4/23 - Spring Sunday School Begins
4/23 - FBCPride Meeting
4/30 - Prayer Circle for Global Servants
5/7 - Basics Class
5/12 -Community Dinners
5/14 - Mother’s Day (Massage!)
5/21 - Public Theology
5/24 - Senior Event

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 | 04.01.2023

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

Yay—we are so excited for our kids to join us in worship and singing tomorrow for our Palm Sunday service! They have been practicing with Cynthia each week, and Pastor Mary and I can verify that your kids are great singing worshippers. As a reminder, we need kids above nursery age here at 9:30 AM this Sunday to practice and get set for the morning. We'll have some pastries and coffee for parents at that time so you can hang out together in the courtyard. It's going to be such a fun morning!

To help your kids practice at home (and to have a family dance party), here are links to both songs:

Easter

As we prepare to enter Holy Week, we also look ahead to Easter with great anticipation. We hope your family can join us for our potluck brunch at 10 AM Easter morning and worship at 11 AM. Don't forget to bring flowers from your neighborhood or home to help us decorate the cross! We'll also have a craft table and an egg hunt for kids during the brunch hour. Childcare will be available for nursery-age children starting at 10:50 AM.

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 those who are attending Sunday School before service.  

Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for worship and communion since this is the first Sunday of the month. Make sure your child picks up a fun survey to fill out during worship—Pastor Mary will have that ready in the lobby, and it's always a favorite activity for our kids (and youth!). Any kids who are coming early with parents attending a Sunday School class can be dropped off upstairs at 8:50 AM. 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 part of worship was most memorable for you this week?

• What is the "call to worship"? What helps you feel ready for worship?

YOUTH

We are excited to have our youth gathering after worship this week after taking last week off. Parents can pick up their kids at the park gate on Union Street at 1:30 PM. 

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 03.31.2023

Sunday

• Join us for the last Lenten Sunday School class, this Sunday, April 2nd, from 9-10 a.m. We have enjoyed the opportunity to study the last words of Jesus with a curriculum written by John Kelly. Check out the full content here. See you in the Parlor!

• Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30 am as we partake in communion together on Palm Sunday! 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 and help the choir sing and wave palms! Our youth are invited to join us for worship and for our regular youth gathering and lunch afterward. The Prayer team 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.

• Join our Yarn Craft Group after worship in the Parlor this Sunday, April 2nd, for knitting, crocheting, and beyond. Bring your own lunch, and text "yarn" to 626.727.9498 if you’re new.

• Our Easy-Going Basketball Group continues this Sunday, April 2nd, at 7 p.m. in the Gym. Headed by Jason C, this team is for everyone who loves the game but isn’t fresh off the college bench. Email Misterjchen@gmail.com if you have questions.

• Audio is back! This week Pastors Lindsay and John Jay collaborated on a scored reading of this week’s scripture, Matthew 21:1-11. Click here to listen to the reading in preparation for Sunday.

• This week, the Friends In Deed food pantry item is canned soup/chili.

Next Week is Holy Week!

• Maundy Thursday | April 6

  This will be an intimate service that includes a reflective time of prayer, communion and footwashing. Service will be held in the Chapel at 6 p.m. Childcare will be provided for nursery-age children.

• Good Friday | April 7

  This special service in the Chapel will serve as an invitation to listen to scored scripture and our wonderful FBCP Choir, and to remember Christ’s crucifixion and His death on the cross. Childcare will be provided for nursery-age children.

• Flowers for the Easter Cross | April 9

  Help us decorate the cross on Easter with greenery from all over our city! Snip and bring in some flowers when you come for brunch at 10 a.m. on April 9th.

• Easter Sunday Brunch + Service | April 9

  We will celebrate Easter Sunday on April 9th beginning with a potluck brunch and mariachi band at 10 am in the courtyard!  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 a.m. 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!

Parking

• Our garage on Holly St. recently changed management companies, as you may have noticed. A few people have had trouble scanning their validated tickets. Please see this PDF file and this video for instructions to make sure you scan successfully.

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Thursday Noon Bible Study | Weekly at 12 p.m. | Parlor

• Yarn Crafts Group | Biweekly at 12 p.m. | Sunday in the Parlor

• Easy-Going Basketball | Biweekly at 7 p.m. | Sunday in the Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

4/2 - Palm Sunday
4/2 - Lenten Sunday School Ends
4/6 - Maundy Thursday Service
4/7 - Good Friday Service
4/9 - Easter Sunday | Brunch & Service
4/16 - Public Theology Meeting
4/23 - Spring Sunday School Begins
4/23 - FBCPride Meeting
4/30 - Prayer Circle for Global Servants
5/5 - Community Dinners
5/7 - Basics Class
5/14 - Mother’s Day

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 | 03.25.2023

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

The past weeks have brought news of both joys and sorrows in our community. We have felt the full spectrum of experience and emotions, and we have felt called to remain present to all of it. I wanted you to know some of the ways our kids and youth have been invited to share love with their church family recently. They have written notes of congratulations to members with new children and grandchildren, words of comfort to those grieving a loved one, and letters of support for those who are sick and facing long roads to recovery. We have shared with them what it means to come alongside their church family in all seasons of life, and they have done so with kindness and love. Pastor Mary and I are thankful that our kids and youth are part of the church at large; their willingness to bless and love others is a precious gift. We hope you’ll find time to ask them about these small but important acts of love and to encourage them, too. Thanks for creating a community where we know each other well and offer our presence no matter how young or old we are. 

Palm Sunday Plans

We are so excited for our kids to join us in worship and singing on Sunday, April 2, for our Palm Sunday service! They have been practicing with Cynthia each week, and Pastor Mary and I can verify that your kids are great singing worshippers. Because they will be joining the adult choir and processing in with palm branches at the start of the service, we need them here at 9:30 AM that Sunday to practice and get set for the morning. We'll have some pastries and coffee for parents at that time so you can hang out together. It's going to be such a fun morning! To help your kids practice at home (and to have a family dance party), here are links to both songs:

Hosanna (Blessed is He)

Every Praise

Thanks for helping our church to worship as an intergenerational community. We are so excited to worship with them and to begin Holy Week as a church family!

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 those who are attending Sunday School before service.  

Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for the start of worship and then be dismissed to head to their classrooms together. They can begin service with their families or sit with Pastor Mary in the front pews. If they are coming early with parents who are in a Sunday School class, they can be dropped off upstairs at 8:50 AM. We are excited to have time for snack, Holy Week activities, and singing with Cynthia in preparation for Palm Sunday! 

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• What is Holy Week?

• What will we remember on Palm Sunday?

YOUTH

Please note that this week our youth will be off for some time to be with families. We will resume our weekly Sunday gathering next week! 

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 03.24.2023

Sunday

• Join us for the second to last Lenten Sunday School class, Sunday, March 26th, from 9-10 a.m. This will be a wonderful chance to study the last words of Jesus. Check out last week’s content here. See you in the Parlor!

• Join us at 10:30 a.m. for worship in the sanctuary! 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 regular youth time of lunch and fellowship after service will be postponed until next Sunday, April 2nd. The Prayer team 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.

• This week, the Friends In Deed food pantry item is Buyer’s Choice.

Next Week

• Join our Yarn Craft Group after worship in the Parlor next Sunday, April 2nd, for knitting, crocheting, and beyond. Bring your own lunch, and text "yarn" to 626.727.9498 if you’re new.

• Our Easy-Going Basketball Group continues next Sunday, April 2nd, at 7 p.m. in the Gym. Headed by Jason C, this team is for everyone who loves the game but isn’t fresh off the college bench. Email Misterjchen@gmail.com if you have questions.

Parking

• Our garage on Holly St. recently changed management companies, as you may have noticed. A few people have had trouble scanning their validated tickets. Please see this PDF file and this video for instructions to make sure you scan successfully.

Holy Week Services

• Palm Sunday | April 2

  Our regular worship service at 10:30 a.m. will include our children singing with the choir and waving palms as they invite us into Holy Week!

• Maundy Thursday | April 6

  This will be an intimate service that includes a reflective time of prayer, communion and footwashing. Service will be held in the Chapel at 6 p.m. Childcare will be provided for nursery-age children.

• Good Friday | April 7

  This special service in the Chapel will serve as an invitation to listen to scored scripture and our wonderful FBCP Choir, and to remember Christ’s crucifixion and His death on the cross. Childcare will be provided for nursery-age children.

• Flowers for the Easter Cross | April 9

  Help us decorate the cross on Easter with greenery from all over our city! Snip and bring in some flowers when you come for brunch at 10 a.m. on April 9th.

• Easter Sunday Brunch + Service | April 9

  We will celebrate Easter Sunday on April 9th beginning with a potluck brunch and mariachi band at 10 am in the courtyard!  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 a.m. 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!

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Thursday Noon Bible Study | Weekly at 12 p.m. | Parlor

• Yarn Crafts Group | Biweekly at 12 p.m. | April 2nd in the Parlor

• Easy-Going Basketball | Biweekly at 7 p.m. | April 2nd in the Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

4/2 - Palm Sunday
4/2 - Lenten Sunday School Ends
4/6 - Maundy Thursday Service
4/7 - Good Friday Service
4/9 - Easter Sunday | Brunch & Service
4/16 - Public Theology Meeting
4/23 - Spring Sunday School Begins
4/23 - FBCPride Meeting
5/5 - Community Dinners
5/7 - Basics 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

Weekly Updates 03.17.2023

Tomorrow

• Join us in honoring the life of Elena Hill at a memorial service tomorrow, March 18th, at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary, followed by a lunch reception in the Gym. You are all invited, and we are grateful for her contributions big and small (did you know we have an ice maker because of Elena?). We will always treasure her joyous spirit and the practice of hospitality that she nurtured in this space. We hope to see you tomorrow.

• Tomorrow evening from 5-9 p.m., several students from Azusa Pacific University’s School of Music are hosting GRLBASH, an all-girls music festival meant to highlight female artists in the APU community. The event will feature several songwriters (including our very own Halle Martin) as well as vendors selling coffee, snacks, jewelry, and clothing. Halle’s set is at 8:00pm! The event will be held at Seven Palms on APU’s east campus (Parking Lot D). 

Sunday

• The curriculum author himself, John Kelly, will be teaching this week’s Lenten Sunday School class, Sunday from 9-10 a.m. This will be a wonderful chance to study the last words of Jesus and ask questions to the curriculum writer. Check out last week’s content here. See you in the Parlor!

• Join us at 10:30 a.m. for worship in the sanctuary! 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 our regular lunch and fellowship after service. The Prayer team 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.

• Join our Yarn Craft Group after worship in the Parlor for knitting, crocheting, and beyond. Bring your own lunch, and text "yarn" to 626.727.9498 if you’re new.

• On Sunday from 5:00-6:30 p.m., Kevin will be sharing his life story at our FBCPride Meeting. Please join us in hearing how LGBTQ history in America and Canada was shifting gradually over the decades as Kevin helped to advocate for queer rights. Pastor John Jay will also speak on behalf of Kevin as his neighbor, friend and pastor. We invite the LGBTQ+ community, parents and allies 16+ to this time of learning, community and fellowship. Text “pride” to 626.727.9498 if you’re new, and we’d love to have you!

• Our Easy-Going Basketball Group continues this Sunday at 7 p.m. in the Gym. Headed by Jason C, this team is for everyone who loves the game but isn’t fresh off the college bench. Email Misterjchen@gmail.com if you have questions.

• This week, the Friends In Deed food pantry item is pasta and pasta sauce.

Save the Date for Holy Week Services

• Maundy Thursday Service will be an intimate service on April 6th that includes a reflective time of prayer, communion and footwashing. Service will be held in the Chapel at 6 p.m. Childcare will be provided for nursery-age children.

• Our Good Friday Service will take place on Friday, April 7th at 6 p.m. in the Chapel, and it will serve as an invitation to listen to scored scripture and our wonderful FBCP Choir, and to remember Christ’s crucifixion and His death on the cross. Childcare will be provided for nursery-age children.

• Easter Potluck Brunch & Service—Join us at 10 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 9th, for a potluck brunch before worship service! Come celebrate Christ’s resurrection as we eat delicious food and enjoy music from a mariachi band. We will have 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 friends here. Please note that Easter Service will be at 11 am following the brunch.

• Flowers for the Easter Cross—Help us 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.

An Invitation to Help Offset Food Costs

A lot of amazing gatherings are happening at our church, which means extra chances to eat together! We have had a practice of providing the food at these gatherings, but some of you might want to help offset those costs as ministries keep expanding.

So we are starting an optional food donation option ($8 suggested) for meals at events such as Public Theology, FBCPride, etc. Feel free to donate ahead through this link, or bring cash to future events if you want to help offset these costs for yummy food. We’ll also have a QR code available at future events for easy online giving. This is an optional practice of generosity and not required to attend, so please do not let this hamper your attendance at anything meaningful.

And thanks!

An Update on Turkey

Our global partners Rich and Laura Freeman work with pastors in Turkey, and many of you gave to their nonprofit last month, which sent aid directly to some of the Turkish ministers they support who are on the front lines in the earthquake areas offering food, warm clothing, clean water, and hygiene centers for showers and laundry. Click on this link to read updated details about the relief efforts.

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Thursday Noon Bible Study | Weekly at 12 p.m. | Parlor

• Yarn Crafts Group | Biweekly at 12 p.m. | March 19th in the Parlor

• Easy-Going Basketball | Biweekly at 7 p.m. | March 19th in the Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

3/19 - FBCPride Meeting
4/2 - Palm Sunday
4/2 - Lenten Sunday School Ends
4/6 - Maundy Thursday Service
4/7 - Good Friday Service
4/9 - Easter Sunday | Brunch & Service
4/16 - Public Theology Meeting
4/23 - FBCPride Meeting
5/5 - Community Dinners
5/7 - Basics 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 | 03.11.2023

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

I am looking forward to worshiping with you tomorrow! I wanted to share this Lent devotional for families in case you are looking for some practices and discussion questions for your family to use during this season. It also has some coloring pages if your family would enjoy having some Lent-themed pages for your crayons and markers. We are grateful that you are part of our church family and that we can move through this season with you. I pray we would be transformed in the small moments of our daily lives as we make the journey to Easter.

Tamales

Did you order tamales and need to pick them up or pay for them? Here’s a link to pay ($30/dozen or $3.50ea), and they are waiting for you labeled with your name in the downstairs kitchen freezer…yum! We also have some handy heating instructions with a note drawn by our youth. Pick them up on Sunday, or arrange a time with the office to come during the week. We hope you enjoy!

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 those who are attending Sunday School before service.  

Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for the start of worship and then be dismissed to head to their classrooms together. They can begin service with their families or sit with Pastor Mary and me in the front pews. If they are coming early with parents who are in a Sunday School class, they can be dropped off upstairs at 8:50 AM. We are excited to have time for snack, activities, and singing with Cynthia in preparation for Palm Sunday! 

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• How have you been encouraged this week? Let's thank God together for that!

• Who can we lift  up in prayer this week? How could we do that each day as a family?

YOUTH

We are excited to have our youth gathering after worship this week! Parents can pick up their kids at the park gate on Union Street at 1:30 PM. 

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 03.10.2023

Sunday

• It’s time to Spring Forward this Sunday morning! Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour before going to bed tomorrow night.

• Lenten Sunday School is in full swing on Sundays from 9-10 a.m. thru April 2nd. We invite you to study the last words of Jesus using curriculum written by our dear friend John Kelly. Check out last week’s content here. See you in the Parlor!

• Join us at 10:30 a.m. for worship in the sanctuary! 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 our regular lunch and fellowship after service. The Prayer team 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.

• Our next Public Theology meeting is this Sunday, March 12th, after service. This month, we are creating space for intentional vision setting for what we want the work to look like within the walls of FBCP and outside (aka we’ll have post-it notes ready for ideas). We value all voices, and we hope you can join us for lunch in the Southside Room. Text “local” to 626.727.9498 if you’re new to the group, and lunch will be provided. Email Pastor Lindsay if you have any food restrictions, please.

• Our immersive Romans 8 audio scripture this week speaks of the groans of the in-between times. It’s worth lending an ear to Pastor John Jay’s audio reflection if you missed the Thursday text.

• Did you order tamales and need to pick them up or pay for them? Here’s a link to pay ($30/dozen or $3.50ea), and they are waiting for you labeled with your name in the downstairs kitchen freezer..yum! Pick them up on Sunday, or arrange a time with the office to come during the week. We hope you enjoy!

• This week, the Friends In Deed food pantry item is small bags of flour and sugar.

Next Week

• Please join us in honoring the life of Elena Hill at a memorial service on Saturday, March 18th at 10:30 a.m., followed by a lunch reception in the Gym. You are all invited, and we are grateful for her contributions big and small (did you know we have an ice maker because of Elena?). We will always treasure the joyous spirit and special spark that Elena carried with her while she served so many others in this space. We hope to see you on the 18th.

• Join our Yarn Craft Group next Sunday, March 19th, in the Parlor for knitting, crocheting, and beyond. If you have materials, bring them with you! If not, let us know and we'll bring yarn, needles, and crochet hooks. Text "yarn" to 626.727.9498 to RSVP.

• Next Sunday, March 19th from 5:00-6:30 p.m., Kevin will be sharing his life story at our FBCPride Meeting. Please join us in hearing how LGBTQ history in America and Canada was shifting gradually over the decades as Kevin helped to advocate for queer rights. Pastor John Jay will also speak on behalf on Kevin as his neighbor, friend and pastor. We invite the LGBTQ+ community, parents and allies 16+ to this time of learning, community and fellowship. Text “pride” to 626.727.9498 if you’re new.

• Our Easy-Going Basketball Group meets next Sunday, March 19th, at 7pm in the Gym. Headed by Jason C, this team is for everyone who loves the game but isn’t fresh off the college bench. Email Misterjchen@gmail.com if you have questions.

Save the Date for Holy Week Services

• Maundy Thursday Service will be an intimate service on April 6th that includes communion and footwashing. Service will be held in the Chapel at 6pm. Childcare will be provided for nursery-age children.

• Good Friday Service will be on April 7th at 6pm as we remember Christ’s crucifixion and death. Pastors John Jay and Leslie, as well as the FBCP Choir, will lead our time together. Childcare will be provided for nursery-age children.

• Easter Potluck Brunch & Service—Join us at 10 am on Easter Sunday, April 9th, for a potluck brunch before worship service! Come celebrate Christ’s resurrection as we eat delicious food and enjoy music from a mariachi band. We will have 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 friends here. Please note that Easter Service will be at 11 am following the brunch.

• Flowers for the Easter Cross—Help us 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.

Random

• Thank you to Michael Mann for taking our new staff photos! Check out out lovely quirky staff who love God and love serving YOU.

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Thursday Noon Bible Study | Weekly at 12 p.m. | Parlor

• Yarn Crafts Group | Biweekly at 12 p.m. | March 19th in the Chapel

• Easy-Going Basketball | Biweekly at 7 p.m. | March 19th in the Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

3/12 - Public Theology Meeting
3/18 - Elena Hill’s Memorial Service
3/19 - FBCPride Meeting
4/2 - Palm Sunday
4/2 - Lenten Sunday School Ends
4/6 - Maundy Thursday Service
4/7 - Good Friday Service
4/9 - Easter Sunday | Brunch & Service
4/16 - Public Theology Meeting
4/23 - FBCPride Meeting

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 | 03.04.2023

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

Last weekend on the youth retreat, we spent a lot of time exploring our theme of belonging. We journaled about how God has created us and what makes it hard for us to show up fully, to trust that we can belong just as we are. Jensen invited us to consider how courage and community are required for true belonging. Michael helped us analyze the pieces of our identity and the perceptions we have about people. We wrote cards for folks in our church community who are grieving, battling illness, or celebrating an important milestone—because they belong to us, and we want to share in their hurt and their joy. We ate meals cooked by members of our congregation who believe that our youth belong to them. Chip led us through a closing activity where youth affirmed one another with specific examples from the weekend. And we watched as youth who are new to the group settled into their own sense of belonging. It was a full and beautiful weekend that reminded me just how rare and vital it is to show up with enough vulnerability to let yourself  truly belong. Thanks to all who made the weekend possible, whether through prayers, food, leadership, loaned vans, or purchased tamales. The storm might have kept us out of Big Bear, but it certainly didn't keep us from having the retreat our youth needed (who knew Temecula would be the perfect place for us?!). Thanks be to God.

If you still need to pick up your tamales, we have them for you! Just email me to let me know when you want to pick them up. Payment can be made with cash or check, and we have some important heating instructions to make sure you take with you.

Read and Play Saturdays

Lakeshore is hosting free events every Saturday this month. They read a different children’s story each month and activities related to the themes of the book. You can check out each Saturday's theme and more details here. Happy reading and playing!

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 those who are attending Sunday School before service.  

Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for worship and communion since this is the first Sunday of the month. Make sure your child picks up a fun survey to fill out during worship—Pastor Mary will have that ready in the lobby, and it's always a favorite activity for our kids (and youth!). Any kids who are coming early with parents attending a Sunday School class  can be dropped off upstairs at 8:50 AM. 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:

• Who in our church usually sits near you if you sit in the same general area during worship?

• If you could lead part of worship, what would you want to help with?

• Why do you think singing is an important part of our worship service?

YOUTH

We are excited to have our regular youth gathering after worship this week! Parents can pick up their kids at the park gate on Union Street at 1:30 PM. 

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 03.03.2023

Tomorrow

• Join us tomorrow for our Women’s Brunch at 10 a.m. in the Southside Room. It will be a time to share a delicious meal and the chance to get to know some awe­some ladies. All women and girls are welcome, and feel free to bring a friend who could use an encouraging time of food and fel­lowship. Email lindsay@fbcpasadena.com or text “brunch” to 626.727.9498 to register.

• Did you catch our Thursday text of this week’s audio? Click to listen to the Romans 8 scripture recording, read by Pastor Chip and underscored by Pastor John Jay in preparation for Sunday worship.

Sunday

• Lenten Sunday School is in full swing on Sundays from 9-10 a.m. through April 2nd. We invite you to study the last words of Jesus using curriculum written by our dear friend John Kelly. You can access the curriculum here. See you in the Parlor!

• 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 for our regular youth gathering and lunch afterward. The Prayer team 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.

• Join us Sunday after worship service for a 20-minute prayer circle for our global partners to pray for Mel Baggao (Lebanon) and Kit Ripley (Thailand). We will meet in the Chapel.

• Join our Yarn Crafts Group this Sunday in the Parlor for knitting, crocheting, and beyond. If you have materials, bring them with you! If not, let us know and we'll bring yarn, needles, and crochet hooks. Text "yarn" to 626.727.9498 to RSVP.

• Our Easy-Going Basketball Group meets this Sunday at 7pm in the Gym. Headed by Jason C, this team is for everyone who loves the game but isn’t fresh off the college bench. Email Misterjchen@gmail.com if you have questions.

• This week, the Friends In Deed food pantry item is cereal.

Next Week

• Our next Public Theology meeting is next Sunday, March 12th, after service. We will continue to study the cycle of organizing and the value of intentional one-on-one conversations. We value all voices, and we hope you can join us for lunch in the Southside Room. Text “local” to 626.727.9498 if you’re new to the group, and lunch will be provided.

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Lenten Sunday School | Sunday mornings thru 4/2 | 9:00 a.m. | Parlor

• Thursday Noon Bible Study | Weekly at 12 p.m. | Parlor

• Yarn Crafts Group | Biweekly at 12 p.m. | March 5th in the Chapel

• Easy-Going Basketball | Biweekly at 7 p.m. | March 5th in the Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

3/4 - Women’s Brunch
3/5 - Prayer for Global Servants
3/12 - Public Theology Meeting
3/18 - Elena Hill’s Memorial Service
3/19 - FBCPride Meeting
4/2 - Palm Sunday
4/2 - Lenten Sunday School Ends
4/6 - Maundy Thursday Service
4/7 - Good Friday Service
4/9 - Easter Sunday | Brunch & Service
4/16 - Public Theology Meeting

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 | 02.25.2023

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

I am writing to you from Temecula, which wound up being the location for our youth retreat this weekend. We are so thankful we could find another option when the roads became unsafe up to Big Bear, and our youth are having a great time already. Our theme this week is belonging, a core value at FBCP (and really just part of how God has wired us). Thank you to all who have provided meals, snacks, prayers, and tamale support because you feel a sense of belonging to our youth. I know they will feel loved and held by the larger FBCP community after this weekend, and that is quite a gift for all of us.

Speaking of tamales, if you weren't able to pick yours up, we have them in the freezer waiting for you! Just email me to set up a time to get them. Thanks to all for your support of our youth—we are so thankful for your generosity!

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 those who are attending Sunday School before service.  

Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for the start of worship and then be dismissed to head to their classrooms together. They can begin service with their families or sit with Pastor Mary in the front pews. If they are coming early with parents who are in a Sunday School class, they can be dropped off upstairs at 8:50 AM. This week we will continue to spend time spreading love to members in our community who are celebrating a joyous milestone and those who are experiencing grief and loss. We look forward to inviting our kids to use their creativity and compassion to share some blessings with others in our church family.

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• We believe that we belong to one another at FBCP. What does the word “belong” mean to you?

• As a family, decide one thing you might do this week to care for someone in our congregation who is hurting right now (all the people we discussed on Sunday together). You might consider praying for them at bedtime, sending a card, or doing something that will help you remember to pray and encourage them. 

YOUTH

Our youth will be back Sunday afternoon from the retreat. We'll be on for our regular youth gathering after worship next Sunday. Thanks for keeping them in prayer!

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families. 

With gratitude and deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay