Weekly Updates 03.22.2024

Tomorrow

• Our new hiking group, the Holy Walkamolies, has its first hike tomorrow, March 23rd! Meet at the Millard Canyon Campground Parking Lot at 8:30am. Text “hike” to 626.727.9498 if you would like to join in the fun and get information about future monthly hikes.

Sunday

• Our Lenten Sunday School finishes up this Sunday at 9am in the Parlor. Pastor Chip will finish the discussion on Prayer, and you may attend even if you missed previous weeks.

• Join us at 10:30am for Palm Sunday worship in the Sanctuary this Sunday! The nursery will be open as usual for our toddlers and babies. Our kids five years old have special instructions from Pastor Lindsay this week (parents have received info via email) and after their triumphant palm participation they will be dismissed to their classrooms with their leaders. 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.

• The Friends In Deed Food Pantry item for this Sunday is peanut butter and other nut butters.

Monday

• The Center for Restorative Justice extends a special invitation to FBCP folks to join a book club starting this coming Monday, March 25th, from 7-8:30pm in Room 314. The book club will run a total of five Mondays in a row and serves as an opportunity to think critically about the intersection of race and Christianity in the history of our country. $20 fee. For more information, click here.

Holy Week Next Week

Maundy Thursday

Join us at 6pm on Thursday, March 28th, for our Maundy Thursday service in the Chapel. This is an intimate service that includes a reflective time of prayer, communion and foot washing. Childcare will be provided for nursery-aged children.

Good Friday

Our Good Friday service on Friday, March 29, at 6pm in the Chapel will serve as an invitation to listen to scripture and our wonderful FBCP Choir as we remember Christ’s crucifixion and His death on the cross. The service ends with a procession out of the Chapel in silence. Childcare will be provided for nursery-aged children.

Flowers for the Cross

Snip and bring in some flowers from all around the city! Attach the flower(s) to the FBCP Cross when you enter the Park on Union St. for brunch at 10am on Easter morning, March 31st.

Easter Brunch + Egg Hunt

We will celebrate Easter Sunday on March 31st beginning with a potluck brunch and mariachi band at 10am in the Park on Union St!  Based on your last name, if you’re able, we’re asking you to bring about 10 servings of something savory (A-Q) or sweet/fruit (R-Z) to eat and share with your friends here. 

Pastors Lindsay and Mary are planning an egg hunt for the kids during the Easter Brunch! Our first egg hunt will happen at 10:30am for kids 6 years old and younger. At 10:45am, we will have an egg hunt for kids ages 7-10 years old/5th grade. Bring an Easter basket from home if you have one, and we will have some available for anyone who wants one.

Easter Worship Service

Our Easter worship service will follow the brunch and starts at 11am with the children joining us for service to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. Nursery care will be provided for ages four and under.

We look forward to Holy Week with you!

---

Coming Up

• The Grief Group meets next on April 7th at 9am in Room 214 and biweekly after that. It is a space for anyone experiencing grief or loss to be with others in a similar season. Reach out to Jon Rinkus if you are interested in joining this group. Jon is a trained Hospital Chaplain through Fuller and provides a rich space for folks to process grief.

• Pastors Lindsay and Mary are planning a night of fun for kids so parents can enjoy an evening out (also known as "Parent Night Out"). You can drop off and pick up your child anytime between 5:30-8:30 PM on Friday, April 12th, and then go do whatever you want. We'll serve dinner and provide activities for your kids! You can register your kid(s) with this link.

• Calling all families with kids or youth to join us in the Park after worship on Sunday, April 14th, for a potluck lunch to hang out and get to know one another better. It takes a village to raise kids, and it’s nice to find some friends as you raise your own. Bring a dish to share and enjoy some time with other families! Text “village” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP for this event.

• We will have our Basics Class after worship service on Sunday, April 21st, at 12:30pm 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.

• Anyone new-ish to the church (or anyone who has been around but thought of some questions for our lead pastor) is invited to Lunch for Newer Folks with Pastor John Jay after worship on Sunday, April 28th. Bring your curiosity and conversation, and enjoy lunch and fellowship in the Southside Room. Text “new” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP.

Regular-ish Happenings

• Holy Walkamolies Hiking Group | 3/23 at 8:30am

• Lenten Sunday School | 3/24 | 9-10am | Parlor

• Yarn Crafts Group | 3/24 at 12pm | Parlor

• Passive-Aggressive Pickleball | 3/24 at 7pm | Gym

• Grief Group | 4/7 at 9am | Room 214

Six Weeks at a Glance

3/24 - Lenten Sunday School Ends
3/24 - Palm Sunday Service
3/28 - Maundy Thursday Service
3/29 - Good Friday Service
3/31 - Easter Potluck Brunch + Service
4/12 - Parent Night Out
4/14 - Spring Sunday School Begins
4/14 - Family Lunch Hangout
4/21 - FBCP Basics Lunch
4/21 - FBCPride Group Meeting
4/26 - Community Dinners
4/28 - Lunch for Newer Folks
5/03 - All-Church Game Night
5/05 - All-Church Potluck

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 | 03.16.2024

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

Many thanks to our Deacons for a beautiful service they provided last week! My family stayed home and rested while we recovered from a bug we all caught, but we are so excited to be with you tomorrow for worship. Thanks for joining us in this season as we approach Easter together. Read on for the important happenings in the life of our church in the coming weeks!

Palm Sunday |  Kids and Youth Singing

We are so excited for our kids to lead us in worship on Sunday, March 24, for our Palm Sunday service! They will begin practicing on Sundays during our kids class each week, and Pastor Mary and I can verify that your kids are great singing worshippers. Because they will be joining Pastor Leslie and the adult choir in processing 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 the song and lyric sheet. You could invite them to teach you the words, too!

Easter Plans

Though I'm trying to engage with all that Lent has to offer through various practices and postures, we are also excited to look ahead to Easter with our church family. This year we will host our Easter brunch in the church park, and we will have a staggered egg hunt for kids in the park as well. Parents, please note that the brunch begins at 10:00 AM. Our first egg hunt will happen at 10:30AM for kids 6 years old and younger. At 10:45 AM we will have an egg hunt for kids ages 7-10 years old/5th grade. Bring an Easter basket from home if you have one, and we will have some available for anyone who wants one. Yay! 

Parent Night Out 

Pastor Mary and I are planning a night of fun for kids so parents can enjoy an evening out (also known as "Parent Night Out"). You can drop off and pick up your child anytime between 5:30-8:30 PM on Friday, April 12th, and then go do whatever you want. We'll serve dinner and provide activities for your kids! You can register your kid(s) with this link.

Families with Kids Potluck

Calling all families with kids or youth to join us in the Park after worship on Sunday, April 14th, for a potluck lunch to hang out and get to know one another better. We are looking forward to a time of connection and fellowship for parents and kids alike. Bring a dish to share and enjoy some time with other families! Text “village” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP for this event. 

Save the Date: Kids Camp!

We are already making plans for camp this summer, so parents please mark your calendars for June 24-28. This year we are pleased to announce a track for our rising Kindergarteners/5 year olds! We are excited to reveal our new camp theme (shhh…not yet, though!) and to help our kids encounter God's love together with people from our church family. We have learned in years past that parents plan early for summer camps and trips, so we hope it's helpful to get the dates to you now. We can't wait for summer fun together!  Registration will open next week.

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. This week our nursery kids will continue to explore the story of Jonah. Don't forget to grab a take-home sheet with some simple ways to engage the story at home.

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. This week the kids will explore St. Patrick and all the meaning behind his life and the symbols we associate with him. We are so excited to share in some storytelling together!

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• What is St. Patrick known for?

• What does the bell of St. Patrick symbolize?

• What meaning might we associate with the shamrock?

YOUTH

We are on for our regular youth gathering this Sunday! Parents can pick up their youth in the park at 1:30pm. 

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

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 03.15.2024

Sunday

• Our Lenten Sunday School meets for two more Sundays at 9am in the Parlor to explore spiritual practices with a book by Henri Nouwen called The Way of the Heart.  Bailey will begin the topic of Prayer this week, and you may attend even if you missed previous weeks. More information can be found here. Please let Pastor Lindsay know if you need childcare.

• The Grief Group meets this Sunday, March 17th, at 9am in Room 214 and biweekly moving forward. It is a space for anyone experiencing grief or loss to be with others in a similar season. Reach out to Jon Rinkus if you are interested in joining this group. Jon is a trained Hospital Chaplain through Fuller and provides a rich space for folks to process grief.

• Join us at 10:30am for worship in the Sanctuary this Sunday! 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 FBCPride Group invites everyone to join them for a showing of the movie Milk this Sunday, March 17th, at 5pm in the Chapel. Milk is a 2008 American biographical drama film based on the life of gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Email Sally and Kevin with questions.

• The Friends In Deed Food Pantry item for this Sunday is buyer’s choice.

Coming Up

• Folks ages 55+, join us for our next potluck lunch this Wednesday, March 20th, at 12:30pm in the Southside Room. It’s always a yummy spread of food and a fun time together, and we look forward to the fellowship. Email Pastor Chip with any questions.

• Our new hiking group, the Holy Walkamolies, has its first hike scheduled to meet at the Millard Canyon Campground Parking Lot at 8:30am on Saturday, March 23rd. Nicole hopes to plan about one hike per month in different areas around LA. Text “hike” to 626.727.9498 if you would like to RSVP and join in the fun. The weather is looking perfect for time outdoors!

Holy Week

Palm Sunday | March 24 | Regular Worship Time @10:30am

Join us as we hear the children and youth sing with the FBCP Choir and welcome Holy Week with palms waving.

Maundy Thursday | March 28 | 6pm in the Chapel

This will be an intimate service that includes a reflective time of prayer, communion and foot-washing. Childcare will be provided for nursery-aged children.

Good Friday | March 29 | 6pm in the Chapel

This special service will serve as an invitation to listen to scripture and our wonderful FBCP Choir as we remember Christ’s crucifixion and His death on the cross. The service ends with a procession out of the Chapel in silence. Childcare will be provided for nursery-aged children.

Flowers for the Cross

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 10am on March 31st.

Easter Brunch + Service | March 31 @10am

We will celebrate Easter Sunday on March 31st beginning with a potluck brunch and mariachi band at 10am in the Park on Union St!  Based on your last name, if you’re able, we’re asking you to bring about 10 servings of something savory (A-Q) or sweet/fruit (R-Z) to eat and share with your friends here. Worship service will be immediately afterward at 11am 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!

Coming Up

• Anyone new-ish to the church (or anyone who has been around, but thought of some questions for our lead pastor), is invited to Lunch for Newer Folks with Pastor John Jay after worship on Sunday, April 7th. Bring your curiosity and conversation, and enjoy lunch and fellowship in the Southside Room. Text “new” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP.

• Pastors Lindsay and Mary are planning a night of fun for kids so parents can enjoy an evening out (also known as "Parent Night Out"). You can drop off and pick up your child anytime between 5:30-8:30 PM on Friday, April 12th, and then go do whatever you want. We'll serve dinner and provide activities for your kids! You can register your kid(s) with this link.

• After our Lenten Sunday School ends on March 24th, we’ll have a two-week break and then begin a set of Spring Sunday School Classes. Stay tuned for the class options!

• Calling all families with kids or youth to join us in the Park after worship on Sunday, April 14th, for a potluck lunch to hang out and get to know one another better. It takes a village to raise kids, and it’s nice to find some friends as you raise your own. Bring a dish to share and enjoy some time with other families! Text “village” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP for this event.

• We will have our Basics Class after worship service on Sunday, April 21st, at 12:30pm 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.

Regular-ish Happenings

• Grief Group | 3/17 at 9am | Room 214

• Holy Walkamolies Hiking Group | 3/23 at 8:30am

• Lenten Sunday School | Sundays thru 3/24 | 9-10am | Parlor

• Yarn Crafts Group | 3/24 at 12pm | Parlor

• Passive-Aggressive Pickleball | 3/24 at 7pm | Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

3/17 - FBCPride Group Meeting
3/20 - 55+ Event
3/24 - Lenten Sunday School Ends
3/24 - Palm Sunday Service
3/28 - Maundy Thursday Service
3/29 - Good Friday Service
3/31 - Easter Potluck Brunch + Service
4/07 - Lunch for Newer Folks
4/12 - Parent Night Out
4/14 - Spring Sunday School Begins
4/14 - Family Lunch Hangout
4/21 - FBCP Basics Lunch
4/21 - FBCPride Group 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 | 03.09.2024

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

This Sunday is our annual Deacon-led worship service, which is a beautiful gift on many levels. Our staff will get the chance to have a different Sunday rhythm (Gavin and I are hoping to get our kids to snow or the beach!) as we prepare for a staff retreat on Monday and Tuesday. It is a unique gift to spend this Sunday with my family even though we certainly love our usual Sunday routine. It is also a gift for our congregation to receive the worship leadership of our Deacons, and I am so thankful that y'all will experience a liturgy with their giftings. I cannot wait to listen to the service online and create a space for worship next week on my own time. Pastor Mary will take March 17th as a day she can also experience a different sabbath rhythm instead of teaching the children's class. Thank you for these special Sundays to receive from God in a different way. I cannot wait to see you the following week!

Palm Sunday |  Kids and Youth Singing

We are so excited for our kids to lead us in worship on Sunday, March 24, for our Palm Sunday service! They will begin practicing on Sundays during our kids class each week, and Pastor Mary and I can verify that your kids are great singing worshippers. Because they will be joining Pastor Leslie and the adult choir in processing 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 the song and lyric sheet. You could invite them to teach you the words, too!

Easter Plans

Though I'm trying to engage with all that Lent has to offer through various practices and postures, we are also excited to look ahead to Easter with our church family. This year we will host our Easter brunch in the church park, and we will have a staggered egg hunt for kids in the park as well. Parents, please note that the brunch begins at 10:00 AM. Our first egg hunt will happen at 10:30AM for kids 6 years old and younger. At 10:45 AM we will have an egg hunt for kids ages 7-10 years old/5th grade. Bring an Easter basket from home if you have one, and we will have some available for anyone who wants one. Yay! 

Save the Date: Kids Camp!

We are already making plans for camp this summer, so parents please mark your calendars for June 24-28. We are excited to reveal our new camp theme (shhh…not yet, though!) and to help our kids encounter God's love together with people from our church family. We have learned in years past that parents plan early for summer camps and trips, so we hope it's helpful to get the dates to you now. We can't wait for summer fun together! 

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. This week our nursery kids will continue to explore the story of Jonah. Don't forget to grab a take-home sheet with some simple ways to engage the story at home.

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. This week the kids will explore the story of Jonah with fun storytelling and applications to our world today.

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• What does the story of Jonah teach you about people? 

• What does it teach you about God?

YOUTH

We are on for our regular youth gathering this Sunday! Jensen will be leading in my absence. Parents can pick up their youth in the park at 1:30pm. 

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

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 03.08.2024

TURN YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD SAT. NIGHT

Sunday

• Daylight Savings Time starts this Sunday, so don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead and make an extra cup of coffee for yourself!

• Our Lenten Sunday School continues this Sunday at 9am in the Parlor to explore spiritual practices with a book by Henri Nouwen called The Way of the Heart.  Jon will continue the topic of Silence this week, and you may attend even if you missed previous weeks. More information can be found here. Please let Pastor Lindsay know if you need childcare.

• Join us at 10:30am for worship in the Sanctuary this Sunday! 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 Nori for a 30-minute informational meeting after service this Sunday, March 10th, in Room 214 to learn about this year's Oaxaca trip (October 20-26th). At this meeting, we'll give details about securing a good price on your flight. Text “Oaxaca” to 626.727.9498 if you’re interested, or email Nori if you have questions.

• Sunday after service we have our Yarn Crafts Group. Join these crafty folks in the Parlor to knit or crochet your own project or a charity project. A couple members are almost done putting together blankets to be donated. You are welcome to attend whether you have experience or not! Email Whitney and Justine if you have any questions.

• The Friends In Deed Food Pantry item for this Sunday is granola bars or any other single serve items.

Coming Up

• The church office will be closed next Monday and Tuesday (March 11th & 12th) due to a staff retreat. Pray for this spiritual formational time to be meaningful for our pastors and support staff~thanks!

• The Winter Sunday School Grief Group will continue meeting biweekly. It is a space for anyone experiencing grief or loss to be with others in a similar season. The group will continue to meet every other Sunday morning at 9am in Room 214. The next group meeting will be March 17th. Reach out to Jon Rinkus if you are interested in joining this group. He is a trained Hospital Chaplain through Fuller and has provided a rich space for our folks to process grief.

• Our FBCPride Group will meet on March 17th at 5pm in the Chapel for a movie showing this month. Text “pride” to 626.727.9498 if you’re new to the group. We welcome the LGBTQ+ community, parents and allies ages 16 & up. Email Sally and Kevin with questions.

• Folks ages 55+, join us for our next potluck lunch on Wednesday, March 20th, at 12:30pm in the Southside Room. It’s always a fun time together, and we look forward to the fellowship. Email Pastor Chip with any questions.

Holy Week

• Check out our Lenten Happenings page to stay up-to-date on the latest Lenten schedule and flowers for the Cross. Thanks to our pastors John Jay, Leslie, Lindsay and Chip for working hard to bring meaning and moments of reflection to this special season. Our Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services will be held in the Chapel, and check out the link to find out more about our Easter Brunch (note the expanded alphabet request for savory breakfast items).

Holy Walkamolies

• We are excited that about 20 people expressed interest in our new hiking group, the Holy Walkamolies! The first hike will meet at the Millard Canyon Campground Parking Lot at 8:30am on Saturday, March 23rd. Nicole hopes to have about one hike per month in different areas around LA. Text “hike” to 626.727.9498 if you would like to RSVP and join in the fun. The weather is looking perfect for time outdoors!

April

• Pastors Lindsay and Mary are planning a night of fun for kids so parents can enjoy an evening out (also known as "Parent Night Out"). You can drop off and pick up your child anytime between 5:30-8:30 PM on Friday, April 12th, and then go do whatever you want. We'll serve dinner and provide activities for your kids! You can register your kid(s) with this link.

• Calling all families with kids or youth to join us in the Park after worship on Sunday, April 14th, for a potluck lunch to hang out and get to know one another better. It takes a village to raise kids, and it’s nice to find some friends as you raise your own. Bring a dish to share and enjoy some time with other families! Text “village” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP for this event.

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Lenten Sunday School | Sundays thru 3/24 | 9-10am | Parlor

• Yarn Crafts Group | 3/10 at 12pm | Parlor

• Grief Group | 3/17 at 9am | Room 214

• Passive Aggressive Pickleball | 3/24 at 7pm | Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

3/10 - Oaxaca Interest Meeting
3/11-12 - Office Closed | Staff Retreat
3/17 - FBCPride Group Meeting
3/20 - 55+ Event
3/24 - Lenten Sunday School Ends
3/24 - Palm Sunday Service
3/28 - Maundy Thursday Service
3/29 - Good Friday Service
3/31 - Easter Potluck Brunch + Service
4/12 - Parent Night Out
4/14 - Spring Sunday School Begins
4/14 - Family Lunch Hangout

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 | 03.02.2024

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

Our time with the youth in Big Bear last weekend was such a gift! We have such a thoughtful, fun, and talented group of youth in our church family, and we have equally amazing adults who have stepped up to grow and learn alongside them. I am so thankful for the ways that young people help us to ask better questions and lean into playfulness and joy (among other things!). Thank you to all who made such a generous effort to support us with meals, cookies, snacks, vans, and prayers—y'all made such a difference, and we felt the Spirit moving among our precious youth.

Palm Sunday |  Kids and Youth Singing

We are so excited for our kids to lead us in worship on Sunday, March 24, for our Palm Sunday service! They will begin practicing on Sundays during our kids class each week, and Pastor Mary and I can verify that your kids are great singing worshippers. Because they will be joining Pastor Leslie and the adult choir in processing 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 the song and lyric sheet. You could invite them to teach you the words, too!

Save the Date: Kids Camp!

We are already making plans for camp this summer, so parents please mark your calendars for June 24-28. We are excited to reveal our new camp theme (shhh…not yet, though!) and to help our kids encounter God's love together with people from our church family. We have learned in years past that parents plan early for summer camps and trips, so we hope it's helpful to get the dates to you now. We can't wait for summer fun together! 

Free Parenting Webinars

Our own Grace Goodman works at the Institute for Girls Development, which hosts a variety of free webinars for parents covering  various topics. Our own Allyson Self-Stoico is one featured guest in an upcoming session on teens and depression. You can check out their full list of events here. Thanks to Grace and Allyson for the work you do with families to help them flourish!

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. This week our nursery kids will get to explore the story of Jonah. Don't forget to grab a take-home sheet with some simple ways to engage the story at home.

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!). Pastor John Jay will be preaching from Genesis 39 and 40 as we continue to explore the story of Joseph. It will be a beautiful morning together as a church family, and we welcome the presence of our kids in worship.

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• What stood out from worship today (it could be anything you noticed and remember)?

• When did you sense God's presence, help, or love this week?

• Who in our church family would you like to know better?

YOUTH

We are on for our regular youth gathering this Sunday! Parents can pick up their youth in the park at 1:30pm. We are looking forward to being with our youth!

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

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 03.01.2024

Sunday

• Our Lenten Sunday School continues this Sunday at 9am in the Parlor to explore spiritual practices with a book by Henri Nouwen called The Way of the Heart.  Tyler will lead the study of Silence this week, and you may join even if you missed previous weeks. More information can be found here. Text “school” to 626.727.9498 or signup via this link. Please let Pastor Lindsay know if you need childcare.

• Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30am as we partake in communion together (crackers are gluten-free)! 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 as we pray for our global servants around the world on Sunday, March 3rd, after worship in the Parlor. We invite you for thirty minutes of prayer for our FBCP-supported American Baptist servants in Mexico, Lebanon, Turkey and Thailand as they love and support others around the world and share the light of Christ through service.

• Our traditional Coffee + Conversation with Pastor John Jay event is changed to lunch after worship this Sunday in the Parlor. Text “coffee” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP. This is a great time to get to know others and our lead pastor better, especially if you are newer to our community. We hope you can join us!

• Join our Passive-Aggressive Pickleball Group at 7pm this Sunday, March 3rd, in the Gym and Park. Bring a sweater and water, and text “pickle” to 626.727.9498 to get text reminders. Email Tim with questions. We have paddles and balls available to use.

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

Holy Walkamolies

• Our own Nicole Ochi has offered to help form a new hiking group, so let her know about your interest so she can get you all the details. The Pasadena area is drive-able to so many beautiful hikes, and this time of year has such great weather—you won’t want to miss (and let Nicole know if you need a ride)!

Coming Up

• Join us for a 30-minute informational meeting after service on Sunday, March 10th, in the Parlor to learn about this year's Oaxaca trip (October 20-26th). At this meeting, we'll give details about securing a good price on your flight. Text “Oaxaca” to 626.727.9498 if you’re interested!

• Our FBCPride Group will meet on March 17th at 5pm in the Southside Room. Text “pride” to 626.727.9498 if you’re new to the group. We welcome the LGBTQ+ community, parents and allies ages 16 & up. Email Sally and Kevin with questions.

• Save the Date, folks ages 55+! We are having our next potluck lunch on Wednesday, March 20th, at 12:30pm in the Southside Room. It’s always a fun time together, and we look forward to the fellowship. Email Pastor Chip with any questions.

Holy Week

• Check out our Lenten Happenings page to stay up-to-date on the latest Lenten schedule. Thanks to our pastors John Jay, Leslie, Lindsay and Chip for working hard to bring meaning and moments of reflection to this special season. Our Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services will be held in the Chapel, and check out the link to find out more about our Easter Brunch.

April

• Pastors Lindsay and Mary are planning a night of fun for kids so parents can enjoy an evening out (also known as "Parent Night Out"). You can drop off and pick up your child anytime between 5:30-8:30 PM on Friday, April 12th, and then go do whatever you want. We'll serve dinner and provide activities for your kids! You can register your kid(s) with this link.

• Join us for a casual Coffee + Conversation with Pastor John Jay on April 14th at 9am in his office. Text “coffee” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP. This is a great hour to get to know others and our lead pastor better, especially if you are newer to our community. 

• Calling all families with kids or youth to join us in the Park after worship on Sunday, April 14th, for a potluck lunch to hang out and get know one another better. It takes a village to raise kids, and it’s nice to find some friends as you raise your own little ones. Bring a dish to share and enjoy some time with other families! Text “village” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP for this event.

Local Engagement

• Fuller invites everyone to a public reading of scripture on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-9:30am. This is part of Fuller's Public Reading of Scripture project, which centers the Bible for Christian training and living. It is also about promoting biblical literacy in an age in which Christians usually know the Bible only in fragments. If you've found yourself struggling with any New Year's Resolutions to read the Bible this year, join others in listening to the entire Bible together in 2024. The read aloud group meets at Travis Auditorium (180 N Oakland Ave, Pasadena, CA  91101). Free coffee and pastries.

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Lenten Sunday School | Sundays thru 3/24 | 9-10am | Parlor

• Yarn Crafts Group | 3/10 at 12pm | Parlor

• Passive Aggressive Pickleball | 3/3 at 7pm | Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

3/03 - Prayer for Global Servants
3/03 - Lunch with Pastor John Jay
3/10 - Oaxaca Interest Meeting
3/17 - FBCPride Group Meeting
3/20 - 55+ Event
3/24 - Lenten Sunday School Ends
3/24 - Palm Sunday Service
3/28 - Maundy Thursday Service
3/29 - Good Friday Service
3/31 - Easter Potluck Brunch + Service
4/12 - Parent Night Out
4/14 - Spring Sunday School Begins
4/14 - Family Lunch Hangout

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

Less without you,

The FBCP Community

Weekly Updates 02.23.2024

Saturday

• Our friend Iris let the church staff know that there is going to be a protest and support rally for the tragedy unfolding in Palestine and we are passing that along to you all. If you would like to attend, you can contact Iris to coordinate and join her at the event. The rally will be held at Pasadena City Hall at 12:30pm and the purpose is to call for a ceasefire. Contact Iris for more information.

Sunday

• If you are new here and wondering more about FBCP, join us this Sunday for casual Coffee + Conversation with Pastor John Jay at 9am in his office. Text “coffee” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP. This is a great hour for newer folks to get to know a few others and chat with our lead pastor. Come with all your questions!

• Our Lenten Sunday School continues this Sunday at 9am in the Parlor to discuss a book by Henri Nouwen called The Way of the Heart.  Mady will continue the study of solitude this week, and you may join even if you missed last week. More information can be found here. Text “school” to 626.727.9498 or signup via this link. Please let Pastor Lindsay know if you need childcare.

• Join us at 10:30am for worship in the sanctuary this Sunday! 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 in Big Bear this week, so their regular fellowship time will continue next week 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.

• Sunday after service we have our Yarn Crafts Group. Join these crafty folks in the Parlor to knit or crochet your own project or a charity project. You are welcome to attend whether you have experience or not! Email Justine if you have any questions.

• Also this Sunday, join us for our FBCPride Group meeting. We’ll meet from 4-6pm in the Southside Room (an hour earlier this month) and focus on where society has made progress with inclusion and where we can encourage growth and love. Ken Fong will be sharing on church inclusion, and others are welcome to share from their own unique contexts. We would love to have your voice.  Text “pride” to 626.727.9498 if you’re new to the group. We welcome the LGBTQ+ community, parents and allies ages 16 & up. Email Sally and Kevin with questions.

• The Friends In Deed Food Pantry item for this Sunday is canned tuna or other canned meats.

Pray for the Big Bear Retreat

• Thanks to Angel, Cindy F-W, Jonathan, Marcie, Mary W, Stormie, Susan and Tina for helping out with the meals and snacks, and thanks to Jensen, Bri, Michael and Pastor Lindsay for chaperoning and creating a meaningful time for the youth to reflect on Relationships–with self, others and God. It takes a village! We ask for your prayers this weekend as they travel (with snow expected Sunday!) and spend time together.

Coming Up

• Join us as we pray for our global servants around the world on Sunday, March 3rd, after worship in the Parlor. We invite you for thirty minutes of prayer for our FBCP-supported American Baptist servants in Mexico, Lebanon, Turkey and Thailand as they love and support others around the world and share the light of Christ through service.

• Our FBCPride Meeting on March 17th at 5pm will be a special time hearing from a panel of parents-of-LGBTQ+-kids about what they have learned about God through their LGBTQ+ child. Text “pride” to 626.727.9498 if you’re new to the group. We welcome the LGBTQ+ community, parents and allies ages 16 & up. Email Sally and Kevin with questions.

• Save the Date, folks ages 55+! We are having our next potluck lunch on Wednesday, March 20th at 12:30pm in the Southside Room. It’s always a fun time together and we look forward to the fellowship. Email Pastor Chip with any questions.

Holy Week

• Check out our Lenten Happenings page to stay up-to-date on the latest Lenten schedule. Thanks to our pastors John Jay, Leslie, Lindsay and Chip for working hard to bring meaning and moments of reflection to this special season. Our Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services will be held in the Chapel, and check out the link to find out more about our Easter Brunch.

Date Change

• Calling all families with kids or youth to join us in the Park after worship on Sunday, April 14th (note the date change), for a potluck lunch to hang out and get know one another better. It takes a village to raise kids, and it’s nice to know what other parents and families are in this church community and might be a source of encouragement or friendship as you raise your own little ones. Text “village” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP for this event.

Local Engagement

• Fuller invites everyone to a public reading of scripture on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-9:30am. This is part of Fuller's Public Reading of Scripture project, which centers the Bible for Christian training and living. It is also about promoting biblical literacy in an age in which Christians usually know the Bible only in fragments. If you've found yourself struggling with any New Year's Resolutions to read the Bible this year, join others in listening to the entire Bible together in 2024. The read aloud group meets at Travis Auditorium (180 N Oakland Ave, Pasadena, CA  91101). Free coffee and pastries.

• Atherton Baptist Homes is hosting a night where their own resident speakers who lived through the time of the Japanese internment camps can share their stories at 7pm on February 27th in Miriam Chapel. Arrive early to park, and sign in first at the main office before heading to the chapel.

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Lenten Sunday School | Sundays thru 3/24 | 9-10am | Parlor

• Yarn Crafts Group | 2/25 at 12pm | Parlor

• Passive Aggressive Pickleball | 3/3 at 7pm | Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

2/23-2/25 - Youth Winter Retreat
2/25 - Coffee + Conversation with John Jay
2/25 - FBCPride Group Meeting
2/29 - Leap Year
3/03 - Prayer for Global Servants
3/17 - FBCPride Group Meeting
3/20 - 55+ Event
3/24 - Palm Sunday Service
3/28 - Maundy Thursday Service
3/29 - Good Friday Service
3/31 - Easter Potluck Brunch + Service

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

Less without you,

The FBCP Community

FBCP Families | 02.17.2024

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

We have some dates for you to mark on your calendars, so make sure you read on for all the information about Palm Sunday and our upcoming Kids Camp this summer! I pray you have whatever kind of weekend your family most needs—be that of rest, play, adventure, or a combination of all those. One reminder for tomorrow morning: Our beloved building is old and still in process of getting heating and cooling updates, so it's been pretty chilly in our kid classes upstairs. Parents, please remind your children to dress warmly or encourage them to bring an extra layer or coat. Thanks, and hope to see you tomorrow!

Palm Sunday |  Kids and Youth Singing

We are so excited for our kids and youth to lead us in worship on Sunday, March 24, for our Palm Sunday service! They will begin practicing on Sundays during our kids and youth time each week, and Pastor Mary and I can verify that your kids are great singing worshippers. Because they will be joining Pastor Leslie and the adult choir in processing 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 the song and lyric sheet. You could invite them to teach you the words, too!

Save the Date: Kids Camp!

We are already making plans for camp this summer, so parents please mark your calendars for June 24-28. We are excited to reveal our new camp theme (shhh…not yet, though!) and to help our kids encounter God's love together with people from our church family. I know it's only February, but we have learned in years past that parents plan early for summer camps and trips, so we hope it's helpful to get the dates to you now. We can't wait for summer fun together! 

Local Engagement

And if you're still looking for some meaningful family time, it's not too late to check out the 42nd annual Black History Parade and Festival on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, 10am-4pm with the theme “Past, Present, Future: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Jackie Robinson.” The festival goes until 4pm this afternoon. See flyer for more details.

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. This week our nursery kids will explore the story of Daniel with the lionsl. Don't forget to grab a take-home sheet with some simple ways to engage the story at home.

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. This week they will continue to talk about love from scripture and our lives, and they'll make some love notes and treats to share with others. It's going to be a fun morning as always with our kids!

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• What are some powerful images for you when you think about what love is?

• What are some moments when you felt loved in the last week?

• What acts of kindness and love do you enjoy sharing with others?

YOUTH

This week the youth are back on for their regular youth gathering and lunch after worship! Parents, be on the lookout for an email with retreat information coming soon. 

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

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 02.16.2024

Tomorrow

• All women and girls are invited to our Women’s Brunch tomorrow, February 17th, at 10am in the Southside Room! It will be a time to share a delicious meal, get to know some awesome ladies and hear Shawn share about her life and story of faith. Text “brunch” to 626.727.9498 to sign up. If you have any questions, please email Pastor Lindsay.

• The City of Pasadena and the Black History Planning Committee are pleased to announce the 42nd annual Black History Parade and Festival on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, 10am-4pm with the theme “Past, Present, Future: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Jackie Robinson.” The parade begins at Fair Oaks Avenue and Mountain View Street. See flyer for more details.

Sunday

• Our Lenten Sunday School begins this Sunday at 9am in the Parlor. We invite you to study a book by Henri Nouwen called The Way of the Heart, that focuses on solitude, silence and prayer. More information can be found here. Text “school” to 626.727.9498 or signup via this link. The church will purchase copies of the book for you, and childcare will be available. Please let Pastor Lindsay know if you plan to bring your kids to this new series so she can prepare.

• Join us at 10:30am for worship in the sanctuary this Sunday! 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.

• You are invited to a lunch with Tim and Patti Long, American Baptist global servants, after worship in the Southside Room. FBCP has supported them for years and as they look towards their own retirement, this is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate their service spreading God’s love to those around them and learn how we can do the same in Pasadena. Please text “Longs” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP for this lunch. We hope you can join us!

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

Coming Up

• Join us next week, February 25th, for a casual Coffee + Conversation with Pastor John Jay at 9am in his office. Text “coffee” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP. This is a great hour to get to know a few others and chat with our lead pastor. Come with all your questions!

• Also on February 25th, join us for our FBCPride Group meeting. We’ll meet from 4-6pm in the Southside Room (an hour earlier this month) and focus on where society has made progress with inclusion, and where we can encourage growth and love. We would love to have your voice.  Text “pride” to 626.727.9498 if you’re new to the group. We welcome the LGBTQ+ community, parents and allies ages 16 & up. Email Sally and Kevin with questions.

• Join us as we pray for our global servants around the world on Sunday, March 3rd, after worship in the Parlor. We invite you for thirty minutes of prayer for our FBCP-supported American Baptist servants in Mexico, Lebanon, Turkey and Thailand as they love and support others around the world and share the light of Christ through service.

• Calling all families with kids or youth to join Pastor Lindsay and friends in the Park after worship on Sunday, March 17th, for a potluck lunch to get to know one another better. It takes a village to raise kids, and it’s nice to know what other parents and families are in this church community and might be a source of encouragement or friendship as you raise your own little ones. Text “village” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP for this event.

Vehicle + Meals for FBCP Youth

• Thanks to those who reached out to help with snacks and meals for our Big Bear Youth Retreat this February 23rd-25th! We are grateful for you, Angel, Cindy, Jonathan, Marcie, Mary, Stormie, Susan and Tina!

• We are also in need of a van or car to transport the group up the mountain. Please contact Pastor Lindsay if the group can borrow your vehicle next weekend. Thank you for considering this big ask—we’ll take good care of it!

Local Engagement

• Fuller invites everyone to a public reading of scripture on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-9:30am. This is part of Fuller's Public Reading of Scripture project, which centers the Bible for Christian training and living. It is also about promoting biblical literacy in an age in which Christians usually know the Bible only in fragments. If you've found yourself struggling with any New Year's Resolutions to read the Bible this year, join others in listening to the entire Bible together in 2024. The read aloud meets at Travis Auditorium (180 N Oakland Ave, Pasadena, CA  91101). Free coffee and pastries.

• Atherton Baptist Homes is hosting a night where their own resident speakers who lived through the time of the Japanese internment camps can share their stories at 7pm on February 27th in Miriam Chapel. Arrive early to park, and sign in first at the main office before heading to the chapel.

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Lenten Sunday School | Begins this Sunday | 9-10am | Parlor

• Yarn Crafts Group | 2/25 at 12pm | Parlor

• Passive Aggressive Pickleball | 3/3 at 7pm | Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

2/17 - Women’s Brunch
2/18 - Lenten Sunday School Begins
2/19 - President’s Day | Office Closed
2/23-2/25 - Youth Winter Retreat
2/25 - Coffee + Conversation with John Jay
2/25 - FBCPride Group Meeting
2/29 - Leap Year
3/03 - Prayer for Global Servants
3/17 - Family Ministries Potluck Lunch
3/17 - FBCPride Group Meeting
3/20 - 55+ Event
3/24 - Palm Sunday Service
3/28 - Maundy Thursday Service
3/29 - Good Friday Service
3/31 - Easter Potluck Brunch + Service

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

Less without you,

The FBCP Community

FBCP Families | 02/10/2024

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

This is a great week in the life of our church! Tomorrow is our Mardi Gras potluck after worship, so we hope you can join us for a time of food and fellowship. We also invite you to join us for our Ash Wednesday service on February 14th at 6:00pm in the Chapel. Each year we gather to set the tone for the season of Lent and engage in practices that ground us in God's love alongside our fragile humanity. The service will include the imposition of ashes as well as intercessory prayer, singing, and confession. I look forward to moving through Lent with our church family.

Below you will find some information about a Lunar New Year celebration event at a museum in Pasadena today. I thought I would also share this writing by Jeff Chu about the history of the zodiac signs and the communal focus of various Lunar New Year traditions. May we see our interconnectedness and communal life as a calling and a source of hope. Enjoy the read!

Youth Retreat

Yay! We are heading up to Big Bear on Friday, February 23, for our annual Winter Youth Retreat. We will return in the afternoon on Sunday, February 25. Here is an online registration form. Please fill that out as soon as you can so that I can get a final count for purposes of accommodations. If your youth needs a scholarship in order to attend, please do not hesitate to reach out. We never want cost to be prohibitive, so please just let me know what your family needs. Jensen, Brianna, and Michael will be joining us for a wonderful weekend away, and we can't wait to spend quality time with our youth! 

Feeding the Youth

If you are looking for ways to spread some love to our youth and you enjoy cooking, then we would welcome a contribution from your kitchen to take to Big Bear! We will also be bringing some bulk store-bought snacks and other food, so we don't expect you to feed us the whole trip. This is really a chance for kindness to be shared. Trust me when I say that food is one of their biggest love languages, and we will receive anything on this sign-up sheet as a great act of generosity.

Local Engagement

Celebrate Lunar New Year today with others in the City of Pasadena at the USC Pacific Asia Museum on Los Robles Ave. This event goes from 11am-3:30pm and features traditional dances, storytelling, calligraphy and food trucks.

The City of Pasadena and the Black History Planning Committee are pleased to announce the 42nd annual Black History Parade and Festival on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, 10am-4pm with the theme “Past, Present, Future: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Jackie Robinson.” The parade begins at Fair Oaks Avenue and Mountain View Street. See flyer for more details.

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. This week our nursery kids will continue to explore the story of Daniel. Don't forget to grab a take-home sheet with some simple ways to engage the story at home.

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. This week we will talk about various images of love from scripture and our lives, and we'll make some Valentine's to share with others. It's going to be a fun morning as always with our kids!

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• What are some powerful images for you when you think about what love is?

• What are some moments when you felt loved in the last week?

• What acts of kindness and love do you enjoy sharing with others?

YOUTH

This week the youth will join the church for our Mardi Gras potluck! We'll be back on for our regular youth gathering next Sunday. 

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

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 02.09.2024

Tomorrow

• Celebrate Lunar New Year on Saturday, February 10th, with others in the City of Pasadena at the USC Pacific Asia Museum on Los Robles Ave. This event goes from 11am-3:30pm and features traditional dances, storytelling, calligraphy and food trucks.

Sunday

• Join us at 10:30am 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 in our all-church Mardi Gras Potluck lunch after service in the Gym. 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 Sunday, February 11th, kicks off the Lenten season with our Mardi Gras potluck in the gym after worship. Based on your last name, if you’re able, please bring a main dish (A-J), a side or salad (K-R), or dessert (S-Z) of about 10 servings to share with your friends here at FBCP. Thank you to our Volunteer Squad who signed up to help!

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

Coming Up

• Join us for a special worship service this Ash Wednesday, February 14th, at 6pm in the Chapel. The service includes a time of intercessory prayer, confession and absolution, and it will conclude with the imposition of ashes. See Pastor Chip’s special invitation to the Lenten Season here. Childcare for children four years old and younger will be provided; please let Pastor Lindsay know if you plan to bring young children so that she can ensure enough workers for that evening.

• All women and girls are invited to our Women’s Brunch on Saturday, February 17th, at 10am in the Southside Room! It will be a time to share a delicious meal, get to know some awesome ladies and hear Shawn share her story of faith. Text “brunch” to 626.727.9498 to sign up. If you have any questions, please email Pastor Lindsay.

• Next Sunday, February 18th, our Lenten Sunday School begins at 9am in the Parlor. We invite you to study a book by Henri Nouwen called The Way of the Heart, that focuses on solitude, silence and prayer. More information can be found here. Text “school” to 626.727.9498 or signup via this link. The church will purchase copies of the book for you, and childcare will be available. Please let Pastor Lindsay know if you plan to bring your kids to this six-week series.

• Join us in two weeks for a casual Coffee + Conversation with Pastor John Jay, on February 25th, at 9am in his office. Text “coffee” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP. This is a great hour to get to know others and our lead pastor better, especially if you are newer to our community. 

• Also on February 25th, join us for our FBCPride Group meeting. We’ll meet from 4-6pm in the Southside Room (an hour earlier this month) and focus on where society has made progress with inclusion, and where we can encourage growth and love. We would love to have your voice.  Text “pride” to 626.727.9498 if you’re new to the group. We welcome the LGBTQ+ community, parents and allies ages 16 & up. Email Sally and Kevin with questions.

Vehicle + Meals for FBCP Youth

• Thanks to those who reached out to help with food for our Big Bear Youth Retreat February 23rd-25th! If you have time to jump into the fun of feeding teens, we could still use a breakfast, lunch and dinner for 25. This is a chance for kindness to be shared. Trust me when I say that food is one of their biggest love languages, and we will receive anything on this sign-up sheet as a great act of generosity.

• We are also in need of a van or car to transport the group up the mountain. Please contact Pastor Lindsay if the group can borrow your vehicle for the weekend of February 23-25. Thank you for considering this big ask—we’ll take good care of it!

Local Engagement

• The City of Pasadena and the Black History Planning Committee are pleased to announce the 42nd annual Black History Parade and Festival on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, 10am-4pm with the theme “Past, Present, Future: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Jackie Robinson.” The parade begins at Fair Oaks Avenue and Mountain View Street. See flyer for more details.

• Atherton Baptist Homes is hosting a night where their own resident speakers who lived through the time of the Japanese internment camps can share their stories at 7pm on February 27th in Miriam Chapel. Arrive early to park, and sign in first at the main office before heading to the chapel.

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Winter Sunday School | Ends this Sunday | 9-10am

• Yarn Crafts Group | 2/25 at 12pm | Parlor

• Passive Aggressive Pickleball | 3/3 at 7pm | Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

2/10 - Lunar New Year
2/11 - Winter Sunday School Ends
2/11 - Church Potluck
2/14 - Ash Wednesday Service
2/17 - Women’s Brunch
2/18 - Lenten Sunday School Begins
2/19 - President’s Day | Office Closed
2/23-2/25 - Youth Winter Retreat
2/25 - Coffee + Conversation with John Jay
2/25 - FBCPride Group Meeting
2/29 - Leap Year

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 | 02.03.2024

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

Now that February is here, it's already time to look ahead to Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. I love the rhythms of our liturgical calendar because they hold so much possibility for reorienting ourselves around God's own rhythm and sense of time. The invitation to slow down and be extra intentional during the season of Lent is always something I crave, and we will be providing families with some ideas for observing Lent at home. We hope you can join us for Ash Wednesday service on February 14th at 6:00pm in the Chapel. Please let me know if you plan to attend and need childcare in the nursery. I pray this coming week holds space for rest, quiet, and receiving from God's abundant love.

Youth Retreat

Yay! We are heading up to Big Bear on Friday, February 23, for our annual Winter Youth Retreat. We will return in the afternoon on Sunday, February 25. Here is an online registration form. Please fill that out as soon as you can so that I can get a final count for purposes of accommodations. If your youth needs a scholarship in order to attend, please do not hesitate to reach out. We never want cost to be prohibitive, so please just let me know what your family needs. Jensen, Brianna, and Michael will be joining us for a wonderful weekend away, and we can't wait to spend quality time with our youth! 

Feed the Youth

If you are looking for ways to spread some love to our youth and you enjoy cooking, then we would welcome a contribution from your kitchen to take to Big Bear! We will also be bringing some bulk store-bought snacks and other food, so we don't expect you to feed us the whole trip. This is really a chance for kindness to be shared. Trust me when I say that food is one of their biggest love languages, and we will receive anything on this sign-up sheet as a great act of generosity.

Local Engagement

Celebrate Lunar New Year on Saturday, February 10th, with others in the City of Pasadena at the USC Pacific Asia Museum on Los Robles Ave. This event goes from 11am-3:30pm and features traditional dances, storytelling, calligraphy and food trucks.

The City of Pasadena and the Black History Planning Committee are pleased to announce the 42nd annual Black History Parade and Festival on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, 10am-4pm with the theme “Past, Present, Future: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Jackie Robinson.” The parade begins at Fair Oaks Avenue and Mountain View Street. See flyer for more details.

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. This week our nursery kids will get to explore the story of Daniel. Don't forget to grab a take-home sheet with some simple ways to engage the story at home.

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!). Pastor John Jay will be preaching on Genesis 37 and Joseph's dreams. It will be a beautiful morning together as a church family, and we welcome the presence of our kids in worship.

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• What was problematic about Jacob's view of love?

• What can we learn from Joseph's attitude toward his brothers?

• Think back on the week. Where did you sense God's presence or encouragement?

• What do you need from God in the week ahead?

YOUTH

This week we have our regular youth gathering after worship. Lunch is included as always, and you can pick up your youth at 1:30PM at the park gate. Yay for youth!

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

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 02.02.2024

Tomorrow

• Men, you are invited to join us for a time of fellowship tomorrow, February 3rd, at 9am in the Park off Union St. We will share coffee and a tasty breakfast meal. You won’t want to miss this time of fellowship and encouragement, and feel free to bring a friend.

Sunday

• Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:30am as we partake in communion together (crackers are gluten-free)! 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.

• American Baptists minister as God’s heart and hands, healing the broken and the downtrodden. You can contribute to the American Baptist mission efforts in the United States and Puerto Rico by contributing to the America For Christ Offering this week. Your gift will impact thousands—through ministries with marginalized children, disaster response, prisoner re-entry and aftercare, immigration and refugee resettlement, chaplains who bring comfort to those in hospitals and nursing homes, and so much more. You can give online (choose America For Christ in the drop-down menu), by check (with "AFC" on the memo line), or cash on Sunday. You can find special envelopes for this offering in the pews on Sunday morning. Thank you in advance!

• Name Tag First Sundays—we invite you to find the table in the lobby on each first Sunday of the month and write out your name on the blank labels. Decorate the tags to your heart’s content.

• The Friends In Deed Food Pantry item for this Sunday is buyer’s choice.

Coming Up

• Sunday, February 11th, kicks off the Lenten season with our Mardi Gras potluck in the gym after service. Based on your last name, if you’re able, please bring a main dish (A-J), a side or salad (K-R), or dessert (S-Z) of about 10 servings to share with your friends here at FBCP. We also need several volunteers to set up and take down the potluck, so please see the Volunteer Squad sign-up poster in the lobby.

• Join us for a special worship service on Ash Wednesday, February 14th, at 6pm in the Chapel. The service includes a time of intercessory prayer, confession and absolution, and it will conclude with the imposition of ashes. Childcare for children four years old and younger will be provided; please let Pastor Lindsay know if you plan to bring young children so that she can ensure enough workers for that evening.

• All women and girls are invited to our Women’s Brunch on Saturday, February 17th, at 10am in the Southside Room! It will be a time to share a delicious meal, get to know some awesome ladies and hear Shawn share her story of faith. Text “brunch” to 626.727.9498 to sign up. If you have any questions, please email Pastor Lindsay.

• Our Lenten Sunday School session will begin Sunday, February 18th, from 9-10am before worship in the Parlor. The class will run for six weeks and conclude on Palm Sunday, March 24th.

Snacks + Meals for FBCP Youth

• Our youth are headed to Big Bear for their Winter Youth Retreat February 23rd-25th! If you are looking for ways to spread some love to our youth and you enjoy cooking, then we would welcome a contribution from your kitchen to take up to Big Bear! We will also be bringing some bulk store-bought snacks and other food, so we don't expect you to feed us the whole trip. This is really a chance for kindness to be shared. Trust me when I say that food is one of their biggest love languages, and we will receive anything on this sign-up sheet as a great act of generosity.

Local Engagement

• Celebrate Lunar New Year on Saturday, February 10th, with others in the City of Pasadena at the USC Pacific Asia Museum on Los Robles Ave. This event goes from 11am-3:30pm and features traditional dances, storytelling, calligraphy and food trucks.

• The City of Pasadena and the Black History Planning Committee are pleased to announce the 42nd annual Black History Parade and Festival on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, 10am-4pm with the theme “Past, Present, Future: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Jackie Robinson.” The parade begins at Fair Oaks Avenue and Mountain View Street. See flyer for more details.

• Atherton Baptist Homes is hosting a night where their own resident speakers who lived through the time of the Japanese internment camps can share their stories at 7pm on February 27th in Miriam Chapel. Arrive early to park, and sign in first at the main office before heading to the chapel.

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Winter Sunday School | 9-10am thru 2/11 | Nurturing Communal Practices: Lectio Divina in the Parlor, A Theology of Storytelling in Room 211, Processing Grief through Faith and Community in Room 214, and Deep Dive Into Matthew 22: Loving God and Loving Your Neighbor in the Southside Room

• Yarn Crafts Group | 2/25 at 12pm | Parlor

• Passive Aggressive Pickleball | 2/4 at 7pm | Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

2/03 - Men’s Breakfast
2/10 - Lunar New Year
2/11 - Winter Sunday School Ends
2/11 - Church Potluck
2/14 - Ash Wednesday Service
2/17 - Women’s Brunch
2/18 - Lenten Sunday School Begins
2/19 - President’s Day | Office Closed
2/23-2/25 - Youth Winter Retreat
2/25 - Coffee + Conversation with John Jay
2/25 - FBCPride Group Meeting
2/29 - Leap Year
3/03 - Family Lunch Hangout

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 | 01.27.2024

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

As a staff, we have been revisiting the concept of sabbath and creating margins in our schedules. We are reading Barbara Brown Taylor's chapter on saying no in her book An Altar in the World as a way to ground a conversation around our own practices. This article on sabbath came my way this week, and I thought I would pass it along to you in case you are also in need of a reminder to rest more intentionally. As we move closer to Easter, Lent will invite us to slow down and prepare in some deliberate  way for the death and resurrection of Christ. Sabbath may be just the practice to lean into during that season if your family does not have a rhythm of rest already. I am so thankful to work on a team where God's standard of rest is taken seriously and with grace. I pray that you, too, will feel the invitation to slow down and say no in a world where fast-paced endless commitments are held as the gold standard. May our children learn, too, that their worth is not tied to their productivity but to their identity as a child of God. Happy Saturday!

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. This week our nursery kids will continue to explore the story of Queen Esther. Don't forget to grab a take-home sheet with some simple ways to explore the story at home.

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. Last week was such a blast brainstorming words of intention we might want to focus on in the new year—ask your child what words they chose to put on their star! We are so happy to be back with them each week. 

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• Think back on the week. Where did you sense God's presence or encouragement?

• What do you need from God in the week ahead?

YOUTH

This week we have our regular youth gathering after worship. Lunch is included as always, and you can pick up your youth at 1:30PM at the park gate. Yay for youth!

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

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 01.26.2024

Tonight

• Enjoy Community Dinners tonight around the city! Thank you to the Brandow, Ekstrand, Laski, Loose, Lumpkin/Oliver, Perry and Stiles Households for hosting this round of dinners. We hope you all form new and/or stronger friendships with one another and have some laughs along the way.

Tomorrow

• Congrats to our very own Lorenzo Hurtado Segovia’s artwork displayed at the Diane Rosenstein Gallery through February 17th. Read a wonderful review about his work here, and join Lorenzo and the curator for a conversation and walk through the gallery tomorrow between 2-3:30pm.

Sunday

• Winter Sunday School classes continue this Sunday at 9am. Feel free to attend one of our four classes, which run through February 11th—Nurturing Communal Practices: Lectio Divina (Parlor) by Natalee Ellis, A Theology of Storytelling (Room 211) by Chris Manus, Processing Grief through Faith and Community (Room 214) by Jon Rinkus, and Deep Dive Into Matthew 22: Loving God and Loving Your Neighbor (Southside Room) by Jerry Brown. Email Pastor Chip with questions and feel free to just show up!

• Join us at 10:30am for worship in the sanctuary this Sunday! 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 Oaxaca Interest Meeting is postponed—stay tuned for the new date.

• The Friends In Deed Food Pantry item for this Sunday is fruit & vegetable juice.

Next Week

• Men, you are invited to join us for a time of fellowship on Saturday, February 3,  at 9am in the Park off Union St. These men’s breakfasts happen a few times a year, and they always turn out to be a great time to share a meal and hear a story of faith. Thanks to Pastor Chip, Rich, Brandon and Rene for organizing a great time of breakfast tacos and sharing. Faith and food—win-win!

Coming Up

• Sunday, February 11th, kicks off the Lenten season with our Mardi Gras potluck in the gym after service. Based on your last name, if you’re able, please bring a main dish (A-J), a side or salad (K-R), or dessert (S-Z) of about 10 servings to share with your friends here at FBCP. We also need several volunteers to set up and take down the potluck, so please see the Volunteer Squad sign-up poster in the lobby.

• Join us as we begin the Lenten season on Wednesday, February 14th. We will gather at 6:00pm in the Chapel for a worship service which will conclude with the imposition of ashes. Childcare for those four years and younger will be provided.

• All women and girls are invited to our Women’s Brunch on Saturday, February 17th, at 10am in the Southside Room! It will be a time to share a delicious meal, get to know some awesome ladies, and hear a personal story of faith. Text “brunch” to 626.727.9498 to sign up. If you have any questions, please email Pastor Lindsay.

Opportunities to Serve

• Our Meal Ministry Team is made up of folks in our community who generously share God’s love through the tangible means of food. Lately, they are helping out the Salcido household with meals after the exciting arrival of their baby, and they are also providing frozen meals for our Maintenance Supervisor, Marco Echuary, after he fractured two bones in a car accident last week. If you would like to participate in this ministry, please email Pastor Lindsay, and we will be happy to get you more information.

Local Engagement

• Celebrate Lunar New Year on Saturday, February 10, with others in the city of Pasadena at the USC Pacific Asia Museum on Los Robles Ave. This event goes from 11am-3:30pm and features traditional dances, storytelling, calligraphy and food trucks.

• Atherton Baptist Homes is hosting a night where their own resident speakers who lived through the time of the Japanese internment camps can share their stories at 7pm on February 27th in Miriam Chapel. Arrive early to park, and sign in first at the main office before heading to the chapel.

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Winter Sunday School | 9-10am | Sundays

• Yarn Crafts Group | Sunday at 12pm | Parlor

• Easy-Going Basketball | Sunday at 7pm | Gym

• Passive Aggressive Pickleball | 2/4 at 7pm | Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

2/03 - Men’s Breakfast
2/10 - Lunar New Year
2/11 - Winter Sunday School Ends
2/11 - Church Potluck
2/14 - Ash Wednesday Service
2/17 - Women’s Brunch
2/18 - Lenten Sunday School Begins
2/19 - President’s Day | Office Closed
2/23-2/25 - Youth Winter Retreat
2/25 - Coffee + Conversation with John Jay
2/25 - FBCPride Group 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 | 01.20.2024

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

I pray that your family experiences both rest and play each week, especially as we begin a new year and schedules start to get full once again. I have been thinking about our families with kids extra, knowing that you are navigating all kinds of decisions for your children as you nurture and hold up so many desires and hopes for each of them. Brody got a new bicycle with pedals for Christmas, and we took it for a ride at Lacy Park this week. Emma Kate is just learning how to zoom around on her scooter, so I knew this would be a good opportunity for Brody to experience some independence. As he rode around the paved loop, mostly visible but too far for me to reach instantly, I was so excited for the sense of courage and joy he felt in his independence. He made it around three times while I helped Emma Kate scoot at her own pace, and then he returned noticeably upset—he had a minor crash and was discouraged that he was no longer the "safe rider" he thought he was. After reassuring him, he got back on the bike and rode off again. What a microcosm of parenting: constantly letting go a little more, watching the joy and struggle, and being there to help them process whatever comes of it, especially if it means dispelling shame. It reminded me of this movement to create more opportunities for independence for kids. It has been good food for thought even if some of the ideas feel really challenging for some parents. May you feel encouraged and strengthened in all the tiny moments of letting go for the sake of growth!

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. This week our nursery kids will continue to explore the story of Queen Esther. Don't forget to grab a take-home sheet with some simple ways to explore the story at home.

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. This week the kids will spend time exploring some special words of intention that they might embody or cultivate as we begin a new year. We are so happy to be back with them each week!

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• What are some gifts we receive from Jesus?

• How can we use those gifts to bless others?

• What is one way you want to pray for God to help you grow this year?

YOUTH

This week we have our regular youth gathering after worship. Lunch is included as always. Last week we talked about some words of intention for the new year, so you might want to ask your youth about the word they picked and what that might mean for them in their current season of life. Yay for youth!

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

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 01.19.2024

Sunday

• Allow a few extra minutes driving this Sunday morning due to street closures for the Rose Bowl Half Marathon. See this map for more details.

• Winter Sunday School classes continue this Sunday at 9am. Feel free to catch one of our four classes, which run through February 11th—Nurturing Communal Practices: Lectio Divina (Parlor) by Natalee Ellis, A Theology of Storytelling (Room 211) by Chris Manus, Processing Grief through Faith and Community (Room 214) by Jon Rinkus, and Deep Dive Into Matthew 22: Loving God and Loving Your Neighbor (Southside Room) by Jerry Brown. Click here for descriptions of classes. Email Pastor Chip with questions and feel free to just show up!

• Join us at 10:30am for worship in the sanctuary this Sunday! 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 us for our FBCP Basics Class after worship service this Sunday, January 21st, at 12:30pm in the Southside Room. This is a great space for those who have been coming for a while and 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 you’ll have a chance to ask any questions you may have about the FBCP community. Lunch will be provided. Text “basics” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP. Email Pastor Chip for more details.

• We invite you to join the LGBTQ+ community, parents and allies for our FBCPride Group monthly gathering this Sunday, January 21st, at 5pm in the Southside Room. This month we will hear Pastor John Jay and Kevin share about their friendship and the intersection of theophanies, trauma, and church life. Join us for a potluck meal, and if you are able to bring an item (no pressure), check out what we need at our Potluck Sign-up. Text “pride” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP.

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

Opportunities to Serve

• Our Meal Ministry Team is made up of folks in our community who generously share God’s love through the tangible means of food. Lately, they are helping out the Salcido household with meals after the exciting arrival of their baby, and they are also providing frozen meals for our Maintenance Supervisor, Marco Echuary, after he fractured two bones in a car accident earlier this week. If you would like to participate in this ministry, please email Pastor Lindsay, and we will be happy to get you more information.

Coming Up

• We invite you to join us as a church family to remember the life of Joe Hamilton with his family, including his wife Rose and his daughter Aisha. The service will be held at 10am on Friday, January 26th, in the Sanctuary. Rose and Joe served at First Baptist Pasadena for many years as deacons, and their daughter was baptized here. We are so thankful for the legacy Joe leaves and the investment of time and love he generously gave to the community.

• Our Community Dinners have filled up for this Friday night, January 26th, but feel free to email Pastor Chip at chip@fbcpasadena.com to be on the waitlist. Also, email Chip if you haven’t yet been confirmed as part of a dinner. These beloved dinners are a great way to get to know other folks at FBCP in groups of about 6-8 people.

• We are having an informational meeting for this year's Oaxaca trip (October 20-26th), after service next Sunday, January 28th. At this meeting, we'll share more about how last year's trip went as well as discuss details for this year's trip. Lunch will be provided for those who RSVP by Thursday, Jan 25th. Text “Oaxaca” to 626.727.9498 if you want to know more. This photo shows a colorful street the group saw last year:

Next Oaxaca Trip: Oct. 20-26

A colorful street view in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca

Men’s Breakfast

• Men, you are invited to join us for a time of fellowship on Saturday, February 3,  at 9am in the Park off Union St. These men’s breakfasts happen a few times a year, and they always turn out to be a great time to share a meal and hear a story of faith. Thanks to Pastor Chip, Rich, Brandon and Rene for organizing a great time of breakfast tacos and sharing. Faith and food—win-win!

Lunar New Year

• Celebrate Lunar New Year on Saturday, February 10, with others in the city of Pasadena at the USC Pacific Asia Museum on Los Robles Ave. This event goes from 11am-3:30pm and features traditional dances, storytelling, calligraphy and food trucks.

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Yarn Crafts Group | 1/28 at 12pm | Parlor

• Passive Aggressive Pickleball | 1/21 at 7pm | Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

1/20 - Youth Girls Hangout
1/21 - FBCP Basics Meeting & Lunch
1/21 - FBCPride Meeting
1/26 - Joe Hamilton’s Memorial
1/26 - Community Dinners
1/28 - Oaxaca Interest Meeting
2/03 - Men’s Breakfast
2/10 - Lunar New Year
2/11 - Winter Sunday School Ends
2/11 - Church Potluck
2/14 - Ash Wednesday Service
2/17 - Women’s Brunch
2/18 - Lenten Sunday School Begins
2/23-2/25 - Youth Winter Retreat
2/25 - FBCPride Group 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 | 01.13.2024

Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,

This Sunday is going to be a beautiful service! In addition to hearing from Pastor Chip and guest preacher Tyler Brewington-Mathis, we will also get to hear from and sing with Urban Voices Project, a choir made up of residents from Skid Row. They use music and their singing community as a way to foster joy, wellbeing, and advocacy. I am so thankful for the ways God will speak and move in our community as we hear from various voices. It will also be a beautiful morning to honor the life of Martin Luther King Jr. If you are looking for a local event to celebrate with the family, the Pasadena Martin Luther King Jr. Community Coalition (MLKCC) is set to host its 2024 King Day Celebration this Monday at the Robinson Park Recreation Center. The event, themed “Defining and Living the Dream of Dr. Martin Luther King,” will feature keynote speaker Treveal CW Lynch, an author and self-worth specialist. The day’s activities will commence with a teach-in at 8:30 am, followed by the main program at 10 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. This week our nursery kids will continue to explore Epiphany. Don't forget to grab a take-home sheet with some simple ways to explore the story at home.

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. This week the kids will spend time exploring Epiphany and honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. We are excited for them to get back to their regular rhythm with their leaders!

Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:

• What do we celebrate and remember on Epiphany?

• What are some ways your family can honor the life of Martin Luther King Jr. this year? Some ideas to consider are a prayer practice, act of service, or a creative activity. 

• What are some practical ways that we can respond to God's call to be agents of justice and love in the places we live, play, and work?

YOUTH

This week we are back on for our regular youth gathering after worship! Lunch is included, and youth can be picked up at 1:30 PM in the church park off Union Street. Looking forward to getting back to our regular Sunday rhythm with youth!

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

With deep affection for you,

Pastor Lindsay

Weekly Updates 01.12.2024

Sunday

• Winter Sunday School classes continue this Sunday at 9am, and it’s not too late to join. Classes include Nuturing Communal Practices: Lectio Divina (Parlor) by Natalee Ellis, A Theology of Storytelling (Room 211) by Chris Manus, Processing Grief through Faith and Community (Room 214) by Jon Rinkus, and Deep Dive Into Matthew 22: Loving God and Loving Your Neighbor (Southside Room) by Jerry Brown. Classes will run through February 11, 2024. Click here for descriptions of classes. Email Pastor Chip with questions and feel free to just show up!

• Join us for Coffee + Conversation with Pastor John Jay this Sunday, January 14th, at 9am. This is a great time for newer folks to chat with our lead pastor about any questions you may have, share how you found FBCP, and meet other people also newer to the community. Coffee and pastries will be served, and the group will meet from 9-10am in his office off Holly St. Text “coffee” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP.

• Join us at 10:30am for worship in the sanctuary this Sunday! 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.

• Help give the gift of life at our American Red Cross Blood Drive this Sunday, January 14th, in a mobile clinic parked on Holly St. from 9am - 3pm. Schedule an appointment here: January 14th Blood Drive Sign-up (NOTE: Be sure to sign up for the one in Pasadena located at 75 N Marengo Ave.)

• Join us as we pray for our global servants around the world this Sunday, January 14th, after worship in the Parlor. We invite you for thirty minutes of prayer for our FBCP-supported American Baptist servants in Mexico, Lebanon, Turkey and Thailand as they love and support others around the world and share the light of Christ through service.

• The Yarn Crafts Group will meet in Room 214 after worship this Sunday. Join this creative bunch of people ages 7 & up who are working on charity projects and personal knitting + crocheting projects as they have fun, too. Snacks provided. BYO water and lunch (if you’d like).

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

A Special Invitation

• We would love to incorporate new vocalists into our beautiful FBCP choir as 2024 begins. Practices resume Wednesday, January 17th, at 7pm. Email Pastor Leslie to let her know if you’re interested. No prior experience is required to participate.

Next Week

• Folks ages 55+ are invited to join us on Wednesday, January 17th, at 12:30pm for a potluck lunch in the Southside Room! It will be great to continue getting to know one another, and we will have some fun activities planned. Email Pastor Chip with any questions.

Coming Up

• We will have our FBCP Basics Class after worship service on Sunday, January 21st, at 12:30pm in the Southside Room. This is a great space for those who have been coming for a while and 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 you’ll have a chance to ask questions you may have about the FBCP community. Lunch will be provided. Text “basics” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP. Email Pastor Chip for more details.

• We invite you to join the LGBTQ+ community, parents and allies for our FBCPride Group monthly gathering on Sunday, January 21st, at 5pm in the Southside Room. This month we will hear Pastor John Jay and Kevin share about their friendship and the intersection of theophanies, trauma, and church life. Join us for a potluck meal, and if you are able to bring an item (no pressure), check out what we need at our Potluck Sign-up. Text “pride” to 626.727.9498 if you’re new to the group and want to receive our emails.

• We invite you to join us as a church family to remember the life of Joe Hamilton with his family, including his wife Rose and his daughter Aisha. The service will be held at 10am on Friday, January 26th, in the Sanctuary. Rose and Joe served at First Baptist Pasadena for many years as deacons, and their daughter was baptized here. We are so thankful for the legacy Joe leaves and the investment of time and love he generously gave to the community.

• Save the Date for our beloved Community Dinners!  Groups of folks will gather in host homes around the city on Friday, January 26th. To sign up, text “dinner” to 626.727.9498. These dinners are a wonderful time to share a meal, and it is a great way to get to know other church members better. Don’t wait to sign up. We hope you can participate whether you are new or seasoned!

• Join Nori in the Southside Room after worship on Sunday, January 28th, if you’re interested in considering a missions trip to Oaxaca this fall. You will hear stories of the trip this past October and the wonderful opportunities that the team had to serve the people through medical clinics and the distribution of chickens. You won’t want to miss the next trip!

Weekly + Biweekly Happenings

• Yarn Crafts Group | 1/14 at 12pm | Parlor

• Passive Aggressive Pickleball | 1/21 at 7pm | Gym

Six Weeks at a Glance

1/14 - Mobile Blood Drive
1/14 - Coffee with Pastor John Jay
1/14 - Prayer for Global Servants
1/17 - 55+ Event
1/20 - Youth Girls Hangout
1/21 - FBCP Basics Meeting & Lunch
1/21 - FBCPride Meeting
1/26 - Joe Hamilton’s Memorial
1/26 - Community Dinners
1/28 - Oaxaca Interest Meeting
2/03 - Men’s Breakfast
2/10 - Lunar New Year
2/11 - Winter Sunday School Ends
2/11 - Church Potluck
2/14 - Ash Wednesday Service

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

Less without you,

The FBCP Community