Everything happening at church this week…
This has been quite a week at church! Kids Camp was Monday through Friday, with an amazing set of helpers. To honor the time they gave this week, we are encouraging rest for our kid staff and helpers, so we will only have nursery care during worship on Sunday, June 14th. Kindergarten through 5th grade will join their families in worship at 10:30am.
Last Sunday
You can listen to our service from last Sunday below. We host them on Soundcloud and you can reach into our archive to listen to any Sunday service you’d like by following that link.
This Sunday’s Livestream
This little window below will change to an audio stream on Sundays at 10:30am PST.
Announcements
(updated 6/9/2026)
Friends In Deed - The Friends In Deed food pantry item for this Sunday, June 14 is hearty soup/chili/stew. Thank you for Pasta & Sauce that came in on Sunday!
Bible Study - is on hiatus for the summer. We will announce a new cycle starting in September.
Sabbatical - Pastor John Jay shares some updates about his upcoming sabbatical below.
Scholarships - Each year the FBCP Foundation awards scholarships to FBCP members for post-secondary education. Church members interested in applying for the 2026-2027 academic year can apply here. Applications are due Monday, July 6, 2026. The Foundation is a separate entity established in 1958 by members committed to contributing financially to the church in the present and future years.
Stand Together - Sponsored by the Job Center, a Human Chain for Unity in protest of ICE activities will form from Lincoln Ave to Lake Ave on June 13th from 9 am- 12 pm. FBC participants are tentatively designated to stand along Marengo and Woodbury. You can register HERE for the event, or send the text message “humanchain” to 626-727-9498 for the registration link. For more information, contact Pastor Greta at greta@fbcpasdena.com
Pride Event - The Altadena Pride Walkabout is on Saturday, June 13. We will host a booth at the festival and will give away lots of cookies. You can help by baking cookies and staffing the FBC table! Text “Altadena” to 626-727-9498 to sign up. For more information contact Pastor Chip at chip@fbcpasadena.com
Basics Lunch - Basics Lunch will be on Sunday, June 14 right after service. New-ish folks looking for an in-depth introduction to FBCP are invited to join Pastor John Jay for lunch and a fun and informative deep dive. Text “basics” to 626-727-9498 to sign up.
Men’s Hike (formerly breakfast!) - Pastor John Jay is taking lead on this gathering of FBCP men (young, old and everyone in between). On June 20th at 7am we will meet at the JPL trailhead and take a walk together. For more information text “men” to 626-727-9498. Bring the right shoes, and anticipate some shallow water crossings where a walking stick might come in handy. Expect about a two hour time together.
Church Jaunt - Hey summer is here, let’s go to a Dodgers game!! Friday, July 10, at 7:10pm. Tickets are discounted to $30 per person. Text “Dodgers” to 626-727-9498 for the registration link. If cost is a barrier to going, please email/call Pastor Chip.
Jonathan and Edwin asked us to share a gratitude note with the church for all the ways you all showed up for them in their time of need. You can find that letter at the end of this page.
Sabbatical Update
Hey Church Fam,
Pastor John Jay here with an update on my upcoming sabbatical. As a bit of background, every seven years the Lead Pastor is urged to take three months away from normal pastoral duties for a sabbath rest and renewal. With the fires and staff changes of 2025, I worked with the Deacon Board to delay my full sabbatical so we could be thoughtful in our plans. We invite you to pray for our church, our staff, and for the Alvaro family during the time we are away. In August and September, I will step away from the normal rhythms of church work. During that time I will spend time with family, do some personal writing and projects, disappear into the woods, visit friends and family, and REST. I will return in the first part of October.
We have a great staff team who will keep the church on solid ground during this sabbatical. In addition we will be joined by Rev. Dr. Cheryl Henson who will act as Interim Lead Pastor during the sabbatical months. Cheryl is an accomplished American Baptist Pastor and leader, having led many churches through interim and sabbatical seasons, as well as trained pastors in the art of interim leadership. She will be the main preacher on Sundays, support the pastoral and admin staff, and lead the Monday Bible Study with Pastor Riley. She will bring a sermon series on “Joy” while she preaches, a perfect focus for our church at this time.
It is a gift to receive this time of sabbath. I want to invite each of you to consider how you will show up in this time. Below are some ways to contribute to the health of our church during this sabbatical…
Pray for me and my family. Shifting work rhythms can be jarring, so prayers that I can find a new rhythm in God’s time.
Pray for some of the personal vocational work I will explore during sabbatical. Writing, reading with no goal in mind, exploring new spiritual practices.
Pray for the staff team in my absence, that leadership and support would be natural and creative.
Pray for the Board as they continue forward into a busy season of church life while I am away.
Sign up to help in a new ministry area. I know that our Kid ministries would love to have some new volunteers to step up.
Reflect on your financial contributions during this time. We have been steadily stabilizing from the many changes we have experienced as a church. Now is a great time to renew a family commitment to generosity with your church community.
Thank you to the Board and staff for their encouragement that I fully embrace this sabbatical. I am excited to learn what can only be discovered when my life finds a different pace. And thank you to you for your support as well. We would be…
Less without you,
Pastor John Jay
Lagniappe (lil’ something extra)
Pastor John Jay is sharing a chapter on FASTING from Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. You can read that here.
Pastor Greta has some events to share from our community:
The Human Chain for Unity - the registration link can be found above in the announcements. Take special note that this coincides with our Pride Events on June 13. If you are thinking about trying to help us at the booth AND attend the Human Chain event, contact Pastor Chip. chip@fbcpasadena.com
There are at least THREE events celebrating Juneteenth! Pastor Greta plans on attending at least two of them. She says, “Let’s get our skating on!”.
Gratitude from Jonathan and Edwin
Hello Church,
Edwin and I want to thank you all for your prayers that we have received over the last couple of months. It was very encouraging to have members of the prayer team and the pastoral team reach out on a regular basis to ask our progress. We implore you to share your prayer requests with the prayer team either through filling out the prayer card on Sunday, or texting it to the office. They will be listened to and prayed over. Between Edwin's nasal surgery, and my skin cancer surgery, we had an exceptionally difficult time of it. A very special thank you to all of you that signed up for the meal train. Neither of us felt like cooking, and it was a real blessing to feel the love shown us through the hospitality of the church. I would also encourage each of you that are able to reach out to Rick Espinosa in the office to offer to gift a meal, through the Meal Train, to those in need, e.g., new baby, sickness, or death in the family. Edwin and I have given to others before, but being in a position of receiving puts the need for volunteers in a whole new light. Again, thank you all for your prayers and meals. Romans 12:13 "Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."