Everything happening at church this week…
This page is a new format for our weekly information. Below you will find audio from the previous Sunday, a link to the upcoming Sunday livestream, events and updates, random pictures and articles from the pastoral staff, and other tidbits. Think of it like an old school blog, zine, newsletter, bulletin board. Lets go!
Last Sunday
This Sunday’s Livestream
Announcements
Database Connection Campaign: We are updating our contact lists, connecting them across several platforms. If you would like to receive communications from us, or if you have noticed any disruptions, please message Rick here or fill out the “Database Connection Campaign” card in your pews and place it in the basket at offering. This will be an ongoing project through 2026, from information updating, to cleaning up groups and more. We do not share your information with anyone.
The Friends In Deed food pantry item for this Sunday, April 12 is canned chicken/tuna.
For Kids Ministry - Save the dates for Kids Camp: June 8-12, 9am-noon each day. Registration begins next week!
Love In Action meets on Sunday, April 12 at 12:30 in the Southside Room. A light lunch will be provided.
Community Dinners are a chance to get to know others over a shared meal at a church member’s home. Dinners will take place on Friday, April 24. We are close to starting a “waiting-list” so reserve your spot today! Text “Dinner” to (626) 727-9498. Contact Pastor Chip if you have questions.
Parents Night Out is on Friday, May 8 from 5:00-8:00pm. What better way to show that we love and care about you than give you some time without your children? You can take the time for a date night or stay at home to take a nap. For three hours, we got your kids so you can just be and invest in you. Click on THIS LINK to register.
Parking Detours: Starting the week of April 13 the City of Pasadena will do roadwork - the Holly St. approach to our garage may be affected. Give yourself extra time just in case.
Lagniappe (random extras)
This Harpers article, “The Tune of Things: Is consciousness God?” by Christian Wiman comes highly recommended by Pastor John Jay. In that article Wiman quotes Carlos Eire, “the act of levitation is inseparable from belief in levitation, personally and communally,” which served as the hook for the Easter homily last week. This article led me (John Jay) to McGilchrist’s magnum opus The Matter With Things, which I imagine will take me all year to read and much longer to metabolize.
Our friends at The Center For Restorative Justice put out a banging newsletter, and you should sign up so you can keep up with all the stuff they share. Click here to sign up.
Gratitudes from Holy Week
We have to say thank you to EVERYONE who participated in Holy Week here at First Baptist Church Pasadena. Here are just a few gratitudes, in no particular order…
Noah and Caleb, thanks for helping with communion. Set up and clean up happened right under our noses. Thanks for being on top of everything. Marco did a million things, especially all the banner changes for Holy Week. The marquee was even changed from Easter back to normal Sunday’s, immediately! Ruth S. did an amazing job in the kitchen! Andrew M., you were there for it all and your initiative on Thursday night, your willingness to jump in where there was need. You also do an amazing job greeting families with children and then, most importantly, you follow up with them! Thank you! Chip, thanks for helping fill the eggs for the egg hunt! You are always willing to help. Ian, you helped SO much with working sound last week. Thank you for being there for it all! To the Board of Deacons, you had amazing attitudes throughout the week. Your help on Saturday was critical and your assistance the day-of was absolutely perfect. We thank you for all the time you serve with us! Rene & Ryan, thanks so much for all the help around the baptistry! It was a huge comfort to have people we could count on; the water was perfect. Harry M, thanks for the HUGS! You were such a source of joy to those around you. Jonathan, thank you for jumping in to carry the cross at the last second. That is huge, thank you! Engry, you were at every service! We noticed and were so glad for your presence. Jessica H, your leadership played a key role in our success. We could not have marshalled the forces as you did, thank you, thank you! Marcie & Kathy, you deserve thanks ALWAYS for your consistent work for the church. In this case you deserve a special thank you for your hard work in the kitchen. Everything went great! Saskia, thanks for your help on the Board,and especially with your help Sunday morning being our contact point for the mariachis. So blessed to have you! Steph, you were hustling at ALL services last week! Thank you so much for being so amazing for us. This is often a thankless job (unless something goes wrong) but we know how important it is. You are the best. Cam, showing up just to be helpful, that was amazing for us. It is always good to see you; thanks for being there. Rick G, you have played bass for the last 12 Sundays!! That’s an awesome commitment and we are grateful to have you. Sam, you did really well. That’s it! That’s all you had to do for us to notice you - thank you! Adam, Nancy, Set, and Mary, the 4 of you bent over backwards to greet people and to be an awesome public face of our congregation. Thank you so much! Caeden, thank you for being there Sunday morning and for helping with the elementary kids. You were critical to our mission of greeting new people, especially those with children. You also rocked that red shirt! Rick E, thanks for being early and willing to help. It calmed our nerves to have the extra staff support. To our cleaning company - thank you for coming in on Saturday and ensuring our buildings were ready for Easter! That was a huge help. Quinten, you have been amazing at the welcome table, and for being proactive with all the duties that come with that station. Rebekah, having you take charge of the flowers and the decorating of the cross was such a blessing for us. Thank you! Dave E, thank you for your tireless efforts behind the scenes. As always. Rich & Matt for coffee duty! Wow, you were both amazing at getting that coffee out of the kitchen fast enough for the congregation to drink through it, round after round. That was no small feat - thank you! Coby, thank you for helping with the baptism. Calm presence, huge comfort. You were amazing! Ruthie, thank you for all your help with communion! Isabel and Victoria N, thank you both for helping with the new children we had on Sunday! Astyn, thank you for being an amazing musician and for singing for us on Sunday. We also found your tears moving, and that was a special and moving moment in our Easter morning. Bri, thanks for singing for us! Choir, the whole choir sounded wonderful on Friday night and Easter morning. Thank you for your talents and for sharing those, plus your precious time on this endeavor. We appreciate and thank you all. Chris B, thank you for playing drums. You literally rock. Aimee & Chris, thanks for helping with cleanup. That’s a big sacrifice and we thank you for doing that after such a long day of worship and service. A truly selfless act! Adam, thanks for taking pictures! Having a photographic record of the event is always so special. Anica, thank you for being there throughout the week. Your presence was a blessing! To all who helped setup and cleanup – the words “thank you” barely begin to show the depths of our true gratitude. Still, thank you.
Photos from Easter
