Friday, March 18, 2011

This Weekend at BRPC! (March 20th)

Dear BRPC Family,
 
Join us this weekend at church as we mark the 2nd Sunday in Lent.  I'll be beginning a string of sermons based on memorable encounters that Jesus has with peopel in the gospel of John.   This Sunday, Jesus meets the Pharisee Nicodemus in the middle of the night (John 3:1-21).  Nicodemus is intrigued by the signs Jesus has done, but Jesus tells him he needs to be "born from above"/"born again" to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  And then it's total confusion (which has extended for 2,000 years)!  Join us as we probe what it means to start over, and how that is even possible in this Lenten season.
 
Before worship, the Adult Sunday School lenten series continues at 9:30.  It is led by Janet Thompson Jackson and focuses on the Lenten themes of suffering, sacrifice, confession and grace.  Larry Lunceford also continues his Bible Study on 1st Corinthians at the same time.  I would greatly encourage you to catch one of these Christian Education offerings.
 
After worship, there will be a special meeting after church for all teens and their parents  regarding this summer’s mission trip to Colorado.  Lunch will be served.  I'm going on the trip and am really jazzed about doing all that mountain biking, white water rafting and summer luge racing while the youth work away.   See you after church!
 
If you ordered any of the anniversary shirts or caps, they’re in!  See Mike or Marcia Taylor in the parlor to pick up your orders.  We thank Mike and Marcia and all others who have worked so hard to make this special part of our anniversary celebration happen.  
 
Have a wonderful Saturday and I'll look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
 
Peace and grace,
Pat

Friday, March 11, 2011

BRPC this Weekend! (March 12-13)

Dear BRPC Family,

As I sit here in the office, the aroma of fresh pies and other pastries are wafting through the church.  I'm going to have to get out of here if I'm going to get any work done.   Bob Lockwood, meanwhile, has been sighted carrying sausage and other fixin's into the church for when he and the other men of BRPC hit the grill tomorrow morning for our annual Pancake Breakfast (9:00 to noon) to benefit REAP!    Between the pancake breakfast and bake sale, helping others thru REAP has never tasted so good!!  Join us!!

On Sunday, we enter fully into the Season of Lent.   Janet Thompson Jackson begins a six-week Adult Lenten Study (9:30 a.m.) on A Contemplative Study of the Road to Jerusalem.   Join her for a prayerful approach to the suffeirng, sacrifice, confession and grace of Lent.  Larry Lunceford continues his valuable Bible study of 1st Corinthians at the same time. 
In worship, we plunge into the wilderness with Jesus as he encounters the temptations of the devil.  What wilderness do you find yourself in these days?  Join us as we begin this Lenten walk to the cross with our Lord.  My scripture will be Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-5 and Matthew 4:1-11. 

Following worship, we're having a meeting to prepare for our April 12th BLOWOUT!  I'm referring of course to the April 12th Presbytery meeting that we'll be hosting at BRPC.  This is a special honor as 175 - 200 members of the Presbytery will gather here for worship, a lunch and a day of business.   I'll greatly appreciate all the help that our members can offer.  We'll begin our planning this Sunday after church (lunch provided).

A note from CE:  Second Presbyterian Church (at 55th and Brookside) is hosting a Dave Ramsey financial management class.  The class begins Wednesday, March 16th 7:00 - 9:00 pm.   The number to call if you'd like to register is 363-1300 to register.  We understand that the first class is free and then there's a fee of $100 for materials and to continue the class.  Other classes can be found on his website DaveRamsey.com.  Several are starting next week. 

Finally, as many may have heard today, there was an 8.9 earthquake off the coast of Japan which triggered tsunamis around the Pacific.  Our prayers are with everyone caught in the range of this event -- for those who have lost their lives and those working feverishly to tend to the survivors and victims.    Dodie reports that her niece and her daughter who are teaching at a Christian school in Japan (and their husband/father) are safe.   Blessedly, the school had had an earthquake safety drill just the day before.   If you wish to follow what our denomination is doing to support relief efforts as they are organized, you can go to:
                                            http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/pda/

I look forward to seeing everyone this weekend!  Invite a friend to the pancake breakfast and worship this Sunday!!

Peace and grace,
Pat