PBPC Announcements

PBPC Family, At the beginning of this year, PBPC had excess funds to be given away as part of our mission giving. For those who don't know, PBPC has a practice of giving away 10% of income received through giving, donations, and building income. If we end the year with more income than expected, that means more funds to give away, which was the case this year. In February, Session  was prayerfully considering where to give the funds and we were introduced to   Partners , a non profit that works towards free, full lives for children affected by conflict and oppression. They are an amazing organization and I encourage you to check them out. At the time, Partners w as discreetly raising funds for aid in Gaza, distributed through Bethlehem Bible College. We chose to support their work and gave them $7,500. I recently received a report on how some of those funds were used and wanted to share it with you. It is encouraging to see the work and impact PBPC had a direct part in supporting. ...

PBPC Family, In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.   All went to their own towns to be registered.  Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.  He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room. Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for see, I a...

PBPC Family, As we draw nearer to Christmas, it's not uncommon for the next week to be filled with a flurry of activity. There's shopping to be done, gifts to be wrapped, food to be cooked, friends to be contacted, and much, much more. I recently ran across this poem by Steve Garnaas-Holmes and appreciate it's reminder that "it's OK to let it all go." May it be a blessing to you as well. Preparing The prophet cries, "Prepare the way!" and we know he means justice and purified hearts— well, and shopping and decorating and baking and cards and programs and family plans…. Either path is OK, for a bit. But whichever you are on, stop. It's OK to let it all go. Prepare for something to happen inside you that can't happen with too much stuff going on. Clear the space. Stop pruning in the vineyard, and walk away. Dress warmly, and go out into the dark. You may go alone, or with others who can hold candles in a cold wind without masking the dark silen...

PBPC Family, I've had two sermons rolling around in my head and instead of trying to cram both into Sunday's sermon, I'll offer one here. On Sunday, we will look at the first chapter of Ruth, particularly Ruth's oath to Naomi to go wherever she goes. There is a depth of beauty, commitment, and loyalty in Ruth's oath; she binds herself to Naomi through thick and thin, no matter what may come. When we become members of a church, we use different words, but we offer a similar oath as Ruth - to journey the life of faith together. Sometimes this will be joyful and life giving and other times it will be challenging and taxing. I think about this as it relates to our fractured, divided, and dislocated world. I am concerned with the epidemic of loneliness that has grown steadily over the past few decades in our country. People are lonely, longing for connection, and struggling to find a place to call home, a place to belong. I wonder if one of the reasons we've become ...

PBPC Family, During advent each year, I find myself returning to the same poems. One of my favorites is After Annunciation by Madeleine L'Engle. It is short but sweet. May it bless you as it has blessed me as well. After Annunciation This is the irrational season when love blooms bright and wild. Had Mary been filled with reason there'd have been no room for the child. Looking forward to worshipping with you all on Sunday! Grace and Peace, Pastor Calvin " Rahab" Judges 2 Asolia Zharmenova Click here to join Zoom Lectionary Readings for December 8 Advent Devotional During Advent, we will look at the four women included in Jesus' genealogy in Matthew's gospel. Each Monday, we will meet at 7:00pm via Zoom to further explore these women's lives in Scripture. Advent Devotionals will be available in the church narthex - pick one up on Sunday. Pacific Boychoir Concerts Pacific Boychoir Academy is hosting a number of holiday concerts, a few of them at PBPC. See  t...