PBPC Announcements

PBPC Family, As I shared on Sunday, Pacific Boychoir Academy is dissolving as an organization. As part of their dissolution, we terminated the lease agreement we signed with them, effective June 30.  We are sad to not only see PBA leave but also to see them close down their operations. The musical education they provided for young boys and girls and the excellent music they practiced and performed will be missed. Please pray for PBA's staff, families, and students who are acutely feeling grief over the closure. Session already had a Session Retreat scheduled for July 12. Please pray for us as we meet and discern our next steps. I will do my best to keep the congregation informed as things move forward. In the words of Henri Nouwen, quoted in Sunday's sermons, "It is not the job of flier to catch the catcher. The flier must fly and the catcher must catch. All the flier can do is hold their outstretched arms and trust, trust, trust." Church -  we are flying and God will...

PBPC Family, Douglas McKelvey has a series of books called  Every Moment Holy  filled with liturgies and prayers for all manner of occasions. I find myself returning to it in the summer as there are many fitting prayers and liturgies. Here's a fitting liturgy for a trip to the ocean. "A Liturgy for Arriving at the Ocean" ( adapted) O Lord, you have made us finite creates that we might exult in the infinite wonders of your beauty, your majesty, your power, your love. We have traveled this day to the bounding sea, O Lord, to the far edge of the habitable land, as to the utter end of our own measure and ability and strength, to find here reminders of your limitless presence extended immeasurably beyond us. In this place, may we recall our blessed smallness. In this blue space of sea and sand, of seething surf and soothing sound, center anew our restless hearts, O Lord, that we might embrace the wonder of the created, that we might be contented in the finitude that moves us t...

PBPC Family, I will be out of town this week and next - we are on a road trip to Richfield, Utah. There is a small Presbyterian Church that has a PreachBnB. They aren't able to afford a full time pastor but they have a manse. In exchange for leading a bible study and preaching on Sunday, pastors and their families can stay in the manse and explore south west Utah. We're hoping to visit a few National Parks and enjoy God's beautiful creation. Douglas McKelvey has a series of books called Every Moment Holy  filled with liturgies and prayers for all manner of occasions. I find myself returning to it in the summer as there are many fitting prayers and liturgies. This week and next, I'll share excerpts that coincide with summer adventures. "A Liturgy for Leaving on Holiday" (adapted) O Christ, our Sabbath, You have fashioned us to function best In rhyming lines of work and rest; Our relaxation and recreations Like unspoken invitations To that still greater holiday...

PBPC Family, As part of my work with Project Peace, I subscribe to a bunch of local church newsletters. It's helpful to stay in the loop on what's happening with other churches and sometimes, I get email or sermon inspirations. Pastor Kai (from Grace Alameda) shared the following with his congregation. I thought it a fitting reflection to fit with our Season of Prayer. An excerpt from A.A. Milne's "The House at Pooh Corner": Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh!" he whispered. "Yes, Piglet?" "Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you. "Prayer sometimes just looks like the conversation Piglet and Pooh have. "God?" "Yes, child?" "Nothing. I just wanted to know you're there." And sometimes friends, that's all we really need." Friends, if you find yourself struggling in prayer or at a loss for words, prayer can be as simple as being sure of Go...