Wednesday,

January 24, 2024

NEWS THIS WEEK

• WORSHIP for SUNDAY, January 28, 11:00am

• WINTER SUNDAY STUDIES at 9:30am

• MESSAGE from the PASTOR

• ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
• Nominations for the Nominating Committee
• Committee Reports

• SOUP-er SUNDAY after the CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

• INVITATION to LIBERATION COMMUNITY CHURCH PASTOR INSTALLATION, Jan 28 1:30pm

• SOUP KITCHEN VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED for FEBRUARY 11th

• NEW & RETURNING MEMBERS CLASS

• PRESBYTERY MEETING
• Volunteers Needed!

• CAN YOU HELP with SUNDAY MORNING SERVICES ONLINE?

• ACOUSTIC EIDOLON CONCERT February 10, 7:00pm

• LUNCH with PASTOR MARK

• METAL MUSEUM: "Metal Petals & Healing Roots" ART PRESENTATION Feb 16 (RSVP by Feb 14)



• BOOK CLUB SELECTION for FEBRUARY

• COFFEE SNACKS NEEDED!

• NEW WELCOMING TEAM BEING FORMED

• NEW FELLOWSHIP TEAM NEEDS YOU!

• BPC Photos
• Worship Photos
• SNOW!

WEEKLY INFORMATION

• Birthdays
• Calendar of Events
• CONTACT INFORMATION

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES

• BRING FOOD for the FOOD CART
• Give out Hospitality bags
• Johnson Auxiliary & VA- DONATIONS NEEDED
• RECYCLE USED TOOTHBRUSHES
• DONATE BOOKS for the VA (NOTE: VA is NO LONGER taking clothes donations)
• SIGN UP to be a WORSHIP LITURGIST!

REMINDERS:

• SIGN UP to ASSIST for the NURSERY - WE NEED YOUR HELP!
• CHECK OUT the BOOK CART - New items are added weekly!
• BPC INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

Sunday Worship

January 28, 2024

WORSHIP

11:00am

Scriptures: Deuteronomy 18:15-20

& Mark 1:21-28

Sermon: A True Prophet

Rev. Mark Howland

Bible Study of 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus & Philemon 

Leaders: Clinton Bailey, Glenda Ellis & William Warren

Meets in classroom A

"Young at Heart" class in the Youth room. Ages 12 to 102 are welcome to join Lorie Blackwelder for casual conversation & music. The 3rd Sunday of each month wil be a "game day" Sunday.

PLEASE WEAR YOUR NAME TAGS!

It will help visitors to see your names! If you need a new name tag, call the church office or send an email to balmoral@balmoralpc.com.

Can't attend Worship in person?

Join us online LIVE!

We will still send an email on FRIDAY with the LiveStream YouTube link

& Sunday Worship Guide. 

Previous Worship Services at Balmoral are also still available on the 

Balmoral YouTube channel 

The concept of the prophet may seem a bit foreign to us in our modern context. We often hear that word and think of ancient days when individuals such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and others carried such a title. The problem is that we do not have a clear understanding of the role of a prophet. We assume that their chief activity was to tell the people what they were doing wrong and how they were going to be punished for their wrongdoing unless they changed their ways. In our defense, this is what we see in the books of the Old Testament which are attributed to the ancient prophets.

I wish to shed a new understanding upon the word "prophet." There are two words which we use in our discussions of the work of the Lord which often get misunderstood; the word prophet is one of them and the word "angel" is another one of them. The two words are very much connected. An angel is a spiritual being whose role for God is to be a messenger to humanity. If you reflect upon the passages of Scripture where an angel is referred to, you will notice that the angel is delivering a message to one or more humans. A prophet is a human who is to share a message which God has for the people.  

In light of this understanding, prophets are not characters from ancient times but continue to exist among us today. In fact, anyone who is led by the Spirit to share a message from the Lord is a prophet. These prophets may become famous as in the case of the Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. or they may do their work as part of the everyday cycle of life only known to those who hear the message. In truth, in Jesus's commissioning, we have all be called to be prophets... "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20a, NIV) Look for the prophets around you and listen for the times God wishes you to be a prophet in the world.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

The Session has called our Annual Congregational Meeting immediately after Worship on Sunday, January 28. The purpose of the meeting is the presentation of the 2024 budget, election of the 2024 Nominating Committee, and reports from committees, including the Human Resources team concerning pastor and other salaries.

2024 ELDER NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Linda Warren has been selected by the Session to Chair the 2024 Nominating Committee to select a slate of nominations for the Elders for the Class of 2027. the congregation will be nominating and electing two additional members to the Nominating Committee, who cannot be current session members at the meeting.

We ask that you please contact your nominees for the committee before hand that they would be willing to serve.

Revenues:

·       We received 100 percent of pledges for the 2023 year.

·       Overall revenue for the year was over budget by $8,887 primarily due to interest income.

Expenses:

·       Expenses were just 91% of budget, due primarily to the 2023 budget including a full year of pastor’s salary and expense.

·       Administrative compensation was 61.51% of budget.

·       Building and Grounds was overbudget by $32,968 in part due to the HVAC replacement.

NOTE: Revenues exceed expenses by $39,545 in 2023. Session has approved moving this overage to the Buildings and Grounds Maintenance Reserve account to offset the likely occurrence of major unforeseen building expenses. 

2023 Actuals and 2024 Budget numbers will be available at the meeting.

FOR 2024:

• Fall studies begin the Sunday after Labor Day, and continue until the beginning of Advent.
• Advent studies are two Sundays before Christmas. The last Sunday before Christmas is the service of Lessons and Carols, so there is no class that day.
• Winter Term is after Christmas and is a Bible Study. This year the study is from January 4-March 24, 2024.
• Spring studies are after Easter. This year it will be from April 7-May 26, 2024

The Adult Studies this past year went well. The Adult Studies Committee typically meets in the spring to discuss plans for the next year's classes. We are always open to ideas for new studies and appreciate those who lead classes.



The members of the Adult Studies Committee are Cathy Bailey, Glenda Ellis and Beverly Hooker. If you are interested in being on the committee, please let us know. We are always looking for new ideas!

Accomplishments 2023: 

• Secured a maintenance contract with local company to inspect and service our HVAC systems
•  Came to terms with SEED on a lease
•  Repaired and replaced some units and thermostats
•  Cleared underbrush from behind the building
•  Repaired holes in the exterior stucco
•  Recruited Scouts to repaint the curbs and the entrance to the parking lot.
•  Helped with the closet/ storage clean up and donated the old Holiday Inn chairs to the Neighborhood Christian Center
•  Installed interior evacuation route signs
•  Replaced kitchen refrigerator
•  Installed doorbell for office entrance
•  Got started shredding many boxes of old records we no longer need to keep.
•  Stewardship efforts netted pledges from every one of our families, and exceeded pledge revenue estimates by more than $600

LOOKING AHEAD:

 --We will get a new phone system.

--We will develop a child safety protection policy

--For those who are comfortable with it, we could move to electronic giving.

Ongoing active ministries:

·       St. Luke’s Methodist Church Food Pantry

·       Colonial Park Methodist Church Mobile Pantry

·       MIFA Meals on Wheels

·       First Presbyterian Church Soup Kitchen

·       Mexico Water Mission

·       Johnson Auxiliary

·       Veteran’s Book Project

·       Mitten Tree for the Hospitality Hub

New Outreach launched in 2023

·       First Presbyterian Church sandwich making

Potential New Ministries for 2024

·       Room in the Inn host site

·       Restart of election hospitality

The Worship Team started back up in January of 2023 after nearly 3 year hiatus. At the beginning of 2023 we embarked on a six month journey of supplying the pulpit after Mary Gale our interim pastor completed her time here at Balmoral. Our pulpit supply included: Rev. James Gale, Rev. William Warren, Rev. Elizabeth Dick, Rev. Mark Howland, Rev. Lisa Kroener, Kirsten King and Bethany Grenfell. We slowly got into the swing of things and began to have some structure that included a huge learning curve.

Our Team Members during 2023 included: John Van Nortwick, Frank Carney, Linda Warren, Glenda Ellis, Ted Pearson, Lynn Ward, Leiza Collins, Kathy Singleton, Rev. Lisa Kroener, Ben Leggett, John Gilmer for a time, and Rev. Mark Howland.

In 2023 the Worship Committee embarked on planning some special services that included Rev. Elizabeth Dick doing Ash Wednesday service in the sanctuary. Palm Sunday was a festive event with special music and a lively processional entering the sanctuary with waving of palms and playing of drums. Maundy Thursday started with washing of the hands and special readings by members of Balmoral and Circle of Faith with Rev. William Warren giving the Sacrament of Communion. It was a moving service and approximately 30 people gathered around tables to share a traditional meal in the sanctuary. On Easter morning at 7 am a sunrise service including a dramatic reading was led by our Worship Team and members of Circle of Faith followed by a continental breakfast in the Narthex.  

We have come to realize the love and commitment of the members of Balmoral is here and we are eager to begin the next chapter in the life of this church. With much joy and celebration Rev. Howland became our pastor in July and the Worship Team was overjoyed at this turn of events. Celebrations continued with his installation on September 10, 2023 with a special service conducted by the Presbytery of the Mid-South. This celebration coincided with our 55^th anniversary with special music and stories the entire month of September. October was marked by World Communion Sunday with displays of flags, items from all over the world and several different breads. Advent preparations began at the end of November with the Hanging of the Greens that included a soup lunch and service about the importance of our holiday traditions. Christmas Eve Services were well attended with a candlelight service and special music.

The Worship Team has worked hard over this last year and we are looking forward to what 2024 will bring to Balmoral.

We have added a few more members to the Worship Team with the revamping of our Time and Talent Opportunity Sign ups. We have had our first meeting on January 7 that included a planning calendar for the entire year and more streamlined organizational framework. Here are the objectives that the Worship Team would like to focus on in 2024:

1.      Have meaningful worship experiences that allow our members and visitors to this church have a closer connection to God and to each other.

2.      Have a welcoming Worship space that is visually appealing and inviting to all who enter the sanctuary.

3.      Continue and expand the use of music and art in our worship. 

YOU ARE INVITED to the INSTALLATION of PASTOR Dr. Oscar Sueing at

LIBERATION COMMUNITY CHURCH

Sunday, January 28 at 2:00 pm

at Liberation Community Church

694 S Bellevue Blvd Memphis TN 38104

Please make plans to attend this Sunday, January 28 at 2:00 pm for the service of installation for Dr. Oscar Sueing. You are encouraged to gather at 1:30 and the service will start at 2 pm.) There will be a reception after worship. Liberation Church is grateful for Dr. Sueing's gifts of ministry and the work of the congregation of Liberation. 

WE STILL NEED a FEW MORE VOLUNTEERS for the SOUP KITCHEN !

at 1^st Presbyterian for Sunday, February 11 after worship! We’ll carpool from the BPC parking lot after worship and eat at 1^st Pres. Use the signup in the Fellowship books or contact Scott Dawson to join us!

NEW AND RETURNING MEMBERS CLASS

Sunday, February 4

Are you interested in becoming a member of Balmoral Presbyterian Church or have you been a member but left for a while? If you answered yes to either of these, Pastor Mark will be holding a class on Sunday, February 4 following worship. We will meet in Classroom A. Feel free to bring a lunch with you to church that day and eat during the class. For more information, contact Pastor Mark.

PRESBYTERY MEETING

at BPC

Tuesday, February 20

Balmoral Presbyterian Church is hosting the Mid-South Presbytery's meeting on Tuesday, February 20. We are in need of volunteers to assist with registration, serving morning refreshments, serving lunch, set up before and after, and being guides for the commissioners to the meeting. In addition, this will be the first meeting in which Becky DeLoach serves as Moderator of the Presbytery. Please contact Mary Schmitz or Pastor Mark if you are able to volunteer. If possible, we would also like a large group of individuals from Balmoral to support our newly elected Moderator, Becky DeLoach.

CAN YOU HELP with OUR SUNDAY MORNING AUDIO/VISUAL NEEDS? 

We need individuals willing and interested to be trained by Cliff Gurlen to serve as backup for the Sound & Audio Visual aspects of our worship services. If you are led by the Spirit to put your gifts, talents, and skills to work in this area, please contact Cliff Gurlen or Pastor Mark.

ACOUSTIC EIDOLON

in CONCERT

Saturday, February 10

7:00pm

in BPC's Sanctuary

Mark your calendar and bring your family and friends for another Acoustic Eidolon Concert! We are excited that they will be able to be with us on Saturday, February 10, 2024. CDs of their wonderful music will be available for purchase.

FREE ADMISSION

(You may make a donation if you would like to.) 

Come and Enjoy!!!

DON'T MISS THIS INSPIRING CONCERT!

LUNCH with

PASTOR MARK

Pastor Mark invites everyone to bring lunch and have conversation with him on Sunday, February 11 following our worship service. Bring your questions and enjoy a time of fellowship!

BOOK CLUB SELECTION

for

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

1:30pm at the home of Beverly Hooker.

Our Febuary book will be

Have You Seen Luiz Velez? by Catherine Ryan Hyde.  The story tells of a biracial teenager Raymond Jaffe, whose chance encounter with Millie Gutermann, a blind, 92-year-old widow, compels him to search for Luis Velez, Millie’s suddenly absent caretaker. The search and its consequences evolve into a cascade of changes for Raymond and those around him. This young adult novel is set in present-day New York City, where Hyde spent a portion of her youth. In the novel, Hyde focuses on how ordinary individuals face transformative difficulties.

Beverly Hooker has graciously offered to host us at her house,

85 Country Pl, Cordova, TN 38018-7249, and will lead our discussion of the book.

COFFEE-TIME SNACKS WANTED!

The Fellowship team is looking for volunteers to bring snacks for Fellowship time before and after worship.  We ask that you bring 2-3 dozen of your favorite snack item. A sign up sheet is located by the snacks and coffee or contact Paul Below for open dates and information. 

NEW WELCOMING TEAM - JOIN NOW! 

 A new team is forming at Balmoral Presbyterian. Linda Warren is the team leader for our new welcoming team. This team will be recruiting and scheduling greeters for Sunday mornings, creating welcome packets for visitors, recruiting and managing volunteers who serve to guide visitors on Sunday mornings, and all other aspects that ensure people feel welcome when they come to Balmoral. If you would like to be a part of such a team, please speak with Linda Warren. An organizational meeting for the team will be occurring in future weeks.

SIGN UP BELOW if you are willing to serve in 2024!!!

WE NEED YOU as a VOLUNTEER for the NURSERY

Volunteers are needed on Sunday mornings to help care for any young children who may attend Balmoral with their parents. You would be paired with another Balmoral member, in one of the children's classrooms in the SEED area.

ABOVE: Casey Gurlen with Hudson DeLoach

If you would be interested in helping provide this care occasionally, please let Glenda Ellis know at glenda.ellis@att.net, or fill out a sign-up sheet from the friendship pad and place in the offering plate. 

HOSPITALITY BAGS

ARE AVAILABLE NEXT to the FOOD CART -

PICK SOME UP!

You can also pick up Hospitality Bags to donate to those you pass along the road who are in need.

(And bring donations for more bags - bring bottles of water,

And bring donations for more bags - bring bottles of water, boxes of raisins or other dried fruit, granola bars, cheese crackers (NO PEANUT BUTTER!!), clean socks - when you see someone asking for a handout, hand them a Hospitality bag!

Please bring what you can!

RECYCLE and CARE for the EARTH!

All brands of used or empty toothpaste tubes and caps, toothbrushes, toothpaste cartons, toothbrush outer packaging, and floss containers are recyclable!

Linda Warren will be picking up donated tooth product recyclables soon - bring yours for pickup near the clothes donation bins!



Glenda Ellis (29)

 Pete Addicott (8);

Jane Rousseau (10);

Rick Pride (24); Art Hall (25);

Emmy Orians (27); Rosie Schmitz (28)

EVERY TUESDAY

8:00am Tuesdays with Ted Small Group

at Cracker Barrel on Hacks Cross Rd.

EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY

12:30pm CHAIR YOGA in CLASSROOM A

EVERY WEDNESDAY

7:00pm Choir rehearsal in the Choir room

1st Wednesday of the Month

BIBLE STUDY 10:30am in Classroom A

1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month

Ellis Small Group 10:15 am

Now meeting in person in Classroom A

2nd Sunday of the Month

Lunch with Mark after worship in Classroom A

2nd Tuesday of the Month

1:30pm BOOK CLUB

2nd Thursday Evening of the Month

7:00 pm Trouble I've Seen Small Group

JOIN TIS on ZOOM!

1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month

COLONIAL PARK FOOD DRIVE

1st Friday of the month

Cup of Jazz at Liberation Community Church,

694 S. Bellevue; Dinner at 6:30; Music at 7pm;

carpool from BPC parking lot at 6:15

Thursday, January 25, 2024

10:30am Sandwich Project in Classroom A

Sunday, January 28, 2024

WINTER STUDIES 9:30 am

in Classroom A & the Youth Room

11:00 AM BPC Worship in the Sanctuary & on LiveStream

Sunday, January 28, 2024

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

immediately after worship

followed by a Soup-er Lunch!

Sunday, January 28, 2024

1:30pm Installation of Pastor Dr. Oscar Sueing

at Liberation Community Church

Sunday, February 4, 2024

WINTER STUDIES 9:30 am

in Classroom A & the Youth Room

11:00 AM BPC Worship & Communion

in the Sanctuary & on LiveStream

Friday, February 2, 2024

CUP of JAZZ leaves from BPC parking lot at 6:15

Sunday, February 4, 2024

New & Returning Members class after Worship

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

10:30am PW Bible Study in Classroom A

Saturday, February 10, 2024

7:00 pm Acoustic Eidolon Concert

Sunday, February 11, 2024

WINTER STUDIES 9:30 am

in Classroom A & the Youth Room

11:00 AM BPC Worship

in the Sanctuary & on LiveStream

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Lunch with Pastor Mark after Worship

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

1:30 pm BOOK CLUB at the home of Beverly Hooker,

85 Country Pl, Cordova, TN 38018-7249

Mark Your Calendar for these other upcoming dates

Ash Wednesday Service, 14 Feb, 6:00pm

Presbytery Meeting at BPC, 20 Feb

Maundy Thursday Service, 28 March, 6:00pm

Good Friday Service, 29 March, 6:00pm

Easter, 31 March

Liturgist

Kristen Gurlen

Rev. Mark Howland,

Musical Offering "The Summons"

Ben Legett, director, and Leiza Collins, pianist

YES, WE GOT SNOW!

(Some people actually LIKED it!)

from Becky DeLoach (with help from Hudson, maybe?)

from Mike Singleton - Charlotte is bundled up for making snow angels

Pastor Contact: Rev. Mark Howland

515-988-5183 or email pastormark@balmoralpc.com

(Mark is usually in his office Mondays & Wednesdays 9:00-noon for drop-ins)

Pastoral Care is supplied by Pastoral Care Resident

Rev. Elizabeth Dick (314.330.0506

       or email elizabethdick2@gmail.com)    

Session members are your primary contact for ongoing communication. Here's the current contact list:

Paul Below............. (319) 540-4363 ............... pbelow84@gmail.com

Barry Dotson .......... (901) 277-1596 ............... barry.dotson@yahoo.com

Art Hall .................... (901) 832-5728 ............... arthall0225@gmail.com

Janice Hill ............... (901) 826-9747 ................ janicehill81@gmail.com

Beverly Hooker.........(901) 496-1241 ................ bev.h@earthlink.net

Karen Pilkington......(901) 262-5810 ............karenlpilkington@gmail.com

Mary Schmitz .......... (901) 496-2799 .......... Maryschmitz4196@gmail.com

Erich Shultz .............(901) 268-4951 ...................emshultz@bellsouth.net

Linda Warren...........(901) 573-2654.............emighwarren1947@gmail.com

(NOTE: Many of these Session members work during the day, so you may want to text them or email them.)

Keep in mind that ANY Balmoral member who is healthy will most likely be happy to help you in case of need as well!

To contact other members, the most-current contact information is available by requesting a copy of the BPC PHONE DIRECTORY from Kathy Singleton by email ksingle2@bellsouth.net or by phone or text to (901) 734-7193. 

DOUBLE-CHECK our BPC DIRECTORY LISTING!

Contact Kathy Singleton at ksingle2@bellsouth.net to get an updated listing emailed to you!

• Newsletter Articles & Photos should be emailed to Kathy Singleton at ksingle2@bellsouth.net no later than Monday at noon for the week you want the article in the news.
• Bulletin Information should be emailed to Kathy Singleton, no later than Monday noon the week before the Sunday you want the information to appear.
• Prayer Concerns should be submitted via email to Rev. Elizabeth Dick (elizabethdick2@gmail.com) and to Rev. Mark Howland (pastormark@balmoralpc.com) with a copy to Kathy Singleton at ksingle2@bellsouth.net.

January 2024

online church calendar

Click HERE for the BPC Calendar 

The calendar will take a few seconds to load and, once it opens, you will see the month that we are currently in. To see the next month's calendar, click on the arrow pointing down - it is just to the right of the name of the month. Once you click on that arrow, an icon will appear with all the months of the year listed. Click on the month that you want to see. To see a specific date, click on the number of the day you would like to see. The entire current calendar is available to you.