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Balmoral Presbyterian Church
Where the Spirit Takes Flight
BPC NEWS BRIEF
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
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mailing address: Balmoral Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 17309, Memphis, TN 38187
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NEWS THIS WEEK
- WORSHIP for SUNDAY February 14
- CIRCLE of FAITH NEWS this week
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ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE aaaaFebruary 17 6:30pm on YouTube
- FEBRUARY is BLACK HISTORY MONTH
- TROUBLE I'VE SEEN
- REFLECTION by Ted Pearson
- WKNO Specials this month
- ELDER NOMINATIONS NEEDED for the SESSION CLASS of 2024
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BOOK CLUB for Feb RESCHEDULED
- AROUND MEMPHIS
- EXPANDED VACCINE ELIGIBILITY to 70+
- VERY RARE but SERIOUS REACTIONS to VACCINATIONS
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HONORING HEROES: A POEM "CHORUS of CAPTAINS" aaaaaaaaaaby Amanda Gorman
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REMINDERS:
- Lenten Devotional available from PCUSA
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WEEKLY INFORMATION
- Birthdays
- Calendar of Events
- OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
- CONTACT INFORMATION
- BPC Photos
- Worship last Sunday
- Starting School
LINKS to DOCUMENTS:
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ONLINE on YouTube at 11:00 am
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The BUILDING is CLOSED
BUT
BALMORAL is OPEN !
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Our Session is committed to providing worship during the pandemic that reaches everyone. Those of you who do not have computer access or SmartPhone access, Idlewild will continue to broadcast all of the worship services on the radio 96.1 FM.
Stay at home! Stay Safe!
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REMINDER: Everyone who comes onto the BPC property MUST WEAR A MASK, including those who are only in the parking lot. NO ONE is allowed in the building without authorization.
We must help to keep our Worship team and the SEED children safe!
Requests for use of the property (including the parking lot) MUST prepare a proposal to the BPC COVID-19 Task Force (Scott Hill and Mary Schmitz, co-chairs) for review; the task force will review the proposal, then make a recommendation to the Session for consideration.
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Worship
Balmoral Presbyterian Church
Sunday, February 14, 2021
WORSHIP at 11:00 AM on YouTube
aaaaScriptures: 2 Kings 2 (selected verses)
& Mark 9:2-9
a aSermon: "A New Way of Seeing"
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SUNDAY STUDIES at 10:00am on Zoom
aTTwo classes are available (see details below):
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Christ in Crisis? by Jim Wallis
- BIBLE STUDY of Paul's letters
aaaaaaaaPlease read 1st Corinthians chapters 15 & 16 for this Sunday.
(A full schedule for the Winter quarter is available
at the end of this Newsletter under Document Links.)
You will receive emails on FRIDAY & again on SUNDAY with a link to the YouTube site for Worship & a downloadable Sunday Worship Guide and links to the Sunday Studies classes on Zoom.
The Idlewild service will also still be available at 11:00 am on the radio at 96.1 FM or you can go online to the Idlewild Livestream broadcast at
Previous Worship Services at Balmoral are still available on the
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CIRCLE of FAITH CHRISTIAN CENTER
NEWS
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Sunday, February 14, 2021 Renee Mitchell and Clinton Bailey will be speaking during the Circle of Faith Worship Service Sunday, February 14, at 9am on Zoom. They will be speaking on white people deal with racism. Everyone is invited!
The link to the service will be in the emails Friday and Sunday mornings
The congregation of Balmoral is invited to join EVERY week for the Circle of Faith service - the link will be listed each week in the ONLINE EVENTS calendar in your Newsletter! The service ends in time for our joint Sunday Studies classes.
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ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
Wednesday, February 17, 6:30pm
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ASH WEDNESDAY is next Wednesday, February 17.
The service will be on our YouTube channel at 6:30pm. You will receive a reminder email with links to the service bulletin and a link to the YouTube channel on Monday, Feb. 15 and again in your Newsletter next week Wednesday morning.
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COMMUNION
As part of our Ash Wednesday service, we will gather at the Lord's Table during our virtual worship service. Please plan for worship that day to bring items for communion to your computer or TV.
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Communion in other parts of the world is served with various types of Bring breads, crackers or cookies to break along with Carla as she breaks the Bread of Life. Water, juice, wine or a beverage of your choice can serve as the Cup of Remembrance. |
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THE BLESSING
Please also bring a small cup or bowl of water and a towel for the blessing for use to sign the cross on foreheads, with attention to the power of the water of baptism, the symbol of death and resurrection and our return to a covenant relationship with God.
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Growing in Our Understanding
Kristen Gurlen
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It was nearly 10 years ago, in the Fall of 2011 when Circle of Faith Christian Center began sharing space with Balmoral Presbyterian Church. On Sunday mornings, CoFCC worshipped in the sanctuary at 8am and BPC at 11. We met together for Sunday Studies between services. Our blended class offerings almost always included a book study on a social justice issue – often related to race and reconciliation. In the fall of 2016, one of the class offerings was a study of a book by Drew Hart, “Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism”. The discussions were earnest, the prayers fervent, and the participants in this class found a safe place to share deep feelings. As the book was finished and the class term ended, the class members realized that the discussion that was started here needed to continue. A new small group began meeting on Dec. 8, 2016. We agreed to meet monthly and see where this conversation would take us. We called ourselves, “Trouble I’ve Seen” (TIS).
Growing In Our Understanding & Our Reach
In the 4 years since we have been meeting, we have continued to grow both in our understanding of racism and in our reach to the community. We have hosted speakers including Tom Carlson with Lynching Sites Project, Alisa Haushalter from Shelby Co. Health Dept., Chasity Torry with Renewing Mind Body and Soul (a mentoring program for girls), Britney Thornton, a community organizer with Juice Orange Mound, and Hardin Chair of Excellence Journalist, Otis Sanford. We have gone out into the community to honor the lives of El Persons and Jesse Lee Bond, men who were two of the too-many victims of lynching right here in Shelby County. We have supported our neighbors in Orange Mound through a Presbytery grant for a community garden, a 5k fundraiser race, and helped with a community health fair. We’ve read and discussed books such as “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander and “Divided by Faith” by Michael Emerson. We went to Rhodes College to hear National Book Award Winner Ibram X. Kendi speak about his book, “How to Be An Antiracist”. We went to the movie theater to watch “The Hate U Give” and “Just Mercy”. We watched the Nexflix documentary “13th”. If you haven’t watched “13th” yet, please do that right away! If you’ve already seen it, why not refresh yourself by watching it again – and maybe re-watch it every February as we consider Black History Month.
Perhaps our greatest growth has been in our growing understanding of the realities of racism in our country, our community and even in ourselves. Perhaps our greatest growth has been in our service to the community as we support and honor our neighbors. Or perhaps our greatest growth can be found in the relationships we have built with each other. Our study together and our service together has made our fellowship together stronger than we had ever imagined it would be. One of our founding group members, Jake Wheatley once said, “I never thought I’d see the day when I would worship with white people”. Jake was one of the most honest, unifying and supportive members in the earliest days of TIS. Jake has triumphantly returned to God, but his loving spirit continues in our group.
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Moving Forward
In 2020, as the pandemic blew across our country, Trouble I’ve Seen, like many other small groups took a hiatus as we waited for our building to reopen after two weeks, a month, then several months, and counting. By the end of summer, we couldn’t wait any longer. In September, we started meeting again on Zoom, where it is a delight to see faces, hear voices, and to be together . . . sort of. We even worshipped together again -in our cars- at the Circle of Faith Parking Lot Praise service on October 18th. Our Zoom meetings are typically a time to greet each other with a quick hello, then we watch and discuss a short video about a current event that relates to race relations. And y’all, we have not been short on material lately! We meet the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7pm and all are welcome. The zoom link is in the newsletter and we would love for you to join us!
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A RESPONSE TO VIDEO OF
GEORGE FLOYD’S DEATH
by Ted Pearson
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Be still and know
That I am with you
No matter what you do
Or whatever you may say.
I will walk with you
In the dark shadows
Or in the blinding light.
I will never leave your side;
I will uphold you whenever
The bully threatens you,
When the police arrest you,
I will never leave you.
My words can be yours,
My protection will always
Be available in your time of need.
These are the words I read
In the book of the Lord,
But what happens when
The boot is on the neck,
When the baton strikes
Across the shoulders or
The bullets penetrate
The heart of the innocent.
Where and how is the Lord
With us, protecting us;
How can we be still
And know that God
Is by our side, protecting us?
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A PRAYER IN RESPONSE
Gracious and steadfast creator
You tell us we will never be alone.
Truly, these are words of assurance.
Yesterday, today and tomorrow
We will need you, we will search for you,
Our rock in a sea of grief,
Our shelter in the storm of life.
Walk with us, inspire us to be just,
Fill us with your everlasting love
And especially show us how to love each other,
No matter how different or similar we are.
In your son’s name I pray
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WKNO Celebrates Black History Month |
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Here are some of the Specials WKNO (Ch 10) will be featuring during February.
Click on the program's picture for a description of this program.
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Charlie Pride: Star of Hope
Friday February 12, 7:30pm
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Amen!
Music of the Black Church
Sunday February 14, 4:00pm
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Black Church:
This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song
4-hour series tracing the 400 year-old story of the black church in America.
Tues. February 16, 8:00pm
Wed. February 17, 8:00pm
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Driving While Black:
Race, Space & Mobility In America
Fri. February 19, 8:00pm
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Additional programming is available on WKNO HD-2 if your TV provider or streaming service carries that station.
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NOMINATIONS NEEDED for
3 ELDERS for the SESSION CLASS of 2024
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The 2021 Nominating Committee has begun working together to discern the names of three members who are called as Ruling Elders in the Session Class of 2024. The members of the Committee are Ted Pearson, Gordon Brigman and Jessica Orians.
You are able to make nominations by email or text as indicated below. We will need one person to serve on the Outreach Committee, one person to serve on the Operations Committee and one person to serve on the Formation Committee.
If you would like to nominate a person or persons to serve in the Class of 2024, please speak to the chair of the 2021 Nominating Committee, Ted Pearson, or send the information about your nomination to Ted by email pearsonteda@aol.com or by phone or text him at (901) 486-6117.
For each Nomination, please provide the following Information:
· NAME of the person to be considered for the Class of 2024
· COMMENTS (optional)
· YOUR NAME
If you have questions about the process for nominations, please contact Ted Pearson, Jessica Orians, Gordon Brigman, or Rev. Carla Meisterman.
_____________________________________________The Role of a Ruling Elder
As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government
of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons
with particular gifts to share in discernment of God's Spirit
and governance of God's people. Accordingly, congregations should
elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated
skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit.
Ruling elders...are chosen by the congregation to discern and
measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and
nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with teaching
elders, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and
discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation
as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships.
When elected by the congregation, they shall serve faithfully
as members of the session. When elected as commissioners
to higher councils, ruling elders participate and vote with the
same authority as teaching elders, and they are eligible for any office.
Book of Order, G-2.0301 _____________________________________________
Please speak to the person you nominate before placing their name into nomination to express your belief that they are called to serve on Session.
Members of the Current Session Classes
2021 2022 2023
aaaCathy Bailey Becky DeLoach Lorie Blackwelder
aaaFrank Carney Barry Dotson Leiza Collins
aaaDon Lamb John Van Nortwick Ted Pearson
Thank you for prayerfully considering the people who are called to lead our church as Ruling Elders on the Session for the next three years. Please submit your nominations by no later than Sunday, February 28.
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BOOK CLUB for February
HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED
Tuesday, February 16, 2021 1:30pm
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The BPC Book Club welcomes all book lovers to join us on the second Tuesday of each month to enjoy books together. If you have ever been curious about the book club but hesitant to commit, please "visit" our next Zoom meeting, Tuesday, February 9, beginning at 1:30 p.m., when we will discuss our February book selection
The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larsen, led by Cynthia Stanley.
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This best selling non-fiction book was named one of the best books of the year by The New York Times Book Review, Time, Vogue, NPR, and The Washington Post. Larson shows, in cinematic detail, how Churchill taught the British people “the art of being fearless” in the first year of WWII, the height of the air war over Britain.
Larson provides a new lens on London’s darkest year through the day-to-day experience of Churchill and his family and his closest advisers.
Looking ahead, here are the books we have identified for the rest of the year:
March 9: The Nikel Boys by Colson Whitehead. Led by Do Kaiser
April 13: The Last Castle by Denise Kiernan, Led by Kathrine Getske
May 11: All Over But the Shouting by Ricky Bragg, led by Cathy Bailey
June 8: The Overstory by Richard Powers, led by Bob Kaiser
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A new Lenten devotional addresses the history of racial injustice to empower readers for racial justice |
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For many in the United States, the summer of 2020 served as a moment of renewed attention to the disease of racial inequality and injustice in our country. But in order to look forward in our pursuit of antiracism, we must also look back and acknowledge our history. To help churches address the difficult work of examining the history of American slavery, Cheri L. Mills offers her new Lenten devotional,
Her new 40-day devotional centers on Lenten themes — exodus, redemption, discipline, and repentance — to empower both Black and white readers for the work of addressing racial injustice. To confront our history, each day includes the testimony of a person who escaped slavery through the Underground Railroad, a Scripture passage, and a reflection connecting biblical and historical themes.
“If you’ve ever wondered what you can do to become more antiracist, “Lent of Liberation” is a great place to start,” says Kerry Connelly, author of “Good White Racist? Confronting Your Role in Racial Injustice.”
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IN THE NEWS AROUND MEMPHIS
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AGE 70+ are NOW ELIGIBLE
to SIGN-UP for VACCINES
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FIRST DOSE APPOINTMENTS
SECOND DOSE APPOINTMENTS
New second dose appointments for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines available on Friday, February 12, 2021. These appointments are for the following:
- MODERNA 2nd Dose: For any person receiving 1st dose Moderna on or before January 19th.
- PFIZER 2nd Dose: For any person receiving 1st dose Pfizer on or before January 26th.
TO SIGN UP for all available APPOINTMENTS, go to
Currently, the county is only vaccinating those in groups 1a1 and 1a2, along now with people aged 70+
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
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For COVID-19 testing information, go to this link:
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REACTIONS to the VACCINE
MOST are NOT serious ....
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Tue, February 9, 2021, 7:08 AM
So these normal side effects do not usually require further action, but if they "bother you or do not go away," the FDA says you should call your vaccination or healthcare provider.
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LOOK OUT FOR ONE SEVERE REACTION TO THE COVID VACCINE THAT WARRANTS A 911 CALL. |
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The CDC says that severe allergic reactions for both COVID vaccines are very rare. However, there are some side effects that should NOT be ignored.
For both the Moderna and Pfizer COVID vaccine, the FDA says there is a "remote chance" that the vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction, otherwise known as anaphylaxis. If that happens, you need to call 911 or go to the nearest hospital, per the FDA.
Signs that you're having a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of your face and throat
- A fast heartbeat
- A bad rash all over your body
- Dizziness, and weakness.
The FDA says that such a severe allergic reaction to occur "within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose."
The CDC recommends that anyone with a history of anaphylaxis be monitored for 30 minutes after getting the vaccine, and that everyone else be monitored for at least 15 minutes—ideally reducing the number of severe allergic reactions that occur outside of healthcare settings.
If you start experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, your allergic reaction may be getting worse.
The CDC says that anaphylaxis can also result in gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. These symptoms in particular may mean your reaction is getting even worse, prompting an even more immediate need for an emergency room visit. According to healthcare services site Ada, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting are symptoms that appear as "anaphylaxis rapidly progresses to its more severe form, anaphylactic shock."
While health officials want to make sure you're aware of the possibility of experiencing a severe allergic reaction after vaccination, they're doing so out of an abundance of caution. After all, the CDC has reported that anaphylaxis after the COVID vaccine is a very rare event: According to a Jan. 6 report from the agency, only 21 cases of anaphylaxis were reported after more than 1.8 million Pfizer vaccine doses were given, with 71 percent occurring within 15 minutes of vaccination. A Jan. 22 report from the CDC identified only 10 cases of anaphylaxis after more than 4 million doses were administered of the Moderna's vaccine, with nine of these cases occurring within 15 minutes.
But you shouldn't get a second vaccine dose if you do have an allergic reaction to the first.
Both vaccines currently available in the U.S. require two doses, and while health officials tout the importance of getting both doses, the FDA says severe allergic reactions negate that. If you experience anaphylaxis after getting either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, you should not get a second dose of the vaccine, per the FDA.
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"CHORUS of the CAPTAINS"
by Amanda Gorman
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A poem at last Sunday's SuperBowl presentation.
To honor James Martin, Trimaine Davis, Suzie Dorner and community heroes everywhere.
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Today we honor our three captains
For their actions and impact in
A time of uncertainty and need.
They have taken the lead,
Exceeding all expectations and limitations,
Uplifting their communities and nation
As leaders, healers, and educators.
James has felt the wounds of warfare
But this warrior still shares
His home with at-risk kids.
During COVID he's even lent a hand,
Live-streaming football for family and fans.
Trimaine is an educator who works non-stop
Providing his community with hot spots,
Laptops, and tech workshops,
So his students have all the tools
They need to succeed in life and in school.
Susie is the ICU nurse manager at a Tampa hospital.
Her chronicles prove that even in tragedy,
Hope is possible.
She lost her grandmothers to the pandemic,
And fights to save other lives in the ICU battle zone
Defining the front line heroes
Risking their lives for our own.
Let us walk with these warriors,
Charge on with these champions,
And carry forth the call of our captains.
We celebrate them by acting
With courage and compassion,
By doing what is right and just.
For while we honor them today,
It is they who every day honor us.
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FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS:
Jane Rousseau (10), Rick Pride (24), Art Hall (25), Emmy Orians (27),
Rosie Schmitz (28)
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ONLINE
EVENTS
Every Monday
2:00pm Writer's Group via Zoom
1st Wednesday of the Month
Bible Study with Presbyterian Women 10:30 am
1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month
Ellis Small Group 10:15 am
2nd Tuesday of the Month
BOOK CLUB meets via Zoom
2nd Thursday Evening of the Month
7:00 pm Trouble I've Seen Small Group
1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month
COLONIAL PARK FOOD DRIVE
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WKNO Black History Month Specials this week
Friday February 12, 7:30pm Charlie Pride: Star of Hope
Sunday February 14, 4:00pm Amen! Music of the Black Church
Sunday, February 14, 2021
9:00 - 10:00 AM Circle of Faith Worship on Zoom
Sunday, February 14, 2021
10:00 - 11:00 AM Sunday Study on Zoom
11:00 AM BPC Worship Service via YouTube
WKNO Black History Month Specials NEXT week
Tues. February 16, 8:00pm Part 1 Black Church: This Is Our Story
Tues. February 17, 8:00pm Part 1 Black Church: This Is Our Story
Fri. February 19, 8:00pm Driving While Black
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
(postponed from last week)
1:30pm BOOK CLUB on Zoom
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
ASH WEDNESDAY Worship & Communion Service
6:30pm on YouTube
Sunday, February 21, 2021
10:00 - 11:00 AM Sunday Study on Zoom
11:00 AM BPC Worship Service via YouTube
1st Sunday of Lent
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IF ANYONE IS CALLED TO SERVE....
We work every 1st and 3rd Thursday.
Colonial Park UMC
5330 Park Ave
CONTACT SCOTT DAWSON for more INFORMATION
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Pastoral Care will be supplied by Rev. Carla Meisterman
and by Rev. Anne Hagler as a backup.
Rev. Carla Meisterman 901.235.1014
or email carlam@balmoralpc.com
Rev. Anne Hagler 901.628.2104 or anneh6616@gmail.com
The current Session members have been re-aligned to be your primary contact for ongoing communication. Here's the new contact list:
Lori Blackwelder .... (901) 262-8282 ............... LORIEB1165@yahoo.com
Cathy Bailey ........... (901) 481-6395 .............. catbailey2017@gmail.com
Frank Carney ...........(901) 337-4917 ............. fcarney@evanspetree.com
Leiza Collins ........... (901) 246-5031 ..................... leiza1016@gmail.com
Becky DeLoach ...... (901) 489-3369 ............. BeckyMD2905@gmail.com
Barry Dotson .......... (901) 277-1596 ............... barry.dotson@yahoo.com
Don Lamb ............... (901) 754-5530 ............................ fbslamb@aol.com
Ted Pearson home: (901) 754-9796 ................... pearsonteda@aol.com
...........................cell: (901) 486-6117
John Van Nortwick (901) 605-2907 ............ jvnortwick@cornerstone-
systems.com
(NOTE: Many of these Session members are working 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.
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BPC Worship
Sunday, February 7, 2021
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Prelude Haydn's "Minuet in C Major for Two Cellos"
Fran Addicott and John Gilmer on cellos
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Musicians Linda Warren, William Warren, Pete Additcott,
John Gilmer, Fran Addicott, Leiza Collins on piano
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Hymn 470 "There Is A Longing in Our Hearts"
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Musical Offering "Rise, O Church Like Christ Arisen"
Leiza Collins, Fran Addicott, William Warren, Pete Addicott,
John Gilmer; Linda Warren, organist
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COMMUNION with Rev. Carla Meisterman |
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Communion Music "Take Our Bread"
Fran Addicott on guitar; Linda and William Warren,
Pete Addicott, John Gilmer and Leiza Collins, vocalists
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Hudson DeLoach after his first day at PDO at Second Baptist last Thursday!
Hudson is grandson of Becky Deloach and son of Timothy DeLoach.
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We have been keeping reference articles in the Newsletter each week throughout the summer. It's time to take them out, BUT some of these may still be helpful, so we will store them and give you links to them, but eliminate them from the body of the newsletter itself. |
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To access a document, simply click on the link name. The document will then open in your browser as a PDF file!
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- 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 Rev. Carla Meisterman, with a copy to Kathy Singleton, no later than Monday noon the week before the Sunday you want the information to appear.
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Prayer Concerns should continue to be submitted via email to Rev. Carla Meisterman (carlam@balmoralpc.com)
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FEBRUARY 2021
online church 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 2021 calendar is available to you.
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