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Balmoral Presbyterian Church
Where the Spirit Takes Flight
BPC NEWS BRIEF
Wednesday, March 24, 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 March 28
- MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Maundy Thursday April 1
- SPRING SUNDAY STUDIES BEGIN APRIL 11
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LENTEN REFLECTION: aaaaaaaaaa What Presbyterians Believe About the Resurrection
- AROUND MEMPHIS
- ALL ADULTS are NOW ELIGIBLE to GET THEIR VACCINATIONS!
- VACCINATION HESITATION WORRIES
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ONE GREAT HOUR of SHARING: aaa Because Water is Life
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WEEKLY INFORMATION
- Birthdays
- Calendar of Events
- OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
- CONTACT INFORMATION
- BPC Photos
- Worship last Sunday
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, March 28, 2021
PALM SUNDAY
BALMORAL WORSHIP at 11:00 AM on YouTube
Scriptures: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
& Mark 11:1-11
a aa Sermon: "Covenant Revelation"
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SUNDAY STUDIES at 10:00am on Zoom
Join with members & friends of BPC and Circle of Faith
for either one of our two classes available:
- "Christ in Crisis?" by Jim Wallis
- BIBLE STUDY of Paul's letters
aaaaaaaaPlease read Galatians chapters 4 to 6 for this Sunday.
NOTE: These Winter Studies will finish this Sunday, March 28. There will be no classes on Easter Sunday, April 4. New classes for Spring will begin on Sunday, April 11.
See article below about the new Spring classes.
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CIRCLE of FAITH WORSHIP at 9:00 AM
on ZOOM
Everyone is also invited to join the Circle of Faith service led by Rev. Cliff Stockton. The link will be listed each week in the ONLINE EVENTS calendar in this Newsletter!
(The service ends in time for our joint Sunday Studies classes.)
Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12 - The Beatitudes
Sermon: "Can You Check All the Boxes Off to be Blessed?"
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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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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Maundy Thursday Service
Thursday, April 1, 7:00pm on our YouTube channel.
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You will receive a bulletin and the link to YouTube in next Wednesday's Newsletter and a REMINDER email on Thursday morning, April 1. |
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SUNDAY STUDIES
for SPRING
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Spring Studies begin Sunday, April 11, 10:00am.
The classes will run through May 23.
Two classes will be offered:
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On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old
by Parker Palmer
A beautiful book of reflections on what we can learn as we move closer to "the brink of everything." Drawing on eight decades of life -- and his career as a writer, teacher, and activist --
Parker Palmer explores the questions
age raises and the promises it holds.
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Leaders: Jan Kaplan and Ted Pearson
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Almost Everything:
Notes on Hope
by Anne LaMott
When life is at its bleakest--when we are, as she puts it, "doomed, stunned, exhausted, and over-caffeinated"--the seeds of rejuvenation are at hand. "All truth is paradox," Anne Lamott writes, "and this turns out to be a reason for hope."
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Leaders: Beverly Hooker and Mary Schmitz
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Both books are available from Amazon and Thriftbooks.com
There are also multiple copies at several branches of the Memphis Public Library
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What Presbyterians Believe about the Resurrection |
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It’s not about HOW the resurrection happened, but that it HAPPENED
By Barry Ensign-George |
Presbyterians Today
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Amid the Easter celebrations, there are often questions about the resurrection. If we look closer, these resurrection questions begin even before we get to the Easter story. For example, in the transfiguration narrative, Jesus tells the three disciples who witnessed that event “to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean” (Mark 9:9b–10). Indeed.
Scripture is blunt about it: The resurrected Jesus has a body that is recognizably made of human flesh. Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples — sometimes known as “Doubting Thomas,” though perhaps it would be more accurate to call him “Questioning Thomas” — is insistent on this point: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25b). A week later, Thomas encounters Jesus, whose body bears those very wounds that Thomas could indeed touch with his finger or hand, if need be.
Two questions arise persistently, though, for us: “How does this resurrection happen?” and “What chemical or other processes would make it happen?” These are questions of modern science. The power of asking and answering such questions is the stuff of our daily lives, vividly so in the development and discussion of COVID-19 vaccines. The problem for us is that Scripture is not interested in the “how” question. It is clear that the resurrection event is amazing (Luke 24:12) and perplexing (Luke 24:4). But the moment of resurrection itself happens offstage.
Scripture is, however, very interested in a different question: “Who?” Who is this, coming back to us, crossing the line between life and death so completely unexpectedly? In a moment of heart-stopping tenderness, Mary Magdalene goes to the place where she expects to find Jesus’ body and finds it is not there: “She turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus” (John 20:14).
Easter, with all its questions about the resurrection, is about who Jesus is — and it is also about us and about our loved ones. One of the gifts I received while pastoring congregations was the opportunity to lead worship in funeral services. At funerals, we stand at the boundary between life and death with a directness most of us do not experience otherwise. At funerals, we stand at that boundary, looking across at death, marking the passage of one across the boundary, going on before us. Here, resurrection is no theoretical matter.
What I found there was how little I could say to answer the “how” question – a question I think I often felt more acutely than those for whom I was caring. Gradually I realized that the question I could speak to is “Who?” Because of Easter, we know something about who it is that we face across that boundary, who receives this one whom we accompany to the boundary, who will eventually receive you and me when our time has come to cross over.
The one whom we see, when we look with the eyes of Easter, is Jesus Christ, the one who has gone before us — and a familiar face. It is a face whose shape and contours we have been coming to know as we are part of the Body of Christ, the church. It is the face of one whom we have praised, sung to and of whom we have studied, wrestled with, worshipped, doubted, believed, wondered about, failed, ignored and sought out. It is a face that looks like those who have loved us in ways that have embodied God’s love and grace, a face that looks like those beyond the ones we know, beloved by Jesus Christ and therein part of Christ’s love for us.
The question of how the resurrection occurred is valid and important. Answers to the question are being proposed, examined and countered constantly. Books on this question and the answers are steady sellers for publishers. But it is not the only question. The better question to ponder is not how Jesus was resurrected, but who this Resurrected One is for us. Who is it that we face at this boundary of life and death? Easter is the affirmation that it is Jesus Christ, the one who has gone before and is present now.
Barry Ensign-George is a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), serving as coordinator of Theology & Worship in the Presbyterian Mission Agency and staff liaison to the Committee on Theological Education.
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A LETTER of PRAYERS
in our MAILBOX
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IN THE NEWS AROUND MEMPHIS
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ALL ADULTS CAN NOW MAKE APPOINTMENTS for VACCINES
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The City of Memphis began vaccinating people 45 and up Tuesday, March 23, days after it moved to cover people 55 and over as it works to fill in its slate of appointments.
By this Friday, the city will be administering shots to any person 16 and over, a day many have been waiting to arrive. Appointments for those slots open this Friday, March 26.
For weeks, about 15% of appointments here have gone wanting either because people signed up and didn’t show, which accounts for about 10% or 3,040 slots, or appointments (5%) simply haven’t been filling. That was the signal to move ahead to the next phase, said Doug McGowen, chief operating officer for the City of Memphis and the point person in charge of vaccine efficiency in Shelby County.
But full access to all adults will happen before the city receives a significant increase in doses, which means appointments are going to be tight.
Shortly after Easter, perhaps by April 5 or 6, the doses for Shelby County will jump from 40,000 a week to more than 50,000. The bulk will be administered through the five fixed drive-thru stations, but pop-ups, some with capacity to deliver 2,000 doses, will extend availability.
It will not be enough to accommodate every adult who wants the vaccine in a week or even a month, McGowen said.
To prepare for the bump in appointments, the state is doubling operators at its call center for people who call 901-222-SHOT.
“We have been working with SignUpGenius to make sure that the platform is stable and that we have enough bandwidth there to absorb the number of appointments,” he said.
Click the link below to get current locations for VACCINES:
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NOTE: The Daily Memphian provides all COVID-19 related information free of charge at these links as a service to the community.
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Daily Memphian Survey reveals who are likely to get vaccine, & Reasons for those who will not
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In a survey by the Daily Memphian over the weekend, 51% of people who haven’t yet received a COVID-19 vaccine say they intend to get it, and 12% more said they probably will. But nearly 20% say they have little or no intention of being vaccinated against COVID-19; another 18% are undecided.
When extrapolated for the 25% who are already vaccinated, the results show 71%-72% of Shelby County residents will get the vaccine.
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“That would be good for the original virus, however with the U.K. mutant strain, you definitely need a vaccination rate in the range of 80% to 85% to achieve herd immunity,” said Dr. Manoj Jain, the infectious disease physician who has been advising Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland for more than a year in how to fight the disease, including building test capacity and ramping up sequencing to identify variants of concern.
The most eager to get the vaccine were middle-aged respondents; 86% of people ages 45 to 54 would like to have it immediately, and 87% of people ages 55 to 64 said they too would get in line right away.
Among the skeptical, 36% didn’t believe the vaccine had been thoroughly tested or had been proven effective; 23% said they do not trust vaccines in general.
Older respondents unlikely to get the vaccine overwhelmingly said they were hesitant because they were concerned the vaccines had not been tested well enough.
“I just think that is a poorly informed opinion,” Jain said. “The data and information are there to show that every step that is done for any clinical trial was done for these vaccines. There were no shortcuts.
“And moreso, look at the millions who have already received the vaccine. Look at nations like Israel when they have been able to reach 70%-80% in their elderly populations. They are reaping the benefits. People are going back to their usual lives they have been so desperately desiring,” Jain said.
For him, the point that needs to be driven home is “the sooner we get more people vaccinated, the sooner we will be able to get to back to normal.”
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Nearly 67.8% of white people who took the survey said they definitely or probably would get the vaccine compared to 61.7% among African Americans.
The most strongly opposed to getting the vaccine are people ages 35 to 44 (18.9%) followed by those ages 45 to 54 (18.4%).
“We have to up our game. It is going to be critical for us to get vaccination from 70% to 85%,” he said.
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For COVID-19 testing information, go to this link:
NOTE: Several CVS and Walgreen's locations are now currently on the updated list at the link above.
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ONE GREAT HOUR of SHARING |
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Because Water is Lifea
The Capirendita community is grappling with the devastating impact of climate change, irregular rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, disease and mining pollution. As a result, their age-old ways of life and their means of economic support are increasingly threatened. The degradation of the environment and the lack of access to water threatens their very survival.
WATCH their STORY in the VIDEO BELOW
by clicking on the PLAY arrow
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Because we are the Church, together … we give to One Great Hour of Sharing because of where the Church belongs, of who the church is. Please give generously so that our Church will continue to become, as Isaiah said, “repairers of the breach.” And as we always say: When we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.
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Let us pray ~
God of life, be with us. May we see you in the lives of all we meet, and may we offer ourselves in kindness and kinship to all those in need. Amen.
For over 70 years, One Great Hour of Sharing has provided Presbyterians a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need around the world. Millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. Typically received during the season of Lent, each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing supports efforts to relieve hunger through the Presbyterian Hunger Program, promote development through the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People, and assist in areas of disaster through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Join with Presbyterians worldwide in sharing God’s love with our neighbors-in-need around the world by providing relief from natural disasters, food for the hungry, and support for the poor and oppressed. Send your gifts made out to Balmoral Presbyterian, with your check marked for OGHS in the comments by Monday, April 5.
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Looking for an outdoor activity close by (and SAFE!) Or a short getaway or a walk in the woods? Check out what PINECREST has to offer this spring!
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Susie Knight (3),
Doreen Lutey (20),
Sean Orians (27)
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Thank you to Becky DeLoach for this submission to this week's Newsletter! |
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ONLINE
EVENTS
SUNDAY WORSHIP LINKS
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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Sunday, March 28, 2021
Palm Sunday
9:00 AM Circle of Faith Worship on Zoom
10:00 - 11:00 AM Sunday Study on Zoom
11:00 AM BPC Worship Service via YouTube
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Maundy Thursday
7:00 pm BPC Worship Service via YouTube
Sunday, April 4, 2021
Easter Sunday
9:00 AM Circle of Faith Worship on Zoom
11:00 AM BPC Worship Service via YouTube
Monday, April 5, thru Monday, April 19, 2021
Rev. Carla Meisterman will be taking time off
for worship planning and vacation days.
Rev. Anne Hagler will provide Pastoral Care during this time.
Anne can be reached by phone/text at (901) 628-2104
or by email anneh@6616@gmail.com
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
10:30am Bible Study with Presbyterian Women on Zoom
Sunday, April 11, 2021
9:00 AM Circle of Faith Worship on Zoom
10:00 - 11:00 AM Sunday Study on Zoom - Spring Classes Begin
11:00 AM BPC Worship Service via YouTube
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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, March 21, 2021
5th Sunday of Lent
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Prelude "Jesus Loves Me"
Linda Warren, John Gilmer, Qilliam Warren, Fran Addicott, ERich Shultz, Clinton Bailey, Pete Addicott, Leiza Collins on piano
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Musical Offering "Wondrous Love"
John Gilmer, Erich Shultz, William Warren, Pete Addicott
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Hymn 76 "Do Not Be Afraid" |
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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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MARCH 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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