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BPC NEWS BRIEF

Thursday,

June 13, 2024

OUR MISSION: We are an open community who believes God is love

and who lives our belief through praise and service.

mailing address:  Balmoral Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 17309, Memphis, TN 38187

Church Office Hours: Mon - Thur, 10:00am- 3:00pm

WEBSITE: www.balmoralpc.com

NEW for THIS WEEK


  • WORSHIP SUNDAY, June 16, Worship at 11:00am


  • MESSAGE from the PASTOR


  • PASTOR on CALL June 29-July 5


  • 226th GENERAL ASSEMBLY PCUSA June 25-July 4


  • THE ADULT STUDIES TEAM UPDATE



  • A PRAYER for our NATION in THESE TUMULTUOUS TIMES


  • BIRTHDAYS


  • CALENDAR of EVENTS


  • BPC Photos
  • Worship Photos
  • SEED Water Day!


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


DID YOU MISS THIS LAST WEEK? (Read it now - it's right after the photos!)

  • FROM the SESSION: BPC's PRIORITIES
  • PASTOR MARK's GARAGE SALE: FREE T-SHIRTS


ONGOING INFORMATION LINKS:


SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

DONATIONS


VOLUNTEERS NEEDED



PASTORS & SESSION CONTACT INFORMATION LINK


Sunday Worship

June 16, 2024


WORSHIP SERVICE 11:00am


Scriptures: Psalm 92:1-4,12-15

& Ephesians 4:11-16

Sermon: The Church as a Equipper

Rev. Mark Howland

Can't attend Worship in person? Join us on YouTube LIVE!

Link to LiveStream Worship on YouTube at 11:00 am

Link to the Worship bulletin for June 16

Previous Worship Services at Balmoral are also still available on the 

Balmoral YouTube channel 

As I have shared with you before, we understand that each person is called by God to do the work of ministry. The challenge that so often confronts those who God calls is the fear of having the necessary pieces to fulfill the call. I was once told a phrase that has remained with me for many years, "God does not call the equipped but equips the called." I generally agree with this saying although I would add to it the understanding that God has already begun the equipping by giving us the necessary skills and talents which need developed.


The equipping and development of the skills and talents is one of the aspects of the Church. The Church is the place where the equipping of people should take place. First, the Church has a responsibility to help individuals identify the skills and talents which they have been given by the Spirit of the Lord. In the community of faith, leaders and fellow sojourners should lift up those gifts which they notice in the person.  


Second, the Church must be a place where those gifts can be nurtured and individuals are given the opportunity to practice using them. By practicing and receiving feedback, the skills and talents are refined and strengthened. The nurturing and refining equips the person as they prepare to use these gifts in their ministries to which God has called them.


Third, the Church is intended to be the community where a renewing of energy and commitment takes place. Doing the ministry of the Lord's Kingdom can be exhausting and a person can feel a bit bruised by some of the world's reaction. By coming together regularly, the individuals can regain the spiritual energy which may wane at times. This is also where a person is reminded of God's love, grace, and forgiveness which provides the foundation from where we are able to step into the world once again and continue living out our calling.


The Church is the equipper. Come on Sunday to hear more about this answer to the question, "What is the Church."


Blessings,

Pastor Mark

Pastor Mark will be serving as Commissioner to the 226th General Assembly of the PCUSA in Salt Lake City, UT, from June 29 - July 5.  While he is out of town, please contact Parish Associate Elizabeth Dick for any pastoral care needs (314.330.0506 or elizabethdick2@gmail.com). Elizabeth will also be worship leader on Sunday, June 30.

The 226th GENERAL ASSEMBLY PC(USA)

June 25-July 4 in Salt Lake City

The theme of GA226, “Live into Hope”, is based on the hymn of the same name by Jane Parker Huber. Daily themes have been chosen based on verses of the hymn. The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly chose the theme as an opportunity to charge the denomination after being in a space of lament and hope. We are now being charged to live into that hope.


The General Assembly consists of commissioners elected by presbyteries. Half of the commissioners will be ruling elders, half will be teaching elders. Few will ever have been commissioners to the General Assembly before, but most will have served in one of the other governing bodies of our church: the session, which provides care and oversight of a local congregation; the presbytery, which provides care and oversight of a group of congregations; or the synod which provides care and oversight of several presbyteries.



General Assembly reviews the work of synods, resolves controversies in the church, is responsible for matters of common concern for the whole church, and serves as a symbol of unity for the church.


Read about GA, the Agendas & More

UPDATE

from the

ADULT STUDIES TEAM

The Adult Studies Team planned two studies for the early part of this year. The first one was a Bible Study which explored some of the shorter Epistles (letters) in the New Testament, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon. Clinton Bailey, Glenda Ellis, and Rev William Warren led the discussions.  


The second study was a book study. The book chosen was "Hallelujah Anyway" by Anne Lamott. Group leaders Mary Schmitz and Beverly Hooker led the group in discussing the concept of mercy and the meaning of life as author Lamott presented the concepts.


The Adult Studies Team has already planned the next set of adult studies which will begin in the fall. They are in the process of identifying leaders for these studies. 


If you are interested in leading an adult study, please contact Beverly Hooker who is the Team Leader.


A Prayer for our Nation During Tumultuous Times

A Prayer by Rev. Bronwen Boswell, Acting Stated Clerk of the General Assembly


"Lord, as we enter this election season, we lift our nation to you. We pray for every citizen, every candidate and every public servant. We ask for your protection over our democratic processes and institutions. May they reflect integrity, transparency and fairness, honoring the dignity and worth of every individual created in your image.


"As we navigate through these tumultuous times, we are reminded of the sacred duty you have entrusted to us — to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with you, our God. May we strive to be your justice seekers and peacemakers in our church sanctuaries and civic duties."

Read the entire prayer in PC(USA) News here 

Jack Orians (15);

William Warren (25);

Rose Lucas (26)


CALENDAR of EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday, June 16, 2024

10:30am Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary

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


Tuesday, June 18, 2024

10:30am Operations Team in Classroom A


Thursday, June 20, 2024

10:15am Thursday Small Group in Classroom A


Sunday, June 23, 2024

10:30am Choir rehearses in the Sanctuary

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

12:30pm SESSION MEETING in Classroom A


Thursday, June 27, 2024

10:30am SANDWICH PROJECT in Classroom A


Sunday, June 30, 2024

10:30am Choir rehearses in the Sanctuary

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

12:30 pm Home Communion Team in Classroom A


LINK to the BPC CHURCH CALENDAR

BPC PHOTOS

June 9

Sunday Worship


Rev. William Warren, Liturgist

Hudson and Tyler join

Rev. Mark Howland

for the Children's Moment

Musical Offering Erich Shultz, soloist, and

Frank Carney, pianist

Commissioning of Soup Kitchen Volunteers (Margaret Mullins and Gary Reese not shown)

The SEED kids had a Water Day on the front lawn last week!


CONTACT INFORMATION



Pastor Contact: Rev. Mark Howland

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

Pastoral Care: Rev. Elizabeth Dick, Pastor Associate

(314.330.0506 or email elizabethdick2@gmail.com)    

CLICK HERE for SESSION & OTHER CONTACTS

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES!

DONATIONS

FOOD CART

Bring items for the Food Cart weekly - keep the cart full!

Link to Food Cart  Needs

JOHNSON AUXILIARY

Items needed at Region One for patients and their families.

Links to Region One needs

RECYCLING

Toothbrushes, Toothpaste tubes etc can be recycled. Cardboard recycling is also available

 Link to Recycling

BE A VOLUNTEER!

SUNDAY LITURGIST

Sign up to join Mark at the podium as a Liturgist

Sign Up as Liturgist

SIGN-UP to BRING COFFEE_TIME SNACKS

For goodies with your coffee.

Sign Up for Coffee Snacks

SUPPORT the HOSPITALITY BAGS PROGRAM

Make donations and/or pass out bags to those in need

Hospitality Bags Info

VOLUNTEER for the SOUP KITCHEN

Make sandwiches and/or serve lunch at 1st Presbyterian

Soup Kitchen Info

PASS OUT FOOD at COLONIAL PARK

Food from the MidSouth Food Bank distribution location

Colonial Park Food Distribution Info



PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED ARTICLES



These articles appeared in a earlier newsletter but are still relevant this week!

As you recall from reading our earlier newsletters, the Session has set three overriding goals for 2024:

  • Broadcast our story.
  • Identify solutions to meet the needs of the underserved.
  • Create a long-term buildings/grounds plan.


A few weeks ago, Session met in a workshop to set priorities for smart use of our resources as the church tackles these goals. From many ideas three top priorities were identified:

  1. Improve physical plant appearance and safety.
  2. Improve visibility of Balmoral Presbyterian Church through exterior signage and upgrades of grounds
  3. Create and implement a comprehensive communications plan.



Our current teams, as well as special teams/task forces, will be working toward our goals, using our top priorities as a guide.

Look and listen for more information, coming soon!

You and everyone in the congregation are needed and welcomed to take part in this crucial work.

aaa

Look and listen for more information, coming soon!


Janice Hill, Clerk of Session

FREE T-SHIRTS!

Pastor Mark is at it again - another "Garage Sale!" This time it's T-Shirts - Racism is Sin/CofF& BPC shirts are taking up space in the office area, so it's time to pick yours up from the table in the Narthex!

  • Newsletter Articles & Photos should be emailed to Kathy Singleton at ksingle2@bellsouth.net no later than end of day Monday for the week you want the article in the news.
  • Bulletin Announcements should be emailed to Kathy Singleton, no later than Monday the week before the Sunday you want the information to appear.