Wednesday,

May 1, 2024

NEWS THIS WEEK

• WORSHIP SUNDAY, May 5, Sunday Studies at 9:30am Worship at 11:00am

• MESSAGE from the PASTOR

• NEW BPC MISSION STATEMENT

• THE FOOD CART is EMPTY - FILL IT UP THIS WEEK!

• CUP of JAZZ FRIDAY NIGHT, May 3

• BOOK CLUB May 14

• SENIOR SUNDAY RECOGNITION May 19

• WEAR RED on PENTECOST!

• LITURGISTS NEEDED for MAY & JUNE

• COMMUNITY PICNIC, May 19, after worship

• PENTECOST OFFERING

• DEDICATION of the GALE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER at Pinecrest, May 19, 3:00pm

• NEW BOOKS on the BOOK SWAP CART

• BPC Photos
• Worship Photos

WEEKLY INFORMATION

• Birthdays
• Calendar of Events
• CONTACT INFORMATION

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES

• BRING FOOD for the FOOD CART
• Recycle Toothbrushes
• Give out Hospitality bags
• Johnson Auxiliary Donations

REMINDERS:

• SIGN UP to be a WORSHIP LITURGIST!
• SIGN UP to ASSIST for the NURSERY - WE NEED YOUR HELP!
• DON'T FORGET TO SIGN-UP for COFFEE HOUR SNACKS!
• PINECREST SUMMER CAMPS REGISTRATION
• NEW BPC WEBSITE
• NEW CREATION STATION

Sunday Worship

May 5, 2024

WORSHIP SERVICE 11:00am

Scriptures: Psalm 98 & John 15:9-17

Sermon: Being Fruit

Rev. Mark Howland

Spring Studies

9:30am in Classroom A

The Spring Term will continue until May 26. 

The class will study the book

 "Hallelujah Anyway" by Anne Lamott.

LEADERS: Mary Schmitz & Beverly Hooker



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 

Often times when we think of being fruitful for the Lord, we think about activities and/or works. This can be one approach to fulfilling what we are called to be by our Lord. However, activity and works can be our attempt to appear being faithful to God but if these lack the key element, they are nothing more than busyness. They can easily fall in the category of making us feel good about ourselves. So that begs the question: "What is the key element?"

As I mentioned in my sermon this past Sunday, the key element in being the Lord's fruit is LOVE. When are activity and works are the natural outcomes of love, then we are being the fruit of the Lord. Our actions and attitudes need to demonstrate the love which we have received from the Lord and the love that is expected in and from us by the Lord. This love transcends the barriers of this world. We see others differently when we are seeing them from the perspective of love. We respond to others and their needs differently when we approach them from this love.

Being the fruit of the Lord, as mentioned in Scripture, means being love. Being love in the world is a gift that is unique from anything else offered. We are able to be this love because we have received this love from our Lord.

I encourage you to consider this as you prepare to come and worship God this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

BPC MISSION STATEMENT

The Session on April 21 adopted a new mission statement to reflect who we are in this time. All previous mission statements will be removed. The new mission statement will appear on all our communications. We will be asking all teams and groups to look at how their work fit within the mission statement in the coming months.

OUR MISSION:

We are an open community who believes God is love

and lives our belief through praise and service.

Uh-Oh!

The Food Cart is EMPTY!

St. Luke Methodist Food Pantry needs non-perishable staples all through the year.... pasta, cereal, peanut butter, can goods of fruits, vegetables, soups, stews or Chili with meat. Add an item or two to your grocery list this week for the Food Cart and let's fill 'er up!

LAST CHANCE of the SEASON!

Cup of Jazz Night FRIDAY, May 3rd

The Balmoral contingent had a wonderful time this month at Cup of Jazz with Henry Ford and the Jazz Brothers!

Join us our last chance until Fall on Friday, May 3rd! We meet in the BPC parking lot at 6:15 to carpool to  Liberation Community Church, 694 S. Bellevue; Dinner at 6:30; Music at 7pm.

BOOK CLUB

for May

Tuesday, May 14, 1:30pm

at the home of Janice Hill, 2110 Hickory Crest Drive

 "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store"

by James McBride

“A murder mystery locked inside a Great American Novel..." This book has received great reviews by critics and praise from readers, so it promises to bring out another great discussion.

Discussion will be led by Jan Kaplan

SENIOR RECOGNITION SUNDAY, May 19

We will be honoring our graduating senior,

Eli Gurlen, on Sunday, May 19.

PENTECOST SUNDAY

May 19

The liturgical color for the Day of Pentecost is the red of fire, one of the day’s symbols for the Holy Spirit. The Bible often portrays God’s transforming presence through the symbol of fire: Moses and the burning bush, the pillar of fire that led the people of Israel through the wilderness, the fires of Mount Carmel and the temple in Jerusalem that consumed sacrificial offerings.

The fire of the Pentecost story signifies how a collection of fearful disciples was transformed by the Spirit into a bold and active church.

Remembering that the gift of the Holy Spirit is not just for the church of the past or only a few, everyone is invited to wear red to worship on Sunday, May 19th!

LITURGISTS NEEDED

for MAY and JUNE!

Don't leave the Liturgist's chair empty - our Liturgists add so much richness to our Worship!

We need Liturgists for May 26 and all but one Sunday in June!

Click on the button below and scroll down to the week you can serve and enter your name. Or contact Kathy Singleton (ksingle2@bellsouth.net.)

If you haven't served as Liturgist before, we will send you a Liturgist Guide! Why not give it a try??

Sunday

May 19

after Worship

MARK YOUR CALENDAR - We're having a Community Picnic!

We have our grillers already making plans - Hamburgers and brats will be provided....

Bring a side or dessert to share!

Sign up sheet is at the entrance of the sanctuary. 

We encourage you to invite guests, friends and neighbors to join us!

The Pentecost Offering helps our young people begin life with a strong start, a solid foundation of faith formed in the years from childhood through young adulthood that will last a lifetime.

We will be receiving the Pentecost Offering, on Sunday, May 19th this year, nurturing the faith of those who are the church to come.

Begin now considering how you can support this year!

NEW BOOKS on the BOOK SWAP CART

Looking for some summer reading? These two were just added and there are plenty of others to try!

DEDICATION of the NEW Gale Environmental Education Center

Sunday, May 19, 3:00pm 

Read more about Dr. Paula Gale & the Environmental Education Center HERE

NEW BPC CHURCH WEBSITE!

Our new church website is up and running. Take some time to check it out at www.balmoralpc.com. We will keep updating and improving it in the weeks and months to come. Any ideas or recommendations should be shared with Pastor Mark.

 NEW CREATION STATION

A new addition to our sanctuary is now in place, a Creation Station. This will allow children to have an activity area during our worship service so they can remain with us throughout all of the worship service. We will also be adding a Children's Moment to our Sunday liturgy. Children will be asked to come forward for a time with Pastor Mark, then given an opportunity to color a sheet about the story at the Creation Station There will be other activities for them to enjoy in addition to or instead of coloring.       

Summer Camp

Pinecrest’s Summer Camp season is almost upon us, so the Pinecrest summer camp brochure is attached below. Pinecrest is also looking for staff, so a flyer for information for Staff Hiring as well.

Even if you don’t have children at your church, you may have grandchildren or might be interested in sponsoring a camper!

Link for the Pinecrest Summer Camp Brochure

Link for the Pinecrest Summer Camp Staff Hiring

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!

REMEMBER to SIGN-UP for COFFEE-TIME SNACKS !

Volunteers are needed 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. 

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. 

RECYCLE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH!

Bring your used toothbrushes & empty toothpaste tubes and place them in the labeled box in the Food Cart for recycling!

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!

 BIRTHDAYS

Fran Shannon (6); Dee McGuire (7); Jessica Orians (12); Clinton Bailey (23); Casey Gurlen (26); Janet Smith (26); Shirley Vosburg (29); Phil Shannon (30); Noah Mercer (31)

CALENDAR of EVENTS

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

6:00pm Bell Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary

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 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

1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month

COLONIAL PARK FOOD DRIVE

4th Thursday of the Month

10:30am SANDWICH PROJECT in Classroom A

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

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

PW Bible Study 10:30am Classroom A

Friday, May 3, 2024

7:00pm 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

Saturday, May 4, 2024

10:00am Session Work Group, Classroom A

Saturday, May 4, 2024

Service of Remembrance for Dorothy Stockdale 2:00pm

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Sunday Studies at 9:30am in Classroom A

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

12:30pm Worship Team Meeting in Classroom A

Sunday, May 12, 2024

Sunday Studies at 9:30am in Classroom A

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

Lunch with Mark at 12:30pm in Classroom A

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

BOOK CLUB 1:30pm at the home of Janice Hill

Sunday, May 19, 2024

Pentecost & Senior Recognition Sunday

Sunday Studies at 9:30am in Classroom A

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

CHURCH PICNIC after Worship on the church lawn

3:00pm Dedication of the GEEC at Pinecrest

Sunday, May 26, 2024

Sunday Studies at 9:30am in Classroom A

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

Liturgist

Rev. William Warren

Rev. Mark Howland

(Flowers are in honor of Fran & Pete Addicott's 40th anniversary)

Musical Offering

Leiza Collins, pianist; Catie Balsamo, flutist;

Ben Legett, director

Hudson and Tyler joined Pastor Mark for a Children's Moment then joined Glenda Ellis in the Children's Corner

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 Pastor Associate

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.

May 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.