Tag: Adult spiritual formation

This Week at First Baptist (5/31/17)

  • CalendarThursday, June 1, 7:30 PM: Choir Rehearsal in the Parlor
  • Sunday, June 4: Pentecost Sunday
    10:00 AM, Worship for the whole Family with Communion:     Pentecost, Numbers 11:24-30; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; John 7:37-39; 20:19-23; Acts 2:1-21; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, Rick Mixon. Remember to wear red (or orange or yellow or some combination to represent the “tongues of fire” associated with Pentecost.)11:15 AM: Patio Hour Everyone is invited to gather on the Patio after Worship for refreshments and community time. A sign-up sheet for hosting this summer event is posted in the Church Entryway.
  • Sunday, June 4, 12:15 PM: Lunch Bunch: Amber Indian Restaurant, 600 West El Camino Real, Mountain View. Please let Melanie Ramirez or Alan Plessinger know if you will be attending.
  • Tuesday, June 6, 10:30 AM: Bible Study at Marylea McLean’s apartment, 373 Pine Lane #4204, Los Altos.
  • Wednesday, June 7, 8:30 AM: Men’s Breakfast at Bill’s Cafe, 3163 Middlefield, Palo Alto. All the men from our Church family are welcome.
  • Wednesday, June 7, 10:30 AM: Meditation Group at Eileen Conover’s home, 1075 Space Park Way #217, Mountain View.

Looking ahead:

  • Sunday, June 11: Youth Sunday. Our children and youth will lead us in Worship and we will honor graduates. If someone close to you, family member or friend, is graduating, please let us know.
  • Sunday, June 11, 11:15 AM: Patio Hour. Everyone is invited to gather on the Patio after Worship for refreshments and community time. A sign-up sheet for hosting this summer event is posted in the Church Entryway.
  • Monday, June 12, 7:00 PM: Church Council, in the Parlor.

Note from Pastor Rick (5/31/2017)

Sunday was a full day here at FBCPA. Not only did we honor Christ’s ascension in worship, we also shared refreshments in the Entryway, and gained a new perspective on “The Parable of Talents” in Adult Spiritual Formation. Then, in the afternoon, we celebrated the life of Marilyn Hunwick in a lovely and meaningful service featuring the Hunwick’s granddaughter, Chloe, singing, Anthia Lee Halfmann on piano, and, of course, Jan Gunderson on the organ. Thanks to Dona Smith-Powers, Betsy Anderson, and Chip Clark for their assistance as well. After the service we were treated to a lovely reception, provided by Beth Hunwick and the family as well as church members. It was a long day (I got home about 6:15) and a rich one. I couldn’t help but think that Marilyn would have been pleased.

This Sunday is Pentecost, so everyone is encouraged to wear red (or orange or yellow) as your own personal “tongue of flame.” The texts for the day focus on the ways in which the Holy Spirit, represents all the wonderful life-giving gifts of God to God’s people. We control neither the Giver nor the gifts, but we can always express our gratitude and make the most of that with which we have been blessed. Come to celebrate the “birthday of the church.” Stay for the first Patio Hour of the season and join in the Lunch Bunch as we enjoy Indian cuisine. Bring along someone with whom to share the events of the day.

Remember, our theme for this year is “All Are Welcome in this Place.” Let’s make certain that it is so.

Pastor Rick   

This Week at First Baptist (5/24/17)

  • CalendarThursday, May 25, 11:30 AM: Women’s Brunch, Shoreline Lake American Bistro, 3160 North Shoreline Boulevard, Mountain View, CA. Please let Lois Ville know if you will be attending, lotusville@aol.com or (408) 247-1764. All women of the church are welcome.
  • Thursday, May 25, 7:30 PM: Choir Rehearsal in the Parlor
  • Sunday May 28, 10:00 AM, Seventh Sunday in Easter
    Worship and Sunday School:     All My Relations, Psalm 66:1-10; 31-35; John 17:1-11; Acts 1:6-14; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11, Rick Mixon preaching
    11:30 AM: Adult Spiritual Formation “Speaking in Parables.” We will continue our study of Jesus’ Parables, focusing this week on “The Parable of the Talents,” Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27.
  • Sunday, May 28, 2:00 PM: Memorial Service for Marilyn Hunwick in the Sanctuary with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Tuesday, May 30: Spire Deadline
  • Tuesday, May 30, 10:30 AM: Bible Study at Marylea McLean’s apartment, 373 Pine Lane #4204, Los Altos.
  • Wednesday, May 31, 10:30 AM: Meditation Group at Eileen Conover’s home, 1075 Space Park Way #217, Mountain View.

Looking ahead:

  • Sunday, June 4: Pentecost Sunday
    10:00 AM, Worship for the whole Family with Communion:     Pentecost, Numbers 11:24-30; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; John 7:37-39; 20:19-23; Acts 2:1-21; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, Rick Mixon. Remember to wear red (or orange or yellow or some combination to represent the “tongues of fire” associated with Pentecost.)

    11:15 AM: Patio Hour Everyone is invited to gather on the Patio after Worship for refreshments and community time. A sign-up sheet for hosting this summer event is posted in the Church Entryway.

Note from Pastor Rick (5/24/2017)

Well, last Sunday was a challenging day. In a small community like ours, missing a couple of key people can way lay the best made plans. And still we managed to worship and share, to sing and pray, listen and learn, which are the really important things. Thanks to everyone for pulling together at the last minute. It was also challenging to say good-bye to our friends Soo Kim and Doug Lee as they return to Korea. Doug, Soo, and Hegene have become beloved members of our “family” over the past five years and we will miss them very much. We promise to hold a place for them and they promised to come back to visit.

This Sunday is known as Ascension Sunday in liturgical tradition. On the Sunday before Pentecost, we remember that the Christ ascended into heaven as recorded in Acts or returned to God as he predicted in John’s gospel. After the Ascension, when Christ was no longer plainly visible to his followers, the Holy Spirit descended on them, imbuing them with great power to carry on Christ’s mission in the world. In the Ascension story in Acts 1, the angels ask the dazed disciples why they’re standing there looking into heaven when there is work to be done on earth. This is a fair question to ask every follower who may be more focused on what is to come than what is needed now to usher in God’s Beloved Community.

In Adult Spiritual Formation, we will wrap up our study of the Parables with a look at “The Parable of the Talents.” Please join us for worship, education, and community time and bring someone along to share the day. At 2:00 PM, we will hold a memorial service for our beloved Marilyn Hunwick, which will be followed by a reception hosted by the family. If church members are wanting to help with the reception, please contact the church office.

Remember, our theme for this year is “All Are Welcome in this Place.”

Let’s make certain that it is so.
Pastor Rick   

This Week at First Baptist (5/17/17)

  • CalendarThursday, May 18, 7:30 PM: Choir Rehearsal in the Parlor
  • Sunday, May 21, 10:00 AM, Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
    Worship and Sunday School:     Called Alongside, Psalm 66:8-20; John 14:15-21; Acts 17:22-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22, Rick Mixon preaching.
  • Sunday, May 21, 11:30 AM: First Cookout of the Season. Hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, condiments, and beverage provided. Please bring a side dish, salad or dessert to share.
  • Monday, May 22, 7:00 PM: Community Gospel Choir in the Parlor.
  • Tuesday, May 23, 10:30 AM: Bible Study at Marylea McLean’s apartment, 373 Pine Lane #4204, Los Altos.
  • Wednesday, May 24, 10:30 AM: Meditation Group at Eileen Conover’s home, 1075 Space Park Way #217, Mountain View.
  • Thursday, May 25, 11:30 AM: Women’s Brunch, Shoreline Lake American Bistro, 3160 North Shoreline Boulevard, Mountain View, CA. Please let Lois Ville know if you will be attending, lotusville@aol.com or (408) 247-1764. All women of the church are welcome.

Looking ahead:

  • May 28, 10:00 AM, Seventh Sunday in Easter
    Worship and Sunday School:     All My Relations, Psalm 66:1-10; 31-35; John 17:1-11; Acts 1:6-14; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11, Rick Mixon preaching
    11:30 AM: Adult Spiritual Formation “Speaking in Parables.” We will continue our study of Jesus’ Parables, focusing this week on “The Parable of the Talents,” Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27.
  • Sunday, May 28, 2:00 PM: Memorial Service for Marilyn Hunwick in the Sanctuary with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Tuesday, May 30: Spire Deadline

This Week at First Baptist (5/10/17)

  • CalendarThursday, May 11, 7:30 PM: Choir Rehearsal in the Parlor
  • Sunday, May 14, Fifth Sunday in Easter (Mothers Day)
    10:00 AM:     Worship and Sunday School: Stand Firm, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; John 14:1-14; Acts 7:55-60; 1 Peter 2:1-10, Rick Mixon, preaching.

    11:30 AM: Adult Spiritual Formation: “Speaking in Parables.” We will continue our study of Jesus’ Parables, focusing this week on “The Parable of the Talents,” Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27.

  • Wednesday, May 17, 8:30 AM: Men’s Breakfast at Bill’s Cafe, 3163 Middlefield, Palo Alto. All the men from our Church family are welcome
  • Wednesday, May 17, 10:30 AM: Meditation Group at Eileen Conover’s home, 1075 Space Park Way #217, Mountain View.

Looking ahead:

  • Sunday, May 21, 10:00 AM, Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
    Worship and Sunday School:     Called Alongside, Psalm 66:8-20; John 14:15-21; Acts 17:22-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22, Rick Mixon preaching.
  • Sunday, May 21, 11:30 AM: First Cookout of the Season. Hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, condiments, and beverage provided. Please bring a side dish, salad or dessert to share.

Note from Pastor Rick (5/10/2017)

This week we will focus on the notion of standing firm. In Psalm 31, God is pictured as the rock of our refuge. In John 14, Jesus promises those a believe a new home in God. In Acts 7, Steven sees a heavenly vision of what life can be like even as he is being stoned to death. In First Peter 2, the writer says, of Christ, “Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” The writer goes on to proclaim that Christ followers are a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,” but “in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” To be embraced by God is not only a great promise of security and well-being it is call to carry the light of God to the ends of the earth, n out words and in out living witness.

Come Sunday at 10 AM, to share in worship, education, and community. In Adult Spiritual Formation, we will continue our study of the parables with a look at the Parable of the Talents. Invite family, friends, colleagues, strangers – anyone and everyone – to join in this joyous time.

Our theme for this year is “All Are Welcome in this Place.” Let’s make certain that it is so.

Pastor Rick

PS There is a new sign up sheet for Hospitality in the coming weeks, including this coming Sunday. Please sign up or let me or the office know if you can help out.

This Week at First Baptist (5/3/17)

  • CalendarNo Choir Rehearsal this week; we will resume on Thursday May 11, 7:30 PM in the Parlor
  • Sunday, May 7: Fourth Sunday in Easter
    10:00 AM: Worship for the Whole Family with Communion
    Glad and Generous Hearts Psalm 23; John 10:1-10; Acts 2:42-47: 1 Peter 2:19-25, Rick Mixon, preaching.
    11:30 AM: Quarterly Business Meeting     in the Parlor. 
  • Tuesday, May 9, 10:30 AM: Bible Study at Marylea McLean’s apartment, 373 Pine Lane, #4204, Los Altos
  • Wednesday, May 10, 10:30 AM: Meditation Group at Eileen Conover’s home, 1075 Space Park Way #217, Mountain View.

Looking ahead:

  • Sunday, May 14, Fifth Sunday in Easter (Mothers Day)
    10:00 AM:     Worship and Sunday School: Stand Firm, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; John 14:1-14; Acts 7:55-60; 1 Peter 2:1-10, Rick Mixon, preaching.
  • 11:30 AM: Adult Spiritual Formation: “Speaking in Parables.” We will continue our study of Jesus’ Parables, focusing this week on “The Parable of the Talents,” Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27.

This Week at First Baptist (4/26/17)

  • CalendarWednesday, April 26: SPIRE deadline
  • Thursday, April 27, 11:30 AM: Women’s Brunch in the Parlor. Bring your lunch and come join us.
  • Thursday, April 27, 7:30 PM: Choir Rehearsal in the Parlor
  • Sunday, April 30: Third Sunday in Easter
    10:00 AM: Worship and Sunday School
    Our Kairos Moment, Leviticus 25:8-17; Luke 4:16-30, Geoff Browning, UCCM Campus Minister, preaching.
    11:30 AM: Adult Spiritual Formation:
    update by Geoff Browning on the work of United Campus Christian Ministry, Parlor. 
  • Tuesday, May 2, 10:30 AM: Bible Study at Marylea McLean’s apartment, 373 Pine Lane, #4204, Los Altos
  • Wednesday, May 3, 8:30 AM: Men’s Breakfast at Bill’s Cafe, 3163 Middlefield, Palo Alto. All the men from our Church family are welcome.
  • Wednesday, May 3, 10:30 AM: Meditation Group at Eileen Conover’s home, 1075 Space Park Way #217, Mountain View.

Note from Pastor Rick (4/26/2017)

A bad head cold is not the way to celebrate the Easter season. We had a great day on Easter Sunday (and another good day last Sunday, with Pastor Gregory preaching on resurrection,) but I woke up from my Easter Sunday nap with a sore throat and went downhill from there. I am now on the mend, enough that I will be leaving tomorrow for Raleigh, NC, where I will attend the annual Convocation of the Alliance of Baptists. This is the 30th anniversary of the organization. The theme is “Embracing God’s Call to Love and Justice.” Speakers will include William Barber, head of the NC NAACP and organizer of Moral Mondays, Desmond Tutu’s daughter, Naomi, and the Baptist Archbishop from the Republic of Georgia. It promises to be a great occasion. I am looking forward to connecting with old friends and colleagues, including Daniel Pryfogle and his wife, Chris, while I’m there.

This week at FBCPA, we welcome Geoff Browning, campus minister for United Campus Christian Ministry at Stanford. UCCM is a mission of our congregation. Pastor Gregory currently serves on their board. Geoff will preach on “Our Kairos Moment” (Leviticus 25:8-17and Luke 4:16-30) and lead Adult Spiritual Formation with an update on the work of UCCM.

Come Sunday at 10 AM, to support Geoff and the good work of UCCM. Invite family, friends, colleagues, strangers – anyone and everyone – to join in worship, education, and sharing.  See you next week.

Our theme for this year is “All Are Welcome in this Place.” Let’s make certain that it is so.

Pastor Rick