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WHAT TO EXPECT THIS SUNDAY
 
This Sunday is the Baptism of the Lord Sunday and it seems only fitting to observe a baptism. This will be a unique Sunday as Andy and Christy Brown will be baptized along with their two children.  We will also be observing Communion.

Pastor John’s message this Sunday will center upon Matthew 3:13-17 with the baptism of Jesus. Picture the scene.  It is chaotic. John the Baptist has been preaching a message of repentance and people have been amassing at the Jordan River. There is a sense of a fresh start, a new beginning.  How does that relate to today?

I am thinking of the throngs of felons who will be at municipal offices across Florida this week. They have done everything that the criminal justice system asked them to do - serve time, stay out of trouble, become a member of society- and yet up to this point they have not been allowed to vote because of the blemish on their record.  However, the recent vote in Florida overturned that.  Can you imagine their eagerness for a fresh start and full inclusion?

I am also thinking of our own lives, now during the New Year, when we face far less stress than those wanting a new start in Florida, but no less important. We are looking at choices we make in the new year and practices.  We think of all the things we want to do and accomplish.  We are full of promise, and yet we know we will likely fail.  Many of us deep down think we are not worthy of what we want…whether that is love or acceptance...the list goes on. But, don’t let that bother you. This Sunday’s passage uses the words “claimed”, “pleased.” How rarely do we ourselves hear it those words. How important it is that we do and to live into this awareness.  I hope you will.


Click here to listen to past sermons and view past bulletins.
Thank You For Your Generosity in 2018!

We have good news to report! We have concluded our Stewardship campaign and have reviewed the pledges. Drrum roll, please...Thanks to the generosity of our congregation, we have something to celebrate. We finished 2018 financially strong, with some members of the congregation giving big year end gifts, which moved us to an $8,000 deficit. That means:

1)    The year end deficit, a bit more than $8K, is far better than we had anticipated.
2)    The deficit is lower in part because church members really came through as far as meeting or exceeding their pledges.
3)    Some pledges came in at the last minute, boosting the total pledged amount to over $215K, an $8K jump from last year.  It is up both in total dollars and in the number of pledges, 53, the highest number since 2013.

Overall, what this means, is that although we DO have a year-end deficit (which is something we will need to address and focus on this year), we are so very grateful for the generosity of those who have contributed to our Stewardship Fund and to those who have given throughout the year.

In fact, overall, counting pledged, non-pledged, loose offerings, donations to special offerings, and support for Music in the Grove, our congregation has donated more than a quarter million dollars in 2018.  That’s pretty impressive. Many, many thanks for helping us tell the story of our faith and of this great community!

To see a breakdown of the pledges given and the year-end notes from our Treasurer, John Philbrick, please click here.
 
Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who attended our Lunch and Learn last week as we explored what baptism and communion mean to us as Presbyterians!
Welcome to the EBPC Children's Corner! 
 
This Week in Children's Ministry
Join us this week as we hear about Jesus' baptism and rejoice in the baptism of our friends the Brown Family! Come and learn with us!

Kids' Music and Drama is back!
Music resumes this Sunday at 9:30am. Join Mr. Nate for fun new activities as we prepare new music to perform in worship!
 
Save the Dates!
  • Sunday, Feb 3: SOUPer Bowl of Caring. Start perfecting your best soup recipe for a throwdown competition! Bring canned soup, chicken or chicken broth to donate to College Grove!
  • Friday, March 8: Parents' Night Out! Let the youth group take care of the kiddos and enjoy a night on the town!
EBPC Children's Ministry Newsletter
Are you receiving our new EBPC Children's Ministry Connection E-Newsletter? Contact Lindsey if you want to be added to the weekly email.

Acolytes Needed
Is your child interested in being an Acolyte or Water Bearer in worship? Please use this link to let us know which weeks they will participate!  
 
Want to learn more about EBPC's children's ministry? Contact Lindsey Hinds-Brown, Children's Ministry Director.
Session Retreat
This Saturday

 
Our Session Members will meet this Saturday to discuss plans for 2019. Stay tuned for a report from this meeting.
Confirmation Classes Start This Sunday!

"Welcome to Luke’s House”
Bible Study
begins January 27.

You are invited to Luke’s house during these cold, wet winter months.  Join us for a Bible Study on the Gospel of Luke led by Dr. Mike Magee and Pastor John.  The lectionary covers the Gospel of Luke and introduces us to some of the characters hanging out at Luke’s house.  You will find the sick little girl of a centurion. You will find 5,000 hungry people. There are tax collectors like Levi and Zacchaeus, who are hated everywhere else, but they belong at Luke’s house. You will find a paralytic and a man with a withered hand. And of course, as we heard on Christmas Eve at Luke’s house there are shepherds. They are so poor, they have no place to lay their heads, but they are learning to sing heavenly songs. And there is Mary. And a baby. And there is room for you.

Mike, a retired doctor, will provide interesting insights on the gospel writer Luke who was a physician. John and Mike are team teaching this class which is being offered on Sunday mornings at 9am.  Come and join us and deepen your understanding of this important Gospel which will be our focus during many of the church worship services.
New online giving portal!
Check out our new and improved online giving system.  Just click "give now" at the bottom of the EBPC home page.  If you use online giving, EFT's or bank drafts for your offerings be sure to use the giving cards located in the friendship pads on Sunday to participate in the offering act of worship.  
The 2019 schedule for Sunday morning worship assistants is out.  To sign up as a liturgist, Communion server, acolyte or hospitality please click here.

For those who are interested in becoming or learning more about being a Sunday Worship Assistant assistant, we will have a training in January. We will also hold a Liturgist training on January 20 immediately following worship.

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Brian Telford or Deborah Robitaille.
New Name - Same Great Preschool!

We are proud to announce that East Brentwood Presbyterian Church Preschool is now East Brentwood Children’s Academy, and this year we will be celebrating our 20 Year Anniversary!

For 20 years, East Brentwood Presbyterian Preschool has provided children in our community with an exemplary early childhood program and has adapted to the community's changing educational needs. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary this year, the name change to East Brentwood Children’s Academy represents the next chapter in our journey to support the new needs of our community. We believe this new name will help us to continue our focus on developing the whole child - academically, emotionally and spiritually while opening new doors to broaden our services. 

Registration is now open for the 2019 - 2020 year and parents interested in EBCA can schedule a tour by phone: 615-370-4296 or by email: info@ebchildrensacademy.org. For more information about EBCA and to view our new website, please click here.  Please help us spread the word about registration through your personal and professional contacts and to new residents in your neighborhoods and companies.

We look forward to what lies ahead, and continuing to evolve our programs while maintaining our excellent early childhood education. Here's to the next 20 years and beyond!
Electronic Givers: Please use the electronic giving cards located in the friendship pads and near the sanctuary doors to participate in the offering as an act of worship.
The Congregational Care committee would like to provide a ride for seniors for various reasons like doctor’s appointments, fellowship events, etc. If interested, please let Kelly McConnell (615) 504-8634 or Kristine Vasilevskis (615) 403-5713 know a week in advance if possible.
REMINDER! We post lots of pictures, news items, links to the text of past sermons and musings on our Facebook page! Please check our page often and follow our activity as another way to keep up with all that is happening in our great community!
Copyright © 2015, East Brentwood Presbyterian Church. All rights reserved.

East Brentwood Presbyterian Church
9000 Concord Road
Brentwood TN 37027
615.370.4227

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East Brentwood Presbyterian Church · 9000 Concord Rd · Brentwood, TN 37027 · USA

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