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WHAT TO EXPECT THIS SUNDAY
 
This Sunday we will hear the well-known story of the wedding in Cana. This wedding is memorable because of the great blessing that Jesus delivers.   You know what happens with this story: Jesus turns the water into wine. Turned six pots of water into wine. What a guy to have at a party, this Jesus.

This story is more than a memorable story of what happened when Jesus looked into the empty pots.  We all know about the anxiety that arises when we look into whatever the “empty pot” symbolizes in our life -- energy, relationships, faith.

In Jesus changing the water into wine, Jesus himself comes to us as the new wine that will satisfy our anxiety and our fears of not “enough”  --- of not being enough…of not having enough. The issue of “not having enough” drives our consumption, feeds our anxieties, crimps our faith, and shrinks our ability to care.
Join us as we celebrate Communion. I hope that we can leave here with the blessing that happened in Cana – the blessing that Jesus is offering more satisfying refreshment or more than empty promises; that Jesus is offering  …extravagance, abundance.

The weather is looking precarious for this week. We've updated our inclement weather policy. You can view that here. If the weather is dicey on Sunday, we will provide a virtual service with music from Nate, reflections from John and readings you can review from this week's bulletin. However, if the weather is nice, then we will be here. Stay tuned to our website (www.ebpctn.org),  email communications and our facebook for weather updates.

This Sunday, the music will be led by Nate and the choir. Nate will provide something music around MLK Day and the choir will bring forth the beautiful choir anthem “A Morning Prayer” by Mary Kay Beall. Come for some hymn favorites and some improvisations by Nate. Hope to see you there! 


Click here to listen to past sermons and view past bulletins.
Confirmation Classes Have Begun!

Last Sunday, our confirmands took the first step to becoming full members of the church (see picture of the class below). It was a special day for all involved in the class and for our congregation to witness. The day included a special song written by Nate for this occasion (you can listen to the song here and read the lyrics in one of the links below) and a message from Kevin McGuire (a current youth group attendee who was is now confirmed; you can read this message below). Many thanks to all you attended...we hope you will support our youth as they continue their faith journey!

Message from Kevin McGuire to confirmands:
I was confirmed back in 2015. I remember the experience itself being pretty fun and also really helped me understand the church beliefs and tradition. A big part of being confirmed was my mentor, Yarnell Beatty, who not only helped teach me about being a part of the church but also created a personal relationship and inspires me to lead by example and put others first. Yarnell became my connection into becoming a bigger part of the church. The biggest take away from confirmation to me was it was time for me to take a larger role in the church. Confirmation is the cornerstone of establishing a strong group of young members. Last week I was installed as a youth elder on the church session and I look forward to taking more responsibility in our community and using what I’ve learned from the elders before me. For those who aspire to contribute to the church, confirmation is your opportunity to truly find your place here and commit to us as we commit to you.

Link to a video of the song, We will Endure, written by Nate for this occasion and performed last Sunday. Click on the first post on the Facebook page. Many thanks to Paul Rein for capturing this special moment!
Link to the lyrics of We Will Endure.
 
Mark your calendars and make plans to join us Sunday, Feb. 3 for our SOUPer Bowl of Caring! Read below for details about this fun. 

The Souper Bowl of Caring utilizes Super Bowl weekend to mobilize young people to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities.  Its’ vision is to transform Super Bowl weekend (the first weekend of February) into America’s largest youth-led weekend of  giving and serving. See more details below:
  • Souper Bowl of Caring will be held after church service 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  • Please bring a crockpot of your favorite soup to share. Everyone is encouraged to vote for their favorite soup. Special prize will be given to the winner.
  • Please bring shelf-stable donations for College Grove Food Pantry. Possible items include: cans of soup, cans of chicken, cans of broth, cans of corn or beans or other ingredients to help make soup.
  • We are also asking for a donation of $5 (or more) per person for this fun event. Proceeds will go into a scholarship fund at church.
  • Bread, drinks and desserts will be supplied
Welcome to the EBPC Children's Corner! 
 
This Week in Children's Ministry
Join us this week as we celebrate all the ways Jesus surprises us and turns our sadness into happiness! Create some surprising art with all your EBPC friends this Sunday as we learn about God's big story of love.

Kids' Music and Drama is back!
Join us upstairs this Sunday at 9:30am as we compose our own unique song for Palm Sunday with Mr. Nate!
 
Save the Dates!
  • THIS SUNDAY: Young Families Feast Group will meet after worship at the Cool Springs Brewery for food, fun, and fellowship!
  • 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! Suggested lunch donation of $5 per person. Proceeds go to our EBPC scholarship fund!
  • 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.
If there is inclement weather on Sunday, please check you email and Facebook for announcements on whether we will have worship in our physical building or a virtual service. You can find our inclement weather policy here.
Help the Youth Group and Make Someone Very Happy This Valentine's Day!

The bear in the picture above (that our lovely Kelly is proudly sitting with) is up for auction to the highest bidder. The money will go to a scholarship fund we have created to help pay for members of our youth group to attend a Youth Group Mission Trip to St. Louis later this year. All you have to do is send your name and bid to Kelly. The winner will be announced this Sunday so get your bid in by Saturday at midnight. Good luck and happy bidding!
Learn more about our new Bible Study series: Welcome to Luke's House.

"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.  

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.  

We'll have coffee and muffins so you can head right out the door and meet us for this exciting series. And although this series happens every Sunday, you don't have to attend every one to participate (although we think you might want to!).
 
Session Retreat Success!
 
We had a very productive Session Retreat last Saturday. We are compiling our notes and action items for the year, and will share those with you soon. Please stay tuned for our report and plans for 2019!
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.
Preschool News

Save the Date!
The preschool's annual Art Walk is February 7. We encourage all preschool families and church members to come out for this fun evening supporting our preschool!

Chapel News:
This week in Chapel the 2's and 3's met a special stuffed animal visitor named Moozie the cow. We listened to a book on CD titled Moozie's Kind Adventure, which told the story of how Moozie rescued three ducklings from a stampede of cattle. The lesson was helping those in need. In the 4's we read the next chapter in The Treasure Tree book. Ask your child about Chewy the beaver getting stuck in a clam and how Giggles the otter saved the day! Next week is Group Chapel. If your child would like to participate in the offering, please send a handmade Winter-themed card on white or blue paper on your child's Chapel day (Tuesday or Wednesday) signed with your child's first name only. Ideas: snowflakes, snowmen, owls, penguins, polar bears, birds, foxes, rabbits. The cards will be distributed to seniors living in assisted care facilities in our community.

Reminder:
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.
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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