Thursday,

October 24, 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

• REFORMATION SUNDAY, October 27
• Sunday Studies at 9:30am
• Worship at 11:00am

• SANDWICH-MAKING MINISTRY

• MESSAGE from the PASTOR

• TRUNK or TREAT October 25

• FALL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, November 10



• NOVEMBER BOOK CLUB

• EARTH CARE MINISTRY

• ROOM in the INN MINISTRY



• CURRENT VOLUNTEER NEEDS:
• MEALS on WHEELS NEEDS VOLUNTEERS for BPC TEAM #1!
• VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to FILL OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOXES

• NEWS from the PC(USA)
• Faith of the heart: Hope for Victory in Ukraine inside a blue and yellow heart
• 'That ain't Jesus'

• BIRTHDAYS

• CALENDAR of EVENTS

• BPC Photos
• Worship Photos

Did you miss these previous articles?

• CREATION STATION

• HURRICANE HELENE ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITY from the Mid-South Presbytery

ONGOING INFORMATION LINKS:

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

DONATIONS

• BRING FOOD for the FOOD CART
• JOHNSON AUXILIARY ITEMS NEEDED
• RECYCLE YOUR TOOTHBRUSHES

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

• SIGN UP to be a WORSHIP LITURGIST!
• SIGN-UP to BRING COFFEE HOUR SNACKS!
• GIVE OUT HOSPITALITY BAGS
• MAKE SANDWICHES and/or SERVE LUNCH at the SOUP KITCHEN @ 1st PRES
• DISTRIBUTE FOOD at COLONIAL PARK

Sunday

October 27, 2024

FALL SUNDAY STUDIES

9:30am in Classroom A

Peaceful Neighbor:

Discovering the Countercultural Mister Rogers

by Michael Long.

WORSHIP

at 11:00am

Scriptures: Psalm 126 & 1 Peter 2:4-10

Sermon: "Priesthood of Believers"

Rev. Mark Howland

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

Link to Sunday's Bulletin

Link to Sunday's Worship on YouTube

Previous Worship Services at Balmoral are also still available on the 

Balmoral YouTube channel 

SANDWICH-MAKING MINISTRY

Sunday, October 27

after Worship

Join us to make sandwiches for the Soup Kitchen at 1st Presbyterian at our new date/time after Worship this Sunday!

For those of us in the Reformed tradition, and Protestants in general, one of the most significant dates in our church history is October 31, 1517. This is the date when Martin Luther nailed a document listing 95 concerns about the Roman Catholic Church to the door of Wittenberg Castle Church. Luther chose this date because the next day was All Saints Day which is a mandatory day of worship in the Roman Catholic Church. Luther understood maximizing exposure. His actions would put into motion a movement that had been brewing in many different locations for years. Eventually, Luther would be excommunicated and all those who supported his attempts at reforming the church would experience the same fate.

The Presbyterian Church traces its heritage back to John Knox of Scotland. Knox had been influenced by many church reform leaders who were contemporaries of Martin Luther or learned from his writings. John Knox actually spent some unplanned time in Geneva which was the city and church under the leadership of John Calvin. Calvin's views and reforms impacted Knox who when he returned to Scotland, used these as a basis for the documents which established the Church of Scotland. When members of the Church of Scotland came to the colonies which would become the United States, they established what is now the Presbyterian Church.

This Sunday, we acknowledge this heritage as we celebrate Reformation Sunday, the Sunday before and closest to October 31. Our expression of the church of Jesus Christ, emphasizes the importance of always reforming as the Spirit reveals new understandings and we strive to increase our faithfulness in following the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. We will be lifting up one of Luther's essential tenets which has become an essential tenet of the reformed faith...the priesthood of all believers.

Come to worship on Sunday as we give thanks for church leaders who over the centuries have called the Church to account. Come considering how the Church is called to be reformed today.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

This Friday, October 25, is SEED’s annual TRUNK OR TREAT in the Balmoral parking lot. There will be lots of kids, costumes, treats, and decorations. 

You can join in, too. Here’s what to do:

Let us know so that we can get you a reserved parking spot; shoot an email to Mary Schmitz at maryschmitz4196@gmail.com or text 901-469-2799. 

Bring some sweet treats for the trick-or-treaters, open the trunk of your car, and add your favorite Halloween decorations. 

Enjoy.

TRUNK OR TREAT lasts from 5:45 - 7:00 pm. Participating cars should arrive at 5:15 to get ready. 

It’s not always easy to end the week with a Friday night function, but this one is easy, colorful, sweet and wholesome. SEED kids are joined by their teachers and family members for a good time. You’ll be glad you’ve joined in. 

Can't decorate the car and give out treats???

Stop by anyway just to see the fun (with or without the kids or grandkids in tow!)

FALL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

Sunday, November 10

The Session has called the fall congregational meeting for Sunday, November 10 following worship. The purpose of this meeting is to elect the 2027 Class of Ruling Elders to serve on Session and to approve the 2025 Pastor Compensation. The nominating committee will be placing the names of these individuals before the congregation: Eli Gurlen, Dee McGuire, and Robin VanNortwick. Nominations from the floor may also occur. The 2025 budget which was approved by the Session on October 20 will also be available for information to the congregation. No other business may be considered at this meeting.

BOOK CLUB

November 12, 1:30pm

at the home of Jane Schneider,

8487 Lofton Cove, Cordova

We will not focus on one book for November, but will each share the name and word about a favorite book we have read (on our own - not through book club) over the last one or two years. Or it could be a book you intend to read and would like our book club to read. From our discussion, we will be able to come up with some good books for 2025. 

EARTH CARE MINISTRY

As announced Sunday, Balmoral is in the process of becoming an Earth Care Congregation through the PCUSA.



Earth Care Congregations are congregations that have committed to the “Earth Care Pledge” and accomplished a specific number of actions toward caring for God’s earth in 4 categories: worship, education, facilities, and outreach. Congregations earning 25 points in each of the 4 categories (total of 100) will be certified as Earth Care

Congregations and receive various honors, including a certificate, notification of the presbytery, and resources for the library. Congregation members will also be invited to participate as individuals by completing similar actions in their homes. Each year the certification can be renewed with 50 points in either continued or new activities. The application period is from Jan 1-Feb 15.

The members of Balmoral’s Earth Care team are Karen Pilkington, Mary Schmitz, Nancy Jordan, Erich Schulz, Janice Hill, and Leiza Collins.

Check out the new Earth Care bulletin board in the hallway which includes the Earth Care Pledge, overviews of several books available for check-out, and a recycling tip each month to practice at home. When the audit of actions taken is completed the results will be posted as well. For further information visit:

https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/environment/earth-care-congregations

EARTH CARE TIP FOR OCTOBER: Drug Disposal/Recycle

The Germantown Police Department is partnering with the DEA to collect unwanted prescription drugs Oct. 26, 10 AM-2 PM at Kroger Germantown, 7735 Farmington Blvd. Only pills and patches can be accepted; no aerosol inhalers, liquids, needles or sharps. Drive up to the curb by the GPD tent and drop off unwanted prescriptions without getting out of your vehicle. Service is free. If you can’t make this, CVS also has collection for discarded drugs.

A service called MediCircle in Texas will accept and donate to patients in need, certain medications, including some cancer drugs. These cannot be in the orange vials. Enter the medicines you have, they will tell you if they can accept them, and they send a prepaid box to ship them.

https://www.medicirclerx.com/

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for BPC MEALS on WHEELS TEAM #1

Our MIFA Meals-On-Wheels team delivering meals to seniors is seeking one more volunteer to ride/deliver once a month on the Balmoral #1 route. Please contact Art Hall or Mary Schmitz. 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

to HELP FILL SHOEBOXES for

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

The Tuesday Small Group is sponsoring a church-wide opportunity to fill shoeboxes filled with fun for children around the world for Christmas. Join us to fill boxes on November 2 & 3 in the Fellowship area outside the kitchen; or fill your own at home or donate items for the boxes or money for shipping. For more information about the various ways you can participate, contact Glenda Ellis.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization, whose mission is to provide local partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ. These simple gifts are shipped outside the United States to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease.

Shoebox gifts demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. By partnering with the local church worldwide, each shoebox gift is a powerful tool for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Operation Christmas Child is not intended as a solution for meeting physical needs, but rather a strategy for the local church to meet spiritual needs of children in their communities. The unexpected gift delights and sparks hope in the life of a child as they hear of Jesus’ love for them.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD, visit their website at: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child

NEWS from the PC(USA)



USE the BUTTON HERE FOR MORE NEWS from PC(USA) :

Eleanor Thomas (29); Fran Addicott (31); Bill Thomas (31)

Becky DeLoach (2);

Elaine Brown (4);

Linda Warren (5);

Mary Denike (12);

Sharon Blackwelder (14);

Eli Gurlen (16);

Kristen Gurlen (17);

Amelia Lucas (21)

CALENDAR of EVENTS

REGULARLY SCHEDULED EVENTS

Want to know what days certain groups or events meet? Or what groups may not meet during the Summer? Check out the current regular events calendar! Click the picture here -->

UPCOMING EVENTS

Erich Shultz, Liturgist

Rev. Mark Howland

Musical Offering

Karen Pilkington introduces the Earth Care Ministry

DID YOU MISS THESE

PREVIOUS ARTICLES?

CREATION STATION

Balmoral Presbyterian Church loves children to be a part of our worship service. We invite parents, grandparents, and families to allow children to be in our Creation Station which is located on the back wall of the sanctuary on the window-side. All that we ask is that a responsible adult sit in the back row in front of the Creation station in case a need arises. The children will also be invited to come forward when Pastor Mark has the Children's Message during the service.

HURRICANE HELENE ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITY

from the Mid-South Presbytery:

Dear Friends,

Our prayers are with our friends in Christ in east Tennessee and western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. In addition to our prayers, there are a number of physical things that are greatly needed in the heartbreaking aftermath of Hurricane Helene. One item that is in short supply are these flood clean up buckets. The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Program (PDA) has deployed over 3,000 buckets as part of the flood response and has less than 1,000 left in reserve. These buckets are easy to assemble and are an excellent way for congregations of all sizes and ages to participate. We are encouraging our churches to participate in collecting and assembling these flood buckets. If your congregation cannot physically assemble these buckets, they can still participate by donating funds. 

You do not need to mail these buckets or kits. We will collect the buckets at the Presbytery office in Memphis (449 Patterson Avenue) and then deliver them directly to Ferncliff. Before delivering the buckets, please contact the Presbytery office (901) 324-7701 or email midsouthp@gmail.com to make delivery arrangements. In addition, if you are interested, here is the website with more information on the buckets. 

Thank you so much for participating in this much-needed project.

-Presbytery of the Mid-South

Balmoral Presbyterian Church's Outreach Team is encouraging our congregation to be part of this effort. The Outreach Team is accepting completed buckets or donations to make completed buckets. Bring buckets or donations to the church building and team members with get them to the Presbytery office. For more information, contact Scott Dawson at (901) 849-1685 or Pastor Mark.

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)    

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES!

FOOD CART

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

JOHNSON AUXILIARY

Items needed at Region One for patients and their families.

RECYCLING

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

SUNDAY LITURGIST

Sign up to join Mark at the podium as a Liturgist

SIGN-UP to BRING COFFEE_TIME SNACKS

For goodies with your coffee.

SUPPORT the HOSPITALITY BAGS PROGRAM

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

VOLUNTEER for the SOUP KITCHEN

Make sandwiches and/or serve lunch at 1st Presbyterian

PASS OUT FOOD at COLONIAL PARK

Food from the MidSouth Food Bank distribution location

• 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.