MBPPC News & Announcements - October 1, 2026

October 4, 2026: 27^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Service Time: 10:30 a.m.

1^st Scripture Reading: Psalm 19:1-14

2^nd Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:1-14

Sermon by Rev. Andrea Chaumont: "One Thing"

Dear Friends, 

This week we will continue in the book of Philippians, with Philippians 3:1-14, but I want to use this space to say a few more things about the poem in Philippians chapter 2. Sadly, in our country, when schools are short on funding arts are usually the first thing to go. We seem to view art as peripheral to the truly important subjects, but this is not how many (perhaps wiser) cultures view art (for this sentiment and the rest of this reflection, I am indebted to N.T. Wright and his course on Philippians). 

Art, including music, expresses something that often more logical words cannot fully capture, something true about our humanity and the Divine. Paul may be quoting a poem in Philippians 2 or it may be original to him, but regardless of who wrote it, we have a poem in 3 stanzas telling the story of Jesus himself, echoing the poetry of Isaiah 40-55 and telling the story of the human being. Isaiah 40-55 is itself a great poem about Israel as the servant who is beholding another servant who will come. 

That servant is Jesus, who comes with startling humility. I invite you to memorize this great poem of the Bible, Philippians 2: 6-11 and let the art do its work on your heart. 

With joy,

Andrea

Pastor Andrea Chaumont

pastor@mtbakerchurch.org -or- achaumont@mtbakerchurch.org

Google phone number: 360-362-5274

"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching."

1 Timothy 5:17

Sunday, October 4th is World Communion Sunday

Click the image below for the World Communion Sunday Prayer

SAVE THE DATES!



With the approval of the Seattle Presbytery, the MBPPC Pastor Nominating Committee is pleased to introduce our pastoral nominee, whom we believe is called to serve as our next pastor.

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE FOLLOWING EVENTS:

*Saturday, October 17 (10AM – 12PM):

Informal coffee meet-and-greet with the

nominee.

*Sunday, October 18: The nominee will lead

worship and preach the Sunday sermon.

A congregational meeting will convene immediately following the October 18th Sunday worship service. During this meeting, we will present the nominee, share our decision criteria, host a Q&A period, and hold a membership vote. Please make every effort to attend both events.

Pastor Nominating Committee

MBPPC

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Think Pink as an expression of love, compassion, and care. Scripture reminds us to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), and awareness is one meaningful way we can do that. It is more than wearing a ribbon. It is about being informed, encouraging regular screenings and early detection, supporting those facing diagnosis and treatment, and remembering the survivors, caregivers, families, and loved ones whose lives have been touched by breast cancer.

As a church family, we believe love shows up in practical ways. Sometimes love looks like a prayer, a meal, a phone call, a ride to an appointment, a listening ear, or simply sitting beside someone who needs encouragement. Love also pays attention. It reminds the people around us that their health matters and that they do not have to walk difficult seasons alone.

This month, let every pink ribbon be more than a symbol. Let it be a reminder to pray, to learn, to support, and to love well. Think Pink MBPPC: Showing love through awareness and education.

Dear Mt Baker Park Presbyterian Church congregation and community,

Your Pastoral Nominating Committee (PNC) is delighted to send you introductory information for Benjamin (Ben) Drew as the candidate we recommend to extend a call as Mt Baker Park Presbyterian Church Pastor. We are excited for you to meet him! Please hold the following dates:

• Saturday October 17th 10am-noon. Ben and PNC Members will host a coffee & snack hour at the church in the fellowship hall. This is an optional, informal opportunity to get to know Ben. Please stop by anytime between 10am and noon to meet Ben!
• Sunday October 18th 10:30-12:30pm. Ben will lead our regular worship service and will preach. Following the service, we will facilitate a short Q&A with Ben and will then hold a congregational meeting to vote on the PNC’s recommendation to extend a formal call to Ben as Mt Baker Park Presbyterian Church’s Pastor. MBPPC’s Session will host Coffee Hour in the fellowship hall afterwards.



Ben grew up in the Chicago region of NW Indiana, born to a family of ministers and educators. He was raised in the Church and began to take hold of his faith as a teen through leadership in his local youth group and as a bass player in the Sunday worship band. These small opportunities for leadership led to his discernment of God’s call on his life as an ordained minister. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry from Indiana Wesleyan University, Ben served for six years in various church staff and pastoral roles including youth ministry in the Chicago suburbs and church planting in Portland, OR. Now, in his final semester of education at Princeton Theological Seminary, he is eager to draw upon his diverse experience in vocational and volunteer ministry as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. As a minister, Ben is passionate about knowing the people who make up a community and collaboratively discovering innovative solutions to problems. In his free time, Ben can usually be found in the woods hiking, running, or cycling, but when resting at home, he is likely mending clothes, cooking up a storm, or playing a board game with friends.

The PNC and Ben feel the Holy Spirit has led us to this partnership. The PNC unanimously voted yes for Ben’s candidacy following virtual and in person interviews, as well as a review of his statement of faith and other written responses, listening to his sermons, and conducting multiple reference checks. Through these various experiences, Ben’s values, ministry philosophy, and cooperative leadership approach stood out as strongly aligned with MBPPC’s identity and mission. Ben demonstrates a genuine commitment to compassionate community engagement, care for marginalized neighbors, and accessible, meaningful engagement with Scripture. Ben’s curiosity, reflective spirituality, and justice-oriented approach also position him as a lifelong learner and thoughtful communicator who can connect with people with diverse perspectives and foster mutual understanding. Most importantly, Ben is drawn to and energized by the very qualities that make MBPPC distinctive—its compassion, community focus, and desire to live out Christ’s call in tangible ways.

During our interactions Ben asked thoughtful questions to learn about our community, values, and history. He explored our expectations for our Pastor, and understood MBPPC’s strengths, such as our priority for service with the community, our music programs, and opportunities, such as building our congregation and youth programs. Ben has been equally reflective about God’s plan for his path and has indicated he feels called to MBPPC to use his talents and strengths to shepherd our congregation.

Ben is a graduating senior at Princeton Theological Seminary and will be completing all coursework by December 2026. The call for Ben will be conditional upon his completion of these steps. Upon being formally called to MBPPC’s Pastor role, Ben would start as a Staff Director on February 1st, 2027. In this role, Ben will lead MBPPC staff, operations, and worship, with an Ordained Pastor present to lead Session and to administer sacraments such as Communion. Following his certification by his home church in Chicago and ordination in the Seattle Presbytery, Ben will convert to the full MBPPC Pastor role.

We encourage you to attend both events on October 17 and 18. If you have questions, please reach out to Craig, Ben, Kat, Linda or Sheryl. Please reach out to Jan via email (jcarroll@mtbakerchurch.org) if you’d like a copy of Ben’s Statement of Faith or a copy of his resume in advance of October 18th.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study meets via Zoom, 9:00-10:00 AM. This group reviews the previous Sunday's scripture readings and sermon. It's a great time to get to know others and to be encouraged in your faith. To take part, email Ellen McLain for the Zoom invitation.

Men’s Bible Study meets every Wednesday via Zoom at 8:00-9:30 AM. Members select different books of the Bible to read through chapter-by-chapter. Email Howard Strickler for the Zoom invitation.

Have a favorite "recipe and/or reflection" you'd like to share?

Email it to: mbppc@mtbakerchurch.org by end of day on Wednesdays to have it published in an upcoming edition of the newsletter.