Join us for lent and easter at ebpc
March 1, 2026 East Brentwood Presbyterian Church (10:00 am)
“Tell Me Something Good!” During Lent, we’re listening for “good news” stories — the kind that break through shame, fear, and old narratives to reveal grace. This Sunday, Pastor John weaves together three such stories. One comes from Scripture: the woman with the alabaster jar who, with bold conviction, breaks open what is most precious and anoints Jesus’ feet despite the murmurs around her (Mark 14:3–9). Two others come from today’s world: a Matthew 25 story of compassion in action, and the testimony of a woman who writes about her own “breaking open of the jar,” a moment that led to healing in her relationship with her mother.
Together, these stories illuminate how grace meets us in our vulnerability and how healing begins when something in us finally opens. Communion will be celebrated.
“Tell Me Something Good!” During Lent, we’re listening for “good news” stories — the kind that break through shame, fear, and old narratives to reveal grace. This Sunday, Pastor John weaves together three such stories. One comes from Scripture: the woman with the alabaster jar who, with bold conviction, breaks open what is most precious and anoints Jesus’ feet despite the murmurs around her (Mark 14:3–9). Two others come from today’s world: a Matthew 25 story of compassion in action, and the testimony of a woman who writes about her own “breaking open of the jar,” a moment that led to healing in her relationship with her mother.
Together, these stories illuminate how grace meets us in our vulnerability and how healing begins when something in us finally opens. Communion will be celebrated.
March 8, 2026 (10:00 am)
As Jesus and his disciples head to a deserted place, perhaps seeking peace and quiet, many from the surrounding towns follow them. Instead of turning them away, Jesus expresses compassion and begins an impromptu teaching session. As the day goes on, the disciples have logistics in mind and urge Jesus to send the people back into the villages so they can feed themselves. Instead, Jesus presents them with an impossible task: “You give them something to eat.” Dumbfounded, the disciples can only fathom the limitations and financial constraints of Jesus’ suggestion. Yet when they “go and see,” their meager provisions multiply so that thousands are fed. This week we focus on building networks of collective care in order to meet people’s needs. Jesus models a way to be in community by coming together and sharing what we have, dispelling perceived impossibilities. The good news empowers us to believe in the miracles that can become possible through the power of community.
As Jesus and his disciples head to a deserted place, perhaps seeking peace and quiet, many from the surrounding towns follow them. Instead of turning them away, Jesus expresses compassion and begins an impromptu teaching session. As the day goes on, the disciples have logistics in mind and urge Jesus to send the people back into the villages so they can feed themselves. Instead, Jesus presents them with an impossible task: “You give them something to eat.” Dumbfounded, the disciples can only fathom the limitations and financial constraints of Jesus’ suggestion. Yet when they “go and see,” their meager provisions multiply so that thousands are fed. This week we focus on building networks of collective care in order to meet people’s needs. Jesus models a way to be in community by coming together and sharing what we have, dispelling perceived impossibilities. The good news empowers us to believe in the miracles that can become possible through the power of community.
March 15, 2026 (10:00 am)
In many modern contexts, it may seem sweet that Jesus welcomed little children; however, in Jesus’ setting, spending time with children would have seemed wasteful or useless. When Jesus blesses a crowd of children (after the disciples rebuke them and try to send them away), he once again reorients socially-constructed hierarchies to center the vulnerable. Throughout his ministry, Jesus emphasized the last, the least, and the lost, building upon the mandates of the Hebrew scriptures to care for the immigrant, widow, and orphan among you. Deuteronomy repeatedly reminds the Israelites, “you were once slaves in Egypt.” Their memory of oppression should impel them to provide for anyone under-resourced or cut off from the protection of a household. Similarly, Jesus uplifting children is a reminder that we were all once children and we have all been vulnerable at some point in our lives, relying on the protection and care of others. If we’re truly living out the good news, then anyone vulnerable will not only be protected from harm, but cared for so they have the chance to thrive.
In many modern contexts, it may seem sweet that Jesus welcomed little children; however, in Jesus’ setting, spending time with children would have seemed wasteful or useless. When Jesus blesses a crowd of children (after the disciples rebuke them and try to send them away), he once again reorients socially-constructed hierarchies to center the vulnerable. Throughout his ministry, Jesus emphasized the last, the least, and the lost, building upon the mandates of the Hebrew scriptures to care for the immigrant, widow, and orphan among you. Deuteronomy repeatedly reminds the Israelites, “you were once slaves in Egypt.” Their memory of oppression should impel them to provide for anyone under-resourced or cut off from the protection of a household. Similarly, Jesus uplifting children is a reminder that we were all once children and we have all been vulnerable at some point in our lives, relying on the protection and care of others. If we’re truly living out the good news, then anyone vulnerable will not only be protected from harm, but cared for so they have the chance to thrive.
March 22, 2026 (10:00 am)
As we move toward Holy Week, we acknowledge the ways Jesus’ ministry was increasingly at odds with the
religious leaders who prioritized loyalty to legality and perceived Jesus’ teachings as a threat. While Jesus is
teaching in the Temple, some scribes and Pharisees interrupt Jesus to put both him—and a woman caught
in adultery—on trial. Their questioning intensifies as they cite Mosaic Law and put the woman’s fate in Jesus’
hands. Instead of focusing on punishment, Jesus flips the script and invites each person to consider their
own sin; Jesus defuses the spectacle by condemning no one. Much of Jesus’ teachings were grounded in his
understanding of the Torah; however, many of his actions called for reinterpreting the law. As we wrestle with our own rules, we should ask, “What is the most just, merciful, and faithful interpretation?”
As we move toward Holy Week, we acknowledge the ways Jesus’ ministry was increasingly at odds with the
religious leaders who prioritized loyalty to legality and perceived Jesus’ teachings as a threat. While Jesus is
teaching in the Temple, some scribes and Pharisees interrupt Jesus to put both him—and a woman caught
in adultery—on trial. Their questioning intensifies as they cite Mosaic Law and put the woman’s fate in Jesus’
hands. Instead of focusing on punishment, Jesus flips the script and invites each person to consider their
own sin; Jesus defuses the spectacle by condemning no one. Much of Jesus’ teachings were grounded in his
understanding of the Torah; however, many of his actions called for reinterpreting the law. As we wrestle with our own rules, we should ask, “What is the most just, merciful, and faithful interpretation?”
March 29, 2026 (10:00 am) Palm Sunday
Roman triumph usually occurred during Passover week as a show of Rome’s might. The governor would have been surrounded by the wealthiest and most powerful citizens. In contrast, Jesus’ march is for the people—all the people: the hungry, the poor, the afraid. As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowd responds to Jesus’ authenticity and humility. Perhaps they can see through the pageantry of the Roman parade; in contrast, the goodness of Jesus’ leadership shines through, mobilizing the crowds to take action by throwing cloaks in the street and waving palm branches in the air. The energy is infectious, a climax moment in the grassroots movement of Jesus’ ministry. This week’s sub-theme intentionally places us in the crowd, inviting us to shout “Hosanna,” to throw our coats down, and to wave branches. What will the good news inspire us to do? How will the gospel move us? As we head into Holy Week, how will we put Jesus’ teachings into practice?
Roman triumph usually occurred during Passover week as a show of Rome’s might. The governor would have been surrounded by the wealthiest and most powerful citizens. In contrast, Jesus’ march is for the people—all the people: the hungry, the poor, the afraid. As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowd responds to Jesus’ authenticity and humility. Perhaps they can see through the pageantry of the Roman parade; in contrast, the goodness of Jesus’ leadership shines through, mobilizing the crowds to take action by throwing cloaks in the street and waving palm branches in the air. The energy is infectious, a climax moment in the grassroots movement of Jesus’ ministry. This week’s sub-theme intentionally places us in the crowd, inviting us to shout “Hosanna,” to throw our coats down, and to wave branches. What will the good news inspire us to do? How will the gospel move us? As we head into Holy Week, how will we put Jesus’ teachings into practice?
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