EBPC Goes to the Movies
What happens when a faith built on love, sacrifice, and forgiveness grows political tentacles, conflating power, money, and belief into hyper-nationalism? From director Dan Partland and producer Rob Reiner, GOD & COUNTRY looks at the implications of Christian Nationalism and how it distorts not only our constitutional republic, but Christianity itself.
American Symphony Screening
EBPC Goes to the Movies
As we close in on the Academy Awards, be on the lookout for some fun opportunities to enjoy fellowship, eat some popcorn, and enjoy some great films starting with American Symphony followed by a Q&A with Nate Strasser and documentary filmmaker Barb Hall. This moving documentary follows the life and career of the prolific musician, Jon Batiste. While his career swells with awards and creative projects, his wife pursues treatment for leukemia. The film explores the triumphs and turmoil of a year filled with extreme highs and lows. Throughout, viewers witness Batiste’s enduring faith and inspiring creative spirit, showing us a steadfast, heart-forward faith in the midst of a wandering journey, our theme for Lent. Stay tuned for details via Realm, ebpctn.org, and our social media!!
Faithful Families
We Make the Road By Walking, by Brian McLaren
Join us Sunday morning from 9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.(beginning February 18) for a deeper dive on bible and faith as Brian McLaren offers a brilliant retelling of the biblical story and a great reintroduction to Christian faith. Weekly readings can be read in 10-12 minutes before each session and can be quickly covered each Sunday morning making it a doable and rich study for interactive learning and personal growth. Facilitators: John and Kira Hilley and others. You will find this book a great companion for our Lent series and for your life. (Let us know if you are interested or need more information: jhilley@ebpctn.org.)
Season of Lent
This Lent, we are focusing on the life and faith of one of Jesus’ most famous disciples. In Peter, we see a person who is both steadfast and unsteady, a dear friend and a betrayer, a follower and a wanderer. In Peter, we often see ourselves. By following Peter’s journey, we watch the story of Jesus unfold through the eyes of a very normal human trying to figure it all out—just like us. Like many of us, Peter has a wandering heart. His journey is not polished, or linear, or perfect, but he is always tethered to the love of God.
During this series we will affirm that faith is a constant journey of steadfast pursuit, one that ebbs and flows. We will reflect on the stages of our own faith journeys as well as who and what has shaped us along the way. As we wander, let us tune our hearts to sing God’s grace. May we rest in streams of mercy, never ceasing.
Mardi Gras Worship Service
It is time for our Annual Mardi Gras Service with Pancake Brunch! A yearly highlight with an abbreviated worship service (10 a.m.) followed by our celebrative pancake brunch with games and music!
EBPC Visits Broadway: The Color Purple
December 2023 saw the release of the movie of the Broadway musical The Color Purple. We’re not sure what of the many themes from this movie will guide our service but we know there will be some wonderful music and communion will be celebrated. Written about the movie release in Religion Unplugged: “Few movies are as effective at bringing a worship service to life while answering why God allows bad things to happen as the 2023 remake of “A Color Purple.” The movie literally shouts for joy its praises and laments to God through its captivating musical numbers, which are as beautiful as any musical performance captured on film and blur the line between film and church, and deals explicitly with the questions it raises about how you can believe in God even though bad things happen in a deeply and explicitly Christian way.”
The Gospel According to Pixar
Pixar Animation Studios is an American computer animation studio that has produced 27 feature films. Pixar is known for finding and developing great stories and using computer animation to tell them. The Gospel (gospel means “good news”) of Jesus Christ is the great story of Jesus of Nazareth who shared the good news of God’s love for all and helped people love God and love each other. On this Sunday through word and music we explore a Pixar film to demonstrate Jesus’ Gospel truths for our lives of faith today. What could that Pixar film be? Encanto, Toy Story, Inside Out? Up? Nate, Ajene’ and John know and we are working up a great surprise.
Holiday Harmony: A Christmas Celebration
In a season characterized by joy spread through gifts given and food shared, East Brentwood Presbyterian Church is ecstatic to offer another opportunity to experience joy through the sounds of Nate’ Strasser’s Holiday Harmony, A Christmas Celebration!
Known for his musical experience in award-winning films and including I Wanna Dance With Somebody, the Whitney Houston Biopic and Netflix series Captain Fall, Nate Strasser is stoked to bring together an event that boasts in its welcoming of people from all ages and walks of life. Attendees can expect to hear a variety of their favorite, traditional Christmas songs with a few twists! When asked why he chose to remix some of our favorite carols, Nate Strasser responded, “I hope to play the familiar carols that people love and want to hear, but play in a way that breathes new life into some of our most beloved, traditional Christmas carols.”
From the East Brentwood Presbyterian Church, we’d love for you and your family to come and join us, Sunday December 17, 2023 at 4:00PM, for an experience with joy through song and music! In the words of Nate Strasser, “All ages will love the music! It will be an upbeat, joyous event that you won’t want to miss!”
Angel Tree
Join us in encouraging and spreading JOY this holiday season by:
Picking up an angel from the tree
Purchasing gifts from the family’s list
Dropping the gifts off by Dec. 3
RITI clothing drive
Room in the Inn Men’s Clothing Drive - Donations needed by November 21
Items Needed: Gently used Men’s Winter Clothing of any size, NEW underwear, NEW socks, gently used Men’s shoes
Let's Celebrate John!
We’re celebrating 10 years with Pastor John Hilley!
Join us after worship on October 29 as we recognize his decade of dedication and leadership at EBPC with an appreciation reception.
Fall Fest
EBCA Fall Fest with food trucks, children’s performers, a photo booth, and games - join hundreds of families for a joint church/preschool event.
Men's Group
Men’s Group, Wednesday, October 25
6-7:30 pm (5:30 pm pre-gathering)
Topic: Dads, How do we navigate as fathers for our sons and daughters?
Facilitator: Dan Davis of Animate Mentoring
Presbyterian Women
Join us every month for Bible study, food, and fellowship! Come and be filled.
Faithful Families: A monthly moment for growing together
A monthly Pop-Up Experience for Our Families and Young Children (Age 4 up to Middle School). Families, we want to help you get back into the rhythm of church and deepen your connections both within your family and beyond.
Once a month let this be “church” for you and your family or come to worship at 10:00 and stay for this pop-up experience. Here’s what we have in mind: church and volunteers provide healthy food bites. Then children engage in interactive experiences of “Godly play” around scripture stories, activities and songs, led by Amanda Gregg. Meanwhile, parents gather for conversation around many interaction points facilitated by Dr. Mike Gregg. Our first session will be talking and brainstorming around what is hardest for parents and places where they feel connected and fulfilled. Just think of the possibilities of future topics: “Faithful Families…At Home…in the Bible (What Can We Learn from Flawed Families in the Bible?)…When it comes to our Inner Lives/Mental Health?...to the Church?...to Other Families?”
Mike and Amanda Gregg are married and have three children and, like you, keep hectic schedules. Amanda has extensive experience in working in church and school settings with children and Mike is an ordained pastor with years of working with families and is now a therapist at the Pastoral Center for Healing that is located on our campus. Pastor John has invited them to kick off this program because he has listened to the needs and issues facing families and Mike and Amanda “see you.”
Kick-off Date: September 17th following worship. Future Dates: 10/17; 11/19; 12/17.
Nursery will be open for 0-3 year olds and middle and high school youth meet concurrently during this program.
We’ve prepared a quick survey for you to answer. (Click here. 5 questions. 3 minutes)
International Overdose Awareness Day “Reflections of Healing and Hope”
Plans are underway for what promises to be a very inspirational and informative afternoon and evening highlighting awareness around issues including substance misuse and mental health challenges.
Sunday worship
The church should be a safe space. A place that is pro-, not anti-. A place that heals and not traumatizes. We strive to be such a place as we seek to follow Jesus and be a local center of hope, love, and witness.
Blessing of the Backpacks
Blessing of the backpacks prayer is a practice of some churches to pray for students and school staff at the beginning of the school year.
Sunday Worship
Sunday, July 30, 10:00 am Onsite and Online
It’s the last Sunday of July, and for many, it is the last weekend before we go back to our routines of school, extracurriculars, and generally just getting back in the “swing of things.” So with that in mind, we thought we’d try something a little different this morning on this unofficial last Sunday of summer.
We have some terrific guest vocalists Krista Santilli and Sara Chang joining us and we’ll be bringing you a worship service rich in music on the theme of "Unity." There will be sacred music and selections from well-known Broadway shows. To be in unity with the Spirit of God is to be in unity with one’s fellow people. Scripture: I John 4:7-21
Mergence of Music and Spoken Word The American Dream: America’s Best Hope for Unity
Join Rev. John Hilley and Nate Strasser of East Brentwood Presbyterian Church whose very mission speaks of being "united in hope" as they explore this theme through word and music including pieces by Leonard Bernstein and from the acclaimed Broadway musical Ragtime. Joining Nate is vocalist Krista Santilli, who has performed nationally and internationally at venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.
Worship at EBPC
Nate and John lead us in an old fashioned hymn sing on the grounds with potluck to follow. More details coming through Realm. Here's to hoping Nate can channel the vibe of James Brown!
Worship at EBPC
Guest Preacher, The Rev. Stacy Rector
Stacy is an outstanding preacher who has visited EBPC before.
Children’s Sunday School takes place during part of the service. Pastor John is away on vacation.
Worship at EBPC
Father’s Day Focus
John Hilley, Preaching. Expect gems from the show "Ted Lasso." Children’s Sunday School takes place during part of the service.
Worship at EBPC
We celebrate our young people graduating from high school. Youth participating in service. Graduate Owen Coulam is our guest speaker. No Children’s Sunday School; children remain in the service.
Book Study group
“Bad Girls of the Bible” Book Study (Ch. 3)
Join us for fun, fellowship, and fabulous conversation as we discuss Lot’s Wife as a Bad Girl.
Worship at EBPC
Pentecost Sunday
10:00 a.m. John R. Hilley, preaching. Acts 2:1-21
Shhh Pentecost really falls on May 28th but as that is Memorial Day weekend we are celebrating the celebrating the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church which is anything but a shhh! event. Praise Band provides the music. EBPC Helping Hands project continues.