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Pastors’ Column

Each week one of our pastors or staff members writes a column observing what is going on in our congregation, the Church and the world, and offering reflections on the Christian life and faith. Through this series of columns, we hope to connect your and our story to the enduring story of Christ; to offer pastoral reflections on our ongoing congregational life and mission; to report on news of the Presbyterian Church and Church universal; and to invite further reflection and deeper discipleship. We welcome your comments and suggestions. In other words, our words here are an invitation to continue the conversation.

How Do We Swim in this Much Wider River of Song?

Jeffrey Brillhart, Director of Music and Fine Arts

This week’s pastor’s column comes to us from Dr. Emily Brink, one of the world’s leading experts on congregational song. She will be with the BMPC community this coming weekend, when she leads a class at 8:45 a.m. in Congregational Hall and assists in the leading of the 10:00 a.m. HymnFest. Brink served as editor for four hymnals: Psalter Hymnal (Grand Rapids, 1987), a liturgical resource for the Christian Reformed Church; Holding in Trust: Hymns of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada (1992, co-edited with George Black and Nancy Faus); Songs for Life (1994), a children’s hymnal; Sing! A New Creation (2001), a contemporary and global hymnal supplement; and was co-editor with John D. Witvliet of The Worship Sourcebook (2004), a contemporary resource with a classical model. 

Holy Opportunities

the Rev. Kellen Smith

One of the joys of my ministry is the opportunity to empower our youth to lead. This was the model that Jesus employed with his disciples. And during this Holy Week, it's fitting that the youth of the congregation are enabled to lead one of our most sacred worship services at noon on Good Friday.

For the Love of Holy Week

the Rev. Dr. Agnes W. Norfleet

In the last couple of days, a caring church member overheard me saying that I love Holy Week, to which the response was something like, “Really?!? I would think you would find it exhausting.” 

Souper Bowl of Caring

the Rev. Dr. R. Charles Grant

“Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat.” This prayer by a youth pastor inspired a youth-led movement to help hungry and hurting people around the world.

Staff Day of Service

the Rev. Dr. Agnes W. Norfleet

The church staff enjoyed a day of service today, including the pastors, music, program, facilities and support staff. We went together on a bus this morning to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Philadelphia to do some sorting of furniture, organizing and painting.

A Signpost and Summons

the Rev. Jacqui Van Vliet

“The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.” -Isaiah 2:1

Isaiah didn’t hear the word. He saw it in powerful images. A word image, just as it did for Isaiah, can conjure up a new world of story for us to see.  For instance...

He Came Down

Jeffrey Brillhart, Director of Music and Fine Arts

This Sunday, March 23, at 10 a.m., the walls of our church will resonate with the sounds of singing, country fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, and double bass. Those of you who are familiar with this combination of musicians will immediately recognize it as a Bluegrass ensemble. What is unusual is that the folk music style known as Bluegrass is paired with sacred texts.