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OUR MISSION: We are an open community who believes God is love
and who lives our belief through praise and service.
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mailing address: Balmoral Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 17309, Memphis, TN 38187
WEBSITE: www.balmoralpc.com
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NEWS THIS WEEK
- WORSHIP SUNDAY, May 26, Sunday Studies at 9:30am Worship at 11:00am
- RECENT SCAM TEXTS & EMAILS
- SOUP KITCHEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
- SANDWICH PROJECT TIME - JOIN US THIS Thursday, May 23!
- LET'S JOIN the PARADE! June 1
- CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATE ELI GURLEN
- THANK YOU from the HOSPITALITY HUB
- BPC Photos
- Worship Photos
- Community Picnic
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WEEKLY INFORMATION
- Birthdays
- Calendar of Events
- CONTACT INFORMATION
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
DONATIONS
- BRING FOOD for the FOOD CART
- Johnson Auxiliary Donations
- Recycle 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
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Holy Trinity Sunday
May 26, 2024
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WORSHIP SERVICE 11:00am
Scriptures: Isaiah 6:1-8
& John 3:1-17
Sermon: Sent with a Message
Rev. Mark Howland
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Spring Studies
9:30am in Classroom A
This will be the last class until Fall.
LEADERS: Mary Schmitz & Beverly Hooker
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Can't attend Worship in person?
Join us online LIVE!
We will still send an email on FRIDAY with the LiveStream YouTube link
& Sunday Worship Guide.
Previous Worship Services at Balmoral are also still available on the
Balmoral YouTube channel
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What does it mean to be sent into the world with a message?
As Presbyterians, we have made statements regarding what this may mean. First, we believe in the priesthood of all believers. This principle of our Reformed faith is understood to mean that there are no special rights or status within Christ's Church; all share in the work and the purpose of the Church. This means that we all share in the responsibility of sharing Christ's message with the world. The call upon each of us is to go and share what Jesus has taught us with all people (refer to Matthew 28:19-20).
Another belief that we share in our Reformed tradition as Presbyterians is the understanding that each person has a vocation. The Spirit has equipped us with talents and guided us to grow our skills in order to be of service to humanity and in the name of the Lord. These talents and skills are unique to each individual and they are how we share the message of Christ with the world. In our employment, our leisure activities, our interactions with others, we are to share the message by fulfilling our vocation based on the gifts received through the Spirit.
On May 12, I shared with you during my message that we are not to be removed from the world but are intended to be in the world. This week we will take that concept a bit farther as we explore being sent into the world. I encourage you to consider how you have been sent and what the message you are to take with you into the world.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark
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RECENT TEXT & EMAIL SCAMS | |
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We have recently had several text and email messages to our members that are supposedly from Pastor Mark or from another BPC members that are SCAMS. We have sent out a warning email each time we have learned of one, and we are not alone! Churches and businesses all over the country are being targeted.
Why is This Happening?
Scammers send these fake text or email messages to trick you into giving them your personal information (called "Phishing" if it's an email or "smishing" if it's a text message) — things like your password, account number, or Social Security number. If they get that information, they could gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they may ask you to send a copy of our Church Directory, which they can use to contact others OR could sell your information to other scammers.
Some of these messages may be looking for money (another form of phishing or smishing and sometimes called "Whaling"). Other messages might even install harmful "malware" on your phone or computer that steals your personal or financial information without you realizing it.
How Can You Identify That It’s a Scam?
Scammers often impersonate pastors in texts and emails to ask for gift cards for fake charitable causes or for a friend of the pastor. The phone numbers will be the wrong number or the emails may include the Pastor Mark or Elizabeth's name and an ALMOST legitimate-looking email address, but there are some red flags to look out for:
- The email address isn't the one normally used by the church (but look closely! One we had misspelled Balmoral!)
- The service provider is different (often from a gmail account, but not always)
- The message may begin with a simple "Hi," but may also include your name!
The imposter may ask you to buy a popular gift card, such as iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon. Or just simply ask you to let reply.
Our recent phone texts and emails supposedly from Mark have indicated that he needs your assistance but is "in a meeting" so please reply to the text or the email you received.
NOTE THAT MARK will NEVER contact you from a meeting and ask you to reply - he will call you or ask you to call him instead! Nor will he EVER ask you for assistance for a friend or for money!
What Can You Do to Avoid Getting Scammed?
Here are some tips to avoid being tricked by a these attacks:
- Add Pastor Mark and Elizabeth's phone numbers, plus any member's number that you call frequently, in your phone's CONTACT list. That way, if it really is one of those people, their name will appear on the screen (a bogus phone call/text will show the number instead!)
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NEVER send out a Church Directory list unless you are SURE it's from the person you know - if in doubt, contact Kathy Singleton or Mark. Note that emails can have a name you know BUT have a bogus email address, even if your email Contact list has that info correctly - so ALWAYS send directories out using YOUR contact list, NOT by replying to the email you received!
- Verify the "from" email address from any email soliciting money or soliciting information or about any other "suspicious activity" on your account or about a supposed VenMo or PenPal amount due that isn't yours.
- Don't reply to any suspicious email or text - call Mark or the church office instead if it's from Mark! If it's from a business, go to your account directly by calling or on their website.
Also note:
You can't get hacked by simply replying to a text. However, engaging with a hacker in any way will make it more likely that you get hacked. They'll find a way to fool you and make you click a link, which is what leads to you getting hacked.
And simply opening a text message is generally safe; it's the actions that may follow, like clicking a malicious link or downloading a malicious attachment, that can introduce a virus or malware to your device.
For more information about text and email scams, go to the FTC website at https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages
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IT'S SANDWICH TIME!
Join us Thursday May 23, 10:30am in Classroom A
to make SANDWICHES for the Soup Kitchen!
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SOUP KITCHEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! | |
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It’s Balmoral’s turn at the Soup Kitchen at First Presbyterian, Sunday,
June 9th, after worship!
We’ll carpool from the BPC parking lot after worship and eat at 1st Pres.
Contact Scott Dawson to join us!
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LET'S JOIN the PARADE!
June 1, 2024
11:00am
Memphis Pride Festival and Parade
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The Session has chosen to have an entry in the MidSouth Pride Festival Parade on Saturday, June 1. We need individuals who are willing to walk in the parade, which is approximately a 5-6 block walk and then the same in return. There may also be one vehicle in our entry which would allow those who are not able to walk to still participate. Please sign up either by contacting the church office or by placing your name on the sign up sheet which is on the little round table in the narthex. | |
The annual Memphis Pride Parade draws a massive audience and offers a production like no other. The Parade Steps off at 4th and Beale and makes its way through the historic Beale Street Entertainment District. The procession features over 110 units with 2,500+ participants of all ages and backgrounds including church groups, performing arts groups, museums, high school & college groups, senior groups, non-profit organizations, city & county leaders, local businesses, and corporate brands. | |
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Eli Gurlen's high school graduation was this week.
Congratulations to Eli and to his proud parents Kristen & Cliff Gurlen!
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BOOK CLUB
Tuesday June 11
1:30 pm
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For our next meeting on Tuesday, June 11, we will be reading
Because of Winn-Dixie
by Kate Camillo
It is a heartwarming story about a 10-year-old girI who goes to buy groceries and comes home with a big, ugly dog. This awarding-winning, classic children's novel is appealing to all ages. Our meeting will be at Jane Schneider's house, 8487 Loften Cv., Cordova, TN 38018 and will be led by Jane.
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from the Hospitality Hub
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The Session, led by Rev. Mark Howland, spent two cold, wet days in early February on Retreat, praying, studying and sharing thoughts, fears and dreams for Balmoral. We sought to discern how God is calling us to be a stronger community of faith led by the Spirit to serve one another, our community and the marginalized near and far.
More than a dozen ideas sprang up, but Session discerned that all flowed up to three overriding goals for 2024 that will help Balmoral advance in our journey with God.
- Create a long-term buildings/grounds plan
- Identify solutions to meet the needs for the underserved
- Broadcast our story
The exciting news is that the people of Balmoral have already made important steps towards each of these goals. You will be hearing more about them, and how you can help each of them to happen, in the near future.
Janice Hill, Clerk of Session
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There's still time to donate
for the Pentecost Offering
A gift to the Pentecost Offering helps the church encourage, develop, and support its young people, and also address the needs of at-risk children.
When we all give a little, it does a lot!
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FOOD CART
Bring items for the Food Cart weekly - keep the cart full!
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JOHNSON AUXILIARY
Items needed at Region One for patients and their families.
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RECYCLING
Toothbrushes, Toothpaste tubes etc can be recycled.
Cardboard recycling is also available
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SUNDAY LITURGIST
Sign up to join Mark at the podium
as a Liturgist
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SIGN-UP to BRING COFFEE_TIME SNACKS
For goodies with your coffee.
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SUPPORT the HOSPITALITY BAGS PROGRAM
Make donations and/or pass out bags to those in need
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VOLUNTEER for the
SOUP KITCHEN
Make sandwiches and/or serve lunch at 1st Presbyterian
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PASS OUT FOOD
at COLONIAL PARK
Food from the MidSouth Food Bank distribution location
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BIRTHDAYS
Clinton Bailey (23); Casey Gurlen (26); Janet Smith (26); Shirley Vosburg (29); Phil Shannon (30); Noah Mercer (31)
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BPC OFFICE HOURS
Monday thru Thursday
10AM - 3PM
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Thursday, May 23, 2024
10:30am SANDWICH PROJECT in Classroom A
Sunday, May 26, 2024
Sunday Studies at 9:30am in Classroom A
10:30am Choir rehearses in the Sanctuary
11:00 AM BPC Worship in the Sanctuary & LiveStream on YouTube
Saturday, June 1, 2024
11:00 am MidSouth PRIDE FESTIVAL PARADE
Sunday, June 2, 2024
10:30am Choir rehearses in the Sanctuary
11:00 AM BPC Worship & Communion in the Sanctuary & LiveStream on YouTube
(NO Sunday Studies until Fall)
Sunday, June 9, 2024
10:30am Choir rehearses in the Sanctuary
11:00 AM BPC Worship in the Sanctuary & LiveStream on YouTube
12:30pm Lunch with Mark in Classroom A
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
1:30pm Book Club at the home of Jane Schneider, 8487 Loften Cv., Cordova, TN 38018
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May 19
Pentecost & Senior Recognition
Sunday Worship
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Musical Offering
Leiza Collins, pianist; director Ben Legett | |
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Pastor Contact: Rev. Mark Howland
515-988-5183 or email pastormark@balmoralpc.com
(Mark is usually in his office Mondays & Wednesdays 9:00-noon for drop-ins)
Pastoral Care is supplied by Pastor Associate
Rev. Elizabeth Dick (314.330.0506
or email elizabethdick2@gmail.com)
Session members are your primary contact for ongoing communication. Here's the current contact list:
Paul Below............. (319) 540-4363 ............... pbelow84@gmail.com
Barry Dotson .......... (901) 277-1596 ............... barry.dotson@yahoo.com
Art Hall .................... (901) 832-5728 ............... arthall0225@gmail.com
Janice Hill ............... (901) 826-9747 ................ janicehill81@gmail.com
Beverly Hooker.........(901) 496-1241 ................ bev.h@earthlink.net
Karen Pilkington......(901) 262-5810 ............karenlpilkington@gmail.com
Mary Schmitz .......... (901) 496-2799 .......... Maryschmitz4196@gmail.com
Erich Shultz .............(901) 268-4951 ...................emshultz@bellsouth.net
Linda Warren...........(901) 573-2654.............emighwarren1947@gmail.com
(NOTE: Many of these Session members work during the day, so you may want to text them or email them. Keep in mind that ANY Balmoral member who is healthy will most likely be happy to help you in case of need as well!)
To contact other members, the most-current contact information is available by requesting a copy of the BPC PHONE DIRECTORY from Kathy Singleton by email ksingle2@bellsouth.net or by phone or text to (901) 734-7193.
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- Newsletter Articles & Photos should be emailed to Kathy Singleton at ksingle2@bellsouth.net no later than Monday at noon for the week you want the article in the news.
- Bulletin Information should be emailed to Kathy Singleton, no later than Monday noon the week before the Sunday you want the information to appear.
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Prayer Concerns should be submitted via email to Rev. Elizabeth Dick (elizabethdick2@gmail.com) and to Rev. Mark Howland (pastormark@balmoralpc.com) with a copy to Kathy Singleton at ksingle2@bellsouth.net.
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May 2024
online church calendar
Click HERE for the BPC Calendar
The calendar will take a few seconds to load and, once it opens, you will see the month that we are currently in. To see the next month's calendar, click on the arrow pointing down - it is just to the right of the name of the month. Once you click on that arrow, an icon will appear with all the months of the year listed. Click on the month that you want to see. To see a specific date, click on the number of the day you would like to see. The entire current calendar is available to you.
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