Seasonal Opportunities

Women wearing masks and gloves packing food into paper bags at an outdoor table under a white canopy.
Four women chopping vegetables in a kitchen.
People browsing items at a sale event in a large indoor space with brick walls and wooden floors.
Four children sit amidst overflowing red shopping bags labeled 'Smart & Final' in a store, smiling at the camera.

Traditions

They matter.  Though we at BPC like to consider ourselves a progressive and dynamic church, we also deeply value following cherished traditions that underpin our identity.  Here are several seasonal mission projects we have long been part of that help us to reflect on who we are as a church as well as remind us to give thanks to our Creator.


Marathon of Service

THANKS = GIVING

FOOD DRIVE

A man in a blue checkered shirt and glasses hands out food or supplies to children standing in line, in a room with brick walls, likely at a community event or food distribution.

BPC’s “Thanks = Giving” food drive is arguably our most popular mission project, at least in terms of participation.  At this time of the year we collect, assemble and share food bags with those in need–to struggling families, to the homeless, to the working poor…to those who may not have an opportunity otherwise to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal at home wherever that might be. The Sunday before Thanksgiving, church attendees, young and old alike, together fill the bags with essential staples that make up a traditional holiday meal and then deliver them to several local non-profits we have long supported, who in turn distribute them to selected recipients.  We do Thanks = Giving not only so others may eat, but also so we ourselves can express our gratitude to God for the many blessings we have received.

People browsing books and items at a market stall inside a large brick building with arched windows.
A cute angel holding a star and a teddy bear, flying above a colorful town with domed buildings at night, under a starry sky.

ANGEL STORE

At Christmas, BPC hosts the Angel Store for two Sundays. Shoppers can select essential items requested by our partner ministries and receive a gift card to share with recipients. The store also features handcrafted fair-trade gifts from Ten Thousand Villages in Pasadena. Both options support those in need while celebrating the child born in Bethlehem.

SPECIAL

OFFERINGS

BPC joins together with other fellow Presbyterian congregations for three special seasonal offerings sponsored by our national denomination: One Great Hour of Sharing, Peacemaking Offering, and Christmas Joy Offering.  Half the proceeds go to specific national or global concerns of our church as a whole, while the other half we at BPC use for one of our own supported ministries.   All work to serve those most in need. For more info, go to https://specialofferings.pcusa.org/

 

For this year's Peace & Global Witness special offering, $2,143.20 was collected for the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, which will use the funds for humanitarian assistance in the war-torn areas of Palestine and Israel.  Thanks to all who gave.