East Brentwood Presbyterian Church

06/17/2026

Tuesday Night Devotional: The Mathematics of Mercy
Reading: Matthew 18:21-35

When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive, he thought seven times was generous. Jesus responded with "seventy times seven"—not an arithmetic problem, but a posture. This isn't about keeping count; it's about adopting a way of moving through the world without scorekeeping, without waiting for apologies that may never come. Holding onto grievances hardens them like cancerous growths we cannot put down. The weight of unforgiveness costs us something we cannot afford to keep paying. Today, ask yourself: What receipts am I still holding? Mercy doesn't keep receipts. Real forgiveness means releasing the ledger entirely, trusting that God's justice is sufficient and His grace is enough.

06/16/2026

Meet our next speaker for The GRACE Table Presents Masculinity and Mental Health: What Helps? What Hurts? What Heals?

S. Steve Samudrala, MD, also known as “Dr. Sam,” is a board-certified family physician with more than 22 years of experience caring for patients of all ages. A graduate of Wayne State University School of Medicine, he completed his residency at University of Mississippi Medical Center and is the Founder and Medical Director of America’s Family Doctors. Dr. Sam specializes in family medicine, medically supervised weight loss, ADHD, preventive medicine, and intermittent fasting, and also serves as Medical Director of Ideal Image in Nashville. Fluent in English, Spanish, Telugu, and Hindi, he is passionate about helping patients live healthier lives. Outside of medicine, he enjoys tennis, hockey, and time with his wife and two daughters.

Contact: [email protected]

06/15/2026

Today's Musical Monday selection is "How Great Thou Art." As we continue our series on prayer and reflect on the words “Hallowed be Thy Name,” this beloved hymn reminds us that praise begins with wonder. When we pause to notice God's presence in creation, in our lives, and in the world around us, our hearts are naturally drawn toward gratitude and reverence. Jesus taught his disciples to begin prayer by honoring God's holy name, and this hymn echoes that invitation. As we prepare for worship this week, may its familiar melody help us set apart time and attention for the One who is worthy of our praise.

06/13/2026

06/13/2026

Come cool off with us at our Summer Splash Day Social! Families are invited to stay after worship for water play, snacks, and easy summer fun for all ages. There will be plenty of space to laugh, connect, and enjoy the sunshine together. Bring your sunscreen, your towels, and your summer joy!

06/13/2026

Prayer can be an abstract idea for some of us. When, where, what,
and how do we pray? And why would we do it? Cultures and religions
throughout time and space have turned to tangible objects to help
them answer these questions. In this worship series, we will explore
the ancient and cross-traditional use of prayer beads as a way to
connect with the Holy and with each other for “all our days.”

www.worshipdesignstudio.com/days

06/13/2026

New Blog Post: The Radical Practice of Being Still

There's a practice rooted in Psalm 46:10 that offers a doorway into stillness. It's beautifully simple and profoundly challenging. It begins with the full verse and then slowly, gently, lets words fall away:

Be still and know that I am God.

Be still and know that I am.

Be still and know.

Be still.

Be.

Word by word, you release everything until you arrive at the most irreducible thing: existence itself, held by God. You don't have to produce anything. You don't need eloquent words. You don't even have to know anything. You just be in the presence of the One who simply is.

Try it at the next stoplight instead of reaching for your phone. Practice it in the shower, in your car before entering the house, standing in your backyard looking at the sky. Something happens in those few breaths that can't be manufactured anywhere else—a sense of grounding, of coming home to yourself and to God...

In a world that celebrates hustle and productivity, there's a countercultural invitation echoing through the centuries: Be still and know that I am God.These words from Psalm 46 weren't spoken into a peaceful garden or a quiet monastery. They emerged from chaos—earthquakes shaking foundations, mou...

06/12/2026

We’re excited to share our Summer 2026 calendar for kids, youth, and families! Mark your calendars and join us for connection, joy, and hands‑on fun all season long.

For more information, contact Kayla at 347.635.3707 or [email protected]

We can’t wait to spend the summer with you and your family.

06/12/2026

Happy to announce our new session members, Roger Hurd and Yarnell Beatty.

Roger Hurd, with Homewood, Illinois roots built a business career in sales & sales leadership. More recently, Roger helped organizations manage culture& drive retention through global and strategic recognition solutions. Roger lives in Brentwood where his two sons Evan & Tyler also reside with their families, and family includes his mother in Smyrna, his brother and clan here locally, and his daughter Sarah in London, England. Roger loves music and theater and has directed several local community theater shows including award winning Oklahoma!, It’s a Wonderful Life, Shrek the Musical, and The Philadelphia Story. He was also President of the Souhegan Chorus in southern New Hampshire for several years. From a spiritual perspective, Roger served as a Deacon, a Trustee and an Elder primarily at the First Presbyterian Church of Itasca (Illinois), in the choir both there and also as a regular choir singer (and bells) at the Milford United Methodist Church (NH).

Yarnell Beatty has been a member of EBPC for 31 years. He has served the Church in various capacities over the years. This is his second nomination to Session, having previously served two three-year terms from the late 1990s to mid-2000s. He served two terms as Clerk of Session, moderated several ministry areas of EBPC, & taught Sunday school. In the last few years, Yarnell has concentrated efforts along with wife, Liz, to establish and grow EBPC’s Breaking the Silence & Grace Table. Outside of church, Yarnell is a community advocate for substance use recovery. A health care lawyer for 37 years, Yarnell is Senior Vice President of the Tennessee Medical Association and a registered lobbyist for the organization. In his spare time, Yarnell is a self-proclaimed “gym rat” and a crossword puzzle aficionado. His is married to wife, Liz, and they have a grown son, Matthias.