Posts by James Garcia

Last week before our Livestream recording I shared with the gathered worship team the following. My wife Milann and I are very close to Dave and Linda Doolin. As many of you know, they recently moved to Oregon. The Doolin’s arrived safely, but the moving van and all their possessions were consumed in a firestorm. Everyone on the music team at one time or another have had fellowship in their home. Dave and Linda are the ultimate hosts, welcoming every…

The hymn “How Great Thou Art” is a treasured favorite for many of us at PBCC. It’s introduction to the church in America came by way of the Billy Graham crusade in the late fifties. The themes of the hymn speak of the wonders of creation and the joys of salvation, culminating in the refrain “Then Sings My Soul”.  Those four words can have different meanings for many of us. As a worship leader and especially with the new orders…

When I was in high school I read a book called “Black Like Me”. The book is about a white journalist who temporarily has his skin darkened to experience the realities of what it was like to live a black man’s life in the segregated South. The book resonated with me recalling experiences I had as a young boy moving from a South Texas Hispanic community to the Bay Area. Looking back as a grown man, I can now see…

Many things go into the production of a Sunday LiveStream service. Most of what is seen is the product of many hours of prayer, communication (on Zoom) and work in front of a video camera. If you have followed the Message from the Pastor’s, you may remember Sharon’s write up on a few things we’ve learned in a short amount of time. The biggest being, that our God is faithful every Sunday to speak to and through His people, a message…

Many of you may remember the song, “Message in a Bottle” made popular by a band in the 80’s called The Police. It’s a song I’ve sung many times in my past profession as a working musician, so I am familiar with the lyrics. The song is written in a very poetic manner about someone crying out  – “Rescue me before I fall into despair!” In some ways the words remind me of David’s plea in psalm 56. Both writers in…

I Am Within the Psalm For many, including myself, the book of psalms has been a place of refuge. I’ve been fortunate to ride on the coattails of my friend and fellow pastor Brian Morgan, leading psalms retreats not only in our church but around the world. Although locations of these retreats constantly vary, the one thing that always remains the same in all the participants, is the discovery of God and self within the psalms. That continuing pattern is…

It is well known that I am the pastor shepherd over the music ministry at our church. I have the privilege of not only working with an incredible group of talented musicians, but also the joy of sharing life and music with them as well.  What may not be so well known is that I also work with their instruments too. With only a few exceptions, I have worked or repaired many at our church including my own. What started…

As I was preparing last week for the Easter service in my music room, I took a break to gaze out of one of my two windows. From my second story lofty view, way off in the distance, I could see the hills that I once was able to cycle in freely. It was at that moment that I felt, for the first time, an ache within me for how different things have become in a very short period. Staring…

For a musician, the term “sitting in” refers to playing on stage with a group of musicians you don’t usually play with. Depending on your mind’s focus the experience can be very rewarding or very stressful.  As we shelter in place, it wouldn’t be a far stretch to say that we all have been “sitting in” with new situations. The familiar people we normally spend most of our day with has changed, some more drastic than others.  This was never more apparent for…