Presbytery of San Jose

April 1, 2025

Taizé Prayer is evening prayer for all Christian faiths. It is a simple, meditative form of worship, calling us to dwell deeply on Christ's presence around and within us. Mantra songs (like "Jesus, Remember Me"), prayerful silence, and short readings guide the focus of the prayer in a candle-lit environment. Many regular participants are not members of Stone Church, but come from the neighborhood.

Doors open 6:30pm - Service runs 6:45 - 7:30pm

April 1, 8, 15

Stone Church of Willow Glen

1937 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125

We're asking all churches and worshiping communities to pray for the host of the Unity Candle each week, including mention in their worship bulletins and pastoral prayer/congregational prayers.

San Martin Presbyterian Church celebrated their Centennial in 2004.

(Image from Gilroy Dispatch)

San Martin Presbyterian Church is the home church of Grace Presa (who plays piano during worship) and where Neal worships when not on the road. The congregation is yoked with Gilroy Presbyterian Church; Pastor Rev. Trevor Van Laar serves both congregations. Worship is at 1pm Sundays. Also notable about this tiny church is its 200+ year-old oak tree in front, monthly swap meets held first Saturdays from 8am-12noon (this week!), and potluck lunches on third Sundays, 12:00-1pm.

This extraordinary film documents facts on the ground for those living in the Holy Land. It won the Oscar for best documentary this year. Then just 22 days after winning, Hamdan Ballal, one of the filmmakers, was beaten outside his home in Masafer Yatta and abducted from within the ambulance by Israeli soldiers and settlers. He was released a day later. 

"This film made by a Palestinian-Israeli collective shows the destruction of the occupied West Bank's Masafer Yatta by Israeli soldiers and the alliance which develops between the Palestinian activist Basel and Israeli journalist Yuval.” 

This film has not found a distributor in the US to see in “main street” theaters. To see it at Westhope is an opportunity not readily available elsewhere. 

Please come and please share. All are welcome.  (Capacity is limited, so feel free to register for pre-ticketing)

There is a positive link between faith and getting better when we suffer from depression and anxiety. Several years ago, McLean hospital connected with Harvard University, studied 159 people who suffered from depression. As they entered the study, they were evaluated by how they answered this question: “How strongly do you believe in God?” The study did not ask for a particular faith group just about God. Upon discharge 71% of those who said they had a strong belief in God had a measurable increase in psychological well-being.

Being a Christian does not mean we will not get depressed just like it does not mean we won’t get the flu. But there are things we can do to help us during a depression.

1. We can keep reading our Bible even rereading stories we know well as a source of comfort.
2. We can keep praying as God is concerned about whatever we are concerned about.
3. Thank God for His word and for listening to our prayers.
4. Don’t make any major decisions…like when grieving, we need to be aware that we are not thinking as clearly as we can. And
5. Seek medical and psychological help. God made people in helping professions and even medications.

As Christians we have avenues of help that are God-given to help us get better.

If you need help, here are some channels:                             

Teaching Elders/Ministers in the Presbytery, can contact Neal Presa, Executive Presbyter and he will connect you to the Pastors Supporting Pastors (PSP) program.

As well, you can utilize your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefit through the Board of Pensions for six free 1-hour sessions with a licensed therapist and unlimited 24/7 crisis counselor phone calls. 

For anyone (clergy and anyone) experiencing suicidal ideation, you should immediately contact 988 or 911.

Blessings.

Presbytery of San Jose's Commissioned Ruling Elder Program launched today with an InfoSession/Orientation convened by Executive Presbyter Rev. Dr. Neal Presa. Find the Zoom recording here (Passcode: 8@H4L5$&.) Also see https://sanjosepby.org/commissioned-ruling-elder-policy-and-procedure

• 6 April Unity Candle is at San Martin Pres.
• 6 April, Neal preaches at Westview Pres, Watsonville
• 13 April Palm Sunday, Unity Candle is at Santa Teresa Hills Pres.
• 20 April Easter Sunday, Unity Candle is at Foothill Community Pres. and First Thai Fellowship
• 3 May N.E.A.R. Gathering, First Pres. Church of Monterey (registration link)
• 6 May Coordinating Council Meets by Zoom