Beloved Community,

Our Advent journey begins this week with, “In the time of Herod, we long for God to break in.” I hope you’ll take seriously the invitation to slow down, breathe, connect, and sit with this week’s question: What do you fear?

Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee, one of the contributors for this series writes, “This Advent, perhaps the question is not how we rid ourselves of fear. Perhaps the deeper invitation is this: Can we name our fear honestly—and still believe God is near?”

Despite the many fears we share, and the ones we personally wrestle with, I was reminded once again of the nearness of God at our Tree Lighting Festival on Sunday evening. I had my own fears going into the gathering - the collective fear we carry whenever we host events like this: Will ICE show up? Will anyone come at all? Álvaro and I stood in the kitchen that afternoon wondering, and worrying, how the evening would unfold.

But that evening, as people poured into Kloss Hall - most of whom I had never met, people from Bangladesh, Peru, Russia, and right here in San Mateo - it was a reminder of what matters most: gathering together, a blend of languages and traditions and ages, celebrating that the light of God's love is stronger when we're together. It was a glimpse of God's kin-dom breaking in.

This is what Advent invites us into, naming our fears honestly and still showing up, trusting that God is near. Insisting on hope even when we're not sure how things will unfold.

As I mentioned at the end of worship, there are several resources to help you journey through this season. I've already found the Daily Advent Calendar breath prayers to be particularly centering, especially yesterday’s:

Inhale: May your light break in. Exhale: May your love bring healing.

It might just be one I stick with throughout the entire season.

Hard copies of the devotionals and Advent calendar are available in the sanctuary (digital versions are linked in this email). We’re also happy to mail them to you, just let the church office know.

I hope you and yours are finding ways to slow down, connect, and center yourselves this advent. We would love to connect with you and be part of your journey this season, so keep reading to learn about opportunities in the weeks ahead.

In hope,

Jessica

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

What a wonderful time we had at our Bilingual Thanksgiving Potluck Service! We loved sharing delicious food, breaking bread, and expressing our gratitude together as a church family last Wednesday.

Our inagural Tree Lighting Festival was a HUGE success. We created beautiful ornaments, warmed up with chili and cocoa, and welcomed the season of hope before the festive tree lighting.

150 coats, sweaters and socks were donated to Samaritan House guests. Thanks everyone for the donations!

Click to see the countdown to the tree lighting!

THIS WEEK

Join CYF Caroling to CCSMers this SUNDAY!

Sunday, December 7th from 12-2pm

Get ready to bring the Christmas spirit! Following the service on December 7th, everyone is invited to join our kids and youth for caroling! We'll fuel up with pizza in the Community Room (CE Building), then hit the road to visit three church members and share the joy of Christmas through song. This is a fantastic opportunity for all ages to connect and make spirits bright in our community. Don't miss out! Please RSVP to Kim Rey if you're able to join us.

RVSP

Join the Holiday Bell Choir

If you’d like to ring in the season—literally!—join our Holiday Bell Choir for the 11am Christmas Eve service. Rehearsals with Dr. Ondine Young will take place in the Choir Room from 12:00–1:00pm on December 7, 14, and 21.

To learn more or let her know you’re coming, contact ondine@ccsm-ucc.org.

Peninsula Girls Chorus Concert

Sunday, December 7th from 4-5:30pm

Join the Peninsula Girls Chorus for their "Our Gift of Song" concert, featuring the Concerta and Ensemble choirs in an intimate venue. This special performance will also include guest instrumentalists, including the Pas de Quartet string quartet, to surround you with the spirit of the season. For tickets, click here.

Gingerbread House Decorating is Back

Sunday, December 7th from 5:30-6:30pm in the CE Building, 2nd Floor

Get ready for some sweet, festive fun! On Saturday, December 7th, from 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM, join us to decorate your very own gingerbread house. All ages are invited to unleash their inner architect and candy artist!

Don't miss out on this beloved holiday tradition. We'll have all the gingerbread, icing, and candy you need! Please RSVP to Rev. Jessica, so we're sure we have enough supplies.

RVSP

ADVENT WITH CCSM

Advent Devotionals, Calendar & Playlist

What Do You Fear?

Insisting on Hope This Advent

This Advent, we're partnering with Sanctified Art to explore the angels' message of good news and great joy. The series looks at the fear and terror in King Herod's time (not so different from today), and invites us to name our own fears while finding our way toward hope. Trusting the whispered reminder to "Do Not Be Afraid," we'll discover that the Good News is greater than fear. This is a resource center of spiritual practices to help guide you through the season as we journey to Christ's birth.

Weekly Devotionals and a Daily Advent Calendar are located in the Narthex on the Welcome Table, or as a digital version below.

(In order to protect Sanctified Art's work, please refrain from sharing this link or posting it on social media.)

Devotional Booklet

Advent Calendar

Advent Playlist

Sign Up for Advent Flash Text Prayers

It can be hard to remember hope, peace, love, and joy in these days. Throughout Advent, you’re invited to sign up to receive one brief prayer sent by text each day, a gentle reminder that the holy can break through at any moment.

To sign up, text JOIN to 510-488-5810.

Advent Flash Text Prayers is a ministry of Into the Wilderness, a church “pop-up” supported by Plymouth Jazz & Justice UCC. This year’s prayers are written by Rev. Penny Nixon in celebration of the 10th season.

Upcoming Advent Events

🎶Masterworks Chorale🎄Festive Family Fun (12/13 at 4pm) & Warm, Glowing & Joyful (12/14 at 4pm). For tickets and more information, click here.

🎶Music & Art Guild's Christmas Gathering 12/19 at 12pm🎄 Everyone is invited to bring a lunch and enjoy provided dessert at this festive gathering, which will feature a carol sing, accompanied by Don Harper, and a special reflection on Christmas stories by Rev. Polly Moore of College Heights UCC.

🙏Blue Christmas 12/20 at 7pm💙 If the holidays feel heavy this year, you’re not alone. On the eve of the Winter Solstice, we’ll gather for a quiet “Blue Christmas” service—a space for grief, healing, and hope.

🌟Las Posadas 12/21 5-8pm🕯️ A nine-day Mexican and Latin American Christmas tradition that commemorates the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for lodging in Bethlehem. This event brings together people from all ages, both Spanish-speaking and English-speaking. It begins with the candlelit procession around the church grounds, knocking at every "inn" door. Afterward, we will share a dinner together.

🎄Christmas Eve Services🔔 12/24

11am-12pm Traditional Service with Communion
5-6pm Bilingual Family Service
11pm-12am Candlelight Service

View Our Full Calendar

ACTION, SHARING & SERVING

☕️Coffee Hour Co-Hosting🍪 (12/28 and 2026) - Help sweeten our fellowship! We invite you to co-host Coffee Happy Hour by bringing sweet and/or savory treats to share during our post-worship connection time. To sign up for the remaining 2025 or 2026 dates, email Melodie Lew.

🎄Wish Lists🎁 (12/7 & 12/14) - This holiday season, CCSM is partnering with LifeMoves to provide essential necessities for local families and adults experiencing homelessness (First Step for Families, the Vendome). You can participate by selecting an ornament from the WISH LIST Christmas tree on the loggia after the service. Please ensure your purchased gifts—which will be basic necessities selected by Life Moves staff—are returned to CCSM by Sunday, December 14. Questions, contact: Melodie Lew or Siew Kang.

🤝Poinsettia Delivery Volunteers🎄 (12/7) - Meet Charlene Hogan on the Loggia this Sunday to choose your poinsettia recipient(s) and pick up poinsettia(s) for delivery this week. Follow the simple step-by-step instructions on the easel. This is a great opportunity to spread some Advent joy!

Annual Giving Commitment

Your annual pledge provides the essential resources that power CCSM's work—from our outreach programs to weekly worship. Your commitment isn't just a number; it is a powerful statement of confidence and hope for our future. Join us in sustaining and expanding the life and nourishment CCSM offers to all!

We have 82 households/individuals who have pledged so far, totaling $374,444 of our 2026 goal of $560,000.

Support Our Shared Dream

Make your Estimate of Giving pledge today and help invest in CCSM's ministry and mission.

🎉Sign Up for Pick-A-Vent!

We're excited to announce a new name and date for our annual party-hosting fundraiser! Formerly known as Pick-A-Party, we're rebranding to Pick-A-Vent (to broaden the scope) and shifting the sign up from November to February 22, 2026.

This popular fundraiser is all about connecting with fellow members and supporting CCSM's financial goals by hosting or attending fun, unique activities. Hosts cover the costs and set a fee for guests, and all proceeds go directly to the church.

Submit your activity or party by clicking on "Submit Events" below. If you have questions, reach out to Robert Leung or check out the "Learn More Here" info sheet.

Learn More Here

Submit Events

UPCOMING EVENTS

New Member Sunday

Sunday, December 14th

On December 14, we'll celebrate New Member Sunday - a joyful moment to officially welcome those ready to enter into covenant with CCSM.

Whether you've been worshiping with us for years or just a few months, if you've found yourself wondering, "Is this my church home?" - this is your invitation to say yes.

Membership is about covenant - choosing to journey together, share in community life, and join in the work of love and justice that flows from this place. We offer both full membership and associate membership (for those who maintain membership at another congregation).

If you're interested, please contact the church office by Tuesday, December 9.

Semi-Annual Styrofoam Recycling Day

Saturday, January 10th from 11am-1pm in the church parking lot

Save your holiday packing materials and join us for the Semi-Annual Styrofoam Recycling Program on Saturday, January 10th! You can bring Styrofoam of any size to the CCSM parking lot between 11am and 1pm, where Environmental Justice representatives will be ready to collect it for you. The styrofoam will be transported to the Newby Island Recycling facility in Milpitas and reused to make picture frames, insulation and other usable products.

Have You Downloaded the Church Center App?

Join our new Church Center Directory!

If you haven't already, download the app today and explore how easy it is to submit a prayer request, give, connect with other members, make your pledge, and see what's coming up in the life of the church.

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