CCSM CONNECTIONS: November 6, 2024

Beloved Community,

In times of significant change and uncertainty, I am deeply grateful that we have each other. As your pastor, I want to acknowledge the range of emotions many of us are experiencing in the wake of yesterday's election results. All of these feelings are valid, and all of you, and all you are feeling, are welcome here.

Throughout history, faith communities have served as sanctuaries during challenging times - places where people could come together across their differences to find solace, strength, and hope. Today, we are called to be such a sanctuary.

Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves - all our neighbors, without exception. Jesus also modeled hopeful resistance to the systems that oppressed our neighbors, until his very last breath. Our work of caring for our neighbors is just as important as it was yesterday, and just as necessary as it would have been if the election results were different.

Each week we start our service with, “Because of who you are, and where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.” This is not just a slogan - it is our sacred commitment to one another. Each week we end the service with this blessing and charge, “You are born in love, by love, and for love.” Receive that blessing again today, and love one another as deeply as you can.

In the coming days and weeks, I invite us to:

Be gentle with ourselves and each other as we process our emotions
Listen deeply to those whose experiences and perspectives differ from our own
Draw strength from our shared values of love, justice, and compassion
Remember that our hope is rooted in the enduring love of God
Continue our vital work of caring for our community and seeking justice for all - pick one thing, and focus on that one area of action.

This Sunday, we will start our new worship series “Prayer 101” based on Anne Lamott’s book Help, Thanks, Wow. We begin with the simple prayer, “Help.” As Lamott says, “Help is the first great prayer. Help. Help us walk through this. Help us come through.” Whether you need to share your concerns, sit in silent meditation, or simply be in the presence of loving community, know that there is room for you. This is when we lean on each other.

Our sanctuary is open for meditation throughout the week, and my door is open to anyone who needs pastoral care or a listening ear during this time.

Let your light shine bright my friends. We are God's hands, feet, and face. Remember, you are not alone.

With love and hope,

Jessica

DID YOU MISS WORSHIP?

CLICK HERE for last Sunday's entire service.

CLICK HERE for Rev. Jessica,

Homily for All Saints Sunday – A Reading of "The Memory Tree"

Stewardship 2025

Thank you to all who have joined us in "Imagining Together" how God’s liberating love will work through us and with us in the season ahead!

It's not too late to make your estimate of giving for 2025. These gifts help us plan for ministry in the year ahead, and we invite you to prayerfully dream how you might be part of this work. Work like transforming our digital presence and enhancing our website, expanding our worship opportunities to include a service that is untraditional and centered on table conversations and activities for all ages, and continuing our work of building a multicultural, multi-generational beloved community that works together to care for our neighbors and each other.

We hope you’ll join us as we step into our exciting future together!

If you have any questions about the budget, please reach out to any member of the Finance Committee.

2025 Pledge

Learn More

THIS WEEK AT CCSM

Wednesday, November 6

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

7:15 - 8:45 PM — Bilingual (Spanish/English) Worship and Potluck, Kloss Hall

7:00 - 8:30 PM — Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Thursday, November 7

10:15 - 11:30 AM — Women's Coffee Group, Hillsdale Mall Food Court (contact Linda Skromme)

2:00 - 3:00 PM — Connect and Celebrate Ministry Meeting, Fireplace Room

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

6:45 - 8:45 PM — Bell Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Friday, November 8

1:30 - 3:00 PM — Bella Voce Rehearsal, Choir Room

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

Saturday, November 9

8:30 - 10:30 AM — CC Riders Weekly Bike Ride (contact Peter Held)

10:30 AM — Coffee with CC Riders, Village Hub in Woodside (3154 Woodside Road)

12:00 PM — "CCSM & You" New Member Seminar, Zoom

Sunday, November 10

9:45 - 10:15 AM — Joyful Noise, CE Building Community Room

10:30 - 11:30 AM — Worship Service - Veterans Remembrance - in person and online

10:45 - 11:30 AM — Children's Programs, CE Building

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM — Coffee Hour, Kloss Hall

12:00 AM - 2:30 PM — "CCSM & You" New Member Seminar and Lunch, Buckham Room

Monday, November 11

Church Office/Building Closed for Veterans Day

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM — Monday Women's Group, Fireplace Room

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

7:15 - 8:30 PM — Spiritual Conversations, Zoom

Tuesday, November 12

10:00 - 11:30 AM — Men’s Coffee Group, Hillsdale Mall Food Court

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

6:30 - 7:30 PM — Personnel Committee Meeting, Fireplace Room

7:15 - 8:45 PM — MSJ Monthly Meeting, Zoom

Wednesday, November 13

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

7:00 - 8:30 PM — Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

7:15 - 8:45 PM — Bilingual (Spanish/English) Worship and Potluck, Kloss Hall

View our full calendar on our website

THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP

Join us as we explore the authentic honesty and profound simplicity of prayer, beginning with the universal human cry for 'Help.' Whether you're a familiar face or seeking a welcoming spiritual home, there's a place for you here. We'd love to spend Sunday with you in person, or online, at 10:30am.

PLATE OFFERING for SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10:

Wounded Warrior Project

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a nonprofit organizations that provides programs and services to wounded veterans, their families, and their caregivers.

Make a Gift

SAMARITAN HOUSE TOUR

Thursday, November 7

9 - 10 AM

This fall, we've been fortunate to partner with Samaritan House to serve meals five days a week at our church. On Thursday, November 7, we’re invited to tour Samaritan House in San Mateo and learn more about their vital work in our community! Please RSVP to jessica@ccsm-ucc.org to secure your spot.

CCSM & YOU: NEW MEMBER SEMINAR

In Person Only: Sunday, Nov. 10, 12-2:30 PM

Maybe you’re brand-new to CCSM, or maybe you’ve been part of this community for years and are looking to take the next step. Either way, CCSM & You is a seminar designed to answer your questions about membership: what it is, why it matters, and whether CCSM is a good fit for you. You’ll learn about the United Church of Christ (our denomination), CCSM’s history, Guiding Principles, and ways to connect and serve. This is also a great opportunity to meet other new (or newish) folks, as well as long-time members.

Join us in person on November 10 (lunch included). Reach out to Rev. Jessica, jessica@ccsm-ucc.org, to learn more and RSVP.

We’re excited to walk with you as you explore this next step on your faith journey and would love CCSM to be your church home!

LOVE OFFERING FOR TRINI ROMERO

A few weeks ago Rev. Álvaro shared an update about his visit with our beloved former staff member, Trini Romero, who suffered a stroke last year. Trini continues his recovery journey with the devoted care of his wife Daisy, and while his spirit remains strong and his cognition is perfect, he has had to discontinue essential medical services due to costs and transportation challenges.

Now is our chance to support this remarkable man who served our church family with dedication. Your gift can help Trini access the medical care and therapy he needs to regain independence. We will receive donations through Sunday, November 10.

To contribute to this love offering for Trini, you can:

Click the link below
Text CCSM Trini [with the amount] to 73256 to give
Drop off a check at the church with "Trini" in the memo

Your contribution is not just a donation, it's a lifeline that can significantly improve the lives of this remarkable man and his family. Together, we can make a real difference.

Make a Gift

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11

FOR VETERANS DAY

COMING UP

A sound journey is an immersive somatic experience. Our nervous systems need to be recalibrated on a regular basis. Each experience builds on the next and supports us to be more connected to the liminal space, sharpen our intuition, and experience deep peace. Join Chuck to experience this yourself on Thursday, November 14 at 7:00 PM. Tickets $33. Register at tinyurl.com/Logos-Events

MUSIC AND ART

Friday, Nov. 15, 12-2:30 PM

Following a brief business meeting at noon in the Buckham Room, we will enjoy a musical program by Bella Voce, a vocal group led by our own Julie Berk. Remember to BYOL – bring your own lunch. Beverages and dessert are provided. Please RSVP to Genel Morgan, glmrn12@gmail.com or 650-759-7318, so we can have the correct number of tables and chairs set up as well as enough dessert!

PICK-A-PARTY SIGNUP:

Sunday, November 17, 9:45 AM in Kloss Hall

Pick-A-Party signup Sunday is November 17 at 9:45! Come with your checkbook or cash to sign up for several of the great parties and bid on our amazing auction items. If you can't be present, arrange with another member to sign up (and pay for) the parties you'd like. There will be time to sign up after the service on the 17th, but that can be risky, since smaller parties fill up fast.

ALERT! Pick-A-Party list errors create confusion. Pick up the PaP list with corrections Sunday, Nov. 10 at church or go to this link: https://tinyurl.com/PaP2024RevisedList. Corrections are shown in red.

SECOND HOUR:

END OF LIFE DISCUSSION

November 17, 12-1:30 PM

Buckham Room

Speaker: Rhyena Halpern, End of Life Doula

What if we thought about “end of life” as not only a medical event but, more importantly, a social and deeply spiritual event? Death is not only about taking care of a loved one, it’s about taking care of each other. Talking about death can bring us closer to the people we love. What’s important to us as we approach end of life? Have we made our wishes known? Is there unfinished business that needs to be addressed? Join us in deepening our learning about end of life. Lunch provided.

PIANO CONCERT

With ARTHUR TKACHENKO

November 17, 3:00 PM

CCSM’s Music Ministry invites you to attend the concert of this brilliant young pianist right here in CCSM's sanctuary. Arthur is an 18-year-old award-winning musician from Lafayette, CA who began his musical studies at age 7 on piano and spent the last two summers in the legendary Tanglewood Festival. In 2023, Arthur began studying organ with Dr. Angela Kraft Cross at CCSM. Suggested donation: $20 for adults, $10 for youth & seniors, children 10 & under free.