News from Rev. Rich Pak

Dear Kris,

This year, Joseph Chegwidden, Haeil Kim, Owen Swanson-Smith, and Caden Yin have decided to be confirmed as full members of our church. During our confirmation classes, we deeply explored the questions that they will answer affirmatively during our Confirmation Service on May 5. These questions are:

1. Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?
2. Who is your Lord and Savior?
3. Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying His word and showing His love?
4. Will you devote yourself to the church’s teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers?

All of our confirmands shared that answering God’s call to follow Jesus is quite a serious matter and not just a ceremonial formality. They also said that their sense of belonging and welcome at Sunnyvale Pres played a large part in choosing to be confirmed. It’s my hope that confirmation is only the beginning of their wondrous journey in contributing to Jesus’ beloved community.

Peace,

Rich

Happy Birthday!

Sending happy birthday wishes to our church friends celebrating 90+ years this month!

• Ethel Hopkins
• Pat Royer
• Joan Latimer
• Barbara Frevert
• Mackey Lunsford
• Simone Yecny

Young Adult Gathering

Tonight, Friday, April 26 • 7 pm • Heath home • RSVP

Calling all Board Game Bosses! Ready to ditch the adulting for a night of laughs, friendly competition, and (of course) delicious noms? Then buckle up, because you’re invited to another Young Adults Game Night!

What to bring:

• A tasty snack to fuel yourself and share with our group
• Board games, video games, card games, or whatever you enjoy playing
• Your friendly competitive spirit!

Please RSVP if you can join us!

Volunteer Appreciation

This Sunday, April 28

Our congregation is full of amazing volunteers! You’ll find them working with our children and youth, supporting community partners through Mission & Service, facilitating Community Life & Learning programs, supporting the Caring Ministry, managing our facilities and budget, welcoming you to worship, and enriching that worship with their musical gifts or tech talents. Behind all of our ministries are people that pray. This Sunday, we’ll say “thank you” in a small way — but our gratitude is huge!

Leadership Recommendations

Nominations welcome April 28–May 26 • Online form

Would you like a say in where our congregation is heading? Have you thought about who could lead us there — or considered a leadership role yourself?

Now’s the time to act. The Nominating Committee is seeking next year’s officers and needs your recommendations. Elders are our church’s governing session, and deacons are our caregivers.

Please prayerfully consider whom you would recommend to lead our congregation as an elder, a deacon, or to serve on next year’s Nominating Committee. Fill out a Leadership Recommendation form online or pick one up in Trinity Court on Sundays or the church office during the week. We really value your input!

Grief Support Group

Sunday, May 5 • 1:30 pm

Our Grief Support Group meets on the first Sunday of the month and you are welcome to join. Our meeting time for May 5 only will be changed to 1:30 pm to accommodate the New Member class happening immediately after worship.

Vacation Bible School

June 10–14 • Register now!

Registration for Vacation Bible School 2024 is still open! Dive deep into the ocean with us as we talk about the Bible, spreading kindness, and ocean animals. VBS is for children ages 4 through entering 4th grade; older kids and youth are invited to sign up to be youth counselors. Sign up today!

Out Loud Choir

June–August • Sign up

Queer folks & allies are invited to sing with us this summer. Rehearsals will be June 13–August 15, and we’ll sing in worship on Sunday, August 18. All levels of singers welcome. Learn more or sign up to join in the fun!

Memorial for Fran Lusk

Friday, May 10 • 10 am • Sanctuary

Everyone is invited to the memorial service for Fran Lusk at 10 am on Friday, May 10. There will be a reception in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers...

Continued Prayers

• Pat Wolff — hospice
• Elsie Hasling — recovering from fall
• Maggie Burklund — healing and strength
• Joan Latimer — cancer journey
• Mildred Prasad — dementia

Grief

• Prayers for Gledy Marquez, after the passing of her brother
• Prayers for the loved ones of David Tousignant, who passed away

Movie Night

Tonight!

April 26

Choir of Bells Concert

April 27

Earth Month Challenge

April

New Friends

Brunch

April 28

History of LDS

(Mormonism)

April 28

New Member

Class

May 5

Save the date...

• Senior Zoom Coffee • May 9
• Safe Church Training • May 19
• The Music School’s Pops Concert • June 1
• Promotion Sunday • June 2
• Picnic in the Park • June 2
• Vacation Bible School • June 10–14
• CARAVAN • July 21–28

Sunday Mornings

• Bible Study • 8:30–9:30 am • Email
• Worship • 10 am • Nursery (child care) available for ages 6 months through kindergarten
• Children’s Church + STARS (3 yrs–5th grade) • 10 am • Register
• Youth Group • Times vary, check the website
• Children’s Ministry Bake Sale • 1st Sunday • After worship • Trinity Court or donate online • Supports Children’s Ministry service projects
• DipJar • 1st Sunday • Trinity Court or donate online • Supports Sunnyvale Community Services
• Grief Support Group • 1st Sunday • 1 pm (May 5 will meet at 1:30 pm) • Zoom • Email
• Prayer Stations • 2nd Sunday • After worship
• Family Meals • 2nd Sunday • 11:30 am–1 pm • Phoenix Center • Info

Wednesday Evenings

• Sunnyvale CircleSongs • 1st Wednesdays • 7 pm • Fellowship Hall
• Modern Worship Collective • 2nd & 4th Wednesdays • 6 pm meal, Fellowship Hall • 7 pm service, Sanctuary
• Evensong: Contemplative Worship • 3rd Wednesdays • 7 pm • Sanctuary

Prayer & Bible Study Groups

• Virtual Small Group for Grades 4–6 • Mondays • 6:15–7 pm • Email
• Men’s Bible Study • Tuesdays • 6:30–7:30 am • Email

Social & Support Groups

• LGBTQ+ Family and Friends Group • 1st Monday • 7 pm • Email
• Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group • 4th Tuesday • 11:30 am • Over Zoom • Call 1-800-272-3900
• Parents Together • 1st Wednesday • 9–11 am • Patio outside the gym • Info
• Support Group for Parents of Neurodiverse Kids • 2nd Wednesday • 10–11 am • Coleman Room 702 • Info • Email
• Prayer Shawl Knitters • 3rd Wednesday • 7:30–9 pm • Over Zoom • Email
• Senior Zoom Coffee • 2nd Thursday • 10:30 am • Info
• Queer Fellowship Group • Monthly get-togethers • Email

Outdoors

• Hiking Group • 2nd Saturday • 9 am • Email
• Cycling Group • Most Saturday mornings • 9 am • Email

Helpful Links

• Subscribe to e-newsletters for children, youth, and/or weekly worship focus.
• Like us on Facebook.
• Follow Sunnyvale Pres and Youth Ministry on Instagram.
• Re-read past articles in our newsletter archives.

2023–2024 Fiscal YTD Results

Mar 2024 (month 12) $ K   

Church Income...... $1,331

Church Expenses.... $1,518

Church Deficit..... $.(187)

Outreach Surplus... $..195

Combined Surplus....$....8

Fiscal year-to-date through March, the church is reporting a deficit and the outreach groups are reporting surplus. The church spending of $1,518K is offset by income of $1,331K, resulting in a church deficit of $(187)K year-to-date. The church year-to-date spending is $162K lower than the budget. 

The outreach groups (PELC and The Music School) have contributed $195K year-to-date, including $59K from The Music School and $136K from PELC. 

The combined organization is reporting a surplus of $8K year-to-date. March is the last month of our fiscal year 2023–2024.

Join us for weekly worship opportunities!

• Sundays @ 10 am — onsite or online
• Modern Worship Collective — 2nd & 4th Wednesdays @ 7 pm in the sanctuary
• Evensong: Contemplative Worship — 3rd Wednesdays @ 7 pm in the sanctuary

To join online, look for the red banner at the top of our website. Click the white button, “Join online worship & events.”