Connecting Beyond Christmas

“...the Word became flesh and lived among us...”

Dear Kris,

Our Advent waiting and preparing are done. So are the big celebrations of Christmas. As we close out an eventful and conflict-ridden year, looking ahead to yet more uncertainty, you might be asking, “What does Christmas mean in the face of all of this?”

The heart of the Christmas story is that God comes to live among God’s people, to share all of life’s ups and downs with us. Our sincere hope is that that experience comes to life for you in our Sunnyvale Pres community throughout the year. 

Especially during hard and confusing times, we’re meant to be the presence of Christ — God with us — to one another. We’re grateful for the ways you’ve all lived into that this year, and trust that you will continue to do so with love and grace in the days ahead.

Wishing you a blessed and joyful season,

Hardy and Laura

Epiphany: Star Words

Sunday, January 5

On Epiphany Sunday, you’ll have the opportunity to pick up a “star word,” meant to echo the stars that guided the Magi on their journey to Jesus. The star word you pick up may guide your 2025 meditations or serve as a reminder or a touchstone. The star word I chose for this year was “flexible” — a perfect reflection of my faith journey over the past year. Come find what speaks to you for 2025! 

If you worship online or aren’t able to be in church on January 5 and would like a star word card, please email or call the church office to request one.

Lessons & Laughter Worship Service

Sunday, December 29 • 10 am

Please join us this Sunday, December 29 at 10 for a joyful relaxed worship service. Come in your pajamas or sweats and join us for some fun and laughter as we sing carols, read scripture, and engage in joyful activities together. Hope to see you there!

New Member Class

Sunday, January 19 • 11:30 am–1:30 pm

Fireside Room & Zoom • Sign up

If you’ve been attending worship and are interested in the next step, come explore membership with us. Pastors Hardy and Laura will lead this one-session class covering topics such as faith, discipleship, worship, your spiritual journey, the life and ministries of SVPC, and a general overview of PC(USA).

New members will also meet with church leaders on January 21 before being received during worship on January 26.

Child care may be available upon request; email by January 12.

Memorial Service for Howard Gaines

Friday, January 10 • 3 pm • Sanctuary

Everyone is invited to the memorial service for Howard Gaines at 3 pm on Friday, January 10. There will be a reception in Fellowship Hall immediately following the service.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers...

Continued Prayers

• Barbara McClellan — recovering from surgery
• Patricia Strandburg — healing and strength
• Jack Pettygrove — health challenges
• Dave Bentley — health challenges
• Mildred Prasad — recovering from broken rib
• Cheryl Thomas — recovering from broken shoulder
• Maggie Burklund — healing and strength

Winter Retreat

Jan. 31–Feb. 2

Book Discussion

Feb. 3–24

Spring Retreat

March 28–30

Save the Dates

• Stephen Ministry training • January–May • Email
• Intergenerational mission trip • April 13–15
• Vacation Bible School (VBS) • June 16–20
• CARAVAN • July 20–27

Sunday Mornings

• Bible Study • 8:30–9:30 am • Email
• Worship • 10 am • Child care available for ages 6 months–2 years (extended through kindergarten on All-Ages Worship Sundays)
• Children’s Programs: STARS (3 yrs–kinder) + Children’s Church (grades 1–5) • All-Ages Worship on Dec. 29 and Jan. 5; programs resume Jan. 12 • 10 am •  Register
• Youth Group • Times vary, check the website
• Children’s Ministry Bake Sale • 1st Sunday (no bake sale in January) • 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 • Zoom • Email 
• Centering Prayer • 2nd Sunday • 9:15 am • Fireside Room
• Prayer Stations • 2nd Sunday • After worship
• Walking the Labyrinth • 4th Sunday • After worship

Wednesday Evenings

• Sunnyvale CircleSongs • 1st Wednesdays (not meeting in January) • 7 pm • Fellowship Hall
• OASIS (grades 1–5) • Wednesdays • 6:15–7:30 pm • Email
• 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 (not meeting Dec. 23 or 30; resumes Jan. 6) • 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 • usually 1st Wednesday • 9–11 am • Coleman Room or patio outside the gym • Info • (January only: meeting on January 8 in Room 752 instead)
• Support Group for Parents of Neurodiverse Kids • 2nd Wednesday • 10–11 am • Coleman Room 702 • Info • Email
• Senior Zoom Coffee • 2nd Thursday • 10:30 am • Info • Zoom • Email
• Young Adults Group • 4th Saturday (usually) • Email
• Queer Fellowship Group • Monthly get-togethers • Email
• Check our website for lots of interest groups — hiking, cycling, yoga, music, pickleball, board games, crafts, genealogy, environmental justice, and more!

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.

Creative Ways to Maximize Your Gifts to the Church

Does your workplace offer a matching employer donation benefit? Sunnyvale Pres is an eligible charity for many employers, including those in the Benevity and YourCause networks.

Also check out this article for three popular ways people are giving to charities from their IRAs, appreciated stock, and charitable trust accounts.

2024–2025 Fiscal YTD Results

November 2024 (month 8)

................. ..$K   

Church Income...... $ 909

Church Expenses.... $1135

Church Deficit..... $(226)

Outreach Surplus... $..79

Combined Deficit....$(147)

Fiscal year-to-date through November, the church reports a deficit, and the outreach groups report a surplus. The church has an income of $909K and expenses of $1,135K, resulting in a church deficit of $(226)K. The outreach groups (PELC and The Music School ) have contributed $79K year-to-date. TMS has a deficit of $(37)K. Meanwhile, PELC reports a surplus of $116K. The combined organization is reporting a deficit of $(147)K year-to-date. November is the eighth month of our fiscal year.

Join us for weekly worship opportunities!

• Sundays @ 10 am — onsite or online
• Modern Worship Collective — 2nd & 4th Wednesdays @ 7 pm in the sanctuary (casual dinner @ 6 pm in Fellowship Hall)
• Evensong: Contemplative Worship — 3rd Wednesdays @ 7 pm in the sanctuary

To join online, look for the red “Online Worship & Event Links” button at the top of our website.