We Belong Together!

Stewardship Dedication is this Sunday, October 27

Dear Jennifer,

It has been so good to be together in worship this month and hear stories about what it means to belong to the Sunnyvale Pres community! Stories of how we warmly welcome visitors, care for one another, and extend God’s love into the world through our shared ministry. This truly is a place where we belong together. Please join us this Sunday as we thank God for the blessings of this community and dedicate our pledges to the shared ministry of Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church.

Help us fill out our progress tree! Our goal is to receive a financial pledge from everyone — no matter how large or small. If you haven’t yet done so, you may pledge online, by mail, or in person. Thank you for your support!

Find Your Place: Interest & Connect Groups

sunnyvalepres.com/groups

Our stewardship theme is belonging because that’s what our church community is about all year long! You can connect with others over a shared hobby through our interest groups — yoga, knitting, board games, environmental action, and many more. You can also connect spiritually through connect groups (aka small groups) including Bible studies and faith-based book discussions. Explore all the groups on our website, or contact Carol Heath for help creating or finding exactly where you belong!

All Saints’ Day

Sunday, November 3

All Saints’ Day is a time when we remember and give thanks for all those who have passed from life unto life in the past year. The names of those Sunnyvale Pres members who have passed away this year will be read during the communion liturgy on Sunday, and there will be an opportunity for you to say or note the names of others dear to you. Those Sunnyvale Pres members are:

• Dick Clapp — December 19, 2023
• Ralph Robinson — January 16
• Evelyn Klees — May 29
• Al Mendoza — June 29
• Elsie Hasling — July 3
• Don Frevert — September 26
• Barbara Frevert — October 10

Navajo and Presbyterian History

from the 1870s

Sunday, November 3 • 11:30 am

Hybrid (Soulé Hall & Zoom)

The Navajo reservation, located in northeast Arizona, northwest New Mexico, and southeast Utah, is the largest Indian reservation in the United States. Todd Compton will discuss the history of Presbyterian missionaries working with the Navajo tribe since about the 1870s. Todd has studied Navajo history for over a decade and is writing a biography of a 19th-century Navajo leader. To prepare for this session, he recommends reading one of the mystery novels of Tony Hillerman.

GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays

Sunday, November 3 • 1–4 pm

Over Zoom • Register

Holidays can be tough after the loss of a loved one. To assist you, the GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays seminar equips people with ways to manage the emotional rollercoaster of parties, well-meaning family and friends, and other events as you navigate the busy season ahead. Led by Pastor Laura, our time will include a video and time for discussion. Please register online or email Karlee Harrison.

PELC Open House

Thursday, November 7 • 5:30–7:30 pm

Help us spread the word! Families with children ages 5 months to 5 years old are invited to the PELC Preschool’s Open House. Current and prospective students are welcome to come and tour the facilities, meet the teachers and staff, and see what the children have been learning this year. Registration for the 2025–2026 school year will begin in January.

Do Everything in Love: PW Triennial Churchwide Gathering Presentation

Sunday, November 10 • 11:30 am

Hybrid (Soulé Hall & Zoom)

In August, Teri Archer, Marian Devine, Trish Guerrieri, Coleen Hausler, and Mary Green Vickrey represented our church at the Presbyterian Women Triennial Churchwide Gathering in St. Louis. Mary also served as the business meeting delegate for PW in the Presbytery of San Jose. With women from around the country, they worshiped, heard challenging plenary speakers, and learned in a variety of workshops. They look forward to sharing their experiences from this inspiring event.

New Books in the Church Library

The church library has recently added new books which reflect our church’s values of inclusion and social justice. You’ll also find titles by Todd Compton, a Sunnyvale Pres community member, on the lifestyles and history of the Mormon Church. 

You’re invited to visit the library and check out these and many other titles. The library is staffed most Sundays from 11 am–noon and Tuesdays 9–11 am, and available to visitors most weekdays during office hours.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers...

Continued Prayers

• Mildred Prasad — recovering from broken rib
• Cheryl Thomas — recovering from broken shoulder
• Howard Gaines — on hospice care
• Maggie Burklund — healing and strength
• Joan Latimer — cancer journey

Grief

• The family and loved ones of Barbara Frevert after her passing on October 10

Trunk 

or Treat

Oct. 26

Labyrinth 

Walk

Oct. 27

Presbyterian History

Oct. 27

Sunnyvale

CircleSongs

Nov. 6

Family 

Meal

Nov. 10

Safe Church Training

Nov. 10

Save the Dates

• Memorial service for Don and Barbara Frevert • November 15
• Adult Learning: Love is Courageous • November 17
• Music School Choral Festival • November 21
• MWC Friendsgiving • November 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) • 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 • November 3 will be Griefshare: Surviving the Holidays instead of the usual group meeting.
• Centering Prayer • 2nd Sunday (not meeting in November or December) • 9:15 am • Fireside Room
• Prayer Stations • 2nd Sunday • After worship
• Walking the Labyrinth • 4th Sunday (not meeting in November) • After worship

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 • Coleman Room or patio outside the gym • Info 
• 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.

2024–2025 Fiscal YTD Results

September 2024 (month 6)

................. ..$K   

Church Income...... $ 718

Church Expenses.... $ 841

Church Deficit..... $(123)

Outreach Surplus... $..83

Combined Deficit....$.(40)

Fiscal year-to-date through September, the church reports a deficit and the outreach groups report a surplus. The church has an income of $718K and expenses of $841K, resulting in a church deficit of $(123)K. The outreach groups (PELC and The Music School) have contributed $83K. TMS has a deficit of $(23)K. Meanwhile, PELC reports a notable surplus of $106K. The combined organization is reporting a deficit of $(40)K year-to-date. September is the sixth 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
• 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.