Fall Back

Daylight Saving Time ends

Sunday, November 5, so remember to set your clocks back before you go to bed on Saturday, November 4.

News from Pastor Hardy

Dear Kris,

This month I’ve been away from Sunnyvale more than usual — first to perform a wedding for former church members, and then for a presbytery retreat. These travels have reminded me of both the joy of living out faith in community, and the joy of coming home to see afresh the many activities, classes, fellowship events, and service opportunities at Sunnyvale Pres!

I’m also thrilled to see our community’s progress in our stewardship planning. You all are making stewardship commitments that give me so much hope for our ministry in the coming year — new folks pledging and faithful members once again choosing to provide vital support for our many programs and outside partnerships. All of your promises, regardless of amount, are not just assurance that we will be able to continue our important work. They are your offering of God’s love and encouragement to bless this church and our neighbors.

There are so many exciting ways we’re growing in our care for community, learning and serving together, and sharing God’s love to the world around us. I pray that every one of you reading this will take your place in the shared stewardship of our corner of God’s household. This Sunday, October 29, is our Stewardship Commitment Sunday — a moment for us to celebrate the promises you are making. Let’s move forward into 2024 overflowing with strength to share God’s love, and to be a blessing to all around us!

Faithfully,

Hardy

Letters for the Gonzalez Family

This Sunday, October 29

The fires in Lahaina, Hawaii hit our congregation close to home — Ashley Gonzalez, a Children’s Ministry elder, and her husband and seven-year-old son had to evacuate. They’re now living with another family; nothing is even close to being back to normal.

This Sunday, we’ll be collecting cards and letters for the Gonzalez family. You can bring your own or we’ll have cards available to sign. Hardy will hand-deliver your notes of encouragement to Ashley when he travels to Lahaina on Monday with a Presbyterian Disaster Assistance team.

New Members Received Sunday

This Sunday, October 29 • During 10 am worship

This Sunday in worship we’re pleased to receive four new members. Please welcome Dave and Mary Palmer, Erica Swanson, and Linda Wieder. I hope you’ll take a moment over the next few weeks to welcome them!

Middle East Perspectives

Wednesdays, November 1, 8, & 15

4–6pm California time • Online

Come learn from Rev. Debbie Whaley about current events in the Middle East. Her three-part presentation will be both live-streamed and available online later. Topics include:

• The Jewish Narrative
• The Palestinian Narrative
• The Arab Christian Perspective

Debbie was the Interim Pastor at SVPC prior to Pastor Hardy, has traveled extensively in Israel and Palestine, and has close ties with Arab Christians. She is currently pastor at Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.

All Saints’ Day

Sunday, November 5

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:

• Alice Alden
• Scott Brittle
• Dorothy Davidson
• Hilde De Marco
• Charley Hopkins
• Dorothy Mansfield
• Jack Schmidt
• Robert Stainton
• Mary Storton
• Genny Ter Keurst
• Frank Ter Keurst
• Kathie Yaggi
• Donna Yeager

GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays

Sunday, November 12 • 1–4 pm

Fireside Room • Register

Holidays can be tough after the loss of a loved one. To assist you, the Surviving the Holidays seminar equips people with ways to manage the emotional rollercoaster of parties, well-meaning family and friends, and special events as you navigate the busy season ahead. Led by Rev. Karin Hejmanowski, our time will include a video and time for discussion. 

To register, contact Karlee Harrison at karlee@sunnyvalepres.com or 408-739-1892.

Young Adult Event: Grateful Hour

Sunday, November 12 • 3 pm • RSVP

Young adults (21–40-year-olds) are invited to join with the Grateful Goat Brewing Community for an afternoon happy hour at the Ungsons’ home. We will enjoy homebrew and snacks and lots of good company. Children are welcome! Contact Carol Heath for questions or to RSVP

Ushers Wanted

Our ushers do a great job of greeting every worshiper, collecting the offering, and making sure the service is safe and comfortable for all. We have three teams of ushers who serve on a monthly rotation, and we are looking for more people to join our teams. This is a great way to get to know people and to serve the congregation! Please contact Beth Treitel, Worship Director, if you’re interested.

Peace & Global Witness 

It’s not too late to contribute!

Mission & Service is grateful for the $5,698 contributed to this offering to date. The Peacemaking programs of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Presbytery of San Jose will receive 75% of this offering. RIP Medical Debt will receive $1,424, which will abolish $142,450 in medical debt. If you have not yet made your contribution, you may still do so either online or by submitting a check with “P&GW” on the memo line.

Second Harvest

Volunteering Opportunities 

Did you know Second Harvest provides the majority of food to all the nonprofits in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties? In order to do this, they need volunteers like you!

Help sort food in the warehouse or distribute it to their partner agencies. Weekday, weeknight, and Saturday shifts available. Open to ages 12+.

Find more details or register online. Volunteer with your family, friends, or small group in November as an act of Thanksgiving!

In Our Thoughts and Prayers...

• Maggie Burklund
• Nancy Tousignant
• Joan Latimer
• Mildred Prasad
• Fran Lusk
• Paula White

Trunk or Treat

Oct. 28



Trunk or Treat:

Volunteer

Oct. 28

Sunnyvale

CircleSongs

Nov. 1

Rev. Joey Lee’s

Retirement

Nov. 4

College of

Adaptive Arts

Nov. 5

Safe Church

Training

Nov. 16

Save the date...

• Advent wreath making • Nov. 19
• Speaker: PC(USA) Mission Co-Worker Karla Koll • Nov. 26
• Christmas Angel Tea • Dec. 14
• Men’s Retreat • Feb. 2–4, 2024
• Women’s Retreat • April 5–7, 2024

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
• Family Meals • 2nd Sunday • 11:30 am–1 pm • Phoenix Center • Info
• Grief Support Group • 1st Sunday • 1 pm • Zoom • Email

Wednesday Evenings

• OASIS (Grades 1–5) • Wednesdays • 6:15–7:30 pm • Email • Register
• Modern Worship Collective • 2nd & 4th Wednesdays • 6:30–7:30 pm • Sanctuary
• Evensong: Contemplative Worship • 3rd Wednesdays • 6:30–7:30 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: In-Person • 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
• Spice Dinner (50+ singles) • 2nd Thursday • 6–8 pm • Email
• 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

Sept 2023 (month 6) $K   

Church Income...... $645

Church Expenses.... $728

Church Deficit..... $(83)

Outreach Deficit... $ (4)

Combined Deficit....$(87)

Fiscal year-to-date through September, both the church and the outreach groups are reporting deficits. Church spending of $728K was offset by church income of $645K, resulting in a church deficit of $(83)K. The outreach groups (PELC and The Music School) have a deficit of $(4)K. The combined organization is reporting a deficit of $(87)K year-to-date. September is the sixth month of our fiscal year.