Greetings from Pastor Annanda

Dear Kris,

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about finding the joy in the little things, consciously remembering that joy is always available and free. I think of the comedy, art, and music that have given me so much joy, laughter, and the feeling of being in community with strangers who all laugh at the same jokes or appreciate the same songs. That sense of connection is satisfying.

That’s why Pastor Hardy’s words last week resonated so deeply for me. It’s good to be in community here at Sunnyvale Pres, especially right now.

I believe we can feel and experience God’s love and compassion anywhere, so I’m choosing to lean into those gentle moments. Those moments of joy can be gifts from the Holy Spirit, encouragement from God to help soothe our days. 

Cheers to the little insignificant, significant joys we’ll continue to have together, especially in the midst of life's challenges,

Pastor Annanda

Lent Begins Next Week!

Ash Wednesday service

March 5 @ 7 pm

Lent (the 40 days leading up to Easter) is a season of reflection in which we more intentionally focus on God. The season begins with our Ash Wednesday service of quiet worship, including the imposition of ashes. Also mark your calendars for Holy Week services:

• April 13 — Palm Sunday @ 10 am
• April 17 — Maundy Thursday @ 7 pm
• April 18 — Good Friday @ 7 pm
• April 20 — Easter Sunday @ 6:30 am Shoreline, 10 am sanctuary

Will YOU be in the church directory??

Check the list before March 5

This is the last call to be included in the 2025 church directory. Please check here to ensure your name is listed. If it isn’t, we haven’t received your permission to be included in the directory (or we’ve somehow made a mistake.) Please contact Carol Heath by Wednesday, March 5 if you’re not listed and still want to be part of the directory. This is a great way to get to know each other better and continue building community!

Bear Creek Redwoods Hike

Saturday, March 8 • 9 am • Map • RSVP

Join us for a beautiful hike through Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve in Los Gatos. Carol will lead us on this moderate 5.3-mile loop trail, most of which is shaded with some open exposure. 

If you can join us, please RSVP so we know to look for you. Then meet us at the Bear Creek parking lot at 9 am. Everyone is welcome!

Fiber Arts Interest Group Gathering

Sunday, March 9 • 11:30 am • Coleman Room

Calling all creative types! The Fiber Arts interest group is getting together to share in-progress or completed projects, work on projects, and socialize. Everyone is invited — just drop in. Check out the interest groups page for more information about the group.

Family Movie Night

Friday, March 14 • 5 pm

Phoenix Center

Come join Children's Ministry to watch Frozen together! The whole family is invited for a fun movie night upstairs in the Children's Room. Bring a dish to share at the potluck (with no nuts, please) and we’ll enjoy dinner together before the show. We hope to see you there!

Annual Meeting

Sunday, March 16 • Immediately after worship

Sanctuary & online

Plan on joining us for the church’s annual meeting. We will be hearing from church members, updating our bylaws, and voting on the Terms of Call (employment agreement) with our pastors. We will also see a slideshow of ministry highlights at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church over the last year. (Child care and snacks will be provided in the Children’s Room.)

Environmental Advocacy for All Ages

Sunday, March 23 • 11:30 am • Soulé Hall & online

Linda Sell, co-founder of Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action (SVYCA), and Marsha Dyslin, volunteer with Environmental Volunteers (EV), are excited to share their passion for educating young people about the environment and ways we can all make a difference. 

SVYCA empowers teens and young adults to champion environmental sustainability through policy initiatives for all ages. EV provides hands-on science activities to K-–5 classrooms.  

Join us to learn how these groups are impacting our community.

Adult Learning Class

Can War Be Just?

Sunday, April 6 • 11:30 am

Soulé Hall & online

Since Saint Augustine (354–430 AD), Christian theologians have debated whether it can be just to declare war, and whether war can be fought justly. The “Just War Theory” is a view still endorsed by the Catholic Church and others. Does this theory apply to modern war? If so, under what circumstances? We’ll discuss the theory and the arguments pro and con.

Class led by Dr. Bill Prior, Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at Santa Clara University.

Chili Cookoff CARAVAN Fundraiser

Sunday, April 27 • 11:15 am–2 pm

Calling all cooks! Support our CARAVAN youth mission trip by joining us for an afternoon of great food, live music, and games. Please sign up today and find more information online.

SVPC Continues to Support Sunnyvale Community Services

Our church actively supports Sunnyvale Community Services (SCS), whose mission is to prevent homelessness and hunger in our local community. While the Dipjar service has been retired, volunteers will still be present in Trinity Court on the first Sunday of each month to assist you with donating to SCS and answering any questions. Your generosity continues to make a difference, and we appreciate your support. Please stop by on Sunday morning!

Happy Birthday!

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

• Dorie Mendoza
• Tina Charon
• Cal Morris
• Dortha Spalek
• Anne Stewart
• Michiko Hosoda
• Phyllis Barzee

Memorial Service for Jean Hornsey

Saturday, March 8 • 10 am • Sanctuary

Everyone is invited to the memorial service for Jean Hornsey at 10 am on Saturday, March 8. There will be a reception in Fellowship Hall immediately following the service.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers...

Continued Prayers

• Karen McCoy — recovering from surgery
• Kristy Freese — strength and recovery after hospitalization
• Dorothy Funk — continued healing and improving strength
• Harry Shaver — hospice care
• Vicki Anderson — healing and comfort
• Mildred Prasad — dementia and depression
• Maggie Burklund — healing and strength

Grief

• Lynn Peterson after the passing of her sister on February 14

Stories from Sabbatical

March 2

Book Launch

March 4

Pizza with the Pastors

March 4

Spring Retreat

March 28–30

VBS

June 16–20

Push Back on Project 2025

Save the Dates

• Wild Things musical featuring The Music School students • March 1–2 • Details
• New Member Class • April 6
• Intergenerational mission trip • April 13–15
• Safe Church training • May 18
• CARAVAN • July 20–27

Lent • March 5–April 19

• Ash Wednesday • March 5
• Easter Eggstravaganza • April 5
• Palm Sunday & potluck • April 13
• Maundy Thursday • April 17
• Good Friday • April 18
• Easter Sunday • April 20

Sunday Mornings

• Bible Study • 8:30–9:30 am • Email
• Middle School Small Group • 2nd & 4th Sundays • 9–9:55 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
• Support Sunnyvale Community Services • 1st Sunday • Trinity Court or donate online
• Grief Support Group • 1st Sunday (note: 2nd Sunday in March only — March 9) • 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

• 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 • 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 on Instagram.
• Re-read past articles in our newsletter archives.

2024–2025 Fiscal YTD Results

January 2025 (month 10)

................. ..$K   

Church Income...... $1213

Church Expenses.... $1395

Church Deficit..... $(182)

Outreach Surplus... $ 201

Combined Surplus....$ .19

Fiscal year-to-date through January, the church reports a deficit and the outreach groups report a surplus. The church has a total income of $1,213K and expenses of $1,395K, resulting in a church deficit of $(182)K. The outreach groups (PELC and The Music School) have contributed $201K year-to-date, including a TMS surplus of $11K and PELC surplus of $190K. The combined organization is reporting a surplus of $19K year-to-date. January is the tenth 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.