Fall Fest This Sunday!

Don’t miss out! Join us for Fall Fest this Sunday, October 12, 4–6 pm in Trinity Court.

Looking Out for One Another

I give you a new commandment, that you look out for one another. 
Just as I have looked out for you, you should also look out for one another. 

— John 13:34, Pastor Annanda’s translation

Dear Friends,

We know that you’re part of Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church because you want to be part of God’s love and care for others in the world. We also know this call to live out faith in community can feel daunting in a time with so much hardship and uncertainty.

But take heart!

We are here to pray for and show up for each other — in worship, in small groups, and in advocacy for communities under attack. This is exactly what Jesus calls us to do, and we can do it because of your consistent and faithful giving. 

Your generosity supports the ministries of Sunnyvale Pres. Each Sunday in October, we’ll share videos of people finding meaningful community through these ministries. 

Making a financial commitment for 2026 is a tangible way you can respond to Jesus’s call to help keep His ministry vital and vibrant for each other and our neighbors. With your support, we will ensure that looking out for one another remains the core of who we are as a congregation. 

In hope,

Hardy

P.S. To those who are curious, “IRL” is short for “In Real Life.” Our current sermon series, Community IRL: Ministries that Matter, is celebrating the ways our ministries provide personal and tangible touchpoints in our lives!

Beyond the Pew: The Power of Small Groups

Sign up!

Small groups are the lifeblood of our church, providing smaller settings for connecting both with God and with each other. Being part of a group carries connections beyond Sunday worship and creates spaces for learning together and enjoying mutual support. 

These groups foster belonging and strengthen bonds. This Sunday during worship, you’ll hear firsthand stories of people finding meaningful connections through their time in small groups.

New groups are forming now — sign up today!

Hike Monte Bello Preserve

Tomorrow! Saturday, October 11 • 9 am • Map • RSVP

Join hosts Eileen and Roger on a moderate 5-mile hike at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve through a beautiful blend of rolling grassy hills and peaceful forest spaces. The hardpacked dirt trail loop starts at the parking lot, then goes down and back up with about 650' elevation change. 

Meet at the parking lot at 9 am. Please RSVP if you can join us!

Online Worship is Moving to YouTube

YouTube.com/@SunnyvalePres

The church is moving our online worship livestream from Facebook to YouTube (due to technical challenges). The worship experience will be virtually the same as what you’re used to on Facebook. You can watch the service on YouTube from most devices. Everyone will be able to see the chat, but to participate in the chat, you’ll need to be logged into a Google account (Gmail, Drive, YouTube, etc.). 

Although our last Facebook livestream will be October 26, we encourage everyone to start using YouTube this Sunday. Please use the link from our website, or bookmark youtube.com/@sunnyvalepres. (Note: If you try to search for the church on YouTube, you’re likely to land on one of our old, unused YouTube channels, instead of our new Worship channel.) Please email us if you have questions.

Grill and Chill

Saturday, October 18 • 5–8 pm • RSVP

Hosted by the Queer Fellowship Group

Hang out with other Queers of faith. We’ll meet at Robbie’s place for a potluck-style get-together. Bring a dish and/or beverage to share; Robbie has a grill. Bring party-style games to play. Please RSVP and we’ll email you the address.

Adult Learning Class
Spotlight on Children’s & Youth Ministries

Sunday, October 26 • 11:30 am • Soulé Hall & Zoom

In the recent listening sessions, we’ve heard our congregation say we want to be a church that attracts families. Are you curious how we’re achieving that in Children’s and Youth Ministries? 

Come and find out! All are encouraged to attend, especially those who don’t have children in the programs. Where do the children meet? What are they learning? What about the youth? And most importantly, how can we all help these programs grow and thrive?  

Discover Scouting with Troop 466

Tuesday, November 4 • 7 pm • Gym • RSVP

Scout Troop 466 welcomes youth and families to explore the adventure of Scouting! Through camping, service, and leadership, Scouts grow in confidence, teamwork, and character — all in a supportive, faith-friendly environment.

Come to our upcoming info session on November 4 to learn more. For questions or to RSVP, email Karine Placidet or Rajiv Jayant.

PELC Open House

Thursday, November 6 • 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 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 2026–2027 school year will begin in January.

Upcoming Retreats — Save the Dates for 2026

Winter Retreat • January 30–February 1
Spring Retreat • March 20–22

Mark your calendar and plan to attend one of our upcoming retreats! The Winter Retreat (men and nonbinary) will be January 30–February 1 at Redwood Glen in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains. The Spring Retreat (women and nonbinary) will be March 20–22. Plan to join either of these retreats for an opportunity to get away from your everyday lives and enjoy connection with others in a relaxing setting. Stay tuned for more information and registration links.

Playhouses for Children

Thank you to the Mission & Service ministry area for hosting a Compassion Week volunteer event in the church parking lot on October 4. Just over 20 people painted and assembled two playhouses which were then delivered to a child care center in Soledad, California. Stay tuned for future hands-on volunteer opportunities!

Coastal Cleanup Day 
Environmental Justice Group

Marsha and Mike Dyslin, Teri and Steve Archer, and Barry and Mary Green Vickrey participated in Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 20. Equipped with grabber-reachers, sturdy gloves, and plastic bags, we collected trash and other discarded objects along the Guadalupe River and Calabazas Creek. We thoroughly enjoyed being outside on a beautiful day. It was very satisfying to help restore God’s creation and see a bank of pristine grass where trash had been!

In Our Thoughts and Prayers...

Continued Prayers

• Anne Stewart — diagnosed with lung cancer
• Karen McCoy — recovering from surgery
• Maggie Burklund — in hospice care
• Phil Craine — healing and strength
• Mildred Prasad — dementia and depression

Grief

• Joey Lee and his family after his brother’s passing
• The family and loved ones of Bob Adler after his passing

Death Café

Oct. 12


Trek or Treat

Oct. 24


New Member
 Class

Oct. 26

Save the Dates

• Film Screening: Chinatown Rising • Nov. 2
• Safe Church training • Nov. 16
• Music School Choral Festival • Nov. 20
• Friendsgiving • Nov. 26
• Advent begins Nov. 30

Join us for weekly worship opportunities!

• Sundays @ 10 am — onsite or online
• Modern Worship Collective — Dinner and worship in Fellowship Hall, 2nd & 4th Sundays @ 5 pm
• Evensong: Contemplative Worship — 3rd Wednesdays @ 7 pm in the sanctuary



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