News From Pastor Annanda

Dear Kris,

Some of you have expressed concerns about our shift to more expansive language in worship. We apologize if the change came across as abrupt or hasty. In truth, this has been a serious topic of conversion with session and the ministry team for several years and was approved last fall.

Why is this change important? This is not about political correctness or change for change’s sake. This is simply an opportunity to recognize that God — the loving, almighty Creator of the universe — actually has no gender. 

By removing some of the gendered terms from our liturgy, we’re also seeking to let everyone relate to their Creator, regardless of their own gender or their experiences with father figures. At the same time, we recognize that men also need to connect with and relate to God, so some of the traditional language will remain.

We serve a great big magnificent God, so using more expansive language is one way we can live out our faith by being genuinely welcoming to all God’s children!

Earnestly yours,

Pastor Annanda

Palm Sunday Potluck

Sunday, April 13 • 10 am worship, potluck immediately afterward

Everyone is invited to a good old-fashioned potluck following our special Palm Sunday worship service. Bring a dish to share and drop it off in the kitchen prior to the service. Want to help? Sign up to volunteer. Questions? Email Carol.

New Member Class 

Sunday, April 6 • 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 Annanda will cover topics such as faith, discipleship, worship, your spiritual journey, the life and ministries of Sunnyvale Pres, and a general overview of PC(USA).

New members will also meet with church leaders on April 29 before being received during worship on May 4.

Child care may be available upon request; email by March 30. 

Save the Date — Flamy Grant!

Saturday, June 7 • 7 pm • Sanctuary

Flamy Grant — hip-swaying, shame slaying, singer-songwriting drag queen — is coming to Sunnyvale Pres! Ticket info is coming soon.

Let’s Learn About Drag

Monday, April 7 • 7 pm • Zoom

The Community Life and Learning team felt it would help to learn more about the art of drag before we welcome Flamy Grant in June. To that end, Rev. Sam Lundquist, Associate Pastor at St. John’s Presbyterian, will share a short history of drag and his own experiences performing in drag as Joanne Fabrixxx, including how it connects to his Christianity. Come with your questions and an open mind as we continue to be a congregation that learns together!

One Great Hour of Sharing: A Palm Sunday Tradition

Palm Sunday, April 13 • Give online

For 50 years, Sunnyvale Pres has joined with Christians around the world to give to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS). These funds support Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Self-Development of People, and Presbyterian Hunger Program. OGHS makes a difference, from building homes to feeding the hungry, both in California and around the world. Join us and donate on Palm Sunday, April 13, during service or online.

Prayers for Our Nation

4th Mondays • 7 pm • Zoom

Join us as we seek peace, hope, healing, and love by praying for our nation at this monthly online prayer session. Sessions will begin with a guided prayer/meditation, followed by open-ended prayers expressed verbally, in silence, or written in the Zoom chat. Led by Debbie Shaver.

Peacemaking Fellowship Groups

Join the interest list

Many of us are struggling with anger, grief, fear, and frustration in this political climate. If you’re seeking an opportunity to share your concerns, find hope, and envision ways to effectively live out our faith in these challenging days, we invite you to sign up for a Peacemaking Fellowship Group sponsored by Community Life & Learning. We’ll be in touch soon with a more concrete invitation to a specific small group when we have enough responses.

All-Ages Worship & Bake Sale

Now on 4th Sundays

Starting in March, All-Ages Worship and children’s sermons have moved from the 1st Sunday of the month to the 4th Sunday. This aligns our family-centered worship day with our contemporary worship music, as we encourage children to participate in the praygrounds through song and dance. The praygrounds have been refreshed for our new worship dates and will be supervised by Children’s and Youth staff. The bake sale is also now on the 4th Sunday!

In Our Thoughts and Prayers...

Continued Prayers

• Barbara Humphreys — healing and comfort
• Harry Shaver — hospice care
• Vicki Anderson — upcoming surgery
• Mildred Prasad — dementia and depression
• Maggie Burklund — healing and strength

Can War Be Just?

April 6

Intergenerational Trip to SF

April 13–15

CARAVAN Chili Cookoff

April 27

Vacation Bible School

June 16–20

Save the Dates

• Choir of Bells concert • April 26
• Handbell workshop • May 3
• PDA film screening: Evicting the American Dream • May 7
• Safe Church training • May 18
• Building Communities of Peace: A Weekend of Conversations with Peacemaking Partners from Korea and Ireland • June 20–22
• CARAVAN • July 20–27

Lent • March 5–April 19

• 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
• Support Sunnyvale Community Services • 1st Sunday • Trinity Court or donate online
• Grief Support Group • 1st Sunday • 1 pm • Zoom • Email 
• Centering Prayer • 2nd Sunday • 9:15 am • Fireside Room
• Prayer Stations • 2nd Sunday • After worship
• Children’s Ministry Bake Sale • 4th Sunday • After worship • Trinity Court or donate online • Supports Children’s Ministry service projects
• Walking the Labyrinth • 4th Sunday • After worship

Wednesday Evenings

• 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.

Annual Meeting Summary & Follow-up 

by Barry Vickrey, Treasurer

Thank you to those who attended the March 16 annual meeting. The FY 2025–26 budget, as presented at the meeting, was approved by session on March 18. Questions raised at the annual meeting concerned the proposed marketing budget, deficit budgeting, capital improvements, giving methods, and the sale of the Hyannis Drive house. Details about these topics, along with the Budget Summary document, can be found on the website. Should you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.

2024–2025 Fiscal YTD Results

February 2025 (month 11)

................. ..$K   

Church Income...... $1295

Church Expenses.... $1548

Church Deficit..... $(253)

Outreach Surplus... $ 247

Combined Deficit....$ .(6)

Fiscal year-to-date through February, the church reports a deficit and the outreach groups report a surplus. The church has a total income of $1,295K and expenses of $1,548K, resulting in a year-to date deficit of $(253)K. The outreach groups (PELC and The Music School) have contributed $247K year-to-date. TMS has a surplus of $24K while PELC has a surplus of $223K. The combined organization is reporting a deficit of $(6)K year-to-date. February is the eleventh 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.