|
News from Pastor Karin
Dear Kris,
Our sermon series titled “How Does a Weary World Rejoice” seems so appropriate, as it gives us permission to recognize those places where we feel weary ourselves. The carols and holiday decorations don’t alleviate aching bodies, dimmed vision, the honor and burden of caring for loved ones, or the pull of grief and loss.
Fortunately, Advent doesn't ask us to pretend those don’t exist. Rather, it invites us to acknowledge places in our lives which, like the characters in the original Christmas story, are less than perfect.
If you’re feeling weary or out of step with the bells and merriment of the season, perhaps you’ll want to join us for our Evensong: The Longest Night worship service on December 20 at 6:30 pm. We’ll have stations to help acknowledge grief in this season of preparation.
As you weave and wend your way through this season, may the peace of Christ dwell with you deeply.
Karin
|
|
|
Confirmation Class & Sermon Series
Beginning January 14, during Sunday worship, our congregation will be in Confirmation season — a five-week exploration to engage in conversations about faith, God, and what it means to be Christian and a member of the church of Jesus Christ. Of course, confirmation-aged youth will participate in confirmation classes as well.
I hope this upcoming Confirmation season, we can all journey through our faith together as youth discern their membership to Christ’s Church and Sunnyvale Pres.
| |
|
Almaden Quicksilver County Park Hike
Tomorrow, Saturday, December 9 • 9 am • RSVP • Map
| |
|
Join Kyle and Lynn Thomas for a hike through Almaden Quicksilver County Park’s spectacular natural diversity and rich California history.
Meet at the corner of McAbee Rd and Whispering Pines Dr., which is a residential area so please allow a little extra time for parking. Then we’ll enjoy the moderate 5-mile hike from Senador Mine to Guadalupe to Mine Hill.
If you’re coming, please RSVP so we’ll know to watch for you!
| |
|
Queer Fellowship Christmas Party
This Sunday, December 10
6 pm • RSVP
Join Queer Fellowship for a night of holiday cheer and queer celebration! RSVP to Jenna at jenna@sunnyvalepres.com.
| |
|
Children’s Sermon
Sunday, December 17
We love that our Sunnyvale Pres community has become so welcoming of all ages in worship. The space is inviting — with “praygrounds” and wider spaces between pews— and, more importantly, the hospitality you all share with each other! Despite the occasional wiggles or noise, we rejoice in being present together in worship each week.
Another way we can live more fully into this broad welcome is through messages that speak to a variety of ages. So, starting this month, we are adding one more “All-ages Worship” every few months. These additional Sundays will include a sermon or reflection specifically meant to engage children and youth, while still appealing to folks of every age.
We hope to see you on December 17 as we celebrate our intergenerational Advent worship, looking for the coming of God’s love as a child among us!
| |
|
Young Adult & College-Age
Christmas Party
Sunday, December 17 • 5:30 pm
Heath Home • RSVP
Bring a potluck dish or drink to share. We will have puzzles, games and a white elephant gift exchange. Bring a wrapped gift either purchased ($10 or less) OR something from your home that you no longer want. Silly, fun, edible, outrageous, beautiful — anything goes. Meet at the Heath home, and please RSVP!
| |
|
Christmas Eve Special Offering
Each year, 100% of the Christmas Eve offering collected by Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church is furnished to a chosen mission partner.
This year the Mission & Service team has chosen to invest the 2023 Christmas Eve offering with our denomination’s Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) effort in response to the Hawai’i wildfires. PC(USA) has dispersed an initial response grant and PDA will be present through the long-term recovery phase.
Through our Christmas Eve offering, we have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of many people. Thank you for being a congregation that cares.
| |
|
Discipleship Class
Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement
Sundays, January 7–28 • 11:30 am–12:30 pm
| |
|
The period from the 1954 Supreme Court decision Brown vs. Board of Education to the march on Selma in 1965 brought a momentous change in American society.
In this four-part series presented by Bill Prior, Barry Vickrey, and Jim Bennett, we’ll highlight three events in the civil rights movement: the Montgomery bus boycott, the Birmingham campaign, and the march on Selma. We’ll discuss the role of the Church and the theology of Dr. King.
| |
|
Warm Wishes Given
Thank you to all who donated coats that Lynn Thomas (pictured) delivered to East Palo Alto. This effort was in partnership with Ecumenical Hunger Program, Hope’s Corner, and WeHOPE. Together we collected and delivered gloves, socks, 27 scarves, 28 hats, and 115 coats!
| |
|
Memorial for
Kathie (Fregger) Yaggi
Friday, January 12 • 10 am
All are invited to a memorial service on Friday, January 12 at 10 am for Kathie (Fregger) Yaggi. A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.
| |
|
In Our Thoughts and Prayers...
- Maggie Burklund
- Nancy Tousignant
- Joan Latimer
- Mildred Prasad
- Howard Gaines
- Scott Zhang
- The loved ones of Fran Lusk
- The loved ones of Ed Frost
| |
|
Advent Resources
Password:
ADVENT
| |
|
Advent Lunch &
Carol Sing
Dec. 10
| |
|
MWC:
Advent Edition
Dec. 13
| |
|
Christmas Angel
Luncheon
Dec. 14
| |
|
Youth Party
& Study Break
Dec. 17
| |
|
Christmas Eve
Services
Dec. 24
| |
|
Save the date...
-
Affirming Series: Speaker Amber Cantorna-Wylde • Jan. 25
-
Men’s Retreat • Feb. 2–4, 2024
-
Women’s Retreat • April 5–7, 2024
| |
|
Sunday Mornings
-
Bible Study • 8:30–9:30 am (not meeting Dec. 24 or 31) • Email
-
Worship • 10 am • Nursery (child care) available for ages 6 months through kindergarten
-
Children’s Church + STARS (3 yrs–5th grade) • 10 am (Note: Dec. 17–Jan. 7 is All-Ages Worship) • 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 • Zoom • Email
-
Family Meals • 2nd Sunday • 11:30 am–1 pm • Phoenix Center • Info
Wednesday Evenings
-
OASIS (Grades 1–5) • Wednesdays • 6:15–7:30 pm • Email • Register
-
Modern Worship Collective • 2nd & 4th Wednesdays (not meeting Dec. 27 or Jan. 24) • 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 • 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
-
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
| |
|
Join us for weekly worship opportunities!
-
Sundays @ 10 am — onsite or online
-
Modern Worship Collective — 2nd & 4th Wednesdays @ 6:30 pm in the sanctuary (not meeting Dec. 27 or Jan. 24)
-
Evensong: Contemplative Worship — 3rd Wednesdays @ 6:30 pm in the sanctuary
To join online, look for the red banner at the top of our website. Click the white button, “Join online worship & events.”
| |
Beware of scams! If you’re ever unsure about a message that looks like it’s from a church staff member, contact us before purchasing gift cards or sending money to anyone.
| | | | |
