News from Pastor Hardy

Dear Kris,

Now that the church program year is off and running again, we can see that there are many ways for us to worship, connect, grow, and serve as a community of faith. There are classes, fellowship events, new worship and music gatherings, resumed programs for children and youth and older adults, and even upcoming events such as our fall community festival.

These are all things that we’ve made a priority for our lives together by putting them in our church’s program year budget. And that budget doesn’t happen unless members of the community — you, reading this right now — decide to invest yourselves in making it happen. So, as we get ready for another stewardship season this October, I want to ask, “Where are you going to invest in our church community this year?”

As you read through the articles in this newsletter, or as you browse through our website, look at what’s happening in our programs and ministries — everything from worship to our outreach groups. Find one that you believe in and value. Then consider how you might become a steward of that gift for our world, sustaining it and making it fruitful. With everyone engaging as stewards of our community in this way, we can continue the positive momentum from our September kick-off into a whole year of serving each other and our world in powerful and lasting ways!

Faithfully,

Hardy

Greetings from Debra Summers

Hello from Gatlinburg, Tennessee in the Smoky Mountains! I have been attending Sunnyvale Pres since the fall of 2020 since my dear friend Sue Ahn reached out to me after learning my husband, David was ill.

As you know, that was the start of the entire world shutting down and I was truly isolated. Having the church be able to add us to the prayer list certainly eased my spirit, and then I started to have folks reach out via phone and snail mail! I was so grateful for all the love and support shown to me! I felt it especially when my sweet David passed on December 22, 2020. Through the grief group, Bible study, and even coffee hour on Zoom, Sunnyvale Pres has clearly shown me a loving, outreaching heart! I am forever grateful and blessed to be a part of this congregation!

Sincerely,

Debra C. Summers

RIP Medical Debt to Receive Portion of P&GW Offering

Special offering to be dedicated on October 1,

World Communion Sunday

The Mission & Service ministry team has designated RIP Medical Debt to receive a portion of the donations collected through the Peace & Global Witness special offering. RIP Medical Debt’s mission is to abolish medical debt by purchasing the debt at a deep discount — which means your donation relieves about 100x its value in medical debt. Thank you for contributing, either online or by check (use envelopes in the pew racks or mail to the church office).

Youth Volunteering at Immanuel House

Sunday, October 1 • 9:15 am

High school youth will be volunteering Sunday morning at Immanuel House in San Jose. Immanuel House is a ministry of San Jose Presbytery and provides transitional housing to both individual refugees as well as refugee families. Come help beautify the space, learn about the ministry, and connect with the residents!

We’ll meet at Sunnyvale Pres in front of Trinity Court by 9:15 am. If you’d like to join us, please contact Rich Pak for more info. 

Kids Today: A Changing World

Saturday, October 14 • 9:30 am–2 pm

Fellowship Hall

Everyone — especially parents, grandparents, and caregivers — is invited to this workshop where we will explore topics such as mental health issues and stressors in children, online safety, and libraries and censorship. Hosted by PW (Presbyterian Women). Register online.

The Camino de Santiago: Experiences from a Modern Day Pilgrimage

Sunday, October 15

11:30 am–12:30 pm

Soulé Hall & Zoom

Since the Middle Ages, pilgrims of many backgrounds have traveled the Camino de Santiago, a network of pilgrims’ ways leading to the shrine of the apostle James in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. Linda Andersson made this pilgrimage in 2023, as did Jeff Reilly in 2022. Curious to learn more? Come hear them discuss the Camino’s history, the paths they each traveled, and what they learned about themselves in the process.

Trunk or Treat is coming!

Saturday, October 28

Boo-lieve it or not, Trunk or Treat is right around the corner! On October 28, our campus will be filled with hundreds of children trunk-or-treating at decorated cars, and playing games in their costumes. Trunk or Treat is a beloved event that we would love for you to take part in, whether you’re a Trunk veteran or brand new. Email with questions, or sign up to volunteer your trunk!

Memorial Service for Charley Hopkins

Friday, October 13 • 10 am

All are invited to a memorial service on Friday, October 13 at 10 am for Charley Hopkins. A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers...

• Maggie Burklund
• Nancy Tousignant
• Joan Latimer
• Mildred Prasad
• Fran Lusk
• Paula White
• Beth Pole
• Kate Carlin

Praise Reports!

• The birth of George and Rita Tharkan’s first grandchild
• The birth of Jim and Debbie Shaver’s granddaughter, Audrey Jordyn, daughter of Andrew and Megan Shaver, sister to Zoe Shaver, and niece to Kelly Shaver

Congregational

Meeting

Sept. 24

Discipleship

Class

Now–Oct. 1

PW Book

Study

Now–Oct. 10

Fall Fest

Oct. 1

Circle Songs

Oct. 4 & Nov. 1

Family Meal

Oct. 8

New Member

Class

Oct. 8

Monthly Hike

Oct. 14



Offering

of Letters

Save the date...

• Young Adult Gathering • Sept. 30 • Info
• Book Study: The Universal Christ • beginning Oct. 9
• Youth Family Fall Party • Oct. 21
• Senior Zoom Coffee • Oct. 26

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
• Grief Support Group • 1st Sunday • 1 pm • Zoom • Email

Wednesday Evenings

• OASIS (Grades 1–5) • Restarting October 4 • 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

Aug 2023 (month 5). $K   

Church Income...... $584

Church Expenses.... $619

Church Deficit..... $(35)

Outreach Deficit... $(15)

Combined Deficit....$(50)

Fiscal year-to-date through August, both the church and the outreach groups are reporting deficits. Church spending of $619K was offset by church income of $584K, resulting in a church deficit of $(35)K. The outreach groups (PELC and The Music School) have a deficit of $(15)K. The combined organization is reporting a deficit of $(50)K year-to-date. August is the fifth month of our fiscal year.