Beloved Community,

Holy Week is here, and as I did on Sunday, I want to encourage you to choose just one experience between now and Easter to help you make the journey from Palm Sunday to celebrating Resurrection.

Maybe it’s joining us tonight for our alfombra making, a beautiful hands-on tradition for all ages, or gathering on Good Friday as we reflect on persecution and resistance, or showing up early Easter morning, surrounded by saints in our Memorial garden, to witness once again that hope does rise. We have something for every age and every spirit.

A friend once told me, “We don’t get to Easter without Good Friday.” And while it feels like many of us have been living in a Good Friday season for a while now, this service may offer its own kind of healing, or at least the reminder that we don’t walk this path alone.

Scroll down for all the details (and a snapshot of what’s ahead after Easter). Come. Be part of the story.

I’m grateful to walk these days with you.

In hope,

Jessica

DID YOU MISS WORSHIP?

CLICK HERE for Last Sunday's Entire Service

CLICK HERE for Rev. Jessica's sermon,

"Shouting and Silence"

HOLY WEEK WITH CCSM

MAKE AN ALFOMBRA

Wednesday, April 16, 7:00-8:45pm, Kloss Hall and Buckham Room

Join us for a community potluck at 7pm and stay for making an Alfombra - a traditional Guatemalan "carpet" of dyed sawdust made especially in Holy Week.

MAUNDY THURSDAY

Thursday, April 17, 7:00-8:00pm, Congregational Church of the Peninsula

The first of three shared Holy Week services of the San Mateo Cluster of UCC congregations. This service features music from Godspell led by a combined choir, and Holy Communion.

GOOD FRIDAY

Friday, April 18

11:00am: Music & Art: Meditative service with organ selections and readings, followed by lunch and an art talk by Peter Pierson.

7:00-8:15pm, Good Friday Service, CCSM Sanctuary and Online

Experience the story of the cross through powerful music, scripture, and reflection, exploring the tension between resistance and surrender. Featuring a multi-church choir, worship band, organ, piano, and strings, with a candle-lighting for peace. (Join us online on Facebook or Youtube). Stay for an evening Coffee Happy Hour, and enjoy our Holy Week Alfombra in Kloss Hall!

HOLY SATURDAY

Saturday, April 19

10:00am - 12:00pm - Help decorate CCSM for Easter! Meet in the Sanctuary

7:00-8:15pm, Easter Vigil, College Heights UCC

An imaginative recreation of the first Great Vigil, held by Mary Magdalene, alone at the tomb. We will prepare for the Vigil by hearing Mary’s story, sharing in an anointing, and celebrating communion. The conclusion will be a Taize-like experience of spending the night waiting at the tomb, not knowing what is going to happen on Easter morning but still feeling pulled to be there, to hold the energy.

EASTER

SUNRISE WORSHIP

Sunday, April 20, 6:30-7:30am, Memorial Garden

Welcome Easter morning in our Memorial Garden with Revs. Jessica and Álvaro, gathering like the women did on that first Easter. We'll hear the resurrection story as the sun rises and share in communion and song. Music will be led by Susan Bell on guitar and harp. Coffee and tea will be offered.

TRADITIONAL EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP

10:30am, Sanctuary

Join us as we proclaim that today we know hope! Experience the joy of Easter morning as we share communion and raise our voices in Alleluias, celebrating the profound truth that death does not have the last word and nothing can separate us from the love of God. Join us in person or online.

YOUTH EASTER FESTIVAL

10:30-11:30am, Buckham Room

Children and youth can celebrate the resurrection story through hands-on creativity! Kids will enjoy rotating through engaging stations including pom-pom bunnies, resurrection biscuits, Ukrainian egg decorating, and beautiful stained-glass crosses.

EASTER EGG HUNT

11:30am, Front Lawn

Children are invited to join the CYF ministry for our traditional Easter Egg Hunt immediately following worship.

EASTER SUNDAY BILINGUAL SERVICE

1:00-2:00pm, Sanctuary, Buckham Room, Kloss Hall

Rev. Álvaro Durán will lead this bilingual Easter celebration followed by a community potluck lunch in Kloss Hall. All are welcome!

Palm Sunday Hosannas with JR the Donkey!

TAKE ACTION

Show Up for Our Neighbors

Monday, April 21 | 6:30 PM

San Mateo City Hall

The message of Easter is that new life is always possible, even when the odds feel stacked against it. As people of faith, we are called to be part of that new life by showing up for love, justice, and the well-being of our neighbors.

On Monday, April 21, the San Mateo City Council will hold a study session to consider whether to further explore proposals for renter protections put forth by the Our Home San Mateo campaign. No policies are being voted on yet—this meeting is about whether the City will even research and consider the ideas. You can read the campaign's proposals HERE.

Even if you’re still forming your opinion on the specifics, attending the study session is one way to show that housing stability and dignity for all are worth exploring. You can also sign the petition below to encourage the counsel to explore these proposals. Let’s be Easter people—not just in word, but in presence.

SIGN PETITION

COMING UP

Special Good Friday Service with Music & Art

April 18 at 11am

Join us for a meaningful service of readings and organ music in the sanctuary to prepare us for Easter. At noon, we will retire to the Buckham Room for a Bring Your Own lunch gathering of fellowship and conversation. After lunch, our own Peter Pierson will share art renditions of Good Friday. Please RSVP to Genel Morgan, glmrn12@gmail.com, so we will have enough tables and chairs and of course yummy dessert. All are welcome!

Service Learning Trip Fundraiser!

Sunday, April 27 - 11:45am • Kloss Hall

Join us for a delicious Spaghetti Lunch Fundraiser! This luncheon will support our Intergenerational Service-Learning Trip to Tuscon. Enjoy pasta, salad and dessert (includes vegetarian and gluten free options), connect with friends, and help make this transformative experience possible for those participating in the trip.

This is a pay-what-you-can event-- whether it's 25 cents or $25, every penny helps! Suggested donation $10/person or $25/family-- but all are welcome!

Healthy Homes:

Replacing Fossil Fuel Gases

A free event to be held on

Saturday May 10, 2025 from 10am-1pm at CCSM

(Sponsored by Peninsula Interfaith Climate Action & CCSM Environmental Justice Ministry)

_________________________________________

Did you know that the air circulating in your kitchen and throughout your home is some of the most polluted air you breathe due to burning & the leakage of fossil fuel gas?

Come hear from environmental scientist Professor Rob Jackson, Ph.D of Stanford University, Doerr School of Sustainability discuss his work on measuring & reducing GHG emissions as outlined in his new book, Into the Clear Blue Sky.

Learn about resources from Peninsula Clean Energy to help you in your effort to make your home both greener and healthier.

Hear from a panel of local homeowners who will share their journeys to fully electrify their homes.

*To reserve a seat for this free in-person event, please click HERE to register.

THIS WEEK AT CCSM

Thursday, April 17

9:00 AM — Casual Bike Riders, CCSM Parking Lot (Contact John Ebneter, jebneter@aol.com)

10:15 - 11:30 AM — Women's Coffee Group, Food Court at Hillsdale Mall (Contact: Linda Skromme)

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

7:00 - 8:00 PM — Maundy Thursday, Congregational Church of the Peninsula

Friday, April 18

11:00 AM — Music & Art Good Friday Service, organ selections and readings followed by lunch and art talk by Peter Pierson

1:30 - 3:00 PM — Bella Voce Rehearsal, Fireplace Room

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

7:00 - 8:15 PM — Good Friday Service at CCSM and online (Facebook or Youtube)

Saturday, April 19

8:30 - 10:30 AM — CC Riders Weekly Bike Ride (Contact Peter Held, paheld1417@gmail.com)

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM — Help decorate the sanctuary for Easter

7:00 - 8:30 PM — Easter Vigil at College Heights Church

Sunday, April 20 - Easter Sunday!

6:30 - 7:30 AM — Easter Sunrise Service, Memorial Garden

9:45 - 10:15 AM — Joyful Noise Kids' Choir/Music Program, Fireplace Room

10:30 AM — Youth Easter Festival

10:30 - 11:30 AM — Easter Worship Service, in person and online

11:30 AM — Coffee Hour, Kloss Hall

11:30 AM — Easter Egg Hunt, Lawn

1:00 - 2:00 PM — Easter Sunday Bilingual Service, Sanctuary

Monday, April 21 - OFFICE CLOSED

NO Samaritan House Meal Service

7:00 PM - San Mateo City Council Meeting for Our Home San Mateo, 330 W. 20th Ave.

Tuesday, April 22

10:00 - 11:30 AM — Men’s Coffee Group, Food Court, Hillsdale Mall (Contact Peter Held, paheld1417@gmail.com)

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

6:30 - 8:00 PM — Board of Directors Meeting, Zoom Only (tinyurl.com/ccsm-boardmtg)

7:00 PM — Our Home San Mateo, 3rd Floor conference room

7:00 PM — Spiritual Conversations (Zoom)

Wednesday, April 23

4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall

7:00 - 8:30 PM — Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

7:15 - 8:45 PM — Bilingual Worship Service, Kloss Hall

View our full calendar on our website

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Job Position: Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) Director

We're seeking a creative and passionate leader to guide our children and youth in their faith journeys. Our CYF Director will cultivate an inclusive, engaging environment where young people and their families explore spirituality, build community, and engage in social justice. If you're called to nurture the next generation's faith development through innovative programming and meaningful relationships, we invite you to learn more about this opportunity.