TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2024

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Giving Goal Nearly Complete

$109k needed to close the gap

At present, we have $991,000 committed with $109,000 more to go to reach our $1.1M goal. We are asking for 100% participation from all church members and friends.

Every gift matters!

Please prayerfully consider your 2025 commitment, then click the link below. Thank you!

Christmas Eve Service Times

4pm family friendly, 9pm candlelight

Piedmont Church provides two opportunities to celebrate Christmas Eve. at 4pm, we'll have a family-friendly service. Our traditional candlelight service will be held at 9pm. 

Both services will be available to watch LIVE online.

Don't Miss A Beat!

Our church calendar is updated almost daily to include all meetings, worship times and special events.

Christmas Concert Saturday, Sunday

Last Chance for Tickets!

OVERTURE TO CHRISTMAS

'Guided by Dreams, Joseph's Story

December 7 & 8, 7:30pm

Our Overture to Christmas began in 2011. Those of you who have attended know what a joyous musical event it is followed by a festive reception in Guild Hall. Each year, the concert has a different theme such as the Christmas star, angels, the animals in the Christmas story, Mary and shepherds. 

Every concert has included music composed by Stephen Main presented with full orchestra and choir with soloists. This year, the theme is Joseph. Come hear about the dreams that guided Joseph to fulfill his role as Jesus' earthly father. One of the pieces will tell a story you probably haven't heard - and it will likely make you laugh.

There are two performances, Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8 both at 7:30 PM. General admission tickets are $50 and patron tickets with reserved seating are $150. Tickets can be purchased online and in the Courtyard after Sunday worship.

Christmas Poinsettias

Now an annual tradition, Christmas Poinsettias are available to purchase in honor or in memory of a loved one. The donated plants will beautify the Sanctuary for our Sunday December 22 service, adding holiday color through Christmas Eve.

Cost is $15 per plant (limit 2 names per plant, please). To purchase a poinsettia in honor or in memory of a loved one, click the link below.

2nd Annual Snow Day Friday, Dec 20

Celebrate the season with a winter wonderland at the 2nd Annual Snow Day at Piedmont Church. On Friday, December 20, 4-7PM, experience the joy of over 20 tons of snow right here in town. Race down sledding hills, explore a snow playground designed for little ones and enjoy bounce houses, games, face painting and so much more.

This festive event is completely free of charge, making it the perfect opportunity to gather your family and friends for an evening of fun, laughter and community spirit. Don’t miss out on the excitement.

Snow Day Volunteers Needed

Help make this year’s Snow Day unforgettable. With over 20 tons of snow, sledding hills, games and more, there are countless ways to serve and bring joy and hope to our community. Be part of the magic and sign up today at the link below.

Christmas Gathering December 13

You are invited to a Christmas Gathering cocktail reception fireside in Guild Hall on Friday, December 13 from 5-8pm.  

Wine, hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps, catered heavy hors d’oeuvres and dessert will be served. Wear a Christmas sweater or casual cocktail attire.

Kirk Miller will lead us in singing Christmas carols.

If you have not yet signed up for this event, contact Kathy Hurd at (916) 343-1519 for availability.

Alternative Gifts, Amazing Causes

This year, we celebrate the 21st anniversary of our Alternative Gift Market with an in-person gathering on Sunday, December 15 after worship.

Come and meet representatives from local and international organizations who are helping those in need. All of the organizations have been vetted by the church mission team. 

You can view the online catalog and purchase gifts today, and visit a table in the Courtyard after worship this Sunday.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

Married Couples Workshop

On Friday, February 7, 6:30-8:30pm and Saturday, February 8, 9am - 12pm, Piedmont Church will host a workshop for married couples and those in long-term committed relationships - Making Love Thrive: The Art of Fulfilling Communication and Deep Connection

The presenter will be Laura Taggert, an experienced couples therapist, author and presenter. The theme for Friday night is 'What is your love style in your relationship?' Learn more about how attachment or love style can impact your relationship.

For Saturday morning, the focus is 'How to have more open-hearted communication and deepen our connection with our spouse or partner.'

The cost per person is $60. Refreshments will be served, and childcare is available if a request is made by February 1. Contact Don Ashburn at Don@PiedmontChurch.org

Registration deadline is January 14

Online Bible Study

Bible Study won’t meet on December 23, 30 and January 6. 

On Mondays at 10am, Don Ashburn is leading a study on the Book of James. To participate fully, no previous experience in Bible study is expected or required. Just come with an open heart and mind and see where the Spirit leads you. The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83211177073

Life Groups Adds Virtual Option

Life Groups return on Thursday, January 16. And now, there are 2 ways to participate — in person and online.

Groups meeting in person get together starting at 6:15pm in Guild Hall for a shared meal, then meet in separate rooms in the church. There will be two online groups meeting at different times during the day. Once we know who can participate in online groups, we’ll finalize the days and times.

If you’ve never participated in a Life Group before, it is a way to participate in small group discussion and support. Discussion usually focuses on the previous week’s sermon, but at other times addresses books or other topics. It's a great way to learn about the Bible while finding fellowship and support.

While we believe it's important to meet in person, we recognize that for many reasons, some may need to participate remotely. That’s why we now offer virtual Life Groups. All participants need to sign up to be part of a Life Group. Contact Don Ashburn at Don@PiedmontChurch.org

Registration deadline is January 14

NEXTGEN

Our NextGen ministry is very active, with lots of events throughout the month. Visit the NextGen web page by clicking below.

Two Sessions, Confirmation 2025

Confirmation Session 1:

We invite 7th graders and above to join our 9-week Confirmation Class, which starts on January 12 and concludes with a special overnight retreat on March 28, 29.

Class Details:

• When: Sundays, from 12-1pm (starting January 12)
• Where: Youth Room, C.E. Building
• Duration: 9 weeks, plus an overnight retreat

What to Expect:

In this class, students will:

• Explore the core beliefs of the Christian faith
• Wrestle with deep questions about life and spirituality
• Craft their personal Statement of Faith as they grow in understanding

Confirmation Session 2:

We invite 7th graders and above to join our nine-week Confirmation Class, which starts January 12 and concludes with a special overnight retreat on March 28-29.

Class Details:

• When: Wednesdays, from 3-4pm (starting January 8)
• Where: Youth Room, Piedmont Community Church
• Duration: 9 weeks, plus an overnight retreat

At the conclusion of the classes, students will have the opportunity to be introduced to the congregation during the Palm Sunday service if they choose to pursue membership with Piedmont Church.

Get ready to deck the halls and spread some holiday cheer on Sunday, December 8, 11am-1pm in the Welcome Area of the C.E. Building for a festive celebration you won’t want to miss.

Here’s what’s in store:

• Build your very own gingerbread house with all the decoration fixings provided.
• Enjoy a delicious lunch as part of the festivities.
• Sing along to your favorite Christmas tunes during our Jingle Jam sing-a-long.
• Play some fun family-friendly games to keep the holiday spirit going.

This event is open to kids of all ages, so bring the whole family and make some merry memories. Space is limited, so be sure to sign up today!

Registration deadline is December 5

FELLOWSHIP

Women Decorating Cookies

Get into the spirit of the holidays by joining a cookie decorating party. Have fun socializing with other women while creating some fun cookie designs. And, if you’re up for a challenge, you can try your hand at a couple techniques: flooding and wet-on-wet. Whatever you decide, you’ll leave with about 4 - 6 cookies. 

Put on your creative hat and meet in the Kettlewell room on Saturday, December 14, 1-3pm. Cider and light snacks will be served. A $5 donation requested to help cover costs.

Registration deadline is December 9

New Beginners, Gentle Pickleball

Are you interested in playing, or learning to play, pickleball but without the seriousness or competitiveness that you may feel is associated with our current Sunday Pickleball Fellowship? 

If so, you'll enjoy this new gathering of Beginners and Gentle Pickleball Fellowship Saturdays from 2-4pm in the indoor gym, second floor of the Christian Education (C.E.) Building, beginning January 11, 2025. Equipment is provided. No experience required.

A more serious version of pickleball (slam, lob and dinking battles) takes place Sundays from 1-3pm, also in the indoor gym.

Contact Lucille Yee at lucilleyee@gmail.com or Suzanne Latham at suzlatham3@gmail.com

BUILDINGS & GROUNDS

Lighting Project Continues

Buildings and Grounds is happy to announce that the lighting project is continuing with core drill path lights for the Mountain Avenue entrance to the parking lot.

The project includes a combination of core drills and spot lights.

- Jay Foreman, Property Manager, B&G 

SERVICE

Ride Coordinator Needed

In seeking to meet the needs of people in our community who cannot - or no longer - can drive to church on Sunday mornings, we are seeking a volunteer Ride Coordinator. The responsibilities consist of finding out who may need a ride to church, what their physical capacity may be and arranging for people to drive them to church.

This task would be done in coordination with the pastoral staff and the Board of Deacons. We’ll start by offering a limited amount of rides, then decide if we need to build our capacity. Contact Don Ashburn at Don@PiedmontChurch.org

All Families 'Adopted'

Wrapped and labeled gifts due this Sunday

Thanks to your incredible generosity, all of the families in our Adopt a Family for Christmas program with CityTeam have found their holiday donors.

Your kindness will ensure these families receive gifts, bringing joy to their Christmas season. Together, we're creating a brighter holiday season for families in our community.

We look forward to receiving your wrapped and labeled gifts in Guild Hall Parlor before or after worship on December 8. CityTeam will be picking up our donations at 12 noon. Please make sure that all gifts are labeled and packaged in accordance with the instructions in the packet given to you when you signed up for your family.

If you are not able to bring your gifts to the church, let Audrey or Tim know and deliver your gifts to CityTeam at 722 Washington St., Oakland, no later than Friday, December 13. Office hours are Monday-Saturday, 9am - 6pm.

Contact Audrey Sung at (510) 282-9444 or alsung777@gmail.com, or Tim Robison at (301) 938-4214 or  twrobison@comcast.net

Gifts for Harbor House Christmas Store

Harbor House, one of our three Mission Partners, puts on a Christmas Store to allow Harbor House families to purchase gifts at very low cost for their children, with all proceeds from the store used to support families with urgent needs. 

Information about the Christmas Store is on their website, including the Amazon Wish List link that you can use to order gifts. And, if you're interested in volunteering at the store, you can fill out the Christmas Store Volunteer Form to work on either Friday, December 13 or Saturday, December 14. Contact Mike Bandrowski at mike.bandrowski@gmail.com

WEEKLY REMINDERS

Staying Well While Gathering

Although many of us have begun to travel and widen our social lives in the past months, COVID and other respiratory infections have kept up with us, as you may have noticed in recent months.  We have learned a lot since 2020 about the consequences of these infections, which continue to impact the health of the most vulnerable and those we love.

To keep everyone we love well when gathering, we should take advantage of multiple effective strategies developed since 2020: 1) get updated COVID, influenza, and RSV vaccines that strengthen our individual and community immunity;  2) use rapid home antigen tests that are now free and available again by mail from the USPS; 3) take Paxlovid and other early antiviral treatments to reduce the risk of severe complications; 4) mask to protect yourself and prevent transmission; 5) use proper hand hygiene; and 6) ensure good ventilation wherever you gather.  For more information here are trusted sources:

Updated Vaccines: 

https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html

Free tests:

https://aspr.hhs.gov/COVID-19/Test/Pages/default.aspx

Messenger and Sunday Bulletin Deadlines

The Messenger

Piedmont Church’s online newsletter, The Messenger, is the primary source of communication. The Messenger is published digitally and distributed via email weekly.

Deadline for Messenger articles is 12 noon Monday

Michael Barber edits copy and designs the layout of each Messenger with careful consideration of article placement. Placement is determined based on relevance to the congregation and the wider community. 

Sunday Bulletin

Sunday bulletin and worship announcements are decided by Michael based on Tuesday discussions with Staff and lay leadership.

Print deadline for Sunday Bulletin is 12 noon Tuesday

Church Calendar

All information regarding the church calendar, including event dates, setup times and meetings, should be sent to Jay Foreman at Jay@PiedmontChurch.org

Please consider making an online offering by clicking below, or give while watching Sunday services on our website.