TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2024

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Giving Goal Nearly Complete

$112k needed to close the gap

At present, we have $988,000 committed with $112,000 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!

Don't Miss A Beat!

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

Operatic Interruptus - Volume Up!

What does an experienced preacher do when a choir member begins playing opera on his phone in the middle of his sermon? Steve Schibsted ROLLS with it!

Looking Like Americana Christmas

The Sanctuary is decorated for the holiday and Americana music is in the air. This Sunday, enjoy performances by our Piedmont Church String Band including Mads Tolling, Mitch Polzak, Nick Bergen and Stephen Main. Our vocal ensemble is Christa Pfeiffer, Becca Burrington, Sylvia Sudat, Tina Harrington, Michael Alvis, Michael Orlinsky, Darren Fletcher and Asher Davison.

Christmas Concert December 7, 8

Tickets remain, but going FAST!

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.

It's Not Easy Being Greened

Decorating the church grounds for Advent and the Christmas holiday season takes time and effort. Please come and assist the Altar Guild with the greening this Saturday November 30, 9am - 12 noon. Contact Paul Schroeder at pschroeder@slatt.com

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.

New Sermon Series Sunday

2nd Annual Snow Day 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.

Christmas Gathering December 13

Deadline for tickets this Friday

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.

Sign up below or in the Courtyard after worship. Cost is $15 per person. Adults only, please. Contact Kathy Hurd at (916) 343-1519

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 starting today.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

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

NEXTGEN

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

Serving CityTeam

On Saturday, 22 middle and high school students, along with 11 volunteers and 2 staff, served a fall meal to 139 guests at CityTeam’s Hope Café. They not only prepared the meal and served, but also took orders from two different menus.

A huge thank you to Clara Shum and Jo Palsa for crafting the incredible desserts that made the meal even more special.

Our youth program is growing in numbers and in faith.

Confirmation 2025

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

At the conclusion of the class, 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, 11 AM-1 PM 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!

Nursery Help Wanted

We are currently looking for a Nursery/Childcare helper on Sundays from 9:45 - 11:45am. There will be a few evening and weekend events (TBD). Applicants must be over 18 years of age. This is a paid position.

For complete job requirements, description and to send resume, contact Leslie Quantz at Leslie@PiedmontChurch.org

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. Please register by 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

SERVICE

All Families 'Adopted'

Wrapped and labeled gifts due December 8

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.