TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023 | |
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SPECIAL VOTE NOTICE
A brief congregational meeting will be held immediately after worship on Sunday, November 26 to elect members of the new Mission Board. Scroll to the Church Business section for more information.
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Christmas Concert Tickets On Sale
While Shepherds Watch - An Overture to Christmas
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This spectacular evening has become a Christmas favorite, not just for Piedmont Community Church but also for the wider community. The church choir and soloists team with a full symphony orchestra under the direction of Stephen Main to present a very special concert.
Each year, the program incorporates a theme of the Christmas story. This year, the shepherds who experienced the miracle of the angels telling them of the Savior's birth in Bethlehem will be the theme. The music will be both contemporary and from centuries past; it will be medieval, traditional and gospel.
As for past concerts, Stephen has composed some entirely new music, and the entire congregation will get to sing carols with the orchestra. The one-hour concert will be followed by a festive reception in the Guild Hall with delightful savory and sweet treats, wine, coffee and punch.
The dates are Saturday, December 16 and Sunday, December 17. Both concerts start at 7:30pm. Tickets for both the concert and the reception are $50 for general admission seats. Those who want to provide additional support for the concert (orchestras are expensive!) can purchase patron tickets for $150 and receive reserved seating.
Tickets are available online now. Sales also after worship in the Courtyard. Alternatively, you can send a check to the church including which evening you prefer and receive your tickets by return mail or pick them up at Will Call before the concert.
The concert will not be available online.
We are looking for volunteers to help as ushers, front door staff, wine pourers, food preparation and serving and, of course, clean-up. If you have any questions about the event or want to volunteer to help, contact Pat Leicher at patleicher@gmail.com
| You are invited to participate in the Spirit of Christmas Advent Fair held after worship Sunday, December 3 in Guild Hall. We will be making Advent wreaths and crafting. There will be a photo booth and baked goods and items from Needles and Hooks to buy. All are welcome and at no charge, but please register so we can estimate food needs. Thank you! | |
CALLING ALL BAKERS
We are looking for items to sell at our Advent Fair. Items should be packaged to sell. All baked goods need to be delivered on Saturday, December 2 or Sunday December 3 before 9:30am. Contact Leslie Quantz at Leslie@PiedmontChurch.org with information about what you are bringing and for more details.
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Christmas Eve Service Times
4pm family friendly, 7 and 9pm candlelight
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Piedmont Church provides three opportunities to celebrate Christmas Eve. At 4pm, we'll have a family-friendly service. Our traditional candlelight services will be held at 7pm and 9pm.
These three services replace our regular 10am Sunday service, and an 11pm Christmas Eve service.
The 4pm family-friendly and 7pm traditional candlelight services will be available to watch LIVE online.
| Alternative Gift Market Dates | |
This year, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of our Alternative Gift Market with an in-person gathering on Sunday, December 10 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.
We have three new groups to support; Prison Fellowship, Children of the Nations and GAIA Global Health.
You can view the online catalog and purchase gifts starting today.
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Upcoming AGM Events
December 3 - We'll have a table as part of the Advent Fair
December 10 - Alternative Gift Market official launch includes representatives from local agencies and special holiday treats in the Courtyard
December 17 - We'll have a table in the Courtyard
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New Directory Sign-Up
Sign up today to be visible in our new database
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If you haven't yet signed in to our new church directory, please do so today. You decide what information to make public and which to keep private.
You were sent an email a few weeks ago inviting you to join the new online directory. If you do not have this invitation, or wish to receive one, please write to Connect@PiedmontChurch.org
Please note that your information from our previous database is not visible until you log in and sign up with your updated information.
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November 19 Worship Media | From Last Sunday - It’s ‘Horn Sunday!’ We welcome Les Trompes de Piedmont for special music, along with Stephen Main and our Chancel Choir. Don Ashburn concludes our sermon series on the Ten Commandments and Steve Schibsted leads us in worship. | |
Coming Up This Sunday - Don Ashburn preaches, and we have a brief congregational meeting to elect members of our new Mission Board. | |
Snow Forecasted In Piedmont | Come out and play in 20 tons of REAL snow on Friday, December 22 from 4-7pm at Piedmont Church. We'll have a sledding hill in the parking lot. Throughout the campus, the winter fun will continue with outdoor games, music and so much more. This is a free community event for kids and adults of all ages. Be sure to wear mittens or gloves and cold weather gear. | It's Not Easy Being Greened | |
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Greening of the church is a fun and easy process when there are lots of lending hands. The Altar Guild is asking church members to please come and help Saturday, December 2, 9am - 12 noon.
If you can lend a hand, even for just an hour, contact Paul Schroeder, Altar Guild Chair, at pschroeder@slatt.com
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Christmas Courtyard Gathering | |
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We are planning a Christmas Gathering in the Courtyard on Friday, December 8 from 4 - 7pm, or in Guild Hall if inclement weather.
Wine, catered hor d’oeuvres and dessert will be served. Cost is $15 per adult in advance or $20 at the door.
Wear a Christmas sweater or casual cocktail attire.
To purchase tickets, click the link below or call Kathy Hurd at (916) 343-1519 by December 4. Last minute registrations will be taken based on availability due to catering cut-off date.
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Deadline for Messenger articles is 12 noon Monday.
Items received after Monday will be considered for the next edition.
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Our first Women’s Retreat since before the pandemic will take place on Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 8:45am -4:45pm (leave and arrive back at church via carpool) at Lenox House, 290 Lenox Avenue, Oakland, just 2 miles from church. There is an internal staircase. Dress comfortably.
The New Year’s theme is Rest and Renew. Leave your busy post-holiday lives for a few hours of peace, exploration and sharing your stories with your church sisters.
We will retreat by easy carpool to Lenox House, which is a lovely old mansion and Christian retreat center just blocks up the hill from Fairy Land. All prayer and practices will be led by wonderful women of the congregation who are willing to share their depth of spiritual wisdom. We will experience ancient and modern practices that calm the body, center the mind, engage the imagination in Scripture and open the heart to the Holy Spirit. The afternoon will end with Communion.
By the grace of God, you will leave with a full heart, feeling refreshed, connected to other women and loved.
Cost is $50, including lunch (specify if vegetarian when registering).
Registration is limited to 25. Contact Julie McDonald at julieemcdonald@yahoo.com, (510) 238-9062 or (510) 388-0481 (text)
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Mexico Trip Seeks New Head Chef | |
If you've attended a Mexico Mission trip, you know how much the element of good and healthy food contributes to the success of the project. We are in search of our next Head Chef. To read more about the position and to apply, click the link below. | |
Members of our High School group prepared and served a Hope Cafe meal for over 200 at CityTeam, Oakland last Saturday. Piedmont Church does this once a month for the homeless in Oakland. Pictured are Kimery Leong, Francesca Ceccarelli, Ed Balasingham, Gen Hiller, Will Becker and Nate Temple. | |
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At Piedmont Community Church, we love kids and teens. We are always looking for volunteers to be a part of what God is doing through our ministry. Below is a description of opportunities to serve with the NextGen program.
Many of these positions do not require much time or an every week commitment. Please consider becoming a part of our team.
Operations Team Members
These individuals help keep our ministry safe, welcoming and running smoothly.
- Welcome + Check-in Team – Sundays from 9:45am-10:10am
- Helpers - Sundays during worship service. Individuals will help in the classrooms as needed.
- Nursery/Toddler Caregivers: Provide care for our littlest kids.
Pre-K/K, Elementary & Student Programs
- Large Group Teachers - These are individuals with the gift of creative communication. The Large Group teachers rotate and serve about once every 3 weeks during the worship service.
- Life Group Leaders - These leaders help kids foster community and reinforce the Large Group lesson through conversation, games and activities. They are with children every Sunday.
Contact Leslie Quantz at Leslie@PiedmontChurch.org
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Online Bible Study Mondays | |
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Help bring joy to Oakland families this Christmas season by supporting our partner Harbor House with their Christmas store for families. You can help by purchasing gifts for the Christmas store
through the Amazon wish list link Amazon Wish List or by volunteering at the store Volunteer Registration Link
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We are a very casual Shared Interest Group: someone makes plans for an event and others may decide to join - sometimes with dinner out ahead of the event. Until we add more ideas from you, these are the last planned outings of 2023:
November 29 - Berkeley Rep - Bulrusher
December 13 - Berkeley Rep - Harry Clarke
December 17 - Bay Philharmonic 3pm - Chabot College
Please send your ideas for other events to Linda McClain at lindamcclain@me.com and Judy Wright at rbwright1@mac.com. And let us know if you’d like to be added to our Theater Group notifications.
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Pickleball Sundays, 1-3pm | Join in on the craze that's sweeping the nation: pickleball! We play on Sundays from 1-3pm at the indoor gym, second floor of the Christian Education Building. All are welcome. Equipment is provided and no experience is required. Contact Maureen Recker at maureenrecker@gmail.com with questions. See you on the court! | |
'Breathe' Wednesdays, 1:30pm | |
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Join with others who seek the refreshment of meditation and the opportunity to enhance their spiritual growth through the concept of sangha or sitting in silence within a group.
Sit tall, take a breath and find your path. Contact Sara Hirsch at sara1.hirsch1@gmail.com
| Seniors Gathering Opportunity | |
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Seniors Seeking Conversation and Coffee meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month in Guild Parlor, 9:30-11am.
All seniors, aged 65-110 years, are welcome. Contact Ann Chandler at
(510) 444-0280
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November 26 Congregational Meeting | |
There will be a congregational meeting after the November 26 Sunday service. We will vote to approve the members of the Mission Board as nominated by the Nominating Committee.
Class of 2024
Jeff McClain
Class of 2025
Mike Bandrowski
Katherine Bergen
Mary Fielder
Judy Wright
Class of 2026
Suzanne Latham
Ryan McCorvie
Shannon Peloquin
Janet Peterson
Contact Ann Lin at annlinca@gmail.com
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Church President Ann Lin reports on the Board of Trustees meeting held November 13.
Click below to read all about the exciting things happening at Piedmont Church.
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Launching Our NEW Giving Platform | |
Along with our new Church Directory and Planning Center App comes three (3) ways to donate to Piedmont Church. Using our website, the Planning Center App or by texting a number on your phone, you're just seconds away from making a contribution. Click below to learn more. | |
If you need to stop other previous reoccurring donations, contact Toni Fischer for information and guidance at (510) 588-1097 ext 102 or Toni@PiedmontChurch.org | |
Download The Church Center App | |
The Church Center App is the fastest way to get information about your church, check-in your family for events, give donations, browse and join groups, register for events and get involved throughout the week.
Go to your mobile App store and download 'Church Center' App.
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The church office is now open Monday through Thursday, 11am - 1pm. | |
For your convenience, we now accept Venmo mobile for making donations using your phone. We are @PiedmontChurch | |
'MESSENGER' & BULLETIN DEADLINE | | |
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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 articles to appear in The Messenger is 12 noon each Monday. Articles submitted after deadline will be considered for the following week.
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 Tuesday, 12pm.
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Watch Church On Your TV
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1 - Go to the YouTube app on your SmartTV (or attached device)
2 - Search ‘piedmont community church.’
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Please consider making an online offering by clicking below, or give while watching Sunday services on our website. | |
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