Sunday morning, one of our guests said something so profound to me following worship.  It was their first time worship with us.  They came into our space with a heavy heart and this is what they said as they were leaving.

“I came searching for tolerance … I left with celebration and love”

THIS IS WHY WE ARE HERE, FOLKS!

When people begin to understand who we are, not only who we are, but who God is in our community, then the world will find for themselves how we are set apart on purpose … set apart for purpose. the purpose being to grace God’s world, offering this “surprise” to everyone we come in contact with. I love being your pastor.

Holding you close and lifting you high!

Pastor Greg

Silence

…………silence…………

…………is also worship…………

………………………………………

………………………………………

…………spend some time…………

…………this week…………

…………in…………

…………silence…………

Pastor Brandon

San Diego Wirelettuce can be found growing on sand dunes, in old clearings, and on roadside embankments. 

Very generously, this member of the aster family can be found flowering for about half the year, between July and January. Wirelettuce blooms offer a tiny pop of color leading the way as we enter the fall and winter months. The various stages of the blooms can be seen in the picture above, including buds, partially open flowers, fully open flowers, and finally the dandelion like seeds.

Young Adult Ministry Crafternoon

11am-12pm, Sunday Sept 20th



All are welcome to make crafts with us after church this Sunday!

Questions, ask Autumn (autumnhankinson4@gmail.com)

Give the Gift of Life — Blood Drive, October 15

Community Church of Poway will host our last blood drive or 2026 on Thursday, October 15, and we invite everyone who is able to consider giving the simple but extraordinary gift of blood.

Blood donation is truly a human gift. It crosses every boundary and brings people together for one purpose: helping another person in need. A single donation can help patients facing surgery, cancer treatment, serious illness, accidents, and other medical emergencies.

Blood donation has also become more inclusive. Updated donor eligibility guidelines have removed some of the previous restrictions affecting members of the LGBTQ+ community, allowing more people to be considered individually for eligibility. We are grateful that more members of our community may now have the opportunity to give this lifesaving gift.

Have you never donated blood before? Perhaps October 15 is the day to give it a try. The process is straightforward, and we will provide information about eligibility, what is required to donate, and how to prepare.

At Community Church of Poway, we often talk about caring for our neighbors. Donating blood is one very tangible way to put that care into action. The person who receives your blood will probably never know your name—and you may never know theirs—but your generosity could make an extraordinary difference in their life.

If you are able, please consider joining us on October 15. One small act of kindness can help save a life.


To Sign-up:


I will be more than happy to schedule anyone who needs help on 9/27 and 10/11 after the service. You can also email or call me at:

sgurriell@gmail.com or 619-993-4952

You can also sign up on the Red Cross website, by scrolling down to Thursday October 15th on the left side of the screen, and clicking "See Times".

Outreach Ministry

Getting Aid to Nepal

Before our lovely Cathy Evans left for India, she shared two suggestions for getting money directly to the Nepali people impacted by the devastating floods.

Conscious Connections Foundation, along with its local partner Conscious Connections Nepal, has mobilized to provide immediate disaster relief following the catastrophic August 2026 flash floods and landslides. Because the foundation has a long-standing, deep-rooted infrastructure in Nepal focused on rural healthcare and education, they are pivoting their network to deliver direct aid to impacted communities. 

Hands on Global is working with Instituto Dharma. HOG colleague and friend, Dr. Karina Oliani of Brazil, has a long and profound connection to Nepal. Following the devastating 2015 earthquake, she helped mobilize assistance for communities there. Her humanitarian organization, Instituto Dharma, grew from that commitment and later helped build a school in the Nepali village of Patle. Today, she is in direct contact with her Nepali Sherpa guide and local partners, gathering information about what families need right now, and what they will need in the difficult months of recovery ahead.

Hands On Global stands with Karina, Instituto Dharma, and the people of Nepal. To assist the Nepali people, you may donate to Hands on Global and reference the Nepal Flood. 

Our Church’s Wider Mission Special Offering

Greetings from the Outreach Ministry

Thank you to our Church, family and friends for your generous gifts of food for our very own pantry here at CCP. Your Gifts will bring smiles and full tummies to those that need a little extra help. Thank you so much.

For the month of September, please prayerfully consider supporting our Church’s Wider Mission with a special mission offering to be divided among the United Church of Christ’s Special Mission Offerings and Basic Support.

• Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support provides funding from congregations for Conferences and the national ministries of the UCC.

• Neighbors in Need supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the US including the Council for American Indian Ministry and the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries.

• One Great Hour of Sharing responds to humanitarian needs in the world and carries God’s message of love and hope to people in crisis. OGHS provides sources of clean water, food, education, health care, micro loans, disaster preparedness and more.

• The Christmas Fund supports the charitable arm of the Pension Board with direct financial support of those who serve the church and are facing difficulties.

• Strengthen the Church reflects the shared commitment of people across the UCC to cooperatively support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry and innovation in existing congregations.

These special mission offerings change lives inside and outside of the United Church of Christ. Together, they create a network of support that demonstrates the Church in action, loving the world that God loves.

Please prayerfully consider how you can help these missions. Just indicate “Mission Offering” on your check or online contribution. Thank you for helping the Community Church of Poway support 5 for 5!

God’s Blessings

The Outreach Ministry 

Centering Prayer

Tuesdays at 6:30 PM

Contact Colleen Clementson at powclem@yahoo.com or on

her cell at 858-663-6584, for the ZOOM invite



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Image Credits:

Floral background photo from The New York Public Library

Wireleaf header photo by smfang, CC BY-NC

Floral playlist photo from the Photo from The Art Institute of Chicago
Worn bible photo By David Ball - Original work, CC BY 2.5
Illustration of praying girl by Jessie Willcox Smith from The New York Public Library

Nepal photo by Krish Dulal - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Wireleaf collage photos:

© Pamela Taylor

© sea-kangaroo

© Dan Buker