Celebrating Children’s
& Youth Ministries

Dear Friends,


The mission of Children’s, Youth, and Family Ministries is to help our children, youth and families to know, experience, and participate in the love of God and neighbor through our church community. By building deeper mutual connections with the broader congregation, we hope to grow in faith and life together. 

Stop by our ministry table after worship this Sunday to learn more and get connected! Explore ongoing programs like Children’s Church, Youth Group, and CARAVAN, or check out new ones such as our 9 am Intergenerational Bible Study, All-Church Retreat, and monthly mission/service activities. We would also love to see you at our upcoming All-Church Advent and Mardi Gras celebrations as we share life together in this beloved community.

With excitement for the year ahead,

Rich

MWC is now Shared Grace
2nd & 4th Wednesdays @ 6:30–8 pm 
Beginning October 14

Exciting announcements from Modern Worship Collective (MWC)!

• New name: Shared Grace
• New night: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays
• New time: 6:30–8 pm (dinner @ 6:30, worship @ 7)

Why? When MWC began as an experiment in new ways to worship and build community, the name was just a placeholder. Now that dinner church and shared discussions have become an integral part of this service, we want the name to reflect this growth. Come share with us!

MWC Welcomes Veronica Ota

Sunday, September 13 • 5 pm • Fellowship Hall

At MWC this Sunday evening, Veronica Ota, our presbytery’s Peace and Justice Advocate, will be sharing her story and how it intersects with our September theme: We Need Each Other. Cody will be leading music. Dinner starts at 5 pm.

Please note, Sunday, September 13 will be the last time MWC will meet in its previous time slot. There will be no MWC on September 27 due to the All-Church Retreat. Shared Grace: Dinner Church will begin in its new time slot on Wednesday, October 14.

Picchetti Ranch Preserve Hike

Tomorrow, Saturday, September 12 • 9 am • Map • RSVP

Come join us on a beautiful hike at Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve, led by Eileen Elrod. The out-and-back hike on the Zinfandel Trail is 4 miles with an elevation gain of 633 ft. 

Meet at 9 am in the Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve Parking (next to the winery's lot). Bring a lunch or snack and we’ll have a picnic next to the winery before going home. Please RSVP if you can join us!

World Communion Special Offering

Sunday, September 13
During worship

For decades, our church has participated in World Communion Offering (formerly “Peace & Global Witness”) as a way to live out the values of love, peace, and justice Christ modeled for us. 

The tradition continues this Sunday with our World Communion Offering. You’ll find special envelopes in the pews, or if you’re donating online, select “World Communion” for your contribution, knowing your donation will support our call for peace and justice in this world.

Mini Ministry Fairs

Sunday, September 13 • Trinity Court after worship

Ever wonder how everything gets done at Sunnyvale Pres? Teams of people (elected elders/session members and other volunteers) comprise nine ministry areas, each focusing on a specific aspect of the church’s ministry. From time to time, one or more of those teams will host a “mini ministry fair” in Trinity Court so folks can meet the team and learn what they have planned for the coming year. 

This Sunday, please come by to visit with Children, Youth, & Families, and Community Life & Learning ministries.

Evensong’s Healing Prayer Service

Wednesday, September 16
7–8 pm • Sanctuary

September’s Evensong worship will offer a special opportunity. It will include healing prayer — a time when individuals may come forward to pray for healing at one (or more!) of four prayer stations:  

• Anointing with oil
• Lighting a candle
• Receiving the laying-on of hands (in silence)
• Sharing a prayer request with a prayer team. 

Our songs and chants will also focus on healing. As always, communion will complete the service. 

New Library Books

The church library has new books for everyone! Come check out the September book display featuring small group book choices to see what others in our community are reading and discussing. Topics include Christian living, commentaries, ethnic racism, Christian theology, and more! New children’s books are also on display on the children’s bookshelf. The library is located next to the front office and open to everyone during office hours and Sundays after the 10 am service.

Congregational Meeting

Sunday, September 20 • Around 11 am, after worship
Sanctuary & Zoom

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend either in person or on Zoom. The purpose of the meeting is to elect church officers, vote on two proposed amendments to the bylaws, and receive a brief budget update.

The Nominating Committee is grateful to the congregation for the many suggestions submitted during last spring’s officer recommendation period, and for these members who answered yes to the call:

• Elders — Erica Swanson (Clerk); Arul Daniel (Class of 2028, filling an unfinished term); and Joanne Lewis, Marissa Moffett, Ed Priest, Michael Pyle, Rita Tharakan, Scotty VanSickle (Class of 2029)
• Deacons (Class of 2029) — Heather Dunphy-Nielsen, EileenElrod, Roger Medsker, Lynn Page, Kris Sheridan, Elsbeth TeBrake
• Nominating Committee 2027 Members-at-Large — Val Weirauch and (one space open) 

PELC Fundraiser @ Pizza My Heart

Monday, September 21 • 4–9 pm

110 E. El Camino, Sunnyvale

Enjoy a meal with family and friends while supporting PELC! The fundraising applies to dine-in, take-out, and delivery orders placed directly through the Pizza My Heart website. (Please note: orders placed through DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grub Hub will not count toward the fundraiser.) When ordering, be sure to mention PELC or use the online code PELC921 so your purchase supports our school.

Parents’ Night Out (PNO)

Saturdays in October–November • 4–7 pm • Email

The fall session of our successful babysitting coop will be held October–November on Saturday evenings, 4–7 pm at church. Alongside experienced volunteers, each family will work as part of the childcare team once and drop their children off for the other sessions to enjoy a night out. This is a great way for children and parents to build relationships with other families in the church. Contact Debbie Shaver for more information.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers...

Continued Prayers

• John Vorreiter — healing and recovery
• Pat Tsai — health concerns
• Patricia Strandburg — healing 

Upcoming Events

• Sermon Series: We Need Each Other • through Sept. 27 • Details
• Film Screening: Palestine ’36 • Sept. 17 @ Westhope Pres • Details
• Crafts Day • Sept. 12 • Details
• All-Church Retreat • Sept. 25–27 • Register
• Safe Church Training • Oct. 4 • Details
• Launch of new Volunteer Service Tool • Oct. 11
• League of Women Voters class/info session • Oct. 11 • Details
• Fall Fest • Oct. 18 • Details 
• Trek or Treat • Oct. 23 • Details

Join us for weekly worship opportunities!

• Sundays @ 10 am — onsite or online
• Modern Worship Collective — Dinner and worship in Fellowship Hall,
  Sunday, September 13 @ 5 pm (not meeting on September 27),
  then shifting to 2nd & 4th Wednesdays @ 7 pm (dinner @ 6:30) 
  *Note the new day & time as of October 14!*
• Evensong: Contemplative Worship — 3rd Wednesdays @ 7 pm in the sanctuary



To join online on Sundays, look for the red “Online Worship & Event Links” button at the top of our website.

Beware of scams! If you’re ever unsure about a message that looks like it’s from a church staff member, contact us before purchasing gift cards or sending money to anyone.