News for January 30, 2024
This Sunday, Feb 4: In-person service at 10am
Our guest preacher this Sunday will be Jane Leiby, good friend of Janice and Caje Remedios. She will be sharing with us her studies in the power of gaze: eyes as a "window to your soul." This will be Caje and Janice's first Sunday as worship leaders, which is great. Communion will be celebrated.
The Giving Sunday offering for February is for Puente de la Costa Sur, offering services to the South Coast communities of Pescadero, La Honda, Loma Mar and San Gregorio. What began years ago with the Pescadero UCC church repairing bicycles for the farmworkers has grown into a center for all kinds of services, from ESL to community health. Their next big event is the upcoming Farmworker Convention in March.
Recent sermons
Check out our YouTube page to see recent sermons. Go to our archive of slides to see bulletins and slides used during recent services.
Starting in Sept 2023, recordings of our Taize services are also on the YouTube page.
Due to a technical glitch, Polly's sermon on "The Hard Work of Peace" didn't get recorded. You can read the text here.
Pepe Doyle's sermon on "My Search for Joy" is posted, though not publicly. Contact the office for the link.
Candidating Weekend Feb 10-11
The Search Committee invites the whole church to come meet the candidate they are proposing as our next pastor: Rev. Jorge Bautista. Jorge's most recent position was as pastor to the Hispanic congregation at the Congregational Church of San Mateo. We are excited to welcome him to two events:
Sat, Feb 10, 6pm: an all-church smorgy (potluck) to meet Jorge. This is an informal, social event designed to give us all a chance to meet Jorge and for him to meet us. Please come if you can.
Sun, Feb 11, 10am: Jorge will preach at our regular Sunday morning service. After the service, members of the church will vote on whether to call him. If you're going to be out of town you can Zoom in, but proxies are not counted in this important vote.
Valentine Make 'n' Take on Sun, Feb 4
Invite your friends and come make valentines! Sunday, Feb 4 from 12-2. Craft materials will be supplied, as well as expert guidance from long-time valentine makers Jim and Marilyn Garrison. Lunch will be provided but you are encouraged to contribute a Valentine-themed dessert. Questions? Karen Conklin will have the answers!
Upcoming services and events
• Taize Service: Fri, Feb 9 (7:30 pm). Join us in-person or on zoom for this quiet service of chant and prayer. Poetry by Denise Levertov; Ami Nashimoto on cello.
• Meet-the-Pastor Smorgy: Sat, Feb 10 (6 pm). Come share a meal with our pastor candidate, Rev Jorge Bautista. He's looking forward to meeting all of us!
• Candidating Sunday: Sun, Feb 11 (10 am). We will hear the preaching of the candidate for our next minister, and vote after the service. Voting members of the church are requested to be present (or on Zoom).
• Ash Wednesday Service: Wed, Feb 14 (7 pm)
Joint service with other local UCC congregations, held at CCSM (aka "the downtown church").
• Book Group: Sun, Feb 25 (7 pm), Zoom
Our next book will be "Horse" by Geraldine Brooks.
• Weds discussion group: Mar 13 (7 pm), Zoom
"Basic Bible Stories", meeting the main characters of the Old Testament. Our next stories are about Esther and Job, both worthy of our attention.
Links and resources
• Free seminar on the History, Spirituality and Theology of Eastern Christianity, offered by Global Ministries University, Tues, Feb 6, 4pm PST on Zoom. Register to get the link.
• Second annual "Step Up for the Homeless" from Abundant Grace, Feb 14-Mar 17.
Quote of the week
"Make the ordinary come alive... the extraordinary will take care of itself." -- William Martin
Weekly events
• Meditation group: Wednesdays at 7:30 am
In person at the church building.
• Sunday worship: 10 am
In person at the church building.
Image: Jane Leiby
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