August 06, 2025

College Heights
Aug 6
3 min read

Dear Beloved Community,

Last Sunday we got to hear about Stephen’s two grandfathers. In sharing their lives, Stephen offered more than just memory—he invited us into legacy, into love, into the threads that shape who we are.

Stories like these are always sacred. They hold pain and wisdom, humor and hope. They remind us that behind every face is a journey, and within every journey is the possibility of connection and transformation.

Jesus Christ loved hearing people’s stories. Time and again in the Gospels, we see him stop and listen—to a woman drawing water alone at a well, to a man crying out from the roadside, to a centurion pleading for his servant. Jesus didn’t rush past their words; he made space for their truth. He knew that healing begins when we are truly seen and heard.

In telling our stories—and in listening to the stories of others—we step into that sacred pattern. We remember that we belong to one another. That our lives are stitched together by grace. That even in brokenness, there is beauty. And that God meets us right there, in the telling.

This upcoming Sunday, we will continue this journey of encountering the sacred as Caje shares with us an encounter with the sacred through the story of his father. We hope you’ll join us.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday, and hope each of you is having a wonderful week.

Peace and blessings!

-Jorge

P. S. August's Giving Sunday offering is for Neighbors in Need. This annual UCC collection supports ministries of justice and compassion. One-third is given to the Council for American Indian Ministries and the remaining two-thirds to UCC justice ministries.

The Church Council recently clarified what monies in the collection plate go to our Giving Sunday recipient each month. On the first Sunday of the month (the "Giving Sunday"), the whole plate goes to the designated nonprofit. Any other time during the month you can contribute by way of a check with the name of the nonprofit in the memo line.

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.

Recordings of our Taize services are also on the YouTube page.

Upcoming services and events

Thursday Discussion Group: Thursday, August 7, 7pm on Zoom. We've segued from signs to past lives, starting with the now-classic Brian Weiss book, "Many Lives, Many Masters." All are welcome to join the discussion, whether you've read the book or not.
Taize Service: Friday, August 8, 7:30 pm. Our monthly service of chant, prayer and quiet. Hear poetry from Lynn Ungar. Also available via zoom.
Instant Choir: Sunday, August 10, 9am rehearsal. All are welcome.
Church Council: Sunday, August 17, after worship.
Women's Retreat: Aug 22-24 (weekend before Labor Day) at Pacific Grove. Talk to Polly for more information.
Book Group: Sunday, Aug 31, 7pm on Zoom. Reading "A Tale for the Time Being" by Ruth Ozeki. We will spend two sessions on this novel.
Worship & Arts: Sunday, Sept 7, after worship. All are invited to come plan the fall worship schedule.