February 04, 2026

Image: Jorge Bautista

Dear Beloved Community, 

This Sunday’s gospel, coming from Matthew 5:13-20, holds a surprising kind of comfort: Jesus doesn’t tell us to become salt and light. He names what is already true. “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” And here’s the good news: salt can’t actually lose its saltiness. You can crush it, dissolve it, scatter it—after everything, it’s still salt. In the same way, nothing can take away the God-given “flavor” in you, no matter what you’ve endured or how weary you feel. The invitation, then, isn’t to strive harder, but to remember, to lift away whatever is dulling our shine or diluting our courage. In a world that trains us to treat strangers with suspicion, faith calls us to something holier: to recognize kinship, to welcome the migrant and the neighbor in need as family, and to trust that we are worthy of the deepest love, because we already belong to God. See you Sunday! 

Peace and blessings!

-Jorge

P. S. January's Giving Sunday collection is for Abundant Grace Coastside Worker, helping the less fortunate on the coast. Their director and visionary, Eric DeBode, has been our guest preacher many times. Thanks for always being so generous with your gifts.

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, February 5, 7pm on Zoom. First meeting of the new dream group (see article above). Read chapters 1-3 of "The Wisdom of Your Dreams" by Jeremy Taylor for Feb 5.

  
  

• Church Council: Sunday, February 08, after worship. Note the date change.

  
  

• Taize Service: Friday, February 13, 7:30pm. Our monthly contemplative service of prayer and chant. Also on Zoom.

  
  

• Instant Choir: Sunday, Feb 15, 9am. Rehearse at 9, sing for the service.

  
  

• Church Pot Luck: Sunday, February 22, after worship. Our monthly meal together.

  
  

• Book Group: Sunday, Feb 22, 7pm on Zoom. Reading "Buddha, Socrates and Us" by Stephen Batchelor. Read Parts V and VI for Feb 22.

  
  

• Worship & Arts: Sunday, March 08, after worship. All are welcome to come help us plan worship

  
  

Links and resources

Sanctuary People Resource List

Abundant Grace is having a 5K walk/run on March 7 to raise money for a new roof. Information and registration here.

A Cappella Academy sings "Somewhere". Poignant to hear young people sing these words at the same time ICE is in Minnesota.



Quote of the week

"The heart that

breaks open can

contain the

whole universe.

— Joanna Macy, quoted in "Traveling Mercies" by Anne Lamott

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

• Church Office Hours: Thursdays 2:30pm-5:30pm, in person at the church building.

To schedule an appointment please call or text 510-754-6796 or email xicanominister@gmail.com.