March 06, 2025
Dear Beloved Community,
On this first Sunday of Lent I will preach on Luke 4:1-14 (Jesus is tested in the wilderness). I will share how I believe God desires liberation from evil for every created thing. How God seeks to partner with us in the work of resisting that which tempts us to betray one another and creating instead a world where milk and honey flows for all. Because I do believe that we will not get there by turning away from God, even if the possibilities of partnering with evil point us towards “good results.” The Sacred, as we witness in the life of Christ, is the one in whom we find our hope.
I hope each one of you are having a wonderful week so far, and see you Sunday! Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night!
Peace and blessings!
-Jorge
March's Giving Sunday offering is for Community of Peace, VA (Stephan Waligur).
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
Lenten Choir Practice: Sunday, March 9, 8:45am. Starts on Mar 9 and continues on the Sundays during Lent. Everyone welcome.
Taize Service: Friday, March 14, 7:30pm. Our monthly contemplative service of chant, prayer and silence. Ariel Wang will be there with her viola, and we'll hear poetry by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer. Also available on Zoom.
Church Work Day: Saturday, March 15, 9-12. Indoor and outdoor projects around the church. Bring your lunch and relax afterwards.
Council Meeting: Sunday, March 16, after worship.
Congregational Meeting: Sunday, March 23 after worship
Book Group: Sunday, Mar 23, 7pm on Zoom. Reading Robin Wall Kimmerer's latest book, "The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World." Note new date.
Monthly Potluck: Sunday, March 30, after worship. Bring something to share.
Worship & Arts: Sunday, April 6, after worship. Everyone welcome to help plan for Holy Week, Easter and beyond.
Links and resources
Check out the poem “God’s Grandeur” - Gerard Manley Hopkins
Lenten Online Class with John Dominic Crossan: "Paul the Pharisee". Lectures you can listen to anytime, with a live-streamed Q&A starting Thursday, March 13 at 11am. More information here.
Yet another rendering of "Santo, Santo, Santo", this time with chorus and orchestra.
Quote of the week
Settler borders are also reality-making devices. They are a significant part of the imperial project to remake the land, people, and global order according to the Western figure of the human and through categorical divisions in the order of the Western ontological hierarchy. - Mark Minch-de Leon
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.
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