June 04, 2025
- College Heights
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
Dear Beloved Community,
This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday and I will be preaching on Acts 2:1-11. I will talk about how the Spirit of God is a wild force, and how it can scatter the proud, bring life to the creatures of the sea, awaken the dreams of the marginalized, and help all of us to claim our belovedness in the life of God. Because I believe that though the Spirit works in surprising ways, it is all, always, for the purposes of “renewing the face of the earth.” And so like in Psalm 104:24-34, we remember the wisdom of God that birthed the many creatures and creations of this world; the wisdom of God that brought forth the gift of thousands of languages among us; the wisdom of God that leads us in the ways of restoration, not in arrogance but in pursuit of flourishing. When we trust in this wisdom, we are set free to follow the Spirit, wherever and however She may lead us.
May each one of you have a wonderful rest of the week, and I look forward to seeing you Sunday to celebrate Pentecost.
Peace and blessings!
-Jorge
P. S. June's Giving Sunday offering is for the UCC's Strengthen the Church fund. This offering helps build up the churches in our denomination.
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
Worship & Arts: Sunday, June 8 after worship. Everyone is welcome.
Thursday Discussion Group: Thursday, June 12, 7pm on Zoom. Everyone is welcome to join a discussion of Laura Lynne Jackson's "The Light Between Us." She's a psychic medium and the book is a collection of her experiences.
Taize Service: Friday, June 13, 7:30pm. Our monthly service of chant and prayer by candlelight. Sam Bevan will join us with his bass. Also available on Zoom.
San Mateo County Pride Celebration: Saturday, June 14 Parade 10:30am-11:30am, Downtown San Mateo. Celebration 11:00am-5:00pm, San Mateo Central Park.
No Kings Nationwide Day of Defiance Protest: Saturday, June 14, 1-3pm
Council Meeting: Sunday, June 15, after worship.
Book Group: Sunday, June 29, 7pm on Zoom. Reading "Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life" by Agnes Callard. Read chapters 5-7, on paradoxes. We are spending several months on this book.
Women's Retreat: Aug 22-24 (weekend before Labor Day) at Pacific Grove. Talk to Polly for more information.
Links and resources
The final concerts of this season for Masterworks Chorale will be June 7 and 8 at St. Peter's in Redwood City. The program features music by women, from Hildegard of Bingen to Gwyneth Walker, Clara Schumann to Dolly Parton. Innovative, heartfelt, fun. More info here. Here's a sample from the program: Elaine Hagenberg's "You Do Not Walk Alone."
The Chinchorro Mummies: Resisting in the desert
Quote of the week
“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”
- Maya Angelou
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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