News for Apr 4, 2023

This Sunday, April 9: In-person service

This Sunday is Easter, one of the high points of our church year. Rev. Polly Moore will be preaching, sharing some of the insights we've gained listening to John Dominic Crossan over the last few weeks. Her text is Mark 16:1-8. We will celebrate communion.

Don't forget to bring a few flowers from your garden for our annual Easter flower cross. You can bring your memorial lilies on Sunday morning, or drop them off on Saturday.

Instant Choir will rehearse at 8:30am, before worship.

The Giving Sunday collection for April is for One Great Hour of Sharing (UCC).

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.

Masking update

The congregational discussion last Sunday yielded a new masking policy. Masking is optional. It's encouraged and appreciated, but it's up to you. If you are more comfortable staying masked, that's totally fine. So we will have a mix, much like what we see in public now. Masking is still required if you are unvaccinated. As before, if you feel sick, please test; if positive, stay home and zoom. If you discover that you are positive or have been exposed to COVID, and you've attended a church event recently, please let Polly know so she can alert other attendees. Extra masks will continue to be provided (they're in the credenza in the foyer).

Holy Week services

• Maundy Thursday (Apr 6) -- joint service at CHC, with Many Journeys, Island United, Belmont UCC and CCSM. Light finger-food supper at 6 pm, service at 7. Zoom will be available. Please come at 5 if you can help with chairs and altar. We will be masked for this service.

• Good Friday (Apr 7) -- joint service at CCSM (Congregational Church of San Mateo, what we call "the downtown church"), reflections on the Seven Last Words of Christ, choir singing. Service is at 7pm. Choir rehearses 5:30-6:30.

• Easter Sunday (Apr 9) -- Rev. Polly Moore preaching. Flower cross for the altar, memorial lilies, choir singing.

Easter season choir schedule

Instant Choir is back! Anyone who wants to sing with the choir for Easter is welcome. We're singing at the Good Friday service at CCSM and on Easter Sunday. Here's the rehearsal schedule:

Sun, Apr 2, 8:30-10 am
Tues, Apr 4, 7:30-9 pm
Fri, Apr 7, 5:30-6:30 pm (at CCSM)
Sun, Apr 9, 8:30-10 am

Cybersecurity training

Sabrina has offered to share her cybersecurity training with all of us: how to recognize cybersecurity threats, common phishing strategies to be alert to, and so forth. Computerese is not the mother tongue of most of us, so this will be very helpful. Feel free to invite friends and family. Thursday, April 13 at 7pm in the usual CHC zoom room.

Upcoming services and events

• Weds discussion group: Apr 12 (7 pm), Zoom

We’re continuing with the “writing your spiritual journey” exercise. Ask Polly for more details.

• Cybersecurity training: Thurs Apr 13 (7 pm), Zoom

• Worship & Arts committee: Sun, Apr 16. Join us after worship to plan future services

• Taize Service: Fri, April 21, 7:30 pm.

Note the change in date from the usual "second Friday."

• Book Group: Sun, Apr 23 (7 pm), Zoom. Reading "The Bowl of Light" by Hank Wesselman

• Church Council: Sun, April 30, after worship.

Note the change in date from the usual "third Sunday."

• Enlightenment Intensive: May 4-7 in Pacific Grove

A retreat led by Roy Gesley