News for August 07th, 2024
Dear Beloved Community,
I have missed you these past two Sundays, and I am very much looking forward to seeing you this coming Sunday. Thank you all for your messages, prayers, and positive vibes sent my way. It is much appreciated, and it helps as I continue to grieve the loss of a close uncle.
Now, for this upcoming Sunday. I will be preaching on Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16. I will be sharing about how faithfulness is a calling, not for its own sake, not because God desires pompous attentions and rituals, but because the practice of faith will bear good fruit for all life. I believe God is clear that sacrifices and pious acts without regard for justice make God weary. And for those who turn, not to religion but to power, “The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might cannot save.” You see, I believe the faith of Abraham and Sarah, and of so many saints who have endured and risked and persevered; in them is a glimpse of not only what pleases God, but also what will bring us the salvation we long for.
Again, I look forward to seeing you this coming Sunday. I look forward to blessing one another with our presence. A gift we have in life. We get to exist with one another.
Peace and blessings!
-Jorge
August's Giving Sunday offering is for the program that Caje and Janice presented a few weeks ago, to provide non-tuition assistance to college-bound students from Mercy Housing's Visitation Valley/Sunnydale project in San Francisco. Thanks for always being so generous with your gifts. You can learn more about the Sisters of Mercy's many affordable housing projects around the country at Mercyhousing.org
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
Borg Discussion Group: Thursday, Aug 8, 7pm on Zoom. We are moving on to the last chapter of Borg's "Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time." We will also make a decision about the next book to read, so come and vote!
Taize Service: Friday, Aug 9, 7:30pm. Our monthly contemplative service of chant and prayer. In a first for Taize, we will be accompanied by trumpeter Danny Cao. You can also join us on Zoom. The bulletin is online.
Church Council: Sunday, August 18 after worship.
Book Group: Sunday, Aug 25, 7pm, on Zoom. This month's book is "Underland: A Deep Time Journey" by Robert Macfarlane. This is "an epic exploration of the Earth's underworlds as they exist in myth, literature, memory and the land itself." Published in 2019 and on several "top 100" lists for that year.
Annual Women’s Retreat: Labor Day Weekend (Aug 30 - Sept 1) at Polly’s house in Pacific Grove. All church women invited; RSVP to Polly if you are coming.
Celebration of Life for Jim Mathews: Saturday, September 7 at 2 pm.
CHC Work Day; Saturday, Sept 28, 9-12. Bring a lunch and relax afterward. Indoor and outdoor jobs to do; come and find one that fits you.
Annual Men's Retreat: October 4-6 at Polly’s house in Pacific Grove. RSVP to Roy Gesley if you are interested.
Links and resources
“La Boier” îs a meditative Cathar chant. Patrick Lenk’s version has the Occitan lyrics; Emerelle’s recording offers commentary on the Cathars.
James Talarico delivers a sermon against Christian nationalism. Worth listening to. Or as Victor says, "I'd join his Baptist church. That's how good this sermon is."
There will be a celebration of life for Rev. Kristi Denham at Congregational Church of the Peninsula, Saturday, August 10 at 2pm.
Quote of the week
“With life as short as a half taken breath, don’t plant anything but love.” - Rumi
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.
Image: Jorge Bautista
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