News for November 14, 2023
This Sunday, Nov 19: In-person service at 10am
TThis Sunday, November 19, is our annual Thanksgiving service. Rev. Polly Moore is preaching, finally answering David's question, "What's up with black madonnas?" Black madonnas are fascinating, and they connect to Thanksgiving in a completely unexpected way.
Bring non-perishable food on Sunday. We'll create a big stack under the altar that will go to St. Anthony's Padua Dining Room in Redwood City. (Thanks, Caje!)
Church Council will meet after the service.
The Giving Sunday offering for November is for Samaritan House, our fantastic local social services organization. "Fighting poverty. Lifting lives."
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.
Starting in Sept 2023, recordings of our Taize services are also on the YouTube page.
Sabrina's cybersecurity talk is now posted. This is worth watching even if you heard her give it.
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Sunday, Nov 19 will be our Thanksgiving service and we are reviving an old tradition that got suspended with Covid. We bring non-perishable food items to church and stack them under the altar. After worship they go to a local food pantry. This year they will be donated to St. Anthony's Padua Dining Room in Redwood City, where Caje volunteers each week. They provide hot meals 6 days a week all year long, to anyone who shows up, plus groceries to those who are homebound.
Harvest dinner at Belmont UCC on Friday
We're all invited to join the other local UCC churches at Belmont's annual pre-Thanksgiving Harvest Dinner this Friday, Nov 17, at 6 pm. They provide the turkey, everyone else brings sides and desserts. No sign-up is necessary, just come. After working on the yard sale a year ago and going to camp together last summer, we're getting to know a few folks from the Belmont church. Their new minister, Jim Mitulski, is a big fan of doing things together!
Advent activities calendar
Mark your calendars -- all the pre-Covid pre-Christmas traditions are returning this year!
Fri, Dec 1 -- "Deck the Halls" soup supper, 6pm. Come help decorate the church for Christmas (hang the garlands, put up the tree, get out the Advent banners etc). Bring a little something to share for a potluck soup supper.
Sun, Dec 3 -- First Sunday in Advent, Rev. Terri Echelbarger preaching. Instant choir rehearses at 8:45. Congregational meeting after worship.
Fri, Dec 8 -- Advent Taize service, 7:30 pm. Christmas-season chants by candlelight, Hilary Lewis on viola.
Sat, Dec 9 -- Christmas Smorgy, 6pm. We all get dressed up in our party clothes, the tables are decorated, the church is decorated (see "Deck the Halls" above), and family and friends are welcome to come too. See Marilyn G. if you want to contribute to the after-dinner talent/no-talent show.
Sun, Dec 10 -- Second Sunday in Advent, Rev. Polly Moore preaching. Instant choir rehearses at 8:45.
Tues, Dec 12 -- Caroling in the neighborhood, 6 pm. We sing for about an hour, then retreat to the church for hot cider and cookies. Friends and family welcome.
Sun, Dec 17 -- Third Sunday in Advent. Instant Choir rehearses at 8:45.
Sun, Dec 24 -- Fourth Sunday in Advent and Christmas Eve. No morning service. Christmas Eve candlelight service of lessons and carols at 8pm.
Upcoming services and events
• Harvest Dinner: Nov 17 (6 pm) at Congregational Church of the Peninsula (aka "the Belmont church"). Joint early Thanksgiving with area UCC churches. Turkey provided, we bring sides. It was fun last year!
• Weds discussion group:Nov 22 (7 pm), Zoom
"Basic Bible Stories", meeting the main characters of the Old Testament. We've met Samuel, Saul and David (as a boy). The book of 2 Samuel will take us through David's reign as king. All are welcome to join these gatherings.
• Farewell Party for the Hasse's: Sun after worship, Nov 26. It's official: moving day is Dec 2. Come say good-bye to Al and Susan as they head up to Enso in Healdsburg.
• Congregational Meeting: Sun, Dec 3 after worship. The annual meeting to vote on next year's budget.
• Advent Taize service: Nov 10 (7:30 pm), in-person and on Zoom. A contemplative time of chant and prayer.
• Book Group: Sun, Jan 28 (7 pm), Zoom Al Hasse is still going to lead the Book Group! The next discussion won't be until after their move and the holidays, which will give you plenty of time to prepare your arguments, pro and con, on Sam Harris' "Free Will".
Links and resources
• Songstress Tammi Brown, who has graced our worship with her music more than once, is battling cancer. If you are moved to help, friends have set up a GoFundMe page.
• Paul Harvey, aka "The Flute Guy", plays and sings in places with terrific natural acoustics. Here he is with "Home is behind" from Lord of the Rings.
• Masterworks Chorale sings two Christmas concerts: Sat, Dec 16 at 4pm for kids and families and Sun, Dec 17 at 4pm for our usual more adult audience. Both concerts are at CCSM (the downtown church) and both are followed by a Cookie Extravaganza.
Quote of the week
"Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid." -- Frederick Buechner
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: Rev. Polly Moore
