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December 2007 &
January 2008 |
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Congregational Community
Church of Sunnyvale
* 408-739-3285 * conglchurch@earthlink.net
1112 Bernardo Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 *
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by Pastor Gen Heywood
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Uuuh, I like this time of year. As the nights come earlier the lights seem to shine brighter. Even the red, gold, and green of traffic lights seem to say “Christmas “.
Our kitchen table stands against a wall with a window as wide as the table just above it. With the dark night, the window reflects back to us images of the room.
There on the table and beside our Advent wreath stands a Menorah we’ve been lighting through Hanukkah and a little, wooden German Carousel (Erzgebirge Pyramide) with four candles that make the holy family and shepherds spin quietly around. The children sit in their places.
They help light the candles. As we eat supper by candlelight, we seem to talk more softly.
I talk to the children about the Menorah and Jewishness of Jesus. They really aren’t much interested. They are content to watch the candles. Sometimes we talk about important things like the meaning of the Advent candles. Sometimes we talk about the other important things like who’s going to blow out the most candles.
Whatever the subject, we keep our voices soft. We even move a little more carefully with the candles lit.
Yes, it has gotten dark outside with the war in Iraq, the saber rattling toward Iran, the continued war in Afghanistan, the crisis of Global Climate Change, the lead in toys from China, the poison in toothpaste from China, shootings at a mall and a church. It has gotten dark outside.
Our faith teaches that Jesus came to be with us at the darkest of times and will be with us no matter how dark it gets. And here we are together, our church family in the presence of that Emmanuel, that “God with us”. We gather. We light candles. We worship. We sing. And the light inside is strong and bright.
Here we are strengthened to go back out into the world with the light of hope, peace, joy, and love. It is getting dark outside. The light inside is warm and bright and getting stronger.
Blessings,
Pastor Gen
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Join Pastor Gen in prayer
for our church
Tuesday and Thursday mornings
from 9:00-9:30 am.
Come and pray with her
in our sanctuary
or take a few minutes
for prayer
wherever you are.
______________________________
Good News
Right Before Christmas!
The Tzoumas Family celebrates the arrival of NICHOLAS DIMITRI.
Nicholas was born
Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007.
He is 7 lb and 14 oz,
21 1/2 inches.
Mom and baby are doing fine
and are home
since Tuesday.
Grandma Ann
and Grandpa Dimitri
are glowing.
Join us for a
Relevant, Reasonable and Risky Study!
LIVING THE QUESTIONS 2.0
LtQ2 is an open-minded study created by two Methodist ministers in Arizona. The study strives to encourage questions and discussion about our faith as we struggle with the difficult questions of our day. It is relevant, reasonable and risky as we welcome more questions than answers.
Each session is given on Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. And the theme continues on the following Sunday. The worship service explores the same points/questions with opportunities after worship to be in conversation and review the 20 minute video for those not able to make Thursday nights.
The 20-minute video segments include conversations with leading voices of faith, sermon and lecture clips, digital stories illustrating aspects of an evolving faith, and concrete spiritual practices and disciplines.
All are welcome
to join us
for the next
flight in this journey!
After the first flight in fall 2007,
here come the next two flights of
LIVING THE QUESTIONS:
Reclaiming the World
Thursday,
Jan. 10, 2008 - Feb. 21, 2008
from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
1. Restoring Relationships
2. The Prophetic Jesus
3. Evil, Suffering & a God of Love
4. The Myth of Redemptive Violence
5. Debunking the Rapture
6. Practicing Resurrection
7. Reclaiming the World
Call to Covenant
Thursday,
Apr. 3, 2008 - May 15, 2008
from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
1. A Kingdom without Walls
2. Social Justice: Realizing God’s Vision
3. Incarnation: Divinely Human
4. Prayer: Intimacy with God
5. Embracing Mystery
6. Compassion: The Heart of Jesus’ Ministry
7. Creativity & Transformation
Homeless Men’s Shelter:
A Letter to our Congregation from our Moderator Mei Wang
November 25, 2007
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
It is cold weather again in Sunnyvale/ Cupertino area as we're approaching the month of December. This means that the Congregational Community Church of Sunnyvale will be once more hosting the Rotating Shelter as we have done the past nine years.
I am writing you this letter in the hopes that, besides gaining your understanding about the importance of this mission for our community, you might also help us in this specific ministry.
This Rotating Shelter program is sponsored and managed by Cupertino Community Services and the Faith in Action. Our role as a church in this program is to
1) provide shelter for the time period of December 1, 2007 through December 29, 2007;
2) purchase food for their breakfasts and lunches;
3) provide dinners on those needed days (posted on the bulletin board in Shepherd Hall); and
4) greet and welcome our guests each evening.
You can help by being a shopper, who will shop twice a week, fund is provided by our church. Or you can help by providing a dish or a meal on the days needed. Or you can simply show up at 8 p.m. and extend your warm welcome and greetings.
As you can tell from the enclosed information, the 15 men will be on the church grounds from 7:45 p.m. to 6:45 a.m. each day of their stay with us. The church facilities impacted during their stay are primarily Room 2 and the sanctuary. Their belongings, refrigerator, sleeping gear, etc., are stored in Room 2 and they sleep in the sanctuary this year. They shower at the Cupertino YMCA and use the handicap bathroom next to Room 1 for their toilet needs. The sanctuary will be restored to its original condition before the men leave every morning.
This year Barton Wilson and I will be coordinating the program again.
So, please contact me at 650-965-2338 or Barton at 408-225-1089 with any further questions you might have, or if any issues or concerns arise during the time period the men are with us.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Mei Wang
408-245-7338 (w)
650-965-2338 (h)
Impressions
from our
Church
Thanksgiving Lunch
on Sunday,
November 18, 2007,
after Worship
THE DECORATIONS...
THE FOOD...
THE PEOPLE
AND THE CONVERSATIONS...
THE LIGHT
ON THE TABLES
- AND IN OUR HEARTS!
 Notes from our
Treasurer Mary Ruth Green:
October 2007 Income & Expenses
Oct. 2007 YTD 07-08
Income 27,275 124,337
Expense 19,835 105,152
Net Income 7,440 19,185
Neighbors In Need contributions totaled $746 and $300 was contributed to the Emergency USA fund.
Expenses include an advertisement in a Fremont High School fundraising publication and legal fees for having a lawyer review our rental/lease contract form.
The financial statements are available for viewing in the church office. I would be glad to address any questions or comments.
AND ANOTHER NOTE
FROM MARY RUTH:
Thursday, December 13,
KQED public tv channel 9
8 to 11 PM
3 one hour segments titled
Walking the Bible.
8 PM Go Forth:
From Creation to Abraham explore the Bible's real settings.
9 PM A Coat of Many Colors:
The Israelites in Egypt.
Joseph's path after being sold into bondage and the story of Moses.
10 PM Toward the Promised Land:
40 Years in the Desert.
Explores the Sinai desert where God provided food and water for the Israelites.
Results of this Year’s
Women’s Fellowship
Bake Sale
on November 11, 2007:
Bake Sale Itself: $125.25
White Elephant Sale: $19.50
“Christmas Bag and Tag” Sale: $25
Total: $169.75
Thank you for all your contributions!
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Come join
our little choir!
All abilities welcome
- just drop in!
Choir practice is
every Thursday night
at 7:45 p.m.
and on Sunday mornings
at 9:30 a.m. before Worship
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COMMUNITY
PRE-SCHOOL NEWS
HELLO FROM
COMMUNITY PRE-SCHOOL!
December is always a festive time of year. The classrooms are decorated with glittered bells, and painted trees. The teachers are planning holiday parties for their classes and the children are learning winter songs with our music teacher.
Parents are invited to share their various holiday traditions. In Room 8, a group of parents showed the class how they celebrated Dawali. In room 9 the children learned about the Japanese Festival of Children.
The children will learn about Jesus’ birthday and learn about the meaning of Christmas. The children always enjoy seeing the manger scene that is displayed in the church sanctuary. The holiday Christmas program will be December 16th, flyers will be sent home to the Pre-School families. I am sure many of our families come to this event.
One of our teachers, Laurie McCarthy, who has been at the school for over 20 years, has taken a kindergarten teaching position in the Alum Rock School District. We will all miss her. We have hired a new teacher, Marielle Tourette, who brings her experience and love of children, to Room 3’s classroom. We look forward to having her join our staff.
In January there will be an educational parent night about kindergarten readiness. This is always a topic that draws a lot of interest. Various fundraisers are planned for the coming months. This is a wonderful opportunity for the families and the teachers to get together.
On behalf of Community Pre-School, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year.
Barbara Steinmetz
(Director)
 Looking Ahead
- Please Mark Your Calendars!
Women’s Fellowship
Christmas Luncheon
December 12, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Please meet at church and
car-pool to the restaurant!
OUR WORSHIP SERVICES
DURING ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SEASON
December 16
Third Sunday of Advent - “Joy”
Christmas Play!
“Matt & Lucy’s Version Births”
- A Christmas Pageant
for progressive communities
Children of all ages, please dress as shepherds, wise ones, angels or barn animals and join us in the play!
December 23
Fourth Sunday of Advent -“Love”
Choir and Hymn Sing Sunday
Join us for the joy of music
in Worship!
December 24 - Christmas Eve
Intergenerational
Candlelight Service at 7:00 pm
followed by Cookie Potluck
December 30
Approaching the New Year
Morning Worship at 10:30 am
(with Pastor Ina Bork)
January 6
Epiphany
Morning Worship at 10:30 am
The Magi brought gifts for Baby Jesus - so do we!
Please bring to church diapers, nonperishable food, and baby and kids items to benefit children through FISH.
And then, after twelve days of Christmas, it is time to undecorate the sanctuary...!
Gabriel’s Trumpet
10:30 a.m. for Sunday Worship Service and Sunday School
Children’s Sunday School begins after “Children’s Time” with the Pastor
11:30 a.m. – Fellowship (approximate time)
Chapel for Preschoolers Friday mornings 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Come join us!
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December 2007
&
January 2008
Calendar
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Worship & Fellowship
Every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
(nursery & childcare provided)
Bible Study, Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal, Thursdays at 7:45 p.m.
Sunday, December 2
First Sunday in Advent
Thursday, December 6
1:00 PM Staff Meeting
Sunday, December 9
Second Sunday in Advent
Wednesday, December 12
11:00 AM Women’s Fellowship
6:00 PM Finance&Personnel Board Mtg.
Sunday, December 16
Third Sunday in Advent
Christmas Play
Crafts Project to follow Worship
Wednesday, December 19
6:00 PM Church Council Meeting
Sunday, December 23
Fourth Sunday in Advent
Choir and Hymn Sing Sunday
Monday, December 24
Christmas Eve
7:00 PM Candle Light Service
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Epiphany and ‘Undecorating’ Sunday
Thursday, January 10, 2008
1:00 PM Staff Meeting
Monday, January 14, 2008
6:30 PM PreSchool Board Meeting
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
6:00 PM Church Council Meeting
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
6:30 PM Worship&Community Board Mtg.
Communicator Deadline
Deadline for the February 2008 edition of our Communicator is January 25, 2007.
We accept submissions of texts, photos & graphics at our office, 1112 S. Bernardo Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 or via e-mail (conglchurch@earthlink.net).
Office Hours: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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