Go Tell It on the Mountain

December 2014 Newsletter
Skyland Community Church

10:30 Sunday Service

Rev. Stephen Glauz-Todrank
 
Church phone: 408-353-1310
Gift cards for
needy school
families


Each colored circle on the felt Giving Tree in Whitaker represents a $25 gift card for a needy Loma Prieta student.  

Through the Women's Group, Skyland Church is working to support local Loma Prieta School District students in need at Christmas. We will donate $50 Safeway cards to 21 families for a special Christmas meal, as well as $25 Target gift cards for each of their 28 children, and actual gifts for others. 


 We have also selected the best clothes and books left over from the Harvest Festival; we will take these to the school for parents to choose for their children. Let us know if you would like to donate or help in any way. 


 Thanks to all who have already given, we are well on the way to making our goal. We will be collecting funds through next Sunday, December 7th.  


 Connect via Shannon Edwards 

(shannonedwards14@gmail.com) 

or Christina Schwabecher 

(christina@lopp.com).

 

-- Shannon Edwards

 

                 +++

 

Food labels

defuse gluten,

nut minefields



Sample label; jackie promises actual cookies later.

 

Food allergies are increasingly common. For those with this condition, browsing for goodies at the coffee hour or at potlucks is like walking through a minefield.

 

We have at least one Skyland member who is highly allergic to nuts; and others have gluten allergies (gluten comes from grains such as wheat, barley and rye and is usually present in the form of flour). 

 

Therefore: when you bring food containing even tiny amounts of nuts or one of the flours, please put a large label on it. We can then all choose according to our tastes, preferences and dietary restrictions. I will be putting pens and cards in the first drawer as you enter the kitchen so you can add a label before putting the item on the goodies table.

 

Thanks, 
-- Jackie Seymour  

 

+++


Altar Flowers 

The following Sundays are open for donating flowers: Dec. 7, 14, 21, and 28. Please sign up in Whitaker Hall.

  
"Don't touch my plumtree,"
said my friend, and saying so
broke the branch for me.

 

-- Taigi (1709-1771)

+++ 


 

Meditation Moment

 
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will
be on his shoulders and he 
will be called Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince
of Peace.       -- Isaiah 9:6  

                +++
Minister's Column

Advent events prepare us 
for Jesus' birth


 

 

Dear Skyland Friends,

 

December is a month rich with symbols to help us grow in spirit. During Advent, we prepare for the birth of Jesus, made real for us by the line from "O Little Town of Bethlehem" that asks him, "Be born in us today."

 

Advent is the time to prepare for that birth. Let us take time for quietness and prayer amidst the busy-ness of the rest of our lives, and open ourselves to how God's love might be born in us in a deeper way this season. Here are some opportunities to participate in preparation and celebration:

 

On Saturday, December 6th at 7:00 PM we will gather at the LDS church on Summit Road with their members and members of Christ Child church to share music, prayer and fellowship. Please come and bring a plate of cookies along for the reception to follow. This is the third annual event together and it brings great joy to celebrate this season with folks from other churches on the mountain.

 

On December 7th and 14th we will continue our series of Advent- themed worship services concerning the birth of God's love in us and including hearing our choir sing selections from Handel's "Messiah". On the 14th we will take our annual Blanket Sunday offering.

 

On December 21st we will tell the story in our Christmas pageant. All ages are welcome to participate; be a shepherd, or an angel. Join the fun! The Women's Group is sponsoring the potluck which follows. Please bring a tasty dish to share! 

 

On Christmas Eve, we will gather at 8:00 PM for readings, carols and prayers. Bring your family and friends. Check out our new hand-held candles courtesy of Brian Wood! No more hot wax on the hands!!

 

On December 28th we will have a family service.

 

But wait, there's more: Beloved former Skyland children's leader Lisa Meehan is touring the area with her Jewish a cappella group from Tufts; and she and they will be featured in an interfaith celebration of the new year during worship on January 4th. Please join us and invite your Jewish friends and neighbors too. And, please bring some food for a potluck that Sunday. Those singers will be hungry.

 

(The group is named Shir Appeal. You can see their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/shirappeal?sk=wall.)

 

That's Lisa, front row, 4th from left. 

 

As you can see, there are lots of ways to share God's big love. I hope you will be with us for some or all of these events. Blessings to you and to all in this spirit-filled season.

 

-- Stephen

  
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Financial Report for November 2014

 NOTE from your treasurer:


Thanks to your generous Thanksgiving Mission donations, $1225 plus several baskets of goodies have been delivered to to Davenport Resource Center.

 

Your pledge donations for October were on target but still  $4,000 short of commitments for first 6 months. Please try to keep your pledge donations current or inform me if you plan to make one or more lump sum payments. This will improve my reporting of planned income.

 

 

Here are our operating finances for Nov. 2014 as of Nov. 29.

 

Summary of Operating Finances

         Nov. 2014   |Jun 1,2014 to Nov.29

    Actual    Planned  |  Actual      Planned

Income                                 $12,281  $ 12,903 |  $ 88,414    $ 95,920

Expenses                              $15,216  $ 13,736 |  $ 83,635    $ 83,444

Net                                       $(2,935)  $   (833)|   $  4,779     $ 12,476

 

-- Gerald J. Alonzo

 

Skyland Community Church

Web: http://www.skylandchurch.com 

Mail: P.O. Box 245, Los Gatos, CA  95031-0245