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CONNECTIONS: July 31, 2024

Aloha, Church!


I bring you greetings from the Island of Maui where I am very grateful to enjoy some time away with family as summer draws to an end. I’ll be back in the office next Tuesday, August 6th. While I’m away Alvaro and Chase will both be available to help with any pastoral, ministry, or facility needs. You’re in good hands!


Our ministry teams and staff are hard at work preparing for fall activities and in this issue of Connections there are a few things you’ll want to put on your calendar, like our Blessing of the Backpacks in worship on August 11 and Homecoming on September 8!


This week we will continue our sermon series on Ephesians, “No Longer Strangers,” with Rev. Deborah Lee preaching, “Bridging the Divide,” a message on Ephesians 2:11-22. Rev. Lee has been a guest preacher at CCSM before, and several of you shared you would love to have her back if I was ever looking for pulpit supply. I’m sad I’ll miss her (and you) this Sunday, but I’m grateful for the ability to worship from afar through our Livestream, or view the service later on our YouTube channel. If you’re traveling, or at home, I hope you have taken advantage of our digital ministry opportunities as well!  


Wherever you find yourself this week, may peace and love accompany you.


Mahalo,

Jessica 

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Did you miss worship?

CLICK HERE FOR LAST SUNDAY'S ENTIRE SERVICE

CLICK HERE for Rev. Jessica's sermon, "Family"

THIS WEEK AT CCSM

Wednesday, July 31

  • 7:00 - 8:00 PM — Exploring the Role Music Plays in Our Lives, Fireplace Room
  • 7:15 - 8:45 PM — Bilingual (Spanish/English) Worship and Potluck, Kloss Hall


Thursday, August 1

  • 10:15 - 11:30 AM — Women's Coffee Group, Hillsdale Mall Food Court
  • 2:00 - 3:00 PM — Connect and Celebrate Ministry Meeting, Fireplace Room


Saturday, August 3

  • 8:30 - 10:30 AM — CC Riders Weekly Bike Ride (contact Peter Held, paheld1417@gmail.com)
  • 10:30 AM — Coffee with CC Riders, Village Hub in Woodside (3154 Woodside Road)


Sunday, August 4

  • 9:00 - 9:45 AM — Drop-In Choir, Sanctuary
  • 10:30 - 11:30 AM — Worship Service in person and online
  • 10:30 - 11:30 AM — Youth and Children's Programs, CE Building & Memorial Garden
  • 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM — Coffee Hour, Kloss Hall
  • 4:00 PM — Concert on the Church Lawn with Rosa Los Santos, Front Lawn


Tuesday, August 6

  • 10:00 - 11:30 AM — Men’s Coffee Group, Hillsdale Mall Food Court (contact Peter Held, paheld1417@gmail.com)


Wednesday, August 7

  • 7:15 - 8:45 PM — Bilingual (Spanish/English) Worship and Potluck, Kloss Hall
  • 12:00 Midnight — Pine Tree Submission Deadline

Our Summer Worship Series Continues this Week!


PLATE OFFERING for SUNDAY, AUGUST 4: PUENTE



Puente is an organization serving residents in the San Mateo County coast communities of Pescadero, LaHonda, Loma Sur, and San Gregorio. It understands the needs of these residents and ensures that they have equitable access to education, healthcare, and affordable housing and are able to achieve economic security.

Make a Gift

SAN JOSE GIANTS BASEBALL AND BBQ, AUGUST 17!

Last Day to Sign Up is Wednesday, July 31st!

Maybe you didn’t even know that there is a minor league baseball team in the Bay Area! The San Jose Giants are the Single-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, and play at Excite Ballpark, a family-friendly venue about 10 minutes off 101 in San Jose. CCSM has sent a group to one of the “little Giants” games the past two summers, and it’s been a great time. For our 3rd Annual trip, we’re going on AUGUST 17, Margaritaville Night! 


3 TICKET PRICE POINTS: 

$44/adult (1 beer or wine) or $38/adult (soda); $27/youth (5-12)*



Group deal Includes: Bowl Reserved group seating, a World Famous Turkey Mike’s BBQ voucher plus drink ticket, and free fireworks following the game. (Plus there are free Hawaiian shirts for the first 1,000 fans.) If you haven’t tried minor league baseball, you need to check it out—prices are much more reasonable, there are fan participation events, and it’s just a whole lot of fun. 


Seats are limited, so sign up by Wednesday, July 31st by contacting Sandy McNabb .


BBQ available at 5:00 p.m.; Game starts at 6:00 p.m.


Please make payments to CCSM with "SJ Giants" in the memo line.


*Assistance available to help offset ticket costs. Contact Rev. Jessica for more information.

JOIN US for a lively party on the church lawn, hosted by our Latino ministry! Enjoy live music by Rosa Los Santos, fun activities for the kids, and delicious ice cream for everyone. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to come together for a summertime celebration as a community. All are welcome!

School Supply Drive, Now - August 11

College Park Elementary School needs our help to collect school supplies!

As the new school year approaches, CCSM has partnered with College Park Elementary School to provide school supplies for 70 students who need a little extra help to start the school year strong. Supply lists are located at the Welcome Table, Kloss Hall, and linked below.


We invite you to take a list, fill it, and bring the supplies to the church office, or one of our collection bins located under the Welcome Table, by Sunday, August 11. You may also order the supplies from Amazon or another retailer and have them shipped to the church.

SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST 


Children and Youth Update

Members of our newly forming Mid-High group, the "Gran'Its"

Sunday Children's Program at 10:30am

Following the Passing of the Peace, our Kinder - 4th graders are welcome to join Miss Elaine in the Memorial Garden for our Children's Program. During the month of August we will use a curriculum called "Seasons of Welcome." Each week we will use stories, scriptures, and a fun activity to help us understand God and the world around us in new and different ways. Our focus for the month will be practices of welcome that help us embrace Community. We are looking for volunteers to serve as a second adult and support Elaine, we just need one person each week, so if you can help in this way once a month, please let me know! Lily will continue to meet with our youngest CCSMers each week! 


Mid-High "Gran'Its" Group

This is a newly formed youth group for our incoming 5th - 8th graders! Led by Kibbie Ruth, this group will meet each Sunday in the top row of the back balcony and then head to the Christian Education building after the Passing of the Peace. For more information, including upcoming plans for August beyond Sunday morning, please email Kibbie.


Pardon our Mess!

We are having some work done on the storm drain system outside of Kloss Hall. While our elderly pipes are getting an update, please watch your step and keep a careful eye on children along the sidewalk area. We are preparing for the upcoming rainy season and appreciate your patience!

COMING UP!

Calling all students and educators! The start of a new school year is upon us, and we're excited to celebrate with a special Backpack Blessing during worship services on Sunday, August 11 and Wednesday, August 15. This blessing is a chance to ask for God's guidance, wisdom, and creativity as you embark on a new year of exploration and discovery—and to know that you begin the year surrounded by the love and support of your CCSM community. So, Bring your backpack, whether it's empty or filled, and join us for this Back-to-School Service! 

SAMARITAN HOUSE

On August 12 we will begin a new partnership with Samaritan House serving as hosts to a Monday-Friday meal service from 4-6pm in Kloss Hall. To Learn More about how to volunteer with Samaritan House at CCSM, click the button below or contact Jim Granucci.

Volunteer Information

DISCOVER THE POWER OF MUSIC IN OUR LIVES

with Lynnelle Bilsey

Wednesday, July 31, 7-8 pm, Fireplace Room

Join us for a conversation exploring:

  • How music speaks in your life
  • How music impacts your emotional well-being
  • How you can deepen your relationship with music
  • How you may extend your understanding of the ways music touches us every day
Read More in the Pine Tree

Call for Leadership Nominations

The Leadership & Governance Committee is happy to announce an OPEN CALL FOR NOMINATIONS for leadership and volunteer positions at the Congregational Church of San Mateo. For more information about the call for nominations, please read the attached letter: Call for Nominations Letter. For more information about the different roles and responsibilities of the Board, the Committees, and the Ministries, please refer to the Governance Manual.

You Can be a Ding-a-Ling Too

Have you ever wanted to try your hands at ringing bells in worship, or just want to see the bells up close? Join our bell choir for a summer workshop on What’s Ringing All About – The Basics. These workshops are geared to take the mystery out of ringing bells - You don’t have to know how to read music to participate, its helpful but not required.


When: Thursdays (July 25 - August 22) from 6:30-7:15 pm in the bell room

(2nd floor across from the entrance to the Sanctuary balcony)

Questions? Reach out to Lynnelle via Email or 650.339.5795  

CENTRAL PARK MUSIC THURSDAYS, 6-8 pm

Join CCSMers for a relaxed evening of music, food and fun each Thursday night from 6:00-8:00 pm in San Mateo's Central Park. This is a drop-in event, so look for fellow members once you arrive. Bring your own food and drink, or buy something from the vendors. A blanket or beach towel is a must, low camp chairs are a good idea. Bands performing are listed below. Contact Mike Harris for more info, mypirocks@me.com


  • August 1 - Land of Confusion/TAKE 2 (Phil Collins Tribute & Genesis/Party Mix)
  • August 8 - Bud E. Luv Orchestra (Swing/Big Band/Party Mix)

Celebrate Together Againor for the first time — as we come home to CCSM on September 8 following worship. Enjoy food, games, music, and connection. Bring a dish that means “home” to you, and join us for a potluck meal on the lawn after worship. CCSM will provide the meat, veggies, and drinks.  


Volunteers are needed! Can you spare just 30 minutes on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, September 6, 7, or 8, to help set up, take down, or help the lunch go smoothly?

Use our new tool — SignUp Genius — to sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/CCSMHomecoming

Or go old school and contact Sandy McNabb.

Landscape gardens with drought-resistant native plants and native trees.

PRAY FOR PEACE

PRAY FOR PEACE

Weekly on Wednesdays  • 9:30-10:00am on Zoom


In light of the recent events in Gaza, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories, we are invited to join Churches for Middle East Peace, an ecumenical partner of the United Church of Christ's Global Ministries, to join others across the world in praying weekly for peace. Registration is free, but required to receive the Zoom Link. 

REGISTER HERE


Make a Gift

You can also make a financial gift to help with humanitarian aid for people in Gaza, Palestine, and Israel through the United Church of Christ’s Wider Church Ministries HERE.


Call for a Ceasefire

 Send a pre-written message to your elected officials through UCC’s “Just Peace Church” program HERE calling for a ceasefire and encouraging Congress to take immediate action for de-escalation in Israel and Gaza, and support steps towards a lasting peace.

BRING YOUR BLESSING BOX CONTRIBUTIONS

ANY SUNDAY OF THE MONTH!

The "Blessing Box" outside of the entrance of CCSM is a project of the Ministry of Service and Justice, responding to the need for families in our neighborhood to access food and an expression of our call to be the "hands, feet, and face of God" in our community.


  • The container will be in the narthex to collect the following food items:
  • canned, dried and boxed
  • no fresh food please
  • donations must be full UNOPENED containers
  • no fruits, vegetables, or bread



  • We also collect individually wrapped plasticware!


Thank you for your continuing generosity!

CCSM Council of Ministries

Email COM@CCSM-UCC.org to connect to any ministry!

Kay Harris, Council of Ministries Lead

Jim Schwandt, Building and Grounds

Kim Rey, Troy Grabow, Children, Youth and Families

Melodie Lew, Congregational Care

Sandy McNabb, Connect and Celebrate                       

Gary H. White, Environmental Justice

Alison Schwandt, Engagement/Communications 

Julien Phillips, Latino/a Ministry       

Pam Ridlehuber, Liturgical Arts

Sue Bell, Katie Bylander, Music        

Genel Morgan, Sharon Tobin, Service and Justice

Dave Olsen, Spiritual Life/Adult Ed.

Ivan Raikov, Stewardship

Email Kay Harris to get connected to a Ministry Lead anytime!

Click Here for a Full List of Staff and Leadership

Regular Office Hours:

9:00am - 4:00pm

Monday - Thursday

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