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Daylight Saving Time
begins March 12
Remember to set your clocks ahead 1 hour on Saturday night.
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News from Beth Treitel
Worship Director
Dear Friends,
We all want to be closer to God and sometimes worship can help us get there. Currently we are in Lent — note all the purple visible in the sanctuary!
Depending on your background, Lent might seem like a confusing archaic thing. Or it might feel like a dark and miserable season noted for “giving up” things. The word “Lent” is ordinarily translated as “spring” (which seems easier to grasp) and reflects the balance between light and dark. Lent is also not mentioned in the Bible and comes without any rules or “right ways” to do it. Instead, Lent simply creates a space for us to intentionally engage with God.
I want to invite you into the gift of Lent. Take the opportunity to seek out God and to ask the Holy Spirit to show us those things about ourselves that block a deeper, stronger connection. With the support of this faith community (including special Lenten materials), we can get “real” with God and receive deep joy and peace as we confess those things and invite God to partner with us in re-making us. The journey is never-ending, the work along the way can be hard, but the progress along the way is soul-filling.
May your Lent be meaningful!
Beth
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Note from Jenna Burkhalter
Children’s Ministry Director
Dear Friends,
The rainclouds have been looming overhead, but it’s been lovely to see some sunlight poking through here and there. Life can be like that sometimes — with God reaching to you between the clouds, calling you to new beginnings. Just last summer, I faced my own new beginning in the form of taking this position as the new Children’s Ministry Director and Inclusion Coordinator. I was prepared to embark on my journey of becoming an elementary school teacher when I felt the pull and saw that where I was going was not where I was meant to be.
And let me tell you, I am beyond grateful that I listened to that call and took on this position! We are so lucky in this life to experience things that bring us pure joy, like spending time with a loved one or doing a favorite activity. For me, it’s this job. Children’s Ministry is such a meaningful ministry to be a part of, bringing news of Jesus’s love and teachings to children who will grow to be our next leaders, both in the church and in other areas of their lives. I spend every day so proud of the kids of our congregation and the passion and creativity they bring to everything they do. I am thankful to be able to grow alongside our children and this ministry.
Wishing you joy,
Jenna
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One Great Hour of Sharing
Palm Sunday, April 2
One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is a multi-denominational offering that makes the love of Christ real for individuals and communities around the world who suffer the effects of disaster, hunger, and oppression. Within PC(USA), the three programs supported by OGHS — Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People — all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.
Our gifts to OGHS connect us with people finding their voice and accessing their God-given power, and are the single largest way that Presbyterians come together to work for a better world by advancing the causes of justice, resilience, and sustainability.
At Sunnyvale Pres, we will receive the OGHS offering during worship on Palm Sunday (April 2), although donations can be made at any time. Please make your donation online or by check made out to Sunnyvale Pres with “OGHS” written on the memo line. |
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Hike @ Windy Hill
This Saturday, March 11 • 9 am • RSVP
Come join us on a hike with some fantastic views at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. The hike is 6 miles with an elevation gain of 1300 ft. I’m hoping we’ll see some wildflowers from all the rain we’ve been having. (The picture is from last year.)
We’ll meet at 9 am on the corner of Willowbrook Dr and Alpine Rd near the Alpine Trailhead and start hiking at 9:15. Parking is along Willowbrook Dr. There is also a small parking lot along Alpine Rd just before Willowbrook Dr. Allow yourself time to find a parking spot.
After the hike, we'll drive to nearby Roberts Market. A favorite when we hike in Portola Valley, they have a great deli with outdoor picnic table seating.
If you’re coming, RSVP to hiking@sunnyvalepres.com. This is important so we can look for you (leave no hiker behind) and know whom to contact if a hike is canceled for reasons such as rain. We’re looking forward to seeing you there! |
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Spring Cleanup & Lunch
Saturday, March 18 • 8:30–11:30 am, followed by lunch • RSVP
Come for a church-wide social & work party to help us spruce up the church campus before Easter. There will be jobs/tasks for all ages — kids through grandparents — and high school students can earn volunteer hours! Some jobs will be indoors and non-strenuous. If you're able to do some light yard work, please bring work gloves/garden tools.
Stay afterward for BBQ lunch and live musical entertainment! Please RSVP if you're planning to come so we know how much food to prepare. |
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Annual Meeting
Sunday, March 19 • 11 am after worship • Onsite or online
Please join us (in person or over Zoom) for the Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 19, immediately following worship. This is a time when the 2023–2024 budget will be presented along with time for questions. In addition, the congregation will vote on the Terms of Call for our pastors and we will enjoy a look back at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church in 2022. |
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Senior Coffee
Thursday, March 23 • 10:30–11:30 am • Zoom
Sunnyvale Pres seniors in your 80s and older are invited to a virtual coffee. Join members of the Caring Ministry team for music and conversation. It’s always good to be together! If we have your birthday in our database, we’ll be sending you an email reminder a few days before the coffee. Questions? Contact Roger Medsker at medskerrd@gmail.com or 1-319-400-2828. |
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Last Call to Sign Up for Women’s Retreat
March 24–26 • Vallambrosa Center, Menlo Park • Register
If you have been waiting or waffling about signing up for the retreat, wait and waffle no more!! You do not want to miss hearing Annanda Barclay speak.
Sign up today. We promise you will be glad you did. Currently we have 43 women and non-binary folks signed up and we would love to hit 50 or more!
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Lent — Upcoming Events
As we enter the holy season of Lent, here are some special events in the life of the church:
- April 1 • Easter Egg-stravaganza @ 10 am
- April 2 • Palm Sunday service @ 10 am • Potluck @ 11:15 am
- April 6 & 7 • Maundy Thursday & Good Friday services @ 7:30 pm
- April 9 • Easter Sunday services @ 6:30 & 10 am
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Easter Egg-stravaganza
Saturday, April 1 • 10 am–12 noon • Trinity Court • Email
Volunteers needed!
Come join us for an Easter Egg-stravaganza! Gather in the church courtyard for egg dyeing, a bounce castle, face painting, a free toy raffle, and more. Snacks will be provided, but please bring your own hard boiled eggs for dyeing. Families and children of all ages are welcome. Please email Children’s Ministry with any questions or if you’d like to volunteer! |
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New Member Class
Sunday, April 16 • 11:15 am–1:15 pm • In-person or Zoom
If you have been attending worship and are interested in the next step, come and explore membership with us. This one-session New Member Class, led by Rev. Karin Hejmanowski, will be a hybrid class taught in-person and on Zoom. Find more information on the website or join us directly via Zoom. |
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Vacation Bible School
Join us for VBS this summer! The theme is Friendship Rainforest. We will be talking about friendships, trust, kindness, and more, all while exploring how rainforest animals interact with each other. Come for a week of play and learning about Jesus, rainforest conservation, and building new friendships!
VBS welcomes children ages 4 through entering 4th grade. Older children and adults are encouraged to volunteer and help out! Find more details and registration online. |
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CARAVAN Mission Trip
Fire Disaster Relief in Paradise, CA
Students in grades 8–12, be a part of CARAVAN 2023 and join our annual missions trip with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in Paradise, California! Adult volunteers are also needed. For more info and registration visit the CARAVAN 2023 page. Questions? Please feel free to contact Rich Pak.
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May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be ever at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
The rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
—An Old Irish Verse
Inspired by Rev. Hardy Kim’s March 5 sermon describing a memorable St. Patrick’s Day party in Chicago in 2015, the Book Sale Team — through lucky Irish connections — quickly acquired signed copies of The Definitive St. Patrick’s Day Festivity Book—Enhance the Irish in Us All by Santa Clara resident Michael James Fallon.
The book compactly compiles the wit and wisdom of St. Patrick’s Day culture — songs, recipes, jokes, sayings, poetry, skits — to inspire activities for Irish gatherings.
“Make friends for this journey [through Lent]; be there for each other, laugh with each other,” concluded Hardy in his sermon. Book Sale Team inference: Let’s have a St. Patrick’s Day party!
St. Patrick’s Day, Lenten and Easter books are all on the Book Sale Cart in Trinity Court.
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Get connected at Sunnyvale Pres! We have weekly and monthly online events for all ages, plus frequent special events on a wide variety of subjects. We’d love to have you join us!
Special Events
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Time change: spring forward! • Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 12
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Spring Clean-up & Lunch • Saturday, March 18 • 8:30 am • RSVP
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Annual Church Meeting • Sunday, March 19 • Onsite & online
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Senior Coffee • Thursday, March 23 • 10:30–11:30 am • Zoom
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Women’s Retreat • March 24–26 • Register • Info
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Easter Egg-stravaganza • Saturday, April 1 • 10 am–12 noon • Trinity Court • Email
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Palm Sunday Potluck • April 2 • 10 am worship • 11:15 am potluck
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Maundy Thursday • April 6 • 7:30 pm
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Good Friday • April 7 • 7:30 pm
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Easter Sunday • April 9 • 6:30 & 10 am • No Children’s Church today; child care is available at the 10 am service for 6 months to kindergarten
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New Member Class • Sunday, April 16 • 11:15 • Info & RSVP
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Save the date! New Friends Brunch • Sunday, April 23
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Save the date! Racial Wealth Gap Simulation • Monday, April 24 • 7–8:30 pm • Over Zoom
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Save the date! Nominating Committee Coffee • Sunday, April 30
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Discipleship Class: What is Christian Nationalism? • Date change! Sundays, May 7 & 21 • 11:15 am–12:15 pm • Soulé Hall & Zoom
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Vacation Bible School • June 12–16 • Info & Register
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CARAVAN • July 23–29 • Paradise, CA • Info & Register
Ongoing Connections
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Bible Study • Sunday mornings (not meeting Easter Sunday, April 9) • 8:30–9:30 am • Email
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In-Person and Online Worship • Sunday mornings • 10 am • See usual links in blue box below to connect online • Nursery (child care) and children’s programs available for ages 6 months to 5th grade
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Children’s Church + STARS • Sunday mornings • Register
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Youth Group: FLASH + CLUE • Sundays • New start time! 11:30 am–1 pm • Check the calendar
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Children’s Ministry Bake Sale • 1st Sunday (resumes in May) • After 11 am worship • Trinity Court or online • Supports Children’s Ministry service projects
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DipJar to support Sunnyvale Community Services • 1st Sunday • Give in the courtyard or online anytime
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Grief Support Group • 1st Sunday • 1 pm • Zoom • Email
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Virtual Small Group for Grades 3–5 • Mondays • 6:30–7:15 pm • Register
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Virtual Prayer Small Group • 4th Monday • 7–8:30 pm • Zoom • Email
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Men’s Bible Study • Tuesdays • 6:30–7:30 am • Email
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LGBTQ+ Family and Friends Group • 1st Tuesday • 7 pm • Email
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Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group • 4th Tuesday • 11:30 am • Over Zoom • Call 1-800-272-3900
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OASIS (Grades 1–5) • Wednesdays • 6:15–7:30 pm • Register • Email
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“The WELL” Wednesdays (Youth) • 2nd & 4th Wednesdays • 6–6:30 & 7:30–8 pm • Check the calendar
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Modern Worship Collective • 2nd & 4th Wednesdays • 6:30–7:30 pm • Sanctuary
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Evensong: Contemplative Worship • 3rd Wednesdays • 6:30 pm • Sanctuary
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Parents Together: In-Person • 1st Wednesday • 9–11 am • Patio outside the gym • Info
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Parents Together: Online • 2nd & 4th Wednesdays • 8 pm • Zoom • Info
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Support Group for Parents of Neurodiverse Kids • 2nd Wednesday • 10–11 am • Coleman Room 702 • Info • Email
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Prayer Shawl Knitters • 3rd Wednesday • 7:30–9 pm • Over Zoom • Email
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Spice Dinner • 2nd Thursday • 6–8 pm • Check the calendar
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Queer Fellowship Group • 3rd Thursday • 7:30–8:30 pm • Email
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Intergenerational Nature Walks • Fridays • 1–3 pm • Email
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Hiking Group • 2nd Saturday • 9 am • Email
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Cycling Group • Most Saturday mornings • 9 am • Email
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In Our Thoughts and Prayers...
- Howard Gaines who is recovering after a fall
- Jackie McCarroll who had surgery
- Gretchen Rauch who is recovering from knee surgery
- Please pray for Scout Troops 466 and 2466 as they mourn the death of a scout mom who died when a tree fell on her during a scout hike at Rancho San Antonio. These troops have been associated with our church and met on our campus for decades and numerous eagle projects have been focused on Sunnyvale Pres campus improvements. We grieve with them.
Have a prayer request?
In addition to the blue prayer cards in the pew racks, feel free to send your prayer requests anytime to prayer@sunnyvalepres.com. Be sure to include whether your request should/can be:
- Shared confidentially with the prayer team and pastors only
- Listed in the weekly newsletter
- Shared during prayer time on Sunday
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Join Us Onsite or Online for Worship on Sundays @ 10 am
Zoom Coffee Hour Follows
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If you’re not ready or able to join us in person, you’re invited to join the livestream broadcast of our weekly worship service.
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