All year long, there’s a group of loving and creative people at Sunnyvale Pres that knits and crochets warm and comfy sweaters, scarves, and hats for children around the world. Andi Dobbs, LisaMarie and Pat Hall, Marilyn Kunz, Deb Sanfillipo, and Simone Yecny share their time, love, and talent to make these items that will bring warmth and love to children in our country and around the world. The clothing seen here has been shipped to World Vision for distribution. Thank you, knitters! May God bless the children who receive the love and prayers woven into each item.

Children’s ministry has partnered with the Bill Wilson Center’s Adopt-a-Family Program to provide Christmas presents for a local family of six. The parents, Veronica and Ralph, don’t have any biological children of their own, but are adopting Katrina, Sophia, Franklin, and Elizabeth! Each family member has given us a wish list of presents they’d enjoy receiving.

We’re also collecting items for donation to the HomeFirst Shelter and San Jose Peace & Justice Center. If you’d like to sign up to help with our mission project, please click here.

All donations must be given to the Children’s ministry staff by December 4 for drop-off the next morning. For more information, please contact childrens@sunnyvalepres.com.

Next hike: Saturday, November 13 • 9 a.m. • RSVP

Come join us on a hike with some fantastic views at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. The hike is six miles with an elevation gain of 1300 ft. We’ll meet at 9 a.m. on the corner of Willowbrook Dr and Alpine Rd near the Alpine Trailhead and start hiking at 9:15 am.

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.

If you're coming, please RSVP to hiking@sunnyvalepres.com. This is important so we can look for you (leave no hiker behind) and we can know whom to contact if a hike is canceled for reasons such as air quality, heat, or rain. There’s no need to let us know if you can’t make it this time; we look forward to seeing you next time.

3rd Wednesdays: November 17, December 15 • 7 p.m. • Zoom

Come engage with some incredible speakers, theologians, and authors using Theo Ed Talks. These talks are neither sermons nor lectures. They’re TED-style presentations that seek to spark conversations about God, religion, and the power of faith to change lives and communities. Join Carol Heath and others as we watch these talks together and then share in a discussion time. No prep, just show up! Questions? Email carol@sunnyvalepres.com.

Are you sad that, due to COVID, we are once again unable to host our traditional Thanksgiving meal for the community? So are we! But wanting to be sure we still make a difference in the lives of many in our community, the Mission & Service ministry team has already sent resources to two local organizations to help with their Thanksgiving provisions: Our Daily Bread and HomeFirst. Your generosity allows us to partner with local organizations in this way so that even during these COVID times, we can continue to make an impact together.

Thursday, December 2 • 10:30–11:30 a.m. • Zoom

Seniors in your 80s and 90s are invited to a virtual holiday coffee via Zoom! Join Pastor Karin and members of the Caring Ministry Team on Zoom for conversation, community, and a musical treat. Questions? Contact Judy Beggs at jmbeggs@live.com or 1-650-305-0810.

Zoom

Please mark your calendars to join in this new Advent event! We’ll gather over Zoom and enjoy music, baking, and trivia together. The music will be led by our amazing Chancel Choir and The Music School. Then we’ll break out into groups to learn to bake an amazing secret recipe shared by Debbie Shaver. We’ll wrap up with some Advent/Christmas trivia led by Pastor Hardy. Come join the fun!

Thursday, December 16 • 7–7:45 p.m. • Zoom (passcode: 153517)

The Longest Night service creates a worship space in which we acknowledge our grief — whether the loss of connection, loss of jobs or opportunity, the loss of loved ones, a lack of justice, or any other grief —and allow worship to lead us to the hope of restoration. Our worship will include music, poetry, prayer, candlelighting, and a brief meditation. All are invited.

Apply now for February 2022 training session • Email

Our community is full of people who are hurting: those who have lost a job or a loved one, gone through a divorce, or are battling a terminal illness. Stephen Ministers bring God’s love to those who are hurting through compassionate and accepting listening.

We’re accepting applications for Stephen Ministry training which will begin in February 2022. If you would like to explore becoming a Stephen Minister, contact Judy Beggs.

If you would like to have a Stephen Minister reach out to you, contact Allan Graham.

Please let those you consider qualified for this position know about this vacancy. Job description and the process to apply can be found here. We’re so grateful for the faithful service of retiring long-time employee, Suzanne Ungson.

Resource: These Days

You may download the November These Days devotional from the PC(USA) Store here. Printed copies will also be available on the Book Sale Cart in Trinity Court on Sundays.

Kate Jacobson volunteers at the Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority in Santa Clara, where she socializes cats for adoption. She discovered the perfect book of devotions for an animal lover like herself on the Book Sale Cart one Sunday morning in Trinity Court — All God's Creatures: Daily Devotions for Animal Lovers by Guideposts.

Kate (pictured on the left) elbow bumping with bookseller Diane Andrews also selected the daily devotional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Free copies of the quarterly devotional These Days are always available as well. Grab one for yourself and a friend.

“It’s great to meet and make friends over inspirational books,” says Diane, wearing her bookworm mask.

To learn more about events for children and youth subscribe to their e-newsletters. Also, check out the Children’s ministry Facebook page or Youth ministry’s microsite and Instagram, or text ‘FLASH’ (Middle School) or ‘CLUE’ (High School) to 51400 for live updates.

Use Amazon Smile and Amazon will automatically donate 0.5% of all eligible purchases to Sunnyvale Pres if you list the church as your charity. When shopping with Amazon, start at smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com. It’s that simple!

In place of the blue prayer cards you filled out on Sundays, please send your prayer requests anytime to prayer@sunnyvalepres.com. Be sure to include whether your request should/can be:

Look for the red banner at the top of our new website (SunnyvalePres.com). Click the white button, “Join online worship & events.”