Note from Pastor Hardy Dear SVPC Family, I love our Presbyterian tradition and our wider church family. The idea that we are a connectional church—a community that is bound together by important relationships and commitments (beyond just our local congregation) that challenge us to care about more than just our personal concerns and that inspires and empowers us to live out God’s love in big ways for others—this is deeply important to me. I know that the connectional care of our denomination helped raise me in faith, and provided prophetic examples of the good news of Jesus Christ at so many important points in my life. So, I believe that our General Assemblies (our biennial national gatherings) are important times for us to reaffirm our collective relationships, and to reset our policies and vision for our shared work. This year it took place online and was much shortened. Many critically important items were postponed until 2022 when our representatives can again gather in person. One important item lost in the changes was the assembly’s ability to receive the work of the Task Force to Research the Disparities of Black Girls & Women. And even when leaders who had been working on that report asked for the assembly to acknowledge the urgent present need to name the suffering that Black girls and women face, a majority of the assembly declined to do so. The whole process that led to this failure was painful to witness, even from a distance. Even though I grieve for the ways our wider church family continues to struggle to affirm all of our human family, I am glad that there are leaders who are willing to push us all to expand the message of God’s love for some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Here is a message that was authored and signed by many of our denomination’s former and current moderators. I am also grateful to be serving in our local SVPC community, where so many of you have voiced your commitment to learning more about how we can be an anti-racist church, and where you are ready to learn more about the kind of liberating ministry God intends us to live out. Let us not sit back and see these times with despair—let’s see it all as an opportunity for us to proclaim God’s love, justice, and peace in new and exciting ways. Gratefully,

News from Pastor Karin Dear friends, I am taking a few days off this week. Perhaps as it has been for many of you, all the changes associated with sheltering in place have required a fair bit of adrenaline to overcome the exhaustion. Things continue to change, but perhaps not in the same ways as at the beginning. Work continues. For us, homeschooling continues. But for all of us, the need and opportunities to walk on the side of justice also continue. I hope you’ll find ways to use your voice and your pen to seek to make a difference. There are letters to be written to representatives and others, there are petitions to be signed, and there are phone banks that can be joined. I’m glad to be part of a community that wants to seek the well-being of others, whether that means wearing masks, staying home, or joining our voices, hearts, and pens on behalf of others. See you Sunday! Peace, Thoughts from Judy Beggs, Lead Elder for Caring Ministry Recently, I listened as Black members of a predominantly White church spoke about their experiences with racism. One chose to keep her video off and remain invisible because that is how she feels at church. As I listened, I could hear deep pain as she recounted her experiences. I was deeply touched and felt a growing awareness and understanding. I am doing a lot of reading and listening to Black voices. As I do, I am praying for God to open my eyes, my ears and my heart to what others have experienced and what my response needs to be.

JOIN US FOR “LIVE” WORSHIP SUNDAYS @ 2 PM AND A SHORT COFFEE HOUR FOLLOWING

Watch the livestream broadcast of our weekly worship service. No Facebook account is required to watch on SVPC’s public Facebook page. Or you can watch on the SVPC website. You’re invited to join us for Coffee Hour following the service. Here’s what to look for when you watch on Facebook. Click on the blue Watch on Facebook button (in this email or on the front page of the website). If you don’t have a Facebook account, ignore any prompts by Facebook to log in or create an account. You may need to scroll down just a bit to see the Videos entry on the left side. At 1:45 p.m. we’ll already be live and there should be the word “LIVE” in red on the Videos button. Just click it. You should see a Welcome to Worship slide dated for this Sunday (July 5). At about 1:50 some music will start. Welcome to worship!

Watch on Facebook Watch on Website Join us for Coffee Hour

Would you like to listen to Sunday’s service on your phone? Follow these instructions on your phone to dial into listen only mode on Zoom: Use this phone number: 1-669-900-9128 Enter this meeting ID followed by #: 668 692 256 # Enter # for Participant ID: # Enter this password followed by #: 254631#

UPDATES FROM GA

From lamentation to action—the 2020 General Assembly called the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to do the hard work of justice, working to respond to what some referred to as the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and racial injustice. The meeting included worship and elections of co-moderators and stated clerk, along with discussions of budget, racism, status of the San Francisco Theological Seminary and repentance and action. You can read more in this PDF.

THREE SMART WAYS TO GIVE TO THE CHURCH

Check out this article (PDF) for three popular ways people are giving to charities from their IRAs, appreciated stock, and charitable trust accounts.

DISCIPLESHIP CLASS: MEDITATIVE REFLECTION ON PSALMS Wednesdays, July 8, 15, 22, 29 • 7–8 p.m. • Taught by Rev. Dr. David Bowman • Register

This class will focus on four psalms that reflect the diversity of the Psalter: Psalm 8, a hymn of praise; Psalm 137, a corporate lament; Psalm 139, a personal lament; and Psalm 23, a favorite psalm that is not well understood. The online class sessions will include ample opportunity for participants’ comments and questions guided by study materials that participants will receive before the class. Rev. Dr. David Bowman is a retired UCC minister who holds a Ph.D. in theological ethics from Glasgow University in Scotland and is a member of the SVPC Discipleship team.

YOUTH EVENTS

Book Club Join Addie, our Director of Youth Ministry, for a monthly youth book club discussion this summer. (Adults: there are adult versions of these books that you could read, if you’d like.) July’s Book: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You (A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning) August’s Book: An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People (ReVisioning History for Young People) Youth will meet weekly beginning in July. Sign up here for July and/or August and we will schedule our meetings based on the group's availability.

Netflix Parties Since we're still doing remote ministry at SVPC, this summer we’re bringing back regular God @ the Movies screenings for SVPC’s youth group, remote-style! Visit the church calendar for each week’s party choices and directions on how to join in a Netflix Party. (Note: Netflix parties sync up the video you're watching with the group and include a chat feature, but no video presence is required from you. Sit back and relax, for these regular Zoom-free events.)

STAFF PROFILE Everyone, meet Art Figueroa , Maintenance Staff. Art joined SVPC staff in January 2018.

Favorite snack or dessert? My favorite snack is mixed nuts. Favorite activity to do at home? My favorite activity is to garden in the backyard with my wife and puppy, and then to sit in the shade and enjoy a BBQ with my kids and grandkids. Favorite musician/band? My favorite band is The Rolling Stones, and my favorite music is Jimmy Reed blues music. One superpower? If I could choose a superpower to have, it would be to cast world peace! How do you serve at SVPC? I do maintenance and janitorial services—anything from cleaning up offices to repairing broken water lines under cement!

UPCOMING “ VIRTUAL ” EVENTS

View Events Calendar

Ongoing Connections Sunday mornings, Bible Study • 8:45–10 a.m., Email Sundays & Tuesdays & Thursdays through August 10 • Children’s Ministry Summer Program • 10 a.m., Zoom Link Mondays/Thursdays, Yoga with Youth Ministry (everyone welcome) • 10 a.m., Info Mondays, June 22–July 13, Discussion Group—African American Poetry from the Harlem Renaissance: Poems of Beauty, Perspective and Protest • 5–6 p.m., Email Tuesdays, Men’s Bible Study • 6:30–7:30 a.m., Email *Next week* 1st Tuesday, LGBTQ+ Family and Friends Support Group • 7 p.m., Email 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, Parent Support Group Coffees • 10–11 a.m., Email *Days changed* 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, JAM (Just Among Moms) • 1:30 p.m., Zoom Link *New* 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, Mom’s Hour • 8 p.m., Zoom Link *Starts next week* Wednesdays in July, Meditative Reflection on Psalms Discipleship Series • 7–8 p.m., Register Thursdays, Finding the Good in Grief • 7 p.m., Email 3rd Thursdays, Parent Support Group Coffee • 7:30–8:30 p.m., Email *New* July & August, Youth Book Club, Sign Up *New* Youth Netflix Parties, Check the calendar Special Events Sunday, August 16, Wine & Cheese & Documentaries (formerly CARAVAN Sunday) • 6-9 p.m., Info & RSVP To learn more about virtual events, videos and at-home activities for children and youth subscribe to their e-newsletters or check out the children’s ministry Facebook page or youth ministry’s web page.

RESOURCES July’s These Days , Daily Devotions for Living by Faith (PDF)

PRAYER REQUESTS In place of the blue prayer cards you filled out on Sundays, please send your prayer requests anytime to prayer@svpc.us. 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

IN OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS... Dave Morley for the loss of his wife, Bonny Gene Gilman who is in hospice Those in cancer treatment including Judy Black, Michael Yocum and Olivia Lin

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