|
Beloved Community,
If you were with us in worship this past Sunday, you’ve already heard the good news: we’ve welcomed Alexa Sessler as our new Interim Choir Director! Alexa brings a wealth of experience as a professional soprano, educator, and arts administrator, with a deep commitment to building community through music. She’s worked with organizations like Pocket Opera, Opera Cultura, and the San Francisco Opera Guild, and has taught voice and led choirs across the Bay Area. You might recognize her from the hallways—Alexa also serves as one of the directors for the San Francisco Boys Chorus, which meets in our building on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year, and she teaches voice lessons in the choir room on Saturday morning.
| | |
She is already diving into preparations for Holy Week and is excited to make music with us, and I know she would love for you to join the choir whenever your schedule allows. You can reach her at alexa@ccsm-ucc.org.
Please join me in giving Alexa a warm CCSM welcome!
And speaking of Holy Week—there are many opportunities for us to pause, gather, reflect, pray, eat, and celebrate together this holy season. From Palm Sunday to Easter morning, we hope you’ll walk this sacred journey with us. Keep reading to learn more and mark your calendars!
In hope,
Jessica
| | | |
CLICK HERE for Rev. Jessica's sermon,
"Lost & Found"
| | |
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
IMMIGRATION INFO FAIR: SUPPORTING OUR MIGRANT COMMUNITY!
Saturday, April 5, 2 PM
| | | | |
"When immigrants live in your land with you, you must treat them well. Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as if they were one of your citizens. You must love them as yourself because you also were immigrants..."
Leviticus 19:33-34
Join us in solidarity at this free event, which is open to everyone, regardless of background or language. Learn about migrants' rights in English and Spanish, and feel empowered to share your questions and concerns in a welcoming and safe environment.
Organized by CCSM's Latino Ministry, this is an opportunity to connect, share, and learn together! For more information, please email latino@ccsm-ucc.org.
| | | |
Our Home San Mateo Dinner for Justice
Sunday, April 6
5:30 pm in Kloss Hall
Stay for dinner following Angela's organ concert and join us for an evening of community, education, and action as we gather to support the Our Home San Mateo campaign. This crucial initiative, led by our Latino Ministry and dedicated CCSMers, advocates for dignified living conditions and housing security for all San Mateo residents.
As we approach a critical moment in this campaign, come share a meal while hearing powerful testimonies from local renters facing housing challenges. Learn how we can stand together to ensure everyone in our community has access to safe, decent housing free from pests and with basic necessities.
Your presence matters as we work toward housing justice in our community!
| | | | |
Our Home San Mateo Happy Hour
Tuesday, April 8
5-7 pm, Wursthall
Join our wider San Mateo community for an evening of good drinks, great company, and conversations about housing in San Mateo! This happy hour is a chance to connect with neighbors and support the Our Home San Mateo campaign—working to strengthen tenant protections and keep our community stable.
With a crucial City Council Study Session on renter protections scheduled for April 21, the community’s support is essential. Show up, sign the petition, and help make San Mateo a place where everyone has a secure and stable home.
Bring a friend and be part of the movement for a more affordable and inclusive San Mateo!
RSVP for the Happy Hour here!
| | |
Thursday, April 3
9:00 AM — Casual Bike Riders, CCSM Parking Lot (Contact John Ebneter, jebneter@aol.com)
10:15 - 11:30 AM — Women's Coffee Group, Food Court at Hillsdale Mall (Contact: Linda Skromme)
4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall
7:00 - 8:00 PM — Lenten Bible Study, Zoom
Friday, April 4
1:30 - 3:00 PM — Bella Voce Rehearsal, Fireplace Room
4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall
Saturday, April 5
8:30 - 10:30 AM — CC Riders Weekly Bike Ride (Contact Peter Held, paheld1417@gmail.com)
2:00 - 3:00 PM — Know Your Rights Immigration Info Fair, Kloss Hall
Sunday, April 6
9:45 - 10:15 AM — Joyful Noise Kids' Choir/Music Program, Fireplace Room
10:30 - 11:30 AM — Worship Service, in person and online
10:45 - 11:30 AM — Children's and Youth Programs, CE Building
11:30 AM — Coffee Hour, Kloss Hall
4:00 - 5:30 PM — Spring Organ Concert, Sanctuary
5:30 PM — Our Home San Mateo Dinner for Justice, Kloss Hall
Monday, April 7
4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall
Tuesday, April 8
10:00 - 11:30 AM — Men’s Coffee Group, Food Court, Hillsdale Mall (Contact Peter Held, paheld1417@gmail.com)
4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall
5:00 - 7:00 PM — Our Home San Mateo Happy Hour, Wursthall, San Mateo
6:30 - 7:30 PM — Personnel Committee Meeting, Fireplace Room
7:15 - 8:30 PM — Spiritual Conversations, Zoom (Contact Chris Wuthmann, cewuthmann@gmail.com)
7:15 - 8:45 PM — MSJ Monthly Meeting, Zoom
Wednesday, April 9
4:00 - 6:00 PM — Samaritan House Meal Service, Kloss Hall
7:00 - 8:30 PM — Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary
7:15 - 8:45 PM — Bilingual Worship Service, Kloss Hall
| | | | |
This Sunday, we'll explore the tension between righteousness and mercy through Luke's story of Zacchaeus (19:1-10). When Jesus invites himself to the tax collector's home, the crowds grumble with justified indignation. After all, Zacchaeus has extorted money from his own people while colluding with the empire. Yet Jesus offers mercy, which transforms Zacchaeus and inspires him to make fourfold restitution. This powerful story challenges us to examine where we fall on the spectrum of righteousness versus mercy in our own faith journeys. Do we emphasize one over the other? Can we honor righteous anger while still creating space for transformation?
The plate offering this Sunday is for Puente de la Costa Sur. Details can be found in the Worship Links email, which comes out on Saturday at noon.
| | |
LENTEN ZOOM BIBLE STUDY:
FINDING GOD IN THE IN-BETWEEN
Thursday, April 3, 7 - 8 PM
This Lent, we invite you to look beyond black-and-white binaries and easy answers and imagine where God might be meeting us in-between the categories we create. Join us for a Lenten Zoom Bible Study as we journey through this sacred season and explore these themes together! This isn't a traditional Bible study, but rather a working conversation group where we'll preview and discuss the scripture for the upcoming Sunday, reflecting on how it speaks to our lives today. Get a sneak peek at Sunday's themes and participate in the conversation that shapes our worship. Contact Rev. Jessica with questions. Contact Rev. Jessica with questions.
| | | | |
SPRING ORGAN CONCERT
with Dr. Angela Kraft Cross
Sunday, April 6, 4 – 5:30 PM
| |
Join us for an inspiring afternoon of music as our Organist and Artist-in-Residence, Dr. Angela Kraft Cross, presents her 32nd annual Spring Organ Concert. With her signature artistry and dynamic presence, Angela will bring our magnificent pipe organ to life with a program that celebrates the beauty and renewal of the season. Whether you are a lifelong lover of organ music or simply curious to experience something new, this is a performance not to be missed! Featuring works by Bach, Vivaldi, Franck, Duruflé, Vierne, and Kraft Cross.
| | |
SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS
New Discussion Begins Tuesday, April 8
7:15 - 8:30 PM, Zoom
Meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month
| | |
Spiritual Conversations' next reading will be Richard Rohr's latest book, The Tears of Things. We will begin with a time of sharing with each other our feelings about the social and political stresses of these times and supporting each other in fellowship. We will then get into Rohr's book, of which one reviewer has written, "In a world that can feel like a house on fire, Richard Rohr's The Tears of Things is a much-needed road map to wisdom and higher—more hopeful—ground."
Please join us for this time of spiritual solidarity between and beyond us. If you would like to join our discussions every other Tuesday evening via Zoom, starting April 8, please let Chris Wuthmann know at cewuthmann@gmail.com.
| | HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SUNDAY AT CCSM | | |
PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE
Sunday, April 13, 10:30am, Sanctuary
As Holy Week begins, join us for Palm Sunday! We'll meet on the front lawn and process in, waving palms and shouting Hosanas. Our Joyful Noise and Chancel Choirs will lead music, and our children and youth will help tell the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.
AGAPE MEAL: FOOD, FELLOWSHIP, REFLECTION
Sunday, April 13, 5:30-6:30pm, Kloss Hall
Begin Holy Week with intention at our Agape Meal on Palm Sunday, April 13, from 5:30–6:30pm. This simple, sacred second service invites all ages to gather around the table for shared food, meaningful connection, and spiritual reflection. All are welcome!
SERVICIO DE ADORACIÓN BILINGÜE
Wednesday, April 16, 7:15-8:45pm, Kloss Hall and Buckham Room
Experience a special Holy Week bilingual service featuring the music of Karen Hutchinson and help make a special Holy Week alfombra. Stay afterward to share in community during our potluck meal.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Thursday, April 17, 7:00-8:00pm, Congregational Church of the Peninsula
The first of three shared Holy Week services of the San Mateo Cluster of UCC congregations. This service features music from Godspell led by a combined choir, and Holy Communion.
GOOD FRIDAY
Friday, April 18, 7:00-8:15pm, CCSM Sanctuary and Online
Experience the story of the cross through powerful music, scripture, and reflection, exploring the tension between resistance and surrender. Featuring a multi-church choir, worship band, organ, piano, and strings, with a candle-lighting for peace.
EASTER VIGIL
Saturday, April 19, 7:00-8:15pm, College Heights UCC
An imaginative recreation of the first Great Vigil, held by Mary Magdalene, alone at the tomb. We will prepare for the Vigil by hearing Mary’s story, sharing in an anointing, and celebrating communion. The conclusion will be a Taize-like experience of spending the night waiting at the tomb, not knowing what is going to happen on Easter morning but still feeling pulled to be there, to hold the energy.
SUNRISE WORSHIP
Sunday, April 20, 6:30-7:30am, Memorial Garden
Welcome Easter morning in our Memorial Garden with Revs. Jessica and Álvaro, gathering like the women did on that first Easter. We'll hear the resurrection story as the sun rises and share in communion and song. Music will be led by Susan Bell on guitar and harp. Coffee and tea will be offered.
TRADITIONAL EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP
10:30am, Sanctuary
Join us as we proclaim that today we know hope! Experience the joy of Easter morning as we share communion and raise our voices in Alleluias, celebrating the profound truth that death does not have the last word and nothing can separate us from the love of God. Join us in person or online.
YOUTH EASTER FESTIVAL
10:30-11:30am, Buckham Room
Children and youth can celebrate the resurrection story through hands-on creativity! Kids will enjoy rotating through engaging stations including pom-pom bunnies, resurrection biscuits, Ukrainian egg decorating, and beautiful stained-glass crosses.
EASTER EGG HUNT
11:30am, Front Lawn
Children are invited to join the CYF ministry for our traditional Easter Egg Hunt immediately following worship.
EASTER SUNDAY BILINGUAL SERVICE
1:00-2:00pm, Sanctuary, Buckham Room, Kloss Hall
Rev. Álvaro Durán will lead this bilingual Easter celebration followed by a community potluck lunch in Kloss Hall. All are welcome!
| | |
GOT EGGS?
We need plastic eggs of all sizes (especially larger eggs) for the children's Easter Egg Hunt! If you have some to donate, please drop them off at the church office by April 8th. Thank you!!
| | |
Get the scoop on recycling! “Chasing Arrows” is an eleven-minute video that tells it like it is. Find out what is real and what is not!
| | |
We're seeking a creative and passionate leader to guide our children and youth in their faith journeys. Our CYF Director will cultivate an inclusive, engaging environment where young people and their families explore spirituality, build community, and engage in social justice. If you're called to nurture the next generation's faith development through innovative programming and meaningful relationships, we invite you to learn more about this opportunity.
| | |
Kay Harris, Council of Ministries Lead
Kim Rey, Troy Grabow, Children, Youth and Families
Melodie Lew, Congregational Care
Gary H. White, Environmental Justice
Alison Schwandt, Engagement
Lauren Mathews, Alicia Santamaria,
Kerianne Steele, and Katherine Vega-Stultz, Latina/e/o Ministry
Pam Ridlehuber, Liturgical Arts
Katie Bylander, Music
Genel Morgan, Sharon Tobin, Service and Justice
Dave Olsen, Siew Kang, Spiritual Life
| | Email Kay Harris to get connected to a Ministry Lead anytime! | | |
Submit an Announcement
If you would like to submit an announcement, please send it to:
zmullery@ccsm-ucc.org
The weekly deadline is 10 AM on Tuesdays.
All submissions are subject to editing.
| | |
Regular Office Hours:
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday - Thursday
| | | | |
