Psalm 10

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

¹ Why, O Lord, do you stand far off?

    Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

² In arrogance the wicked persecute the poor—

    let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.

¹⁷ O Lord, you will hear the desire of the meek;

    you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear

¹⁸ to do justice for the orphan and the oppressed,

    so that those from earth may strike terror no more.

Have you ever been angry with God? Many of us have, though not all are willing to admit it. Often, people who are clearly upset and angry hesitate to express their anger towards God, believing it to be inappropriate or blasphemous. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

I find myself wanting to write a message of comfort and hope, yet I feel conflicted given the current state of our world. Locally, we are enduring one of the worst heat waves ever recorded. Recently, a devastating category 5 hurricane caused severe damage to several islands, Mexico, and North America. The U.S. political climate is heating up as well, with the upcoming November elections marked by campaign promises, disagreements, and political mudslinging. On top of this, many congregations are navigating unprecedented change. Insurance rates continue to rise. Housing prices are out of reach. Inflation holds us in it grip. Where is our refuge? Where is peace? What are we to do?

“Why, O Lord, do you stand far off?!” In a cry of exasperation, I vent my frustration and fear. It is not that I expect life to be easy, but our troubles and worries seem endless. All of this leads me to cry out to God. If ever I needed God’s shoulder to cry on, now would be that time.

Is it alright for me to vent my frustration? Will this upset God? If the Psalmist is any example, then our anger and frustration are indeed allowable. The invitation to be in a relationship with God encompasses all aspects of our lives, both good and bad. God desires to hear our joys as well as our frustrations, pains, and anger. Good relationships depend upon honest communication, coupled with respect for one another. Notice how the Psalmist begins with a lament, expressing displeasure? I can almost hear the frustration coming through the page. Yet, by the time the Psalmist finishes, they acknowledge who God is and God’s love.

There are times when there seems to be more wrong with the world than right. Now feels like one of those times. We have every reason to be scared, upset, worried, frustrated, and even mad. Thankfully, we have a God who invites us to express how we feel. We can ask questions and seek answers. We might not receive immediate responses, but we will be heard. In our pain, we will be comforted. As we cry out, we are drawn closer to God. Perhaps in this, we can find our way to give thanks in all things, just as Paul encouraged the Thessalonians. Now is the right time to be in good communication with God. God is listening.

Amen

Rev. Joshua Trautmann

Bridge Executive Presbyter

In person! Breaking Bread Together! Singing!

Old Friends and New Friends

Regular Meeting of Presbytery

First Presbyterian Church of Stockton

Saturday, September 7^th

8:30am greeting one another, coffee, fruit and pastries

9:00am meeting start

Session—please arrange for commissioners as early as possible!

Lunch will be catered; reservation deadline will be noon Aug. 31^st.

Dear Ones,

Thank you for your prayers, cards, emails, understanding and support as I went through the cancer journey from January through May. While I did have major surgery, I did not need chemo or radiation. The medication I am taking has no side effects thus far. The treatment I will do five more times over the next three years will not be too taxing. The six weeks of leave gave me an opportunity to get rest I was slow to realize was needed. I learned a lot about trauma and our bodies, began learning how to watercolor and further oriented myself to the One who gave and gives me life.

I am grateful for medical screenings and urge you all to make those a priority.

Jeri Viera Dahlke

Stated Clerk

Shepherd of the Sierra is seeking a part-time Administrative Assistant who will primarily welcome visitors, answer phones, and sustain congregational communication. The Administrative Assistant will prepare weekly bulletins and content for Sunday worship as well as maintain church office needs. This position supports the Operations Manager. The hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday - Friday. Qualifications include excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organization, working knowledge of Microsoft Windows programs, and other computer skills (including databases and website). 

Interest and questions about this position, including the job description,

should be directed to secretary@shepherdpres.org.

If you are a pastor, commissioned ruling elder (CRE), a leader of a 1001 New Worshiping Community or a member of a stewardship team we have Church Financial Leadership Grants available for you. The grants will enable you to institute best practices for church financial leadership, introduce you to new models of giving and stewardship, and offer you new ways to talk about money and form generous disciples within your church.

Who can apply?

• PCUSA pastors
• Commissioned Ruling Elders
• 1001 New Worshiping Community leaders
• Church member attending the event with their pastor

What do the funds cover?

The grants are matching funds to help cover half of the cost of:

• Registration fees
• Transportation
• Lodging
• Meals
• Other expenses

The other half of the funds will need to be provided by the church or another source.

What events can I use the funds for?

• Stewardship Kaleidoscope
• Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (ECRF) through the Lake Institute
•  Other church financial leadership events (subject to approval)

What is the deadline?

For Stewardship Kaleidoscope, we are asking that applications be sent in by Monday, August 12 so that we have time to process the application and send out the funds prior to the start of the event. Applications received after the deadline or for the ECRF program will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Once we receive your application, it may take up to six weeks to process.

More than 160 people crowded into the banquet room of Lucky Jade Restaurant Sunday evening, June 23, to celebrate Parkview Presbyterian Church’s second annual Summerfest, a gala acclamation of Parkview’s uniqueness. This included line dancing to silent auction/marketplace to an appearance by Elvis to a sumptuous nine-course Chinese banquet.

The evening started with line dancing led by veteran instructor Terri Assad, making her second appearance. Entertainers included a horn duo, our own Tia Kilpatrick with Ron Crisco. Elvis Presley made an appearance, complete with two adoring fans. Violinist Igor Veligan completed the entertainment, giving attendees a taste of his planned July 7 recital. Masters of ceremonies Jonathan Sakakibara and Titus Toyama effortlessly ushered us through the evening. An 18-item Silent Auction, combined with a well stocked Marketplace gave plenty of opportunity for shopping for unique one-of-a-kind gifts. Guests included the Rev. and Mrs. Joshua Trautman, Bridge Executive Presbyter for the North Central California Presbytery, along with representatives of Florin and Sacramento Japanese American Citizens League, Asian Resources, and Asian Community Center. The evening culminated with a nine-course banquet, along with delicious home-made cookies, thoughtfully packaged into individual cellophane bags.

Summerfest started a year and a half ago as a fledgling idea. It is blossoming into an event really showcasing Parkview’s uniqueness. This has involved many eager volunteers and willing hands.  

Submitted by Maurine Huang

This Bible-based book by Dominique Gilliard explores how "unchecked privilege prevents us from seeing that we are inherently connected to one another." It uses biblical figures like Pharaoh’s daughter, Esther, Paul and Silas, Zacchaeus, and Jesus as models for emulation in our modern context, promoting faithful participation in God's Kingdom.

Through these biblical characters, the book covers:

· Identifying and explaining privilege and its power.

· Using privilege to resist systemic sin.

· Using privilege to create systemic change.

· Abandoning and leveraging privilege to proclaim the Good News.

· Using privilege to foster social transformation.

· Producing fruits in keeping with repentance.

The five-week book study will take place on Thursdays via Zoom from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, from June 27 to August 1, 2024. Dr. Béatrice Russell will facilitate the discussion, with guest speakers to be announced. Books are available on the SVCC campus, thanks to Mr. Edrine Ddungu, who ordered free books for participants.

Zoom Meeting ID: 820 7946 2248. Join: https://csus.zoom.us/j/82079462248

Gilliard, Dominique DuBois. (2021). Subversive Witness : Scripture's Call to Leverage Privilege. Grand Rapids Michigan: Zondervan Reflective. ISBN-13978-0310124030.

Intercultural Mosaics (www.nextg.org) is a New Worshiping Community sponsored by Davis Community Church, with support from the NCCP and the 1001NWC National Office of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, PC(USA).  Led by the Rev. Dr. Stephen Moon and supported by the hospitality gifts of Grace Moon, Mosaics is moved by a love of Christ and aims to bring new, fresh expressions of the Body of Christ to meet the spiritual needs of Millennials and Gen Zers. The goal is to transform these individuals for Christ’s ministries of justice, peace, healing, and environmental stewardship.

Shift in Focus: Over time, and especially during the pandemic, the Spirit has shifted and expanded our focus. Initially centered on Millennials and Gen Zers, our ministry now embraces a multi-ethnic and cross-cultural approach. While we remain intentional about addressing the spiritual needs of Millennials and Gen Zers, our primary focus has evolved to intercultural ministry. This shift has also brought a geographic widening, allowing us to connect with participants from other states and countries.

Mosaics’ Influence and Success: At Mosaics, we define a thriving church by its impact and influence rather than mere numerical growth. We believe true influence originates from personal transformation within individuals, which then radiates outward to impact others. As a vibrant missional hub, Mosaics has the potential to evolve into a movement, fostering a spiritual ecosystem for struggling churches.

Pandemic and Current Engagement: Before the pandemic, our outreach efforts connected with over 1,500 attendees, welcoming 3-7 new visitors each week. During the pandemic, we swiftly adapted, engaging with over 1,000 individuals through Zoom, with 75-100 dedicated participants attending Mosaics Zoom classes weekly from February 2020 to February 2024. Our engagement is richly diverse, with 200 active members representing 25 different ethnicities across multiple generations.

Intercultural Growth and Connection: As of June 30, 2024, Mosaics has facilitated dynamic meetups, attracting 2,879 registered participants and orchestrating an impressive 5,595 events to date. Our online presence flourishes, with a website boasting 48,884 subscribers and a vibrant Facebook Group with 300 active members. As we pursue expansion, we anticipate welcoming over 150 new participants in 2024-2025, embracing both virtual and in-person avenues of connection.

Gratitude to Davis Community Church: Mosaics is deeply grateful for all that Davis Community Church provides to Intercultural Mosaics: facilities, staff support, pastoral support, financial resources, and abundant prayer and encouragement.

By celebrating the past year’s achievements and looking forward to the future, Mosaics continues to thrive as a beacon of intercultural and cross-generational spiritual growth.

Thank you.

Come Join The Conversation

You are invited to join with clergy colleagues who gather via Zoom each week (Tuesday at 1-2pm) to discuss the lectionary passages for the coming Sunday. The group shares thoughts, insights, and questions about the passages. The conversations not only offer differing perspectives, they provide a forum for support and connection.

Come be a part of the conversation!

(If you would like to know more about the group or to join, please e-mail David Ratcliff at davidratcliffu2@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you.)

North Central California Presbytery

5645 Marconi Ave.

Carmichael, CA, 95608

www.nccpresby.org