Happy Thursday Dear Church!

I do believe that spring has sprung. So grateful for the yearly reminder that warmer, sunnier days are on the horizon. With springtime weather comes plans for summertime getaways. I hope you and your families are able to find time to get away and enjoy each other. As you get away, especially on Sundays, I want to encourage you to search out UCC churches in the area in which you are vacationing. Go to Sunday worship and take notes. As a full-time pastor, it is a challenge to get out and visit other churches. Besides being a help to me, I know your heart will be blessed as you experience how others in our dear denomination are living out the Gospel. Thank you to everyone who made Sunday a meaningful day in worship. I especially want to thank the sewing ministry for the beautiful prayer quilt they made me for my upcoming cancer treatments. The quilt is a beautiful reminder of God’s grace and presence. I look forward to cuddling up with it in the very near future.

Several weeks ago, in the days following my diagnosis, I connected with an old friend from my college days. Her name is Cindy. Cindy was not a student, but rather an elementary school teacher in the town when my university was located. We did so much together those four years. Well … she was diagnosed the same day I was. Her cancer is much more severe than mine. We are now connecting daily. I covet your prayers for Cindy as she attacks her multiple myeloma. She is a committed follower of Jesus and an incredible singer. I look forward to our conversations and texts every day.

This coming Sunday is PENTECOST. Those of you who know me well, know that is my favorite, outside of Christmas Eve and Easter, worship opportunity. Wear red, invite a friend to join you and come experience the coming of the Holy Spirit to all of God’s people. It is the birthday of the church and I can tell you that we will be in a party mindset as we worship this one who sent this amazing power to us. God only knows how the Spirit will show up this Sunday. You will want to be here to find out. Until Sunday, rest in the knowledge that the God of the Holy Spirit is on your side, advocating for you and empowering you to live in God’s abundant grace. I love being your pastor.

Holding you close and lifting you high!

Pastor Greg

Waiting in Worship

This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost Sunday (make sure to wear your red!). On this day we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit, given by Jesus, to the church. We often focus on the great signs that came with the Holy Spirit’s coming – the wind, the fire, or the tongues. We don’t always notice the waiting…the waiting…the waiting….It was ten days from the ascension to Pentecost. We are left with Jesus telling the disciples to go wait for this gift and we are told that they met daily to pray and to wait.

Part of worship for me is celebrating and experiencing the presence of God with us. The Holy Spirit is this very presence of God given to us. This presence is a promise God has given us and we know that God is ever present, but there is something to this experience of waiting that also rings true. I’m not sure we’re really waiting for God as much as waiting in a way that focuses and removes barriers to welcoming and recognizing the presence of God with us already. Either way we theologically parse it, there is something to the waiting and I find we are often bad at waiting in our fast-paced, McDonaldized society with one hour worship service packed full of goodies to consume. What does it look like to wait for the presence of God in your life? What does it look like to wait on a Sunday morning? What does it look like to wait for the Spirit on Pentecost for us today?

Dear Congregation of the Community Church of Poway.

We are saddened today at the news of the death of our own Betty Curtiss (B.J.). Betty was a long-time member of our church and is known for her quick wit and energy. Her presence in our lives will be missed. At this time there is not a memorial planned, at her request. Please hold all her family in your prayers.

If you feel inclined and would like to send some flowers or a card, please send it to the family of B.J. Curtiss.

Jill Curtiss

1322 Law STreet

San Deigo, CA 92109

I want to thank you so much for all of your support. Besides taking 550 combat application tourniquets (CATs), we took 500 Israeli Bandages and 500 anti-biotic creams for those people who are now dragged into the war. We keep getting pictures, videos and certificates thanking us from different military units. Every message is one of appreciation for the life saving equipment. It was explained that each soldier likes to have 4 tourniquets with them - one for each limb. And each unit who received these supplies told us how much more they need. They need CATs and Israeli Wound Bandages. And the emphasis is MORE CATs!

When we were in Ukraine, we worked with a person who gave us a contact to buy the tourniquets in the Ukraine. The military medics state CATs from this manufacturer is similar in quality to the ones made in the USA. This means we would not need to pay for transportation costs within the USA and costs to getting them to Ukraine. Shipping would be within Ukraine from the manufacturer to our friend who distributes to the military/ civilians. We would not have known about this path unless we had been in the Ukraine to discuss and show our commitment to their cause. So crossing our fingers. Hands On Global is testing to see if this lowers the cost, the same quality as the American CAT and also successful courier service within the country. It becomes another project!

With immense gratitude, Cathy

Guatemala News:

We're excited to announce that Zoe Mara will be delivering a captivating presentation at our service on May 26th, shedding light on the incredible work of Fundamaya, the organization we support in Guatemala.

Following the service, join us in the Fellowship Hall for a special opportunity to purchase authentic Guatemalan goods. Every purchase directly contributes to supporting our upcoming service team's journey to Guatemala in March 2025, ensuring that we can continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of those in need. Your participation not only enriches your life but also uplifts entire communities in Guatemala.

🌟🚗✨ Lantern Crest Lunch Trip Alert! ✨🚗🌟

Hey there, wonderful folks of Community Church of Poway!

We're gearing up for a special outing on June 15th from 12-2pm to visit our dear friends at Lantern Crest in Santee,Ca.

Join us for a heartwarming lunchtime gathering with Joann Bleich, Bernie Gonzalez, and Ann Davis. Sign-ups start May 19th in the Fellowship Hall. We are planning to Carpool from the Church! There's a small $15 fee per person for lunch.

See you there! 🎉

🎄 Save the Date! 🎄

Join us for a Christmas Dinner Party at the Community Church of Poway – a night of festive fun you won't want to miss! 🌟

Bring the whole family for a jolly good time filled with great music, delicious food, and plenty of photo booth shenanigans. 🎶

Mark your calendars for December 13th, 2024 , and stay tuned for more details as we count down to the most wonderful time of the year! 🎉🥳

Thank you all for your tremendous support for our April Basket of Hope. We gathered a pile of items to fill our Blessing Bags. Even our online congregation participated by shopping online or sending a check. On Sunday May 5th we assembled 100 Blessing Bags, and asked all to take some bags to distribute as you come across people experiencing homelessness. Consider keeping a supply handy in your car. If you did not receive the filled bags or need more, please see Sylvia or Kristie on Sunday.

I’d like to thank Sylvia for bringing the idea of Blessing Bags to the Board of Outreach and for her help in organizing our do church to assemble the bags. Thank you to Autumn and Kristie for compiling the resource list, which was included in each bag. Great job everyone!

Greetings from the Outreach Ministry,

We have an amazing opportunity to help the young people of our community! For the next two months, our Basket of Hope, will be filled with our gifts to benefit the Abraxas school “Safe Center Pantry” here in Poway.

Abraxas serves the children of Poway, as an alternative education option for students working through life challenges while earning their diploma. Students that receive a free lunch on campus, for some this may be their only source of a complete and nutritious meal. At this time, 13% of their students are facing housing instability, and working through other life challenges. They are able to find support at Abraxas so that they could better focus on their academics.

Abraxas is a year-round school, in session, every nine weeks after which there is a three week break. During the breaks no lunch is provided, so many of the teens are happy to get the extra support they need from the Safe Center Pantry at Abraxas. The pantry is able to send them home with the nutrition they need.

Together, we can help replenish the pantry and get it ready for the needs of the children during the break. Please prayerfully consider how you can help these amazing students at Abraxas.

The grocery wish list is for

Shelf stable milk - boxed cereal- instant oatmeal-cornbread mix-pasta or spaghetti-pasta sauce-canned protein, Chicken, tuna, roast beef or low sodium spam-canned soup-canned vegetables and easily prepared shelf staples microwave items.

They also have a gift card wish list for

Stater Brothers-Walmart-Aldi-Albertsons/Vons-Target-Ralph’s or Arco gas cards. They would also welcome gift cards for local fast food places for a hot meal.

If you are able, please pick something from the wish list and bring to place in the Basket of Hope!!!

Thank you in advance for your generosity and for sharing your gifts with others. Big Blessings and Big Hugs

The Outreach Ministry

Greetings from Outreach,

Join us in spreading kindness and compassion at Ladle Fellowship on May 26th! We're rallying together to make a difference in our community, serving meals and providing support to those experiencing homelessness. Meet us in the parking lot at 12:30 to carpool and be part of this wonderful outreach initiative. Additionally, we'll be collecting men's clothing, backpacks, and blankets for donation.

Have questions or want to get involved? Reach out to Colleen Clementson at 858-663-6584. Let's brighten lives and make a positive impact together!

Hello from Outreach!

All are welcome to join the Board of Outreach! We meet the first Thursday of each month at 5:00 pm in the Fireside room and on Zoom. Contact Linda England at LindaDEngland@gmail.com or 858-748-3304 if you are interested in getting involved.

Outreach brings forth local and global service projects, from fundraising for medical supplies in war-torn areas, to gathering and assembling supplies for our unhoused siblings in our own county. By joining Outreach, you could contribute your passions to our church by voicing your ideas for service projects, suggesting new projects, and contributing to these projects in whatever ways you feel comfortable. By joining Outreach myself, I have found tangible ways to realize my dreams for our church, community, and world.

Have a great week!

Autumn

Adult Scripture Review:

Sunday’s following worship in the fireside room!

Books & More

Starting on Tuesday, May 21, in the Fireside Room we will begin a new book. The Girl in his Shadow by Audrey Blake. An unforgettable historical fiction novel about one woman who believed in scientific medicine before the world believed in her.

Books and More meets every Tuesday at 10:00am in the Fireside Room.

All are welcome to join us.

Centering Prayer:

Tuesdays at 6:30pm

Contact Colleen Clementson at powclem@yahoo.com or on

her cell at 858-663-6584, for the ZOOM invite

Thank you for checking out our BUZZ! Here is what you were waiting for! If you have a favorite joke or any tips to make the BUZZ even better, please send emails to julie@ccpucc.org :)

Joke of the Week:

Why shouldn’t you trust trees?

They seem shady…

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