The year was 1970, the month was September and I was a mere six years old when my parents announced to the family a proclamation I have never forgotten: "For your Christmas gift this year, we are flying down to Disneyland!" I couldn't believe it! Disneyland! You need to know that Disneyland to a six-year-old is about as good as it gets, and to top it off, I would, for the first time, get on an airplane and fly!
Those were three of the longest, hope-filled, dream-inducing, expectation-laden months of my life! Night after night I would lay awake in my bed, pondering and dreaming what the experience would be like. As I experienced trials I would always venture in my mind to the balm of the thought of being in Disneyland, very soon and the trial would, in its shadow of Disneyland seem so small. Almost 40 years later, I still vividly remember that first period of concentrated expectation.
Did you know that the word 'advent' means "the coming or arrival of something long awaited, especially something momentous?" In the west during the Middle Ages, Advent became a time to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, because in those days, many people were convinced that all the signs pointed to the imminent return of Christ. In time, Advent spread throughout the western Church and became fixed at its present length, the four Sundays prior to Christmas. It serves as a time we remember the long wait for a Messiah culminating in the birth of Jesus.
In 2009 we need Advent and Christmas more than ever and at PCC we are prepared to equip you to experience a holy anticipation for Jesus to manifest Himself to us in a very tangible way. In this Bridge, you will read of Advent Packets, complete with candles and a devotional booklet for PCC to celebrate Jesus in our homes. We will also be teaching through the four themes of Advent every Sunday leading up to Christmas Eve, allowing God's word to mold our hearts to yearn for Jesus.
On December 20, we will be blessed to have children from three impoverished countries, who have been orphaned by AIDS, war or some other misfortune, singing in our worship gatherings in the morning and then performing two concerts in the evening as a benefit for our local schools. I guarantee they will be a gift you never forget this Christmas season!
Join me in asking God to create in us a holy yearning for His Son this Advent Season. Consider this Bridge as your guide to having a joy-filled, peace-infused Christmas Season.
I Love Being Your Pastor!
Gary |
 Lunch Bunch
Preschool by Terry Boudreau
 Peninsula Covenant Preschool offers an extended school day to the four-and five-year-old children. This program is called "Lunch Bunch." Children are welcome to bring their lunches to school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and to stay an additional hour from 12:00-1:00. This additional hour at school is helping us to meet the needs of the children and their parents. In the more casual setting of the Lunch Bunch program, children have more interactions which strengthen their social skills. Also, children who may have issues with certain foods are encouraged in their own eating as they watch their peers enjoy a variety of foods in their lunches. Lunch Bunch is also providing parents with a much needed additional hour to accomplish their tasks.
The preschool is currently looking to hire a Lunch Bunch Assistant. This person would assist the Lunch Bunch Teacher in supervising the children while eating their lunches and while playing on the playground. The hours for this position are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:50 to 1:10. You need to be at least 18 years old to work as a Lunch Bunch Assistant and it is preferable if you have taken at least 3 units in Early Childhood Education. Please contact Terry Boudreau at 365-8094 ext. 240 if you're interested in talking more about this position.
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For Generations
College Age and Young Adults
 I could say that God has been a big part of my family for generations, but I was not drawn to God entirely by that. I think I first found God at 13, when a friend of mine from elementary school invited me to come hang out at the PCC middle school group called T.N.T. There were about two months where I found myself seeking God and talking to a "higher power," that culminated when I signed my name in a Bible. I felt like I had done something very important.
But after that, I didn't pursue it further. You could say that a seed had been planted, because I forgot about it, but not entirely. Fifteen years later, I've been struggling in my life to find purpose, identity, and direction, among life's daily struggles and came back to the PCC to join the young adults' (YA) group that my sister was a part of. I was drawn in by the community, much like my first connection to God 15 years earlier, and my own doubt didn't seem to matter. At the YA Fall retreat in October, I finally opened myself up fully and totally to God. He has touched me, guided me, and even pulled me towards Him. In one night, it felt like God changed me forever. In reality, I know He has been there my whole life. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to redeem all our sins. He is healer, guide, and my connection to God.
Jesus loves me without question, He is my friend and I believe He is my Savior without doubt. The shackles that held me down were broken. I initiated a covenant with God, I have been baptized, and I want to let the world know that I have been saved!
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Beautiful Day
Serve the Peninsula by John Luff
On November 14, four churches, four PTA's, and the neighboring communities joined forces at three elementary schools in Redwood City: Roy Cloud, John Gill and Fair Oaks. Individuals from diverse ethnicities and social-economic backgrounds came to gather with one purpose, to share the love of Christ with their neighbors. We huddled together in the cool morning rain and were warmed by the blessing of blessing those who teach our children.
We gardened, planted flowers, cleaned store rooms, sorted books, assembled furniture, painted and cleaned some more. By the end of the day, we had lots of sore muscles, but we had experienced iLove. Several of us were asked why do you work so hard, why are you so kind to us? Isn't it interesting that when others experience grace, loving kindness iLove the first comment is always why? It was a beautiful day for the three schools and for everyone who participated and experienced iLove.
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Mission
Love: Just Words? by Sharon King
 Where do you turn to define a word (dictionary, God's word, a person, etc.)? Let's try the word "love." Webster's dictionary says, "a strong feeling of affection for someone or something, a passionate affection for another."
God's word says (command): "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength... love your neighbor as yourself." Mark 12: 30-31 God's (definition: read I Cor 13 ) Person (missionary/servant) "Love compels us, the cross illuminates us, the gospel commissions us." (quote by John Becker, see II Cor. 5:11-22.)
In view of all three, and using each letter of the word LOVE, let us meditate upon the GIFT of L-O-V-E freely given and displayed in and through the lives of those who serve overseas and locally, long or short-term, to many who need to hear about God's gift of LOVE for them.
"L" long way from "home," laborer for the Kingdom of God "O" ordinary, but obedient out of view, one of a kind "V" valuable, visionary and vocation "E" empowered by God, expectant of God's power How about YOU? God's word says, we are ALL called to go.....(Matt. 28:19) ... and LOVE !
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The Club is Busy!
Community Center by Dan Cornelius
 The Center has been busy! In addition to our usual summer activities, Fall has been exciting, as well. In an effort to reach out to our Redwood City community, we have hosted many groups here at the Center.
Our Kainos neighbors have been our guests twice now for a Sunday swim, and how blessed we are to have these wonderful people living right next door.
We invited local school staffs and their families to enjoy our pool and a barbeque throughout the month of October. Every Friday night, we partnered with the Redwood City Educational Foundation (RCEF) to host a pool party for some of our local elementary school staff. The BBQ's were a hit, as were the hotdogs and s'mores, to be a kid again!
The Center celebrated 50 years of existence in October. We hosted a "Remember When" party in our Bayview Room, complete with personal stories, memories, pictures and video of the club since its inception. Did you know that Don Carlson used to teach sailing in our pool, and that square dances were held on the tennis courts!?
As your Center across the bridge, we exist to bless your friends and neighbors in the name of Jesus. Enjoy the facilities and fitness classes as an outreach/ministry tool for your friends. If you haven't wandered across to see what we are about, consider this your invitation to come spend a day with us. Ask any one of our friendly front desk staff for a tour and a free pass. We know you will want to join!
I am privileged to be your interim director. Please feel free to call me with any questions.
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Beyond Sunday
Filling Rows or Forming Circles
by Bill Donahue
Below is an excellent article about the challenge of shifting the missional church from a campus focus to community focus. Please wrestle through this read, and seriously ask yourself, what does it mean to "be" the church? Is church a weekly event? Are we supposed to be vested in our faith beyond Sunday? Am I ready to live out my faith in community? I hope this article better clarifies our Community Group effort. For questions or information on your Community Group, please contact Todd Gumbrecht.
If it is true that more learning, growth and care takes place through small groups (circles), why do churches spend an inordinate amount of time, staffing, and money on filling rows? Here are some possible reasons for expending so much energy on building a "row"-ing team.
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Creating row-mentum: Is it that we believe filling the seats will create a catalytic experience that moves the masses to action?
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Tell-a-vision: Is it about getting people aligned with what leadership is trying to do and clarifying church direction?
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We-vangelism: Are we trying to create an attritional environment for members to bring people to hear a gospel presentation?
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I have a truth ache: Is it because people love teaching more than learning? Is it that we enjoy hearing the old story more than facing the new reality of how far we are from real change?
I know the correct response is "both-and", large gatherings and smaller groupings. But it is so much more difficult to get people to form circles than it is to sit in rows. So, because it is easier, we figure "let's leverage the large gathering" and put tons of resources into the 60-90 minutes of a church service.
Pastors spend 20-30 hours preparing, choirs and vocalists (paid and unpaid) practice for days, musicians rehearse, greeters are recruited, welcome teams and service hosts deployed, parking attendants and programming teams are organized, buildings are built - all culminating in an event. "It's rowtime!
I just wonder. I wonder what a church would look like if it re-allocated the staffing, energy, creativity, money, teaching and focus from event-making to disciple-making. If it equipped catalytic shepherd-leaders to connect people to transformational disciple-making environments (like groups and missional gatherings) - what would it look like? What if instead of thousands of people coming to sit and listen we had thousands of missional shepherd-guides moving out to serve and lead...people who make disciples...who make disciples? Maybe we could move from rowtime to growtime.
Just think of $50 million invested in church-planting and the creation of hundreds - thousands - of missional groups and hubs throughout the city instead of one single building?
Sadly, many places will never find out. We're stuck in a paradigm lock. Yet I know some places [like Peninsula Covenant] who are trying to shift into this expression of the church [Community Groups]. These churches have been multiplying small communities that break into the culture - and are less concerned with filling rows than they are with forming circles.
There is a movement taking place - a shift from solitary, inflexible, hierarchical structures to clusters of missional groups, teams and gatherings that are bent on communal renovation. Churches where hundreds of leaders - not just a handful - use their gifts in the spirit of Colossians 3. Just maybe I will see this transformation across the North American church in my lifetime. And we will all be running in circles.
Filling Rows or Forming Circles?, Copyright November 6, 2009, Willow Creek Association, duplicated with permission.
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Christmas Adversities
Covenant Psychological Services
by Royce Garvin
A big part of my 12-year-old daughter Victoria's living and learning involves being around horses - riding, training, and caring for them. When Victoria needed to make a change in the horse she rode after some years, our family began the process of looking for another horse for her to ride. Weeks slipped into months as it seemed like nothing was working out for Victoria. When it looked like we had finally found a situation that would work for her, that opportunity suddenly disappeared. Darrah and I were disappointed along with Victoria, and prepared ourselves to start the searching process all over again. But another opportunity presented itself within a few days - a situation that was far better than the one that slipped away.
Victoria's little story presents a good picture of what often happens in my own life. Adversity comes and I become discouraged after a while, often taking a narrow view of my circumstances. But so often God is working in a situation to create something I do not see - something in His plan that is better for me in terms of my true best interests. I often cannot see the larger picture that God has in store for me in the moment of my discouragement or frustration. But as time goes on, I can see God's hand better - sometimes after days, but often only after months or even years.
The Apostle Paul was no stranger to situations of adversity. He was jailed many times in his ministry, and wrote his letter to the Philippians from a Roman jail cell. Perhaps the Philippians at the time thought that Paul had once again been thrown in jail and his ministry put on hold. But - after years of living in relationship with Christ - Paul knew that God was working in his situation for a greater purpose. Through his incarceration, Paul brought the message of Christ to the very palace of Caesar, and we are still encouraged and exhorted by his remarkable letter to the Philippians that he wrote from his jail cell in Rome.
God has a wonderful way of taking the adversities of our lives and using them for good - for Victoria Garvin, for the Apostle Paul, and for you and me. As the Christmas season approaches, what difficult circumstances do you find yourself going through? What prison cell do you find yourself in? What seemingly impossible situation? Remember, God can use any situation for His good in our lives.
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For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried...
Yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.
--Psalm 66: 10,12
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Thanks to my friend Pastor David Sparks for his insights into the life of the Apostle Paul.
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God Has A Different Plan
After School Care by Katie Majewski
 I never thought I would move away from Ohio, but God had a different plan-a better plan.
In 2007, I was living in Parma, Ohio, working at a job that I liked, but knew there was something else out there for me. I had become a Christian in 1st grade, believed in God, but didn't know what a relationship with Him truly could be. I worked weekends and was not able to attend any worship services. This left me with no Christian community, and God was not at the forefront of my life. I was at a stand-still.
One weekend, my co-worker asked to work my Sunday. I also found out that same Sunday, a Christian speaker was going to be talking to the church that I grew up in. I had the day off. I could go. I knew I needed to go.
I went to the service and knew as soon as it started that God had set up a divine appointment for me. The talk was all about feeling that there was something else you were supposed to be doing with your life. Everything that I had been feeling was finally making sense. I knew that it was no coincidence that I was in that service listening to that speaker. God wanted me to go somewhere and I just needed to surrender all to Him. The rest of the day I prayed that God would lead me to what He wanted for me.
The following day, my sister (who had been an intern at PCC) called me from college and said, "I think you should think about working at the Swim & Gym camp at PCC." We had never talked about me working there before, and she didn't know that I was feeling the way I was back at home.
I took it as God's sign for what I was supposed to do. I emailed Marilyn Lynch and asked her about a job. She emailed me back the next day and said I was hired.
I was moving to California (with some definite moments of, "What am I doing?!").
That summer was life-changing. I was only supposed to stay a summer, but never left. I love working with these kids. I love being able to show them how much God loves them. At School Age Child Care, we get to be "the church" for them, and they may never experience that love anywhere else. I know that this is where I am called to be. God blessed me with a job that I love and get to serve Him. Everything that I had been searching for, God has brought to me. I just had to be willing to let Him take control.
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HOUSE Sweet Home
High School by Shayla Cantrell
 For the past year God has called me to love and minister to high school students at PCC. On Wednesday nights we gather in Fellowship Center and it transforms into a place where students come to be in community, worship God, to learn and grow in faith. As a leader, I've sometimes felt like a piece of furniture. The students must think I'm so OLD and awkward. What do I even talk to them about? In that past year, I've seen a phenomenal transformation. I don't have to make ministry happen. Instead the High School Ministry becomes a familiar atmosphere: comfortable, inviting, and always filled with love; it feels like home. Serving the students is drawing me closer to God, and this past summer God placed a calling on my heart to go on a short-term mission trip in the new year. I don't always know how to tell if God is calling me into something, but I do know that I have experienced the same peace and comfort with this decision as I did when I started serving in High School Ministry. It's not always comfortable; but this is where God wants me. My prayer for students is that they can find that same peace on Wednesday nights. God has called them to Fellowship Center or, appropriately named, "HOUSE," and it delights me to walk in and see them worshiping God, loving and encouraging one another, and of course laughing. It is a true gift, to be called into this ministry. |
Monvee
People Development by Brian Rhen
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Preview Jan. 3 | Premieres Jan. 23
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Have you every wonder if connecting with God was as individualized as your personality? Have you every wondered why certain people benefited from certain spiritual practices (prayer, journaling, etc.), resources (books, sermons, etc.), relationships (small group, community group, mentor, etc.), and experiences (mission trips, service projects, etc.), yet they just never worked for you?
What if, in this "one life" you had to live there were specific ways you connected, learned, related and expressed your love for God best? And what if, up until this point in time, your church, spiritual leaders, parents, and friends had never exposed you to what you really needed to grow with God (or approved of them)?
Monvee is designed to customize, based on who you are, specific practices, resources, relationships, and experiences so you can more fully connect with God and become who He intended you to be.
Interested or have more questions? Check out this video:
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PLUS
Fulfilling God's Purpose by Rod Toews
There are many new Bridge readers who may not know what "PLUS Ministry" is all about. Six years ago my ministry at PCC changed from being the Executive Pastor to beginning a new ministry for people age 50 and older. We selected a Ministry Leadership Team, and we were off and running.
Our ministry has been, and is to fulfill God's purposes for those in our church community. This includes spiritual growth, service, fellowship and having fun doing things together. Our group has grown. We look for new ways to bring fresh ideas to people who are in their "Power years" (all persons age 50 and older). In other words, we want to add a PLUS to the lives of people in this age category.
PLUS ministry's year begins with an Annual Celebration in the fall where we celebrate what God is doing, honor persons featured in our publication "The Spotlight" and introduce new people to ministry opportunities for the coming year.
One of our goals this year is to provide a connection between our group and the younger generations. Here are two opportunities to consider:
- On Saturday, December 12 at 9:30am., PLUS Ministry will provide a special celebration for the entire family. Our church began with a strong Swedish heritage, which meant during the Christmas season many in our congregation have celebrated the Feast of St. Lucia. December 13, is the traditional date in many European Countries. One of our own young ladies will appear crowned as Lucia with a court singing the traditional song "Santa Lucia." Our celebration includes an authentic Swedish breakfast, festively decorated tables and a short program. If you need more information call me at 365-8094.
- Another special intergenerational event is our Alaska Land Tour and Cruise May 15 - 28, 2010. Dot and I will be leading the trip and we would like to make this an all-church event. A friend in Colorado Springs wrote us how their family made an Alaska trip an intergenerational adventure. She writes: "In June, I, my 11-year-old son Matthew, my parents and sister Beth celebrated my parent's 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to Alaska. We cruised the inside passage from Vancouver to Anchorage, took a train to Denali Park where we spent several days. Alaska is so beautiful. We got to see lots of wildlife and those amazing glaciers. It was an incredible week and I was ready to go back within a week." It would be fun to have a wide segment of our church join us. If you are interested pick up a flyer in the church office or give me a call.
Watch for additional intergenerational events in the bulletin and Gmail. Join us!
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Gary's Corner by Gary Gaddini
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God Sent Us A Savior
------------------------------------------------------- December is the only month where I look forward to getting the postal mail! After I sift through the numerous bills and mail order catalogs, I get to the gems from the mailbox, the Christmas cards! I love reading the Christmas letters and catching up on the news of friends and family. I love sharing the cards with the girls and look at their excitement as they see the pictures and colors contained within the envelope and discover the stickers and colors on the outside of the envelope.
Max Lucado summed up my sentiments best,
"This is the month that mail is fun. This is the month of red envelopes, green stamps and Christmas tree stickers. This is the month when your old roomie who married Chris and moved to Phoenix writes to tell you that their fourth child is on the way. This is the month of overnighted nuts and packaged fruitcakes and frenzied mailmen. Add to that a gift from Aunt Sophie
and a calendar from your insurance agent, and you've got a
daily reason to whistle your way to the mailbox!
Know that Anne and I are praying for you this Christmas Season. We are praying for you to savor the preciousness and primacy of Christ to your life and to the world. We are praying that you would take advantage of the PCC resources to AID you in your ministry to and through your home. We are praying that God would manifest Himself to us and our community this Advent Season...O how we need the Prince of Peace in these perilous times!
I have saved in my files my all-time favorite Christmas card that came in the mail many years ago. I offer it with sincere prayers for you to experience a Christ-centered holiday!
If our greatest need had been information, God would
have sent an educator.
If our greatest need had been technology, God would
have sent a scientist.
If our greatest need had been money, God would
have sent an economist.
But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior.
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The PCC Freedom Team wants to THANK all those who walked, prayed and donated to the SCTNow Walk on September 26th. We had 23 walkers and raised $3,000. A special congratulations to Shiloh and Shelby Hurst who raised over $1,000!
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Here are some creative
ways to give:
Electronic Funds Transfer: You can arrange to have funds transferred automatically and confidentially from your bank account to PCC.
IRAs: 70½ years or older? The government has extended, into 2009, the option to assign your Required Minimum Distribution to the charity of your choice.
Stock Gifts: Stock gifts must be transferred into PCC's brokerage account by December 31.
For more information on any of these options, contact Caren Fior in the Church Office at (650) 365-8094 x235 or carenf@peninsulacovenant.com.
All gifts must be received or postmarked by December 31 to be receipted in 2009.
---------------------------------------- "Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me
in this and see if I don't open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams." Malachi 3:10
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 The Bridge newsletter is produced four times per year by Peninsula Covenant Church. Its mission is to communicate the ministries of the church with the intention of furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Peninsula Covenant Church is part of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Please let us know if you have a new email address, receive duplicates, would like to be removed from our email mailing list or know someone who would like to be added.
Please contact us at:
publications@peninsulacovenant.com
Gary Gaddini
Lead Pastor
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Ministers
All PCC Members
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Brian Rhen
People Development
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Carlos DeVitis
High School
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Caren Fior
Finance
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Cheryl Lenci
Events
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Chris Davidson
Skatechurch
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Dain Jepson
Families
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Daisy Segal
Church Office
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Dan Cornelius
Community Center
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Dave Enderby
Community Center
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Gerry Skinner
Properties
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Jeff Murphy
Publications
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John Seybert
Operations
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John & Janet Miclean
Students & Families
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Lauren Majewski
Middle School
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Mark Aaron Humphrey
Worship
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Marilyn Lynch
After School Care
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Meg Roundy
Children
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Patsy Owens
Database
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Rod Toews
PLUS
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Royce Garvin
Counseling Center
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Sid Newcomb
Tennis / Mission
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Tabatha Mason
Student Ministry
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Todd Gumbrecht
Connection
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Terry Boudreau
Preschool
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Tony Gapastione
Young Adults
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