Meg Eldridge String Quartet
 
Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
Weekly Happenings at SHPCFebruary 27, 2014

  

"Fat" Sunday

A Musical Feast for the Soul

      

     Celebrate abundance this Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. with a service of extravagant music!  What better way to indulge before the Season of Lent begins next Wednesday?  We are delighted to welcome back to center sanctuary the Meg Eldridge String Quartet, this time with second violinist Tyler Lewis of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, for a vibrant experience of Haydn's Emperor Quartet.  Bring your music loving family and friends of all ages!  As an additional blessing, the SHPC Children's Choir will sing!  Our scripture texts are Psalm 100 and Matthew 17:1-8.

 

 

     INVITE YOUR FRIENDS:  Children of Uganda Dance Performance in the sanctuary on Friday, March 7 at 6:00 p.m., and Dine with the Dancers Potluck dinner to follow.  Donations gratefully accepted.

 
In This Issue
Bible Study
God Loves Gardens
Children's Choir Signs this Sunday
CROP Walk Sign Ups this Sunday
Ash Wednesday Service
Children of Uganda Tour of Light Dance Troupe
Mexico Mission Kick Off BBQ
New Sign Ups for Meal Sharing
Alec Kenilvort in the IJ
Prayers
Quick Links

Bev piano
A Note From
Pastor Bev

 

      Next Wednesday marks the start of Lent, the six weeks before Easter, traditionally a season of fasting and penitence. Even if the idea of meatless Fridays is foreign to many or most of us, lots of folks in our church still make a practice of giving up something for Lent. This week while we're thinking about what we might give up for spiritual growth, some traditions encourage us to go overboard. Here at Sleepy Hollow, instead of going overboard on food, drink, and dancing scantily clad in the streets, we are indulging in a gorgeous service of music this Sunday. 

 

     This is a great week to consider where the parched places are in your life, where your spirit is yearning and thirsting for abundance. The tender, beautiful blossoms of spring are abundant reminders of transformation, rebirth, and possibility. The rains which are renewing the drought-parched earth and bringing new life remind us that God is living water.  How we need that living water for spiritual wholeness!

 

     This is going to be a rich Lenten season at church, but first, enjoy this week of abundant beauty and take in the signs of God's abundant love.

 

                   With joy,
 

                                          - Bev

  
February - March Calendar

  

Thursday, February 27th 

   7:30  p.m.       Choir practice at the church 

Friday, February 28th
  12:00 p.m.        Bible Study with Pastor Bev 

  

Sunday, March 2
   9:30 a.m.        Fat Sunday Musical Extravaganza with 
                         Meg Eldridge String Quartet and the 
                         SHPC Children's Choir 
 10:30 a.m.        Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
 10:45 a.m.        Informational Meeting for New Members
                         Child Care Provided

  

Wednesday, March 5 

   7:00  p.m.       Ash Wednesday service; Lent begins

Thursday, March 6 

   7:30  p.m.       Choir practice at the church 

  

Friday, March 7 
  12:00 p.m.       Bible Study with Pastor Bev

    6:00 p.m.       Children of Uganda Tour of Light Dance Troupe

                         Performance and Potluck Dinner

  

Sunday, March 9

   9:30 a.m.        First Sunday in Lent, Sacred Circle, with Pastor Bev

 10:30 a.m.        Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
 10:45 a.m.        Meeting for Mission and Social Justice 
                         Committee - all are welcome 
   5:00 p.m.        Mexico Mission Kick Off Barbecue

  

Thursday, March 13 

   7:30  p.m.       Choir practice at the church 

  

Friday, March 14
  12:00 p.m.       Bible Study with Pastor Bev

  

Sunday, March 16

   9:30 a.m.        Second Sunday in Lent, with Pastor Bev

                         New Members Join the Church 

 10:30 a.m.        Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
 10:45 a.m.        Green Team Meeting - All are welcome
                         Mexico Mission Intention to Participate and 
                         Application Forms Due 
  

Thursday, March 20 

   7:30  p.m.       Choir practice at the church 

  

Friday, March 21
  12:00 p.m.       Bible Study with Pastor Bev 

  

Sunday, March 23

    9:30 a.m.        Third Sunday in Lent, with Pastor Bev

  10:30 a.m.        Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!

     1:30 p.m.       CROP Walk

 

Thursday, March 27 

   7:30  p.m.       Choir practice at the church 

  

Friday, March 28
  12:00 p.m.       Bible Study with Pastor Bev

  

Sunday, March 30

    9:30 a.m.        Fourth Sunday in Lent, with Pastor Bev

  10:30 a.m.        Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!

  11:00 a.m.         Mandatory Meeting for Mexico Mission

                          Participants and their Parents until 2:00 p.m. 

                          All Application Forms Due

 

SAVE THE DATES:  Palm Sunday April 13th

                            Easter Sunday April 20th

 

 
Bible Study

  

Bible Study meets regularly at noon on Fridays in Pastor Bev's office.  All are welcome, and you are invited to bring your lunch. If you are new to studying the Bible, join us!  This week our texts are Psalm 100 and Matthew 17:1-8.  We will begin to look at answers to Jessica's profound question last Sunday during children's time:  "Why did they pin Jesus to the cross?"

 
 

God loves gardens ... but there are times when, together with God, we need to eliminate the weeds

 

These past few days I have had the privilege of being in Pismo Beach. While the surroundings were spectacular the real joy of this time away was to get to know two very prominent and successful people who have great vision, talent, and tremendous caring hearts. 

 

They have worked so hard and dedicated themselves to what it takes to truly be successful. Yet it became extremely painful for me to hear of certain toxic relationships they both have had to endure. 

 

As I stared for hours across the beautiful ocean, and enjoyed the local vegetation and ocean breeze, my thoughts went to the Garden of Eden. It must have been so beautiful. And we know God loved it.

 

However, for me ... our little garden out back is beautiful, too. But in order for it to "stay beautiful" and "healthy" I need to constantly eliminate the weeds.

 

So as I listened to the stories of certain toxic relationships this marvelous couple has had to endure, I was really moved by how unhealthy and stressful they can be. People who are repetitiously critical, who cut you down, participate in hurtful name calling, or try to prevent you from moving beyond your past ... have to be dealt with. Worst of all, these situations camouflage your true identity and are an obstacle to your growth as a person.

 

When this is present, we need to do consider doing some weeding.

 

We are committed to being more Christ like. We study the Bible and actively participate in Church and community activities - all geared to making us a better (and happier) person. We must continually take inventory of our relationships - do they build us up? Do they encourage us? Are they authentic or phony? Being around toxic people can be very draining; it can bring you down.

 

I would encourage you to think hard about moving away from long standing hurtful relationships. They are distracting and draining. Call Pastor Bev ... or come to the Friday noon-time Bible Study ... if this is an issue in your life right now. Many of us who meet on Fridays are weeding out things in our lives that have needed eliminating for a long time. The Bible is the best mirror to these very personal circumstances and a guide to solutions. Pastor Bev makes our time together quiet, intimate, and meaningful. If you're struggling in the area of toxic relationships, know there is hope and solutions, and that you're not alone. 

 

Some helpful verses for weeding are 2 Cor 5:17; Is 43:18; Eph 4:22-24;Psalm 118:6. It takes courage and initiative, but it's well worth it.

 

Paul Lambert

 
Children's Choir Sings this Sunday
March 2nd, 9:30 a.m.
 
This Sunday March 2nd, the SHPC Church Children's Choir will be singing Peace Like a River as part of our "Fat Sunday Musical Extravaganza." We are very grateful for the good work of Hallie Foster, our Children's Choir Director, and Lora East, Children's Program Director, in supporting the music education of our children and youth. Come support their efforts this Sunday! 
 
 

CROP Walk Sign Ups this Sunday

March 2, 10:30 a.m. 

Walk is March 23 at 1:30 p.m.

 

This Sunday March 2nd, Robin and Ahmed Abu-Aly will be recruiting walkers and sponsors for the 18th annual Marin CROP Hunger Walk which will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2014 at 1:30 p.m.. The walk, with its theme of "Ending Hunger One Step at a Time", is co-sponsored by Church World Service and the Marin Interfaith Council. The 5K walk starts at the First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael, at 1510 Fifth Street.  

 

The goal of the CROP Hunger Walk is to increase awareness about hunger issues and to raise funds for local and international anti-hunger programs. This is a family friendly event which invites both adults and youth to walk together in support of a social justice program. Packets for participants, with forms to obtain sponsors, will be available at the church this Sunday, as well as on March 9 and March 16th. We would love to have a group from SHPC march together like last year. 

 

For more information about the event, please contact Robin at robinhh@yahoo.com or 271-5169. 

 

 

Ash Wednesday Service 

Wednesday March 5th, 7:00 p.m.

 

All are invited to our Ash Wednesday Service in the sanctuary on Wednesday, March 5th at 7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. The service is contemplative, with prayer, music with Stephen Iverson, and reflection.  Feed your spirit by setting aside this time to mark the beginning of the season. 

 

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Children of Uganda Tour of Light Dance Troupe 
Friday, March 7th 
Performance - 6:00 p.m. 
Dine with Dancers - 7:00 p.m.

  

We are delighted to welcome back to our church the Children of Uganda Tour of Light Dance Troupe. This is a wonderful opportunity for cross cultural exchange and to support these students on their tour. Everyone in the wider community is welcome, so please spread the word and invite your friends and neighbors. 

 

The Deacons will be coordinating the potluck that takes place immediately after the performance. Please bring a dish to share... whether it's a casserole, cookies, or corn on the cob... the fun part is simply getting together and celebrating our gift of community with the Children of Uganda. Questions? Email carolyn@goodmanmarketing.com.

 

Carolyn Goodman 

  

 
Mexico Mission Kick Off BBQ
Sunday March 9th 5-7 p.m. 

 

The Mexico Mission team will host an informal barbecue for students and their parents to learn about the 2014 trip, as well as get to know each other and the adult leaders. The barbecue will be at the church on Sunday, March 9th, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The church will supply the barbecue and drinks; please bring a side dish. 

 

It is important for prospective participants to attend this event to learn about the application and commitment requirements for this year's trip. Applications and Intention to Participate forms will be due back on March 16th. 

 

Please RSVP to the BBQ by Thursday March 6th with an email to Mark.Sarkisian@som.com, placing "Mexico Mission" in the subject line of your email. Your RSVP helps us plan for enough food and beverages.  For the people that are attending, please bring a side dish (organized by last name): Last name starting with A - K brings salad, chips, or vegetables; Last name Starting with L - Z brings dessert or fruit.

 

Looking forward to seeing you there. 

 

Mark Sarkisian

 

 

New Sign Ups for Meal Sharing 

 

Last April we began something special. Each Wednesday evening, a member or friend of the church makes a meal for Wil Swalberg in honor of his 90th Birthday. The program has been such a joy for all involved that we have decided to continue it. 

 

If you have not yet participated, please consider doing so. It is really easy. When you are cooking for your family, just cook a little bit extra for Wednesday evening and deliver it to the Swalberg's house in San Anselmo before 6 p.m. It is a fun and enjoyable way to share food. To sign up for a date, click here. This program is so popular, the next available date is not until March 26th! 

 

For more information about the program, go to the church website at http://www.sleepyhollowchurch.org and you will see the link for the meal program under "news" in the lower part of the home page. If you have questions, please contact Janel at Janelstewart@gmail.com or Birgit at shpchurch@comcast.net.  

 

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Alec Kenilvort in the IJ 

 

Alec Kenilvort, a participant in SHPC's Choir, Challenge Class, and Mexico Mission programs, was profiled in the Marin Independent Journal Sports Section on Monday February 17, 2014. Alec, who lettered in football, basketball and baseball at Drake, is now pitching for the College of Marin Mariners. Twenty scouts came out to watch Alec pitch at the COM v. College of San Mateo game on January 28th. At 6'6" inches, Alec has a fastball that reaches the low 90s on the radar gun. Our community has been fortunate to have Alec continue his connection with the church and wish him the best of luck this Spring. To read the online version of the article click here. 

 

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Please Remember In Your Prayers
Praying Hands
 

Alexa Ehlen, Matt's stepmother, for healing;

Andrea Proster, sister of Nancy Elberg, for healing, and Nancy, for strength in companioning her; 

The Paige Family, dear friends of Diane Latta, and for Diane, for comfort in mourning the loss of Aunt Glo and Uncle Mo;

Jeri Rayford's sister-in-law Lee Livingston, recovering from stroke, and for her loved ones; 

Jerry Lambert, mother of Paul, for healing;  

Beth Gilmartin and her mother, for healing;

Patty Kuehn and her mother, for healing; 

Gregg Elberg, recovering from surgery;

Clyde Ongaro, for healing;

All those suffering from deprivation of every kind. 

 

Please take time this week to pray for those on our list.

   

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415-453-8221