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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
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| Weekly Happenings at SHPC | March 6, 2014 |
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Sacred Circle - Invitation
What is the Spirit of God inviting you to do this season of Lent? Are you giving something up? Adding something to your already full life? Hoping to grow spiritually? This Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 9:30 a.m., we begin our Sacred Circle Lent series with an exploration of how God is inviting each one of us to live a more vibrant and meaningful life. Our scripture texts are Psalm 51 and Matthew 4:1-11.
All are invited to the Children of Uganda Tour of Light Dance Performance in the sanctuary tomorrow, Friday, March 7 at 6 p.m, and to the Dine with the Dancers Potluck to follow.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS REMINDER -- set your clocks forward Saturday night so that you don't miss church on Sunday!
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Last night we marked the beginning of Lent at church with a beautiful candlelit service of prayer, chant, scripture, and reflection. In addition to Stephen's beautiful music, we were blessed by the music of raindrops, reminding us of God's grace, the earth's thirst, and the miracle of renewal. Our Lenten series this year is an invitation to enter the Sacred Circle at God's invitation, and to begin or renew daily spiritual practices for a deeper and more meaningful life. We start this Sunday at 9:30 a.m., so please remember to set your clocks forward.
Tomorrow night at the church we won't be quiet and contemplative, but we will be doing something very meaningful in welcoming back the Children of Uganda Tour of Light dancers. Bring family and friends of all ages and a yummy potluck dish to share. The performance starts at 6:00 p.m. sharp upstairs in the sanctuary. This is a great opportunity for cultural learning and exchange, and a reminder that we are all God's peacemakers.
What a blessing to serve this church!
- Bev
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March - April Calendar
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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
- Free Admission; Bring Your Friends.
Saturday, March 8
Evening Set Clocks One Hour Ahead for Daylight Savings Time (March 9th at 2:00 a.m.)
Sunday, March 9
9:30 a.m. First Sunday in Lent: Sacred Circle - Invitation
with Pastor Bev
Collect Your Fish Banks and Begin Saving for
One Great Hour of Sharing
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
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: Sacred Circle - Renewal
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
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: Sacred Circle - Restoration
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: Sacred Circle - Healing
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
Thursday, April 3
7:30 p.m. Choir practice at the church
Friday, April 4th
12:00 p.m. Bible Study with Pastor Bev
Sunday, April 6th
9:30 a.m. Fifth Sunday in Lent
Musical presented by SHPC Choir
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
5:00 p.m. Mexico Mission Mandatory Meeting and
Movie Night until 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 10
7:30 p.m. Choir practice at the church
Friday, April 11
12:00 p.m. Bible Study with Pastor Bev
Sunday, April 13
9:30 a.m. Palm Sunday, with Pastor Bev
Collection for One Great Hour of Sharing
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
Thursday, April 17
7:30 p.m. Choir practice at the church
Friday, April 18
7:00 p.m. Good Friday Service with Pastor Bev
Sunday, April 20
9:30 a.m. Easter Sunday, Rejoice! with Pastor Bev
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Refreshments - Egg Hunt for kids
Thursday, April 24
7:30 p.m. Choir practice at the church
Friday, April 25
12:00 p.m. Bible Study Recess
Sunday, April 27
9:30 a.m. Second Sunday of Easter, with Pastor Bev
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
4:00 p.m. Mexico Mission Mandatory Meeting:
Team Building
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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 51 and Matthew 4:1-11 and we'll be focusing on renewing our prayer life.
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"Reach Out ... I'll Be There"
I'm writing you from LA this morning where I am excited beyond belief.Linda Bloodsworth Thomason, the woman who wrote the fabulous TV sitcom "Designing Women" is officially joining the creative team of "The First Wives Club" Musical that I am producing. I'm meeting her for the first time today and naturally I have butterflies.
Last night, however I got three telephone calls bang, bang, bang which changed my focus. One was from a 30 year old in NY who has lost both of his parents in the last five years and is suffering. He has 8 brothers and sisters younger than him and they are having real problems without Mom and Dad -- he's overwhelmed.
Ten minutes later ... a second one came from a friend here in LA who has been kicked out of his apartment and has no where to go because his show biz dreams haven't materialized ... and he's out of money.
A third came from Las Vegas where an associate of mine said Vegas has stripped him, drained him, and caused him to lose his dignity and identity. He was screaming with frustration, needs to leave asap, and probably has found a few dark alleys in that sin city.
Wow ... all of this reminded me that no matter what we are doing or however stable our lives may be, that as followers of Jesus we are to "be there" for those who have derailed, are hurting, and reaching out for help.
In our show the first wives sing that great song "Reach Out, I'll Be There":
Now, if you feel you can't go on,
And all your hope is gone,
Reach Out, I'll be there
To love and to shelter you
I'll be there
I'll always see you through
That made me think ... we believers everyday and in every way need to be a resource to those around us. And to be the most effective resource we need to get to know the Bible and its wisdom in as much detail as possible (2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 119:105; Deut 6:6-7).
Join us on Friday at noon with Pastor Bev to hear more and learn more of how to always "be there and see people through". Let's get prepared for this job - let's connect with God and absorb the scriptures. See you this Friday at noon.
From LA ... Paul Lambert
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Children of Uganda Tour of Light Dance Troupe
Friday, March 7th
Performance - 6:00 p.m. - FREE
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
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Remember to Set Your Clocks Forward
Saturday Night March 8th
Daylight Savings Time begins this Sunday March 9th at 2:00 a.m. Remember that saying: "Fall Back and Spring Forward"? Well this Sunday is the time to spring forward and set your clocks one hour ahead.
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Mission and Social Justice Meeting
Sunday March 9th, 10:45 a.m.
Please come join the SHPC Committee for Mission and Social Justice. We welcome your participation! We are meeting this coming Sunday right after worship. Please grab a cup of coffee and head to Pastor Bev's office. We will be discussing our plans for mission and social justice work for the coming year.
Matt Ehlen
Elder for Mission and Social Justice
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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
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One Great Hour of Sharing
Since 1949 Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God's love with our neighbors-in-need around the world. Your generous gifts to this Special Offering help provide relief those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and assist in helping to empower the poor and oppressed.
This Sunday March 9th, we begin our Lenten practice of saving for the One Great Hour of Sharing collection which will take place on Palm Sunday. We will be distributing fish banks at and after worship this Sunday. For the next five weeks of Lent, please make regular contributions to your fish bank. This can be done at meal time, in lieu of the Cents-ability contribution, as well as at other times. On Palm Sunday, we will all bring our fish banks to church for the One Great Hour of Sharing collection. This special Lenten collection is split between Presbyterian hunger relief programs, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and programs supporting the Self Development of People. To learn more about how these funds have provided help to people in need click here.
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REST for Unhoused Men
This past Monday night we had the opportunity to serve a group of 20 un-housed men at St. Rita's church. The men enjoyed a delicious menu of lemon chicken, prepared by Shannon and Lucas, buttery mashed potatoes prepared by Richard, green salad made by Luke, Carly and Katie, fruit salad made by Sandra, cookies baked by Sasha, Carly and Owen, and soft rolls and butter from Cornish & Carey. Matt engaged an entire table in lively conversation about boxing, while Wil, Birgit and other volunteers provided needed fellowship during the meal. Some men commented on how St. Rita's is their favorite place to sleep because it is so quiet.
Many thanks to everyone who made this evening possible.
Luke Argilla
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Please Remember In Your Prayers
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;
Alexa Ehlen, stepmother of Matt, for healing;
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, and mourning the loss of his mother;
Clyde Ongaro, for healing;
For all to know lives of human dignity, where there basic needs are met, and they find God's peace.
Please take time this week to pray for those on our list.
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The San Francisco Theological Seminary invites you to pray as a part of the SFTS community this Lenten season, with and through the SFTS Lenten devotionals. Each Advent and Lent, the broader SFTS community enters into a season of prayer with devotions written by members of the community - students, faculty, staff, trustees, and alumni. The devotions are sent out by email every morning, and we have the opportunity to pray together - wherever we are - grounded in a shared scripture and a shared devotion.
If you would like to receive the Lenten devotions each morning by email, you can sign up on the SFTS website here. You can also find the devotions each day by following us on Twitter or by liking us on Facebook. We hope that you will be a part of this community of prayer.
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National Day for Unplugging
Sundown March 7 to Sundown March 8
It used to be part of our society to have a Sabbath day. In many European countries it is still hard to find a grocery store open on a Sunday. In the U.S., we live a very fast paced life, with shopping opportunities 7 days a week and over scheduled weekends. This fast pace is accelerated by being plugged into our devices most of our waking hours. To slow things down, many schools and communities are taking up an "Unplugged Challenge" for a week, where participants commit to not using TV, texting, or playing electronic games for a week. Others are making a smaller commitment: to stay unplugged from Sundown March 7th to Sundown March 8th on the National Day for Unplugging. Consider participating. To learn more about the National Day for Unplugging, click here. For more information about the benefits of slowing down our lives, click here.
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Send us an e-mail or call us at
415-453-8221 |
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