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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
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| Weekly Happenings at SHPC | July 24, 2014 |
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Summer Storytelling Series continues with...
The Book of Ruth - A Love Story
Only two books in the Bible are named for women, and Ruth is one of them. She is beloved among women in the Hebrew scripture, and she is one of very few women named in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5). Why is Ruth so revered? This Sunday, July 27, 2014 at 9:30 a.m., Rev. Scott Clark, SFTS Chaplain and Associate Dean of Student Life, will bring us the story of Ruth. Her experience as a refugee, and her courage to love across boundaries and tribal loyalties have great meaning for us today.
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A Note from
Pastor Bev
However you are getting your news, today's stories are filled with refugees displaced from their homes and pouring across borders.
Syrian refugees trying to escape the war there have flooded Jordan, Lebanon, and Northern Iraq. Christian refugees expelled by ISIS from Mosul, one of Christianity's most holy cities, are camping in unfinished homes living on the hospitality of other Iraqis who are about to run out of water. Refugees are fleeing for their lives and pouring into United Nations schools in Gaza, where most of the safe drinking water supply infrastructure has been destroyed, according to UNICEF. Here in the U.S., we are hearing a lot about unaccompanied minors fleeing the violence in their homelands of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
If a flood of refugees from war torn lands arrived in San Anselmo, what would we do? What would God call us to do? What did Jesus teach about welcoming the stranger? As a community we are called upon to think hard about these questions. What can we do to help those who, through no fault of their own, must flee for their lives? How can we alleviate the misery of those living in refugee camps and detainment around the world?
Please remember the world's refugees in your prayers.
Bev
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July/August Calendar
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Thursday, July 24
7:30 p.m. SHPC Singers Rehearse at church -
New singers welcome!
Sunday, July 27
9:30 a.m. The Story of Ruth - Rev. Scott Clark, SFTS Chaplain
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
Thursday, July 31
7:30 p.m. SHPC Singers Rehearse at church -
New singers welcome!
Friday, August 1
12:00 p.m. Bible Study
Sunday, August 3
9:30 a.m. Our own Hannah Dreitcer preaching
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
Thursday, August 7
7:30 p.m. SHPC Singers Rehearse at church -
New singers welcome!
Friday, August 8
12:00 p.m. Bible Study
Coming up Next: The Book of Daniel and the Apocalypse
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 Bible Study
Bible Study meets at noon on Fridays in the Pastor's office except NO Bible Study on July 25th. Whatever your experience with the Bible might be, you are welcome to come and learn and make meaningful friendships.
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When "Waiting" ... is the key to "What's Next"!
I wonder what it must be like for horses at the Kentucky Derby to be immobile in the starter stalls and suddenly, with the pop of a gun, they immediately transform from "waiting" to "action" in seconds. One minute they are completely at a stand still, and next they are roaring full speed around the track.
Often times there is a "wait" before big things happen. There is a "wait" before a break through. There's a "wait" before a burden is lifted.
The Bible says a lot about waiting, "The Lord is good to those who wait for him" (Lamentations 3:25); "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him, do not fret because others prosper in their way and carry out wicked schemes ... for evil doers will be cut off. But those who wait for the Lord, will inherit the land" (Psalm 37:7-9).
The key to waiting is to be confident in who God is and what God is doing. We can trust that God is involved, is with us, and is active during our "waiting" period.
Waiting, however, can be tough, especially when it involves a child we are praying for, a job that is needed, seeking a mate in life, or waiting for the next domino to fall in one's life dream. Waiting can make us fidgety, frustrated, and anxious.
The prophet Isaiah has said "They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint".
So the next time you are wondering "what's next" ... we may be asked to "wait" for God's perfect timing ... however, during the "wait" ... be assured God is right there with us every step of the "wait".
Paul Lambert
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Please Remember In Your Prayers
Sharon Adams, for comfort on the loss of her father and her sister, Ceilia;
Andrea Proster, sister of Nancy Elberg, for healing, and Nancy, for strength in companioning her;
Jerry Lambert, mother of Paul, for healing;
Gregg Elberg, recovering from surgery, and mourning the loss of his mother;
Clyde Ongaro, for healing;
The people of Gaza, Israel-Palestine, Syria, Iraq, and the Ukraine, for an end to war, terrorism, home demolitions, and the cycle of retributive violence and revenge;
Refugees all over the world who are displaced and suffering;
Americans, especially those who live in border states, for empathy for unaccompanied minors coming into this country, and our government, for creativity and compassion in finding solutions;
The passengers and crew on the Malaysia Airlines passenger jet shot down in the Ukraine, and their loved ones;
All those struggling to find a safe home.
Please take time this week to pray for those on our list.
Back to the top
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Congratulations Tennis Champs!
Our own Kelsey Lopin and Michael Durphy
were paired up in the Canon Tennis Club Tournament last Saturday and made it all the way to the finals! Great teamwork!
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COMING SOON FROM OUR JUSTICE GARDEN
The SHPC Garden Collective Farmstand
Watch for us Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the corner of Butterfield and Green Valley Court starting as soon as our beautiful tomatoes ripen! Proceeds from cash donations will benefit Marin Food Bank and local food pantries. Check out the tomato photos below!
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SHOW YOUR LOVE!
Please sign up for more Wednesday night dinner deliveries!
From the Food Barrel ministry to the 2 cents ministry, no one does more for the hungry than Wil and Betty. PLEASE sign up for a few Wednesday night dinner deliveries to Wil and Betty; a few folks are doing more than their share right now.
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 Greeters Needed for Sunday Mornings - Let's take our turns showing how friendly our church is!
Help with our ministry of hospitality by signing up to be a greeter! All you have to do is get to church by 9:15, light the candles, and hand out bulletins with a smile. This is a great way to serve the church and share your friendliness.
Jody Brockett Schmetz,
Worship Elder
sign up here |
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 17th Annual Memorial Procession In Honor of Those Who Have Died on the Streets of Marin County Sunday, July 27th
2:00 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church
1510 Fifth Avenue
San Rafael
The Marin Interfaith Homeless Chaplaincy invites all to gather in the courtyard at First Presbyterian Church, San Rafael. Following a brief service, we will proceed to the courtyard at St. Raphael's Church where we will read the names of our brothers and sisters who have gone before us.
For more information, please contact Rev. Paul Gaffney, Marin Interfaith Homeless Chaplain, at 415.302.0248. For more information or to donate, please visit www.homelesschaplaincy.org.
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 Labyrinth Moon Walk: Honoring Our First Responders Sunday, August 10th
8:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
San Francisco Theological Seminary
Geneva Terrace
105 Seminary Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
Join us for a spectacular view of Mt. Tamalpais during a Super Full Moon, when the full moon coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth. This evening's Labyrinth Walk will be in honor of the service of our community's first responders, and will include live instrumental music and refreshments.
Click here to view the flyer and for more information.
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 Westminster Woods: Family Camp Weekend! September 26th-28th
Make a trip out to Westminster Woods in western Sonoma County and enjoy the natural surroundings. Visit us for Environmental Education, a day on the Challenge Course, a week of Summer Camp or with a group, event or training. Westminster Woods extends an invitation to cross the bridge and have your own adventure: hiking, swimming, archery, zip line, s'mores, outdoor movie, great camp food!
Click here for more information.
To register, contact Tonie:
tonie@westminsterwoods.org
707-874-2426 x624
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 Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction
Are you or someone you know interested in Spiritual Direction? We hope you will consider the Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction (DASD) program offered by San Francisco Theological Seminary (SFTS).
As one of the first Protestant seminaries in the country to offer coursework in Christian Spirituality, SFTS remains a leading partner in spiritual formation. With its January intensives and year-round, home-site supervision, the DASD program offers you an inviting opportunity for prayer, study, and practical experience focused on the nature and practice of spiritual direction.
Application deadline for priority admission: September 15, 2014
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 Call on Political Leaders to Take a Lead in the United Nations Climate Negotiations
We are called to be good stewards of the Earth and care for all of God's creation. Communities of faith are coming together to call on political leaders to address issues of climate change. Join your voice with others as we call on political leaders in the United States to take a lead role in helping to craft a moral global framework for the UN climate negotiations that will take place in Paris 2015.
Click here to sign the Faith Climate Petition.
As people of faith, we care for all of God's creation with a special concern for vulnerable populations. Presbyterians have acknowledged the burden of climate change and environmental injustice placed on the backs of the poor and oppressed. The 218th General Assembly presented a policy recommendation on climate change that emphasized a commitment to stand with 'the least of these.' The 219th General Assembly also approved an overture that affirmed "concern for God's creation is, for every Christian, an essential way of living faithfully."
U.S. policymakers need to take a lead role during the United Nations climate treaty negotiations. Reducing carbon emissions is vital to preventing devastating impacts of climate change and to providing meaningful support for vulnerable communities. With the UN Climate Summit taking place in September in New York, now is the time to let both President Obama and Congress know that we need a strong treaty that requires all nations to take steps to control greenhouse gas emissions.
Together, let us respond to the challenge of climate change with compassion; standing in solidarity with our neighbors living in or near poverty who are most severely affected by the changing climate, and striving to preserve God's "good" Creation.
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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church,
100 Tarry Road, San Anselmo, CA 94960
Allie Duro, Editor/Office Administrator
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E-mail us at shpchurch@comcast.net or call us at 415-453-8221
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