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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
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| Weekly Happenings at SHPC | July 31, 2014 |
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Summer Storytelling Series continues with...
The Story of Elisha
This Sunday, August 3, 2014, at 9:30 a.m., we welcome back Hannah Dreitcer to the pulpit to explore the story of Old Testament healer and prophet, Elisha. God called Elisha to carry on the ministry of his teacher, Elijah, who, the Bible tells us, ascended to heaven in a whirlwind, accompanied by a fiery chariot. We'll contemplate calling, beginnings, endings, and new beginnings, and celebrate Hannah's graduation from Yale Divinity School and her call to the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Springfield, Illinois as Associate Pastor for Family Ministries. Our text is 2 Kings 2:1-6, 8-13.
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A Note from
Pastor Bev
I missed being here last Sunday for Rev. Scott Clark's beautiful sermon on Ruth, but I was realizing a lifelong dream to attend worship at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. We sat two rows behind the Lincoln Pew, the pew which President Abraham Lincoln frequented while serving as our country's president. Dr. Gench, the senior pastor there, preached a good sermon Sunday on the centrality of hospitality to the Christian faith. And by hospitality he means something deep, lasting, and meaningful.
He called upon the church to speak up on three humanitarian crises: the treatment of undocumented children crossing the border, the conduct of the Israeli-Palestinian war, and the gutting of healthcare for the poor. Why, he asked, isn't the church saying something?
This Sunday, our own Hannah Dreitcer returns to preach on call and to share the next chapters of her own exciting journey. We can respond by asking what God is calling us, as part of God's church, to do about these three crises. Scroll down to find more information and links as a first step. We can support each other in getting informed and then figuring out how to make a positive difference.
I am blessed to serve this church!
Bev
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July/August Calendar
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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
Sunday, August 10
9:30 a.m. The Book of Daniel - Part One - Fidelity
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
Thursday, August 14
7:30 p.m. SHPC Singers Rehearse at church -
New singers welcome!
Friday, August 15
12:00 p.m. Bible Study
Sunday, August 17
9:30 a.m. The Book of Daniel - Part Two - Apocalypse
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
Thursday, August 21
7:30 p.m. SHPC Singers Rehearse at church -
New singers welcome!
Friday, August 22
12:00 p.m. Bible Study
Sunday, August 24
9:30 a.m. Bentley Stewart preaching
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
Thursday, August 28
7:30 p.m. SHPC Singers Rehearse at church -
New singers welcome!
Friday, August 29
12:00 p.m. Bible Study
Sunday, August 31
9:30 a.m. Vocation Sunday with Pastor Bev
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
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 Bible Study - August 1 at noon
The Story of Elisha at 2 Kings 2
Bible Study meets at noon on Fridays in the Pastor's office. Whatever your experience with the Bible might be, you are welcome to come and learn and make meaningful friendships.
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Which Friends Are For a Season And Which Ones Are For a Lifetime?
The talented Tyler Perry has said "If somebody wants to walk out of your life let 'em go, because some people are only meant to be in our lives for a season and others for a lifetime."
Do you, like me, need to take inventory of friends every once in a while?
Friends can be like the leaves of a tree; when a strong wind comes they blow away and no longer provide the needed shade. Other friends are like a branch; they'll fool you, they convince you they're strong and serve a purpose but when you step out onto them, expecting their strength, they break off instantly.
The Bible says, "A righteous person is cautious in friendship" (Proverbs 12:26) and "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).
A true friend is like the roots at the bottom of the tree; they don't care if anyone knows they're there, they aren't worried about being seen, and they aren't going anywhere. When you get a few of these friends in your life, hold onto them.
Also, be brave and start to weed out people whose season has passed and who have become a real drain on you. It isn't easy but it gets easier when you learn to love yourself. We mustn't live in dysfunction.
Tyler Perry has also said, "I'd rather be sitting in a corner alone with a puppy and a goldfish than be with a person that should no longer be in my life."
God, give us the courage ...
Paul Lambert
(Other verses James 4:4; Proverbs 13:20; Ecclesiastics 4:9-12)
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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;
All those without health care, struggling with health problems;
Those traveling for vacation and family business.
Please take time this week to pray for those on our list.
Back to the top
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SHPC Food Barrel Update
Thank you to Wil and Betty for their tireless campaign to fill the SHPC Food Barrel! Over the last few months Wil and Betty have delivered the following amounts, on two separate occasions, to the Marin Food Bank: 85 and 63 pounds.
Wonderful work Wil and Betty! Next time you are at the grocery store, please consider picking up something for the food barrel. Especially helpful items are dry and canned goods (please, no glass jars).
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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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From Justice Garden to Food Bank
Check out the delivery of fresh produce straight from the SHPC Justice Garden to the Marin Food Bank. Thank you to Emma Jones, Serena Huguet-Holway and Robin Holway for harvesting and delivering the veggies.
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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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 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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 Humanitarian Crisis at the Border
Last week Rev. Scott Clark gave a fantastic sermon on what it was to be a refugee, and, of course, the topic could not help but lead to the humanitarian crisis we have on our southern border. I wish I had some simple way of helping the over 50,000 children held in detention-- de facto orphans -- who have fled to our country, but I'm at a loss.
The following Monday on the way to work I heard a radio talk show host rail against their presence, the whole time referring to them as "unaccompanied minors" in an Orwellian attempt to veil the fact that they are children -- in crisis. He rallied his audience to call elected officials
So, perhaps the way to start doing something is to take a cue from this guy, and let our voices be heard. I'm looking for someone to step forward and take the lead on the best way for our community show some support. Please let me know if you have any ideas and send me an email at: m.ehlen@comcast.net
Dennis Latta forwarded some helpful links if you want to know a little more on the subject:
www.politico.com
www.huffingtonpost.com
Matt Ehlen
Mission Elder
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 Help Unaccompanied Children and Prevent Cuts to Refugee Services
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,
for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it"
-- Hebrews 13:2
In spite of recent reports that there is no hope for comprehensive immigration reform in our Congress, there is still a chance to take action to protect the basic needs of unaccompanied children crossing the border. Many of these children are fleeing increasing violence, poverty, and hunger as they come to the United States with hopes of a better future.
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) provides services to resettle refugees, asylees, Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa recipients who assisted in U.S. Efforts, Cuban and Haitian entrants, victims of human trafficking, and survivors of torture. The ORR is also responsible for providing services to unaccompanied children from Central America. The office is in desperate need of substantially increased funding in order to meet the needs of unaccompanied children, without having to decrease services to refugees and other asylees under ORR's care. The Administration has requested a $3.7 billion Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill. In the bill, ORR will receive $1.83 billion for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014.In addition, ORR will need at least $3.167 billion in FY 2015 to continue to adequately provide refugee services.
Click here to write to your Member of Congress in support of these emergency funds.
The ORR is a crucial instrument in our call to love the stranger among us. Without the additional funding for FY 2014, they have announced plans to reprogram $94 million from refugee services to serve the increasing numbers of unaccompanied children. Both of these populations deserve to be served and not at the expense of each other. Refugee services are already inadequately funded and further cuts would create detrimental consequences for refugees and the communities that welcome them.
The action of the PC(USA) 220th General Assembly (2012) expressed our scriptural call to provide hospitality to strangers, to advocate for justice for immigrants regardless of status, and to advocate actively for legislation that provides hope for young immigrants. Taking action to increase ORR's funding is a chance to embody the ideals grounded in the love of Jesus Christ to welcome the traveler, and to respect the basic rights of all people, especially the needs of unaccompanied children, refugees, and asylees.
Click here to take action by reaching out to all members of Congress about this crucial issue.
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, the Reverend Gradye Parsons, released this statement on the crisis of unaccompanied minors along the U.S.-Mexico border.
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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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 The Lighthouse Singers of Marin Gospel Workshop
Saturday, August 16th
1:00 to 4:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael
1510 Fifth Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
Come learn Gospel music with The Lighthouse Singers of Marin!
Sliding scale $10 - $35 based on what you can afford. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Preregister by August 10th for $5 off. Call 415-456-1356 to register.
Please visit www.lighthousesingers.org for more information.
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 Donate Furniture for San Francisco Theological Seminary Students!
Each year, San Francisco Theological Seminary students have the opportunity to "shop" for FREE gently used furniture and other household items. These donated items help transform a new apartment into a new home.
Please consider donating, and help our new students transition into their new lives at SFTS.
Donations will be accepted:
Sunday, August 17th 1-4 pm
Monday, August 18th 2-6 pm
Lower Alexander Hall
40 Kensington Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
Contact Student Housing for more information: housing@sfts.edu
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 Salvation Army Back-to-School Shopping Spree: Exciting Early Morning Volunteer Opportunity
Saturday, August 2nd
6:00 am - 9:00 am
Target
125 Shoreline Parkway
San Rafael, CA 94901
Once again, the Marin Salvation Army will be partnering with the San Rafael Target store to assist 150 underprivileged Marin children through the annual Back to School Shopping Spree. The program allows the children to actually shop for themselves, with a chaperone, for new clothes, shoes and school supplies for the upcoming school year.
"Shopper-rones" (formerly known as chaperones) are needed to accompany and assist each child in making their selection of school clothes. This exciting event will take place from 6:00 am to 9:00 am on Saturday, August 2, before the store opens for business. Early morning coffee will be available.
Each child will receive a $100 gift card for the event. In the event that you cannot volunteer you may wish to sponsor an individual child by a tax deductible donation of $100. Your check should be sent to: Lt. Anna Williams, Salvation Army, 351 Mission Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901. Please indicate "Shopping" on your check.
Interested volunteers should contact Ione Breen, Back to School Chairman, by phone 453-1761 or by e-mail at: ione10@comcast.net, for full information on being a volunteer.
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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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