 | The Women's REST Team: This is How We Show Our Love
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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
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Weekly Happenings at SHPC
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December 11, 2014
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The Third Sunday of Advent
The New Has Come!
How do you show your love? This Sunday, December 14, at 9:30 a.m., on the third Sunday of Advent, we are invited to ponder how we live out our love, and how God's love lives through us. Our children and youth will bring us THE CHRISTMAS LOVE PAGEANT, the story of the birth of Jesus told through scripture and beloved Christmas carols. The Church Boys, the SHPC Singers, our Children and Youth Choir, and special guests will continue to bless us with music of the season!
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A Note from
Pastor Bev
The big storm is coming, and our church parking lot with its sandbag station has been a hive of activity day and night. Earlier this evening, the Safeway was running out of batteries, matches, and water bottles. The lines were unusually long, but a great spirit of cooperation prevailed. This is a wonderful opportunity to show our love for our neighbors! As we sandbag, stock up, and batten down the hatches, let's all think of someone who might need some extra help or support. Let's make a reach to someone who is not feeling 100%, who might be lonely or depressed or overwhelmed. This is the season to go that extra mile, and we are God's hands and feet!
With blessings,
Bev
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Thursday, December 11
7:00 p.m.
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SHPC Singers Rehearse at Church | |
Friday, December 12
12:00 p.m.
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Bible Study | |
Sunday, December 14
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
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3rd Sunday in Advent - The New Has Come!
Christmas Pageant - How Do We Show Our Love?
Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
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Thursday, December 18
7:00 p.m.
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SHPC Singers Rehearse at Church | |
Friday, December 19
12:00 p.m.
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Bible Study | |
Sunday, December 21
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
5:00 p.m.
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4th Sunday of Advent - The New Has Come! Let's Re-Purpose Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome! Holiday Music Fest | |
Wednesday, December 24
7:00 p.m.
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Candlelit Christmas Eve - Our Surprising God | |
Sunday, December 28
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
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Making Meaning - A Very Good Year?
Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
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 Bible Study - Friday, Dec. 12 -Noon - the Birth of Jesus in Luke and Matthew - Two Lenses
Bible Study meets at noon on Fridays in the Pastor's office, except this week! Whatever your experience with the Bible might be, you are welcome to come and learn and make meaningful friendships.
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 Why Was Jesus Born...
One of my pasttimes as I bed down on unfamiliar mattresses in unfamiliar hotel rooms, is to ponder big thoughts and questions, and then look for the answers.
Last week while in frigid Chicago I started thinking about why God chose to come to earth in the first place? What was the real purpose of Jesus's birth and the significance of this spectacular holiday we call Christmas?
As I started to look for answers I went online, read many opinions, theologians' thoughts, and scanned several articles. But, then I gravitated to the best source of all and that was the words of Jesus Himself and other individuals in the scriptures that specifically address this question.
Here, according to the Bible, is why Jesus was born at that particular time and to this particular culture:
"I have come to bear witness to the truth; I have come to serve; I have come so you can have life and have it more abundantly; I have come to do the will of God; I have come so you can feel secure about your eternal future, and can enjoy the present; I have come to battle against sin; I have come to defeat the devil; I have come to compete in spiritual warfare; I have come to bring God's message to the crippled, the diseased, the poor, the oppressed, and all who need healing; I have come because I love you; I have come into the world as light, so whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness."
In John 8:12 Jesus proclaimed, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
I find these thoughts so enlightening. Jesus came to reveal God to us. He came to teach us, to set an example for us, to perform miracles, and to let us know that God exists, is all powerful, and knows what's in our hearts. After reading these many passages I am convinced that each one of us who follow Jesus has hope and can look beyond any pain, disappointment, suffering, and discouragement.
For the Bible says "Cast all your anxiety and cares upon Jesus, because He cares for you."
As we approach this year's Christmas celebrations, I would encourage you to take a moment and reflect on "Why Was Jesus born?" Jesus loves you and cares for you. "In all your ways acknowledge God, and God will direct your paths" (Prov 3:5,6).
Here in San Anselmo on a familiar mattress ... Paul
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Please Remember in Your Prayers
The family of Kris Cadigan;
Jean Brockett, mother of Jody, for full recovery, and for Jody and her father;
Carolyn O'Hara, for healing, and for strength and support during her recovery;
Andrea Proster, for complete healing, and for her sister Nancy Elberg, for strength in companioning her;
Clyde Ongaro, and his loved ones, for God's comforting presence;
Jerry Lambert, for healing, and for blessed assurance of God's constant presence;
For our service people, and for their loved ones, especially those away from home for the holidays;
For all children who are living in poverty;
For a way forward to bring justice where racial injustice prevails;
For those dealing with financial stress and job insecurity;
For the sick, and for all those struggling with medical conditions during the holidays;
For the unhoused community as the winter storms come;
For all those living in places of darkness and violence, for peace, shared humanity, health, housing, food, and hope.
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Christmas Love Pageant this Sunday!
SHPC Children & Youth PLEASE ARRIVE AT 9:00 a.m. for COSTUMING!
Christmas Pageant at 9:30 a.m. -- please bring family and friends for this wonderful celebration!
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Donate Santa Gifts for Marin Foster Children
The Marin Foster Parent Association (MFPA) is hosting their annual Holiday Party for foster children and their foster parents on Sunday, Dec. 14th at 12:00 p.m. Our own Frankie Eakes is working directly with MFPA to coordinate gift donations for the children. Please consider donating a Santa Gift for one or more of the children who will be attending this wonderful celebration! There will be about 30 children in attendance, if you'd like to donate a new gift please choose from the following age ranges:
Infants: two children (1 boy, 1 girl)
2-5 years: seven children (4 boys, 4 girls)
6-11 years: twelve children (9 boys, 3 girls)
12-17 years: seven children (4 boys, 4 girls)
Please gift wrap the item and indicate the age, what the item is and attach to the gift-wrapped item. A collection box will be at SHPC in the Fellowship Hall for the donated gifts. You can also bring the items to church on Sunday, Dec. 7th or 14th.
Please feel free to contact Frankie directly at 415-377-3811 with any questions.
Click on the link for more information about MFPA: www.mfpa.net
With gratitude, 
Frankie Eakes
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 REST Volunteers Host Two Warm Meals on Dec. 1st and 9th
Thanks to our wonderful volunteers for preparing and hosting a delicious warm meal for 21 unhoused guests at St. Rita's Church on Monday Dec. 1st! The men we shared a meal with that night were touched by the warm welcome, home-cooked food, and gift cards. Pictured in the photo (left to right) are that evening's REST volunteers: Tom Crowell, Pastor Bev, Scott Hamilton, Shannon Mong, Chris Harris, Kara Harris, Kit Argilla, Luke Argilla, with Lucas Russell in the front (and Robin Abu-Aly behind the camera).
Our REST volunteers hosted unhoused women at the Wellness Center in San Rafael on Tuesday, Dec. 9th. Pictured in this photo (left to right) are: Kit Argilla, Sharon Adams, Peggy Maclise, Millie Millar, Lora East, Robin Abu-Aly, and Jennifer Gauna.
If you would like to volunteer to help host men or women in the REST program, please sign up online at: http://bit.ly/RESTprogram
If you'd like more information about the program, you can contact Shannon Mong at shannon@in-sightassociates.com
With thanks,
The REST Team
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Food Barrel Ministry & Donations
Thank you to everyone who donated food items to the SF-Marin Food Bank Barrel. Wil and Betty took a total of 165 pounds of food to the SF-Marin Food Bank on December 1st!
We are still collecting food donations, here are suggestions for food items to donate:
Canned Proteins: tuna, salmon, chicken, peanut butter
Canned Fruits (in own juice or light syrup preferred): pears, peaches, pineapple, fruit cocktail
Fruit Juices (100% juice preferred): all sizes including juice boxes
Grains: pasta, rice, macaroni & cheese
Packaged Beans: pinto, black, great north
Canned Vegetables (low sodium/no salt added preferred): corn, carrots, green beans, peas, spinach, mixed veggies
Soups, Stews & Chili: vegetarian and meat
Multigrain Cereals: Cheerios, Cornflakes, Grapenuts, Raisin Bran, Kashi, etc.
Alternative foods: wheat-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegan
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Mayflower Chorus Holiday Performances
Our very own Cathy Sarkisian joins the Mayflower Chorus as they rekindle the joys of childhood, winter, gifts, laughter, family, music, and the comfort of faith as everyone reminisces together in song and story. Mark your calendar so you won't miss seeing the Mayflower Chorus perform!
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12 and 13 @ 8:00 p.m.
Marin Center Showcase Theater
10 Avenue of the Flags
San Rafael
Sunday, Dec. 14 @ 3:30 p.m.
Aldersgate Methodist Church
1 Wellbrock Heights
San Rafael
Tickets are available at the door for all performances.
$18 - Adult
$15 - Senior (60+), Student (13 - 18)
$5 - Children (12 and under)
Information:
415-491-9110 or www.mayflowerchorus.org
Performances support the activities and programs of the non-profit Mayflower Choral Society
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The Cook's Cozy Corner -
Peanut Butter Cookies
Everybody has a recipe for peanut butter cookies, it's just that we sometimes forget just how good they are, especially to the youthful among us. So, here's yet another peanut butter cookie recipe to use or to serve as an inspiration for getting going on your own favorite version. Again it's a link to the New York Times.
Salty-Sweet Peanut Butter Sandies by Julia Moskin
Happy Holidays from Michael Durphy
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Let's Talk! is on Holiday Break - See you in January for more fascinating discussions!
Richard Peltzman
Matt Ehlen
Cathy Sarkisian
Fred Morfit
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 THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO TAKE MEALS TO WIL AND BETTY!
Now's your chance to share your cooking and your love! Thank you and bless you for taking a hot meal and your love to Wil and Betty on Wednesday nights.
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It Takes a Village
If the the noise around the coffee urn each Sunday is any indication, it sounds like most of the congregation enjoys Fellowship time following Sunday service.
Fellowship time is organized by your Deacons, but we rely on everyone pitching in to help. While each Parish is assigned a month for Fellowship, that time may not be convenient for your schedule. So now you can sign up online! Just click here and pick a Sunday that's most convenient for you.
You can choose to set up and make coffee, bring a savory snack, a sweet snack, supply juice for the kids and creamer for the coffee, or help with clean up. Please take a moment to sign up now... or wait until your Deacon calls on you for help in these months:
December - Parishes: Patti Eisinger and Carolyn Goodman
January 2015 - Parishes: Cat Caldwell and Nancy Elberg/Frankie Eakes
February 2015 - Parishes: Laura Taylor and Patti Eisinger
March 2015 - Parishes: Nancy Elberg/Frankie Eakes and Patti Eisinger
Sign up now before the good slots are all taken!
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Greeters Needed for Sunday Mornings: December 14 and 21
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. Thank you to all who have signed up so far!
Jody Brockett Schmetz,
Worship Elder
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Daily Devotions for Advent
The San Francisco Theological Seminary invites all to join the community in daily email devotions for the season of Advent from Dec. 1-25. Devotions are written by students, faculty, staff, alums, trustees, and are emailed near and far to those who wish to connect with SFTS during this season of waiting. The theme this year, "Listening for the Word Made Flesh," invites us to join the multitude in awaiting the arrival of the Word incarnate, Jesus the Christ, and look for signs that he is in our midst to this day.
Just follow this link to sign up and receive emails.
With thanks,
Lora East
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A Christmas Carol (The Musical)
The Stapleton Theatre Company presents A Christmas Carol (The Musical) at Drake High Little Theatre
Dec. 18-21
Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
To purchase tickets visit:
stapletonschool.org or call 800-838-3006
With thanks,
Jen Boynton
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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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