The Raising of Lazarus
  
Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
Weekly Happenings at SHPC    
March 19, 2015

Fifth Sunday of Lent - Sacred Circle

When Love Calls Us Back to Life

John 11:1-44

 

     Mary and Martha summon Jesus to come quickly to Bethany, because beloved Lazarus has fallen ill.  Jesus delays and Lazarus dies.  By the time Jesus arrives at the sisters' home, Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days.  Both sisters reproach Jesus.  Jesus says:  "I am the Resurrection and the Life.  Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die."   Jesus weeps, and then goes to the tomb and calls out, "Lazarus, come out!"  And the dead man comes out.

 

     What are we to make of this?  The Gospel tells us that for many of the 1st century on-lookers, this was a transformative experience.  But what about for us, 2,000 years later?  We have never seen anyone who was truly dead for four days rise from the grave and resume living. Are we to take this on faith as proof that Jesus is Lord, and will that lead to a lifetime of following Jesus? Could this story be rich with resonance for each one of us today, as we and our loved ones journey through life?  This Sunday, March 22, 2015, at 9:30 a.m., we'll explore how love calls us back to life from grief, loss, betrayal, and disappointment.  And we'll see how we might be called to this ministry of love! 

       

In This Issue
Quick Links
Bev piano
A Note From Pastor Bev

     Every single one of you is unique, like a snowflake, and you each have a unique connection and relationship to the Sacred.  So when we're in the season of Lent, and I'm preaching Jesus each week, please don't think that I have forgotten about Our Creator God, or the Energy and Companionship of the Sacred Spirit.  

Or that you are supposed to!  If you are finding your Sacred connection kindled by time spent with the tender blossoms and green grasses of spring, that is beautiful.  This is the perfect time to walk outside and let God speak to you through the renewed life that surrounds you.


 

     Holy Week is coming, beginning with Palm Sunday on March 29, and it would be wonderful if each of you reached out to a friend or neighbor and invited them to church.  We are a friendly bunch, and new folks are welcome here!  We'll have a Good Friday service at 7 p.m. and Easter service is at our regular time, 9:30 a.m., with an Egg Hunt to follow.  Let's share our joy!


 

Bev

 


March & April Calendar


Thursday, March 19
7:00 p.m.


Choir Practice - New singers welcome!

Friday, March 20
Noon


Bible Study

Sunday, March 22
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
10:45 a.m.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Called Back to Life by Love
Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
Let's Talk! Recovering From Grief and Loss w/Ethan Russell

Wednesday, March 25
7:00 p.m.


Lenten Bible Study

Thursday, March 26
7:00 p.m.


Choir Practice - New singers welcome!

Friday, March 27
Noon


Bible Study

Sunday, March 29
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
10:45 a.m.

PALM SUNDAY
Jesus the Radical?
Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!
Let's Talk!

 

Friday, April 3

7:00 p.m.



Good Friday Service of Scripture, Music, and Contemplation

 

Sunday, April 5

9:30 a.m.

10:45 a.m.



EASTER
Egg Hunt for the youngsters!

Sunday, April 12
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.


Holy Humor with Guest Jen Boynton singing
Coffee and Refreshments - All Welcome!

 

 

Bible Study - Friday, March 20 - John 11:1-44

For the Season of Lent we are adding 

a second weekly Bible Study.

Lenten Wednesday Evening Bible Study 

7:00 pm - All are Welcome!


 

Whatever your experience with the Bible might be, you are welcome to come and learn and make meaningful friendships.

 

Trust Takes Years to Build, Seconds to Break, and Forever to Repair

 

Developing trust in someone is like stepping out on a high wire act. You start by knowing there is the possibility of failure, but move cautiously and anxiously forward one step at a time, hoping for the best. 

 

Knowing who we can trust is a huge part of our stability. If you're like me you are shaken when someone you thought was trustworthy disappoints you. In my vocation, I often mistake one's initial enthusiasm as a sincere effort to build a trustworthy connection. There is often an ulterior motive packaged in that zealous onset that naive me didn't see.

 

I believe some of the important principles of trust stem from our 1) telling the truth, 2) speaking from the heart, 3) keeping confidences, and 4) having each other's best interest as a priority. 

 

Our nation's currency has inscribed on it "In God We Trust." Understanding that phrase is the beginning of being trustworthy. It implies that it is the Lord in our lives who is trustworthy, not ourselves, or our plans, or the world's wisdom. Our ability to be trustworthy is directly tied to our commitment to and our growth in our relationship to God. 

 

I believe we, as believers, need to take the initiative in setting an example of being trustworthy. I am so saddened when I find I can't trust someone. Aren't you? When that occurs let's pray for that person rather than just get indignant. That person needs God in their lives. That person needs to embrace the principles of the Bible and have a thirst for change.

 

Yes, trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair. I don't know who said this, but whomever did was a wise person. Let's each one take the lead in being trustworthy - in our speech, our motives, and in our actions.

 

From New York, your "trusting" friend,

Paul

 

 

 
Please Remember in Your Prayers
Praying Hands 

Megan Jones, on the loss of her brother, David;
Chris Lopin's mother and father, for healing;

Cat Caldwell and her family as they mourn the loss of Cat's mother;

The family of Clyde Ongaro; may Merle and the family be surrounded by God's comfort;

Ahmed Abu-Aly, for healing;

Patty Sanders, for healing for her hip;

Jean Brockett, mother of Jody, for full recovery, and for Jody and her father;
Carolyn O'Hara, mother of Laurie, for healing, and for strength and support during her recovery;

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

Jerry Lambert, mother of Paul, for healing, and for blessed assurance of God's constant presence;

For dear parents of our parishioners who are facing death or loss of their life partner;

For Israel/Palestine, for peace, in the wake of the elections;

For the PCUSA, thanksgiving for marriage equality and acceptance for those remaining in the church who oppose it;

For all facing financial stress, and for those with tax problems as we approach April 15;

For those with relationship stress;

For our church community, for creativity, compassion, unity in the Spirit, and energy for mission.


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

   

Back to the top 

 
You're Invited! 
Come Help Build a New School Garden for SHORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL



We're installing a new school garden at Short School and need to move 14 yards of soil into the planters - another bucket brigade. A big Thank You to Liz McNamara, Megan Jones, and Ethan Russell for their help with this project!


Saturday, March 21st
9:00am-12:00pm

Bring your family and friends

We need wheelbarrows & shovels

Child care & refreshments available

 

For more information call Patti's daughter-in-law

Rufina Vance, 415-302-5526


 

Marriage Equality Ratified in PCUSA -

to Become Effective 6/21/15

 

This past Tuesday, the 86th presbytery voted in favor of amendment 14-F to the PCUSA Constitution, thereby insuring ratification of the amendment.  Amendment 14-F to the Directory for Worship of the Book of Order changes the definition of marriage from "a man and a woman" to "two people, traditionally a man and a woman" and thus opens the door to same gender marriages in the church with the full blessing of the church.  Eighty six out of 171 presbyteries needed to vote to ratify the amendment, which passed at our 2014 General Assembly.   

The vote on Marriage Equality aligns the church's constitution with a reality that has long been true: both same-gender and opposite-gender couples have been living in relationships that demonstrate covenant faithfulness, shared discipleship, and mutual love. We rejoice that all couples can now see those relationships solemnized before God and the Christian community in marriage, at the discretion of ministers and sessions.  Presbyteries will continue to vote on the amendment over the next few months, and the change will become effective June 21, 2015.

 

 

 

Thank You to Our Wonderful Guest Poets Last Sunday: 

Sarah Dunning Park, AJ Torres, Michael Durphy, 

Yani Davis, Cathy Sarkisian, and Terry Phelan


 

If you loved what you heard and would like to read more poetry, and support the arts: 

 

Yani Davis is a first year student at San Francisco Theological Seminary from New York and Atlanta.  She's a "PK" (preacher's kid) and thus has a lifetime of experience in the Presbyterian church.  She has performed her poetry in many venues, including SHPC. Click here to learn more about and purchase Yani's book, Love Poems for Peace.

 

Terry Phelan is a writer and editor who earned her MFA in English and Creative Writing from Mills College. She has published numerous feature articles and essays. Click here to learn more about Terry's first book of poetry, Husk and her second collection, Fires in Sonoma.

 

Sarah Dunning Park hails from Pennsylvania, married and had three girls in Virginia, and moved with her family to California in 2013. She's been coming to SHPC since last December. Click here to learn more about and/or purchase Sarah's book, What It Is Is Beautiful: Honest Poems for Mothers of Small Children. 

 

 

 

Let's Talk! about Recovering from Grief, Loss, Betrayal and Disapointment
with Ethan Russell, discussion leader
Sunday, March 22nd
10:45 a.m.
All welcome!


Children and Youth

 

MUSICAL MARCH for ALL YOUTH

Parents, please bring your young people to church for hand chimes and singing practice - they are performing Palm Sunday and Easter and it will be beautiful!

 

MOLOTH - Middle Schoolers

Don't miss MARCH 29 with hand chimes, procession of palms, and an extra session led by our youth leader, Charles.

 
MOLOTH Rock Sculpture Building Field Trip a Success!
Thank you to our intern Lora East for the great photos!

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

One Great Hour of Sharing Offering will 

be taken on Palm Sunday


 

 


 

 

A gift to One Great Hour of Sharing enables the church to share God's love with our neighbors-in-need around the world providing relief to those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and helping to empower 

the poor and oppressed.

 

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance "Out of chaos, hope"

Presbyterian Hunger Program "Alleviating hunger and eliminating its causes"

Self Development of People "People investing in people"

 

For more information visit:  Special Offerings

 

Mexico Mission 2015!

 

 

The Mexico Mission home-building trip is a life changing opportunity to go outside of our comfort zones and make a meaningful change in the lives of families living in poverty. This year's trip is scheduled for: Saturday, June 13 through Saturday, June 20, 2015. 

 

 

Upcoming Important Dates:

 

March 29th 

Mandatory Meeting for Students and Parents

at SHPC, 11:00am to 12:30pm

All participation forms and a $150 non-refundable deposit due

 

The completed forms can also be dropped off / mailed to Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church, 100 Tarry Road, San Anselmo, CA 94960, e-mailed to Mark Sarkisian, or sent to Mark at 667 Butterfield Road.
 

 

Forms can be found here.

 

Please contact us if you have any questions.  

 

Mark SarkisianAllie Duro
Cell Ph: 415.812.3395Cell Ph: 415.497.5006
Email: [email protected]Email: [email protected]

 

Greeters Needed for Sunday Mornings: March 22, 29 (The Season of Lent) and the month of April

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
It Takes a Village --
Thank you so much to all the volunteers who are making our church so warm and welcoming with coffee hour hospitality!

 

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.

 

March 2015 - Parishes: Nancy Elberg/Frankie Eakes and Patti Eisinger

 

Sign up now before the good slots are all taken!

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO TAKE MEALS TO WIL AND BETTY!
 
Thank you and bless you for taking a hot meal and your love to Wil and Betty on Wednesday nights.
Save the Date...

 

3rd annual "Church in the Redwoods"

Sunday, June 14th @ 1:00 pm

Redwood group picnic site at Samuel P. Taylor State Park

 

BBQ available and kept going by the Peltzmans'. You provide what you want to BBQ and bring a dish to share. Water, iced tea, and decaf coffee will be provided. Other drink selections welcomed; there will be an ice chest available. We will plan to have an early dinner together and a camp fire after.

 

Other suggestions:

camp chairs, jackets, games, bikes, guitars, books.

 

 

See you there!

Elder Linda Peltzman, Membership Nurture 

 

Marin Baroque Chamber Choir


Marin Baroque Chamber Choir and period instrument Orchestra, with renowned early brass ensemble The Whole Noyse and Music Director, Daniel Canosa, present Birds of Paradise: Exotic Music of the Old & New Worlds, Janequin, Flecha & Fernandez, and music of the Latin American missions.  Sixteen voices, percussion, vihuela, Baroque guitar, shawm, cornett, and early brass instruments are all featured.

 

Sunday, March 28, 8:00 pm
Tickets: $5-$25

 

FPCSA Tel. 415-497-6634

Email: [email protected]  

Website: www.marinbaroque.org


 

Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church, 
100 Tarry Road, San Anselmo, CA  94960
Allie Duro, Editor/Office Administrator
E-mail us at [email protected] or call us at 415-453-8221