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The Lion Lies Down with the Lamb
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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church Newsletter
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Weekly Happenings at SHPC
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December 3, 2015
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Second Sunday of Advent - Peace
Where Heaven and Earth Meet
The Coming of the Prince of Peace
This war-weary world needs our prayers for peace. This Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 9:30 a.m., we'll explore how to bring more peace to our hearts and to the world. Special Musical Guest Duane Light will lead us in contemplative chant accompanied by Native American flute. Our scriptures will be Isa. 11:1-9 and the beautiful song of Zechariah in Luke 1:67-79. We'll celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
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A Note From
Pastor Bev
When the news breaks about yet another mass shooting, we might feel like our country is in the grip of some deep darkness, and that we can't do anything about it.
But we can. In fact, we must. God has called us to bring peace to the world, and blessed us as peacemakers. The first step is to remember this calling and blessing. The second step is to refuse to give up. There is so much we can do! Always, we start with prayer, and we have a beautiful peace prayer service planned for this Sunday. Next we organize to make our collective voices heard. Together, we can and will make a difference. For our children, and grandchildren, for all of God's children, every single one! In peace, Bev
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Thursday, December 3
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Hand Chimes
Choir Practice - New singers welcome!
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Friday, December 4
Noon
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Bible Study
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Sunday, December 6
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
4:00 p.m.
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Where Heaven and Earth Meet - Peace
Holy Communion
Guest musician Duane Light with
Native American wind instruments
and meditative chant
CHILDREN AND YOUTH REHEARSE!!
Coffee and Fellowship - All welcome!
Youth Cook for REST | |
Thursday, December 10
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
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Hand Chimes Choir Practice - New singers welcome!
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Friday, December 11
Noon
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Bible Study
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Sunday, December 13
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
7:00 p.m.
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Third Sunday of Advent
CHRISTMAS LOVE PAGEANT
starring Children and Youth!
Coffee and Fellowship - All welcome!
EQUAL EXCHANGE SALE!
Christmas Music Jubilee |
Thursday, December 17
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
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Hand Chimes Choir Practice - New singers welcome!
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Friday, December 18
Noon
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Bible Study
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Sunday, December 20
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m. |
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Where Heaven and Earth Meet - Joy
Guest musician Natalie Cox
with Orchestral Harp
Coffee and Fellowship - All welcome!
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Thursday, December 24
7:00 p.m.
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Christmas Eve Candlelit Service |
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STEWARDSHIP/PLEDGE UPDATE
THANK YOU to all who have pledged so far! Your commitment to the church strengthens us in our ability to do God's work in the world.
As of today, we've received 41 pledges, including 4 new pledgers, for a total of almost $111,000 pledged for 2016.
Our goal is 50 pledges and $135,000 (same as the last two years) which will require belt-tightening, but no major cuts.
We are working on the 2016 budget and it would be a huge help to have your pledges in hand as we plan for next year.
If you have any questions about church finance, please contact Finance Elder Peg Maclise at pmaclise@comcast.net.
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 Bible Study - December 4th -
Our texts this week are Isa. 11:1-9 and Luke 1:67-79.
No matter what your experience with the Bible is, come and grow spiritually and make great friends.
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Please Remember in Your Prayers
All those impacted by the San Bernardino shooting, and all those impacted by gun violence throughout our country;
All those working for a solution to climate change in Paris now, and for world leaders and environmental stewards everywhere;
All those suffering from the violent events in Paris and Mali, and all those in war-torn parts of the world;
Syrian refugees and peaceful Muslims world-wide, may we have the courage to speak up against collective punishment;
Betsy Fox, and all the loved ones of Betsy's nephew Evan, especially Evan's mother, father, and brother, for God's comfort in their bereavement;
Jody Schmetz and her family, for God's peace and comfort;
The SHPC Green Team, for continued creativity and spirit; may their efforts be blessed;
Patty Sanders, for continuing speedy recovery from a successful hip replacement surgery;
Betty and Wil Swalberg, for God's presence and community support in Betty's transition to Harmony House, and for pain relief for Wil's back;
Kelsey Lopin, for healing and full recovery from complications of Lyme disease, and for her family as they care for her;
Carolyn O'Hara, mother of Laurie, for continued 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 blessed assurance of God's constant presence;
For our church community, keep us strong in our commitment to the church, and make us hope-bringers to the world.
Please take time this week to pray for those on our list.
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Season of Advent
The holy season of Advent, four Sundays beginning Sunday, November 29, is here. Our theme this year is
Where Heaven and Earth Meet.
CONTEMPLATIVE PEACE SERVICE - Sunday, Dec. 6 at 9:30 a.m. with Native American wind instruments
CHRISTMAS LOVE PAGEANT
Children and Youth!
Sunday, Dec. 13 at 9:30 a.m.
CHRISTMAS MUSIC JUBILEE
Sunday, Dec. 13 at 7:00 p.m.- Bring family, friends, neighbors!
CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR FOSTER KIDS - Frankie is organizing us to make sure Christmas gifts are delivered to kids who wouldn't otherwise get them - see her item below.
And mark your calendars for Christmas Eve Service, Thursday, December 24 at 7:00 p.m. -- All welcome!
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Give a Gift To a Needy Child 
For children in Foster Care, the Christmas season can be a stressful one. Instead of being a magical time filled with family, food and fun, it can be a season of disappointments, loneliness and heartache. The Marin Foster Parent Association, in partnership with SHPC, would like to change all that. We'll be setting up an Angel Tree filled with specific children's names, ages and items on their wish list.
Please find it in your heart to select a child (or two!) from the tree, buy, wrap and address your present and place it back under the tree by December 16th. Frankie Eakes will ensure those children will have a gift to unwrap Christmas morning. With 45 children currently in need, your support can make one child's holiday a lot brighter.
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Where Heaven and Earth Meet
Advent Liturgical Art in the making
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| | Jody and Margaret in the midst of the creative process |
Heaven is making its first appearance this week. Come see the new addition in the sanctuary this week.
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REST SIGN UPS HERE
We need volunteers for
Mon., Jan 4 and later dates;
December slots are filled.
Thank you for volunteering!
REST (Rotating Emergency Shelter) is in full swing. Here is some general info about the program. Please scroll down and sign up to serve for dates in the coming months.
About the Timing:
This year the REST season encompasses 7 months (Nov-May). During this time the Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church organizes volunteers to prepare and provide dinners twice a month -- once for the men's program and once for the women's program. The Men's program takes place on the 1st Monday of the month (5:30-8:45pm), with meals serving about 32 guests & volunteers. The Women's Program is the 2nd Tuesday (5:15-8pm) at the county's Health and Wellness Center in San Rafael and serves about 26 guests & volunteers.
A Reminder about What Volunteering Involves:
In addition to preparing and bringing a dish, we welcome and say a blessing with our un-housed neighbors, serve the meal, eat dinner with our un-housed neighbors, and then clean up the meal. The men's program also involves setting up cots & tables before dinner, serving a snack, and washing pans & dishes after the meal. We count on everyone who has volunteered to fully participate on-site. To sign-up online, please go to: http://bit.ly/RESTprogram
With thanks,
Shannon Mong
REST Volunteer Coordinator
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"First Sunday" Cooking for REST - Middle and High School Students Sign Up Here!
Once a month we provide a place, supplies, and on-site support for the students to gather and prepare either a large salad or cookies for our un-housed neighbors. This cooking session will take place once a month from 4-6pm, on the Sunday before the Men's REST meal. The next session will be December 6. Info and sign-ups are at: http://bit.ly/REST-StudentCooks
With thanks,
Shannon Mong
REST Volunteer Coordinator
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Greeters Needed!
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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A GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP
PLEASE SIGN UP TO TAKE A WEDNESDAY DINNER TO WIL
Cook it yourself or bring take-out and a hug
Wil is spending afternoons and early evenings with Betty at Harmony House, so please call him Tuesday to arrange a delivery time for your delicious meal. And bless you!
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WE ALL LOVE FELLOWSHIP -
PLEASE SIGN UP TO HELP OUT
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.
DECEMBER: The Deacons
JANUARY: Robin Abu-Aly Parish
FEBRUARY: Nancy/Frankie Parish
MARCH: Patti Eisinger Parish
Sign up now and keep the hospitality going!
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Starting With a Fresh Canvas
When a person really grasps the spiritual meaning of "hope is belief in things not seen", a fresh canvas becomes available to you. Imagine the great artists throughout history and what it must have been like to begin a new painting.
There was nothing to obstruct their imagination, their vision of what the painting was to become was in their heads, and the path to its completion rested in their talent and tenacity to complete what they envisioned.
I believe there are times when we have a dream, a clear vision, and a desire to move in a certain direction. It is like standing before a fresh canvas. What we see is a God idea. Even though we can't know the full outcome of it yet, we know it was God inspired, God placed, and God given.
The world may say, "you're just too small for this". But God says, "you're just the right size for me". People may say, "You're not talented enough. We don't need you." But God says, "You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are talented. You are creative and you are anointed to accomplish this task".
The peace of God comes when we are in the presence of God. When God has given you a task to do, know that God will provide divine inspiration, divine tenacity, and heavenly strength and wisdom to accomplish it. Most of you know I think big. When things get confusing, challenging, and discouraging for me, I quietly shut down and get in the presence of God. It's amazing how the Lord's power, magnitude, and peace encircles me and calms me.
This is when we can surrender fear. Surrender our limitations. And claim God's ability to rekindle our focus and fire. One's frustrations usually can be attributed to the fact that we can't see the outcome of the circumstances we're emerged in. Yet William Faulkner has advised, "You cannot swim for new horizons until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore."
Realize that the One who controls the universe has handpicked you to accomplish certain tasks. In these cases, God is the master planner and has provided a clean canvas on which we get to paint. Our past is forgiven, our talent is sufficient, and the needed patience and tenacity to accomplish the project lies in our ability to "hope in things not seen." It is truly a gift of faith. And I believe this is one of God's most wonderful gifts to each of us at Christmas.
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Cor 4:18)
From LA ...your friend,
Paul
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Paul Lambert is a member of SHPC who travels extensively for his career as a producer of Broadway-bound musicals. He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute who studies the Bible daily and attends our Bible Study whenever he's in town. He posts this blog each week no matter where he is, to the delight and comfort of many. SHPC thanks you, Paul.
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YOGA AT THE CHURCH IS ON HOLIDAY BREAK
Our Yoga teachers are on break for the holidays. Thanks to all who joined us so far! Missed your chance? Stay tuned for more dates in the New Year!
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Come see Naomi Klein's movie based on her latest book "This Changes Everything," Friday, Dec. 4, 7:00 PM
(snacks and conversation at 6:30)
First Unitarian Church of Oakland,
685 14th St. at Castro.
A donation is suggested, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
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Call Your Senators to Support Sentencing Reform!
Our beliefs direct us to protect the dignity and well-being of everyone impacted by the criminal justice system. That commitment extends to people who are victimized by crime, as well as to those who commit offenses. Current federal law demands harsh punishment for even low-level drug offenses. The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act seeks to restore proportionality and fairness to federal sentencing and aid in rehabilitation for people in prison. Tell your senators to support this bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation.
Call both of your Senators by calling 202-224-3121 and ask for their office. Here is a sample script of what you could say:
"Hi, my name is __________ and, as a Presbyterian, I urge Senator (their name) to support the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act because our criminal justice system badly needs reform and this is an important step in that direction." Then, call 3 other folks (don't just email them - calls work better!) and urge them to make this same call. This is how movements are built! This legislation is sponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mike Lee (R-UT) and a bipartisan group of 25 other Senators. This is a bill that will help reduce extremely long sentences for those awaiting sentencing as well as some of those already incarcerated. This bill will lessen the number of those who are incarcerated in the federal prison population, which has exploded since 1980. The increase in the number of incarcerated individuals is largely due to mandatory minimum penalties, which exacerbate racial disparities and perpetuate dangerous prison overcrowding. Senate Bill 2123 is an important step toward fixing the federal prison crisis.
As Christians, we should prioritize forgiveness, mercy, and reconciliation in our judicial system policies. In 1988, the 200th General Assembly weighed in, saying, "individual Presbyterians and the entities of the General Assembly should . . . advocate a social order where compassion and justice characterize efforts toward those in the criminal justice system."
Once you make the call, tell us how it went and share your expierence! If you use Facebook, comment on and share our post about the call in day. If you use twitter, tweet at us @PCUSAWashington
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Sleepy Hollow Presbyterian Church
100 Tarry Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
Katie Brendler, 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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