September 13 - October 18

Help us spread the word! Invite your churches and region to join us online (now through Children's Sabbath on Sunday, October 18) for the annual Light a Candle for Children Prayer Vigil.

Each day's post or prayer has been written (or drawn) by children and youth from across the country. These short meditations will remain online after the vigil and can be used as a resource at any time throughout the year. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, or by email.

This year's vigil reflects the Children Defense Fund's 2015 National Observance of Children's Sabbath Theme: "How Long Must I Cry for Help? Bending the Arc toward God's Vision of Justice for Children."

Light a Candle for Children is an annual advocacy & prayer vigil project of the Disciples & UCC Family & Children's Ministry Teams that invites congregations to join in Days of Prayer for Children. The vigil begins five weeks before the National Observance of Children's Sabbath sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund, Washington, DC. Thousands of congregations from multiple faith groups unite during Children's Sabbath weekend to simultaneously witness for children through prayer, education, and worship.

Learn More ... 

Internationally-honored church musicians, Jim and Jean Strathdee will provide a free program of their songs on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. at El Sobrante United Methodist Church, 670 Appian Way, El Sobrante.

The Strathdees, who are based in Sacramento, have shared their music with the church at large in an international itinerant ministry for nearly 40 years in the U. S., Canada, Central America and India.

The program, "An Evening of Singing with Jim and Jean Strathdee," is sponsored by the El Sobrante UMC and The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada. 

"We believe that congregational song has the power to transform individuals and communities," said Eileen Johnson, music director at El Sobrante and coordinator for the event.  "The purpose of this song festival is to draw together people from diverse backgrounds so that we can unite in singing the Strathdees' inspirational songs.  We hope that people from all over the East Bay will join us."

The evening's presentation will be free, but there will be a free-will offering taken.  Members of El Sobrante UMC will provide a reception following the program.

Learn more about The Hymn Society

Prayer will be a major part of our preparation for a mighty movement of God.  So ...
Disciples, let us pray! Let's open our spirits to the Spirit of God as we seek to make a difference through Mission First!
 
Mission First! prompts Disciples to listen for God's call to mission in the 21st century world. It is also a 2-year pilot of a model for identifying shared mission for our entire Church and working in partnership to fulfill it. At the heart of Mission First! are Mission Gatherings which will take place in 2016. All Disciples are invited to participate and share their congregation's particular passion within God's larger mission as well as be inspired to action by the stories of others.
 
As we prepare and implement Mission Gatherings, let's listen to the Spirit. Let's pray for a shared sense of call within God's larger mission; that we will identify ways to work together that we may never have dreamed of before. Let's seek God's inspiration and leadership as we put God's Mission First! among Disciples. Let us bathe Mission First! in intentional prayer and action.
 
Beginning in October, you will receive a weekly e-mail prompt for prayer and action.  Thank you in advance for your participation through prayer. Click here to learn more about Mission Gatherings near you or more information about prayer teams and other ways to support!

Sign up for weekly prayer prompts

Keynote Speaker: Darrell Steinberg
Founder--Board Chair of The Steinberg Institute for Advancing Mental Health Policy
Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig LLP
Former President Pro Tem of the California State Senate

Tuesday, October 13, 2015
7:30-9:00am
 
The Grand
1215 J Street
Sacramento
 
Financial Contributions Accepted To Help Area Food Banks
 
Sponsored By: The Interfaith Council of Greater Sacramento
RSVP:  president@sacramentointerfaith.org
Hosted By: The Mohanna Foundation

Sacramento First Christian Church Celebrates 160 Years!

Only 29 spots available as of Fri Sep 25 2015

Christian Church of  Northern California-Nevada