Friends in Faith—
This Sunday, April 2, is Palm Sunday—and with it also begins Holy Week. We remember how the crowds gathered in great expectation to see Jesus—the Messiah!
We still share these same hopes: for justice, peace, new ways of being. And yet, too often we cling to our human politics and institutions, hoping they will save us when deep down we know that only Jesus can.
Our hearts are heavy with yet another mass shooting— involving children—and we cry out, "how long, O Lord?" We seem stranded in this awful nightmare; the status quo of broken politics and bloodshed is our new normal and has been so for many years now. Can't we do something?!
Palm Sunday speaks to us of a whole new reality offered in Christ … which should transform our powers and principalities. We'll be focusing on Luke 19:29-44. We will also be celebrating the Lord's Supper together—so if you are worshiping from home, be sure to have some bread and juice on hand.
As always, you are encouraged to bring a friend or neighbor to worship—and if you haven't been in a while, we'll be happy to see you!
Natalya begins playing gathering music at 10:20 a.m. We know the weather may be unpredictable, so you can also join virtually here: Facebook Live. More details about worship can be found here.
This Sunday, the first Sunday of the month, is when we collect donations for the SSIP Food Closet. You can give online or you can bring canned/boxed goods with you to worship.
Please note, The SSIP Food Closet is no longer accepting or distributing donations of non-food items such as toiletries, diapers, feminine products and pet food. Any such items received will be given to other nonprofit organizations that can use them and are better equipped for distributing them to needy clients.
In addition to monetary donations (SSIP’s preference), SSIP also welcomes donations of foods such as:
Cereal, rice, dried beans, peanut butter, pasta, canned vegetables, fruits, meat/tuna, canned beans, etc.
SSIP can also always use:
Medium-sized boxes, plastic bags, paper bags, egg cartons, rubber bands
This summer, our Presbytery is supporting a special opportunity that will be hosted at Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center at Lake Tahoe: "Kin-dom Camp" for LGBT youth. Kin·dom camp is an opportunity for LBGTQIA+ youth ages 12-17 to experience a week of camp where they are safe and free to show up as their full selves.
This camp is affirming. Full stop. It affirms all genders, sexualities, identities, religious backgrounds and varieties of belief. The only thing expected is a commitment to welcoming and celebrating everyone where they are, as they are.
Some of our members and myself hope to serve as volunteers at the camp. If you know of a young person who might like to attend or if you'd simply like to learn more, read more here.
ALSO AT ZEPHYR POINT: May 1-3 is Presbytery’s annual Justice Conference. See Mission & Social Action Chair Cathy Sapunor or Rev. Jesse if you are interested in attending. Here are details about this year’s program.
Saturday, April 1—Foolish Fun on April One. We'll gather on April Fool’s Day between 10 a.m.-12 noon at Barrio Cafe, 1188-35th Ave (two blocks south of Belle Cooledge Library) for free coffee, delicious snacks and joke-filled conversation! Here are details.
Sunday, April 2 is Palm Sunday—we'll be waving our palms and shouting "Hosanna" to the one who comes in the name of the Lord! We'll be celebrating communion together, so for our friends worshiping from home, be sure to have some juice and bread on-hand. Also, don't forget to bring your canned goods or checks for the SSIP Food Closet to be offered in worship.
Monday, April 3—During Holy Week, we'll be viewing the film Jesus Christ, Superstar; starts 10 a.m. in the Social Hall, followed by free lunch.
Also on Monday, April 3, we'll be volunteering at then SSIP Food Closet from 8:30 a.m.-11:40 a.m. Please reach out to Cathy Sapunor if you are interested in helping out; we still need two volunteers. You can learn more here.
Our One Great Hour of Sharing "Fish Banks" and envelopes are available in the net in the sanctuary. Feel free to stop by and take one home. These fish banks are collected, along with The One Great Hour of Sharing special offering, on Easter Sunday (though we'll be collecting them at the end of April). There are three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People …. all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope. You can learn more here.
Adult Spiritual Formation will be offering more Monday gatherings/lunches on April 17, May 1 and May 15. We'll be discussing the Holy Spirit and Pentecost. More details to follow!
As a church family, we are a community that is committed to caring for one another. One of the ways that we can support one another, loved ones and strangers, near and far, is to offer our prayers on their behalf. We share our prayers because we care for one another, and we know that God listens and cares for all of God's children. If you have a joy or concern to share, please let Maria or Jesse know; and if it is a confidential matter, please be sure to let them know. And don't forget that we have a prayer team who is committed to praying for any and all prayer concerns that come forward. You can reach out to Barbara Greene with your prayer concerns and she'll share them with the prayer team.
We pray for all involved in the mass shooting in Nashville—as well as all those who are tending to the victims and the community.
Hear our prayers, O Lord!
Peace to all.
—Jesse
