May 16, 2013
Friends:
“The only thing children want to hear from their parents is, ‘We are so proud of you.’ The only thing parents want to hear from their children someday is, ‘Thank you for everything you did for me.’ (And neither group gets to add the word – BUT.) However, for most families I call these ‘Fantasy Conversations’ because they so rarely occur.”
Mary Ellen Nowel, our guest musician for Mother’s Day
Pentecost is the Third High Feast Day of the Church Year and it will be celebrated with Baptisms, Catechumen Blessings, joyous music, exotic languages and Eucharist this Sunday at 9:30. Imagine if everyone came as on Christmas and Easter! Spread the word – invite family and friends to join you. WEAR RED!
Congratulations to Thais Ouzounian who won our Mother’s Day Basket! Thanks to all the members of Peace for supporting our Partnership Committee and the Delegation which will be visiting Laurel Galan, Nicaragua in August.
Abba/Imma Lord’s Prayer and Chi Kung: Speaking in chorus with the utterance of the Lord’s Prayer and moving in harmony with the ancient practice of Chi Kung, you will be invited to experience the wisdom and compassion of this prayer practice with Pr. Steve, Kaleo and Elise Ching at San Damiano Franciscan Retreat Center in Danville. 9 am – 4:30 pm on Saturday, May 25. The cost is $60 which includes lunch. Sign up today: http://sandamiano.org/retreats-programs/retreat-registration Deepen your prayer practice.
Contra Costa Interfaith Housing (CCIH) Executive Director Louise Bourana will lead our Forum on Sunday, May 26 with a presentation about Homeless Families in Contra Costa County and how we can assist with tutoring and other encouraging skills. The Justice Advocacy Committee urges you to attend.
Our Youth Group had a fine Yoga for Teens workout last Saturday. We are discussing ways to keep this practice sustained at Peace.
Pick up a Leaf to support our Website Giving Tree and make a pledge to support our improved website and website presence!
The Pacific Choir (who rehearses at Peace on Sunday evenings) under the direction of Hyunjung Choi will present a Vivaldi Concert on May 25 at 7:00 pm at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church. You will find this very moving.
May/ June Schedule
May 21—Church Council meets
May 23—Columbarium meeting at 4 pm
May 25—Abba-Imma: The Lord’s Prayer and Chi Kung at San Damiano with Pr. Steve and Kaleo and Elise Ching (Fliers in the Gathering Hall.)
May 26—Forum: Contra Costa Interfaith Housing
May 29—Orientation for Nicaragua Delegation by Newell Hendrick (with Between Cultures)
June 2—Partnership meeting
June 7—First Friday Films: The Lathe of Heaven at 6:30 pm
Pentecost Blessings, Pr. Steve
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May 9, 2013
Friends:
Questions: Why do all silkworms live so raggedly?
Why did cheese decide to perform heroic deeds in France?
Why don’t the poor understand as soon as they stop being poor?
Where does the rainbow end, in your soul or on the horizon? (Pablo Neruda)
Happy Mother’s Day! We will celebrate with joy and delight this Sunday. Plus – Partnership Fundraiser on Mother’s Day: Raffle tickets will be on sale Sunday for a fabulous Gift Basket for Mom’s Day – soaps, fragrances, an ornate picture frame, a Gift Certificate to a local restaurant and more! You don’t have to be present to win but you do have to buy a ticket! Proceeds will support our Delegation visiting Nicaragua in August.
Thanks to Pr. Elizabeth and Bev for preaching and the Hospice Forum this past Sunday. It was a powerful and insightful morning. We will have future sessions with them as well.
Jazz Church West hosted a Grand Celebration for Rev. Bob Lesher on his 60th Ordination Anniversary. John Calloway and Efrain Toro percussively accompanied Pr. Ruth Lesher as she gave a heartfelt tribute to her father. Because of John’s fine Latin Jazz Quintet – Clave Unplugged – and Bob’s playful spirit, many guests expressed pure surprise and delight at being honored to participate in such a rare and joyful celebration. And the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta which followed was devoured promptly. Congratulations, Bob!
Shelter, Inc. Project: Please bring your household items, bedding and food to support Jackson Kaplan’s Project in support of homeless families to church this Sunday. They will be delivered next week.
John Hickman is working and his God and Me scouting badge. Please offer him your prayers and encouragement.
Eagle Scout Project: Soon we’ll hear a report from Jack O’Neil about his Eagle Scout Project in support of our Lwamondo Parish Partners.
Abba-Imma/The Lord’s Prayer and Chi Kung: Kaleo and Elise Ching and I will be leading this one day workshop at San Damiano on Saturday, May 25 from 9:00 – 4:30 pm. Speaking in chorus with the utterance of the Lord’s Prayer and moving in harmony with the ancient practice of Chi Kung, you will be invited to experience the wisdom and compassion of this prayer practice. The cost is $60 for the day which includes lunch. Please spread the word and invite your friends to join you! Fliers available in the Gathering Hall.
Website Tree: Pick a leaf this Sunday to support the development of our new website. Speak with Dabbie, Pat or Jeanne for more information.
Tables of Interfaith Understanding: Sign up this Sunday to participate in the Dinner Series with I-SRV Friends. There will be 4 meals together during the next year, with rotating hosting and meal responsibilities. A great opportunity to deepen interfaith friendships!
Pentecost is May 19 – WEAR RED!
Our Forum on May 19 will host Louise Bourassa, the Executive Director of Contra Costa Interfaith Housing. Deacon Cindy Townsend and the Justice Advocacy Committee hope you will make it a point to attend.
Please keep in your prayers: Gail, Miki, Melinda, Rhodes, Rose, all the musicians making such beautiful music at Peace these days for their Recitals, moms around the earth especially those living in poverty, as immigrants and refugees and in war zones.
Martha Mantei and the Broadway Chorus invites you to a Broadway Bash – May 10, 11 and 12: Amador Theater, 1155 Santa Rita Road in Pleasanton. Tickets available at: 462-2121 or www.broadwaychorus.org.
Easter Blessings, Pr. Steve
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May 1, 2013
Friends:
“Scatter your seeds of compassion as far and wide as possible for…. We must live by the love of what we may never see.”
“Humility is true self-knowledge. God is your being and who you are, you are in God. Self-knowledge does not stop in the mere awareness of our faults and failings; rather our self-awareness must open onto God. Perfect humility is receiving and accepting the unfathomable love of God, the ground of our being, into whom we can release our faults and failings.” (The Cloud of Unknowing)
Happy Birthday, Gen! What a marvelous Party was thrown in Honor of Gen’s 90th this past Saturday. And thanks to her marvelous family for their generosity in creating this lovely occasion. And what a great turn out from friends at Peace!
Congratulations to Toni and John Baker on the birth of Rhodes Patrick Baker last Sunday morning! Everyone is healthy and happy. God’s blessings always!
First Friday Films (FFF): This Friday evening at 6:30 Babette’s Feast will be shown in our Youth Room. This is a superb film about a small community being liberated by the tasteful, graceful cooking skills of a French Chef who ends up in their midst. A true treasure. Invite friends to join you.
Steward – ING: Hope you appreciated the Gratitude/Pride List in our bulletin last Sunday. Additions have been offered and included. The biblical understanding of Stewarding is: Taking responsibility for the world and earth our children’s children shall inherit. How shall we as a community of faith most wisely contribute to this intention?
Preaching and Forum – “Adventures of a Hospice Chaplain”: Hear Pr. Elizabeth preach and lead our Forum which will focus on ‘end of life issues’ and support for caregivers. If we are lucky Bev Harms may contribute too.
“Requiem for a Heavyweight” by Rod Serling: Was great to see the Role Players production of this fine piece in which our own Allison Winter is Stage Managing. What an array of talents our Youth Group has!
Education Committee/Sunday Salon – Bonhoeffer: Our Sunday Salon concluded our reading of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer book (Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy) this past Sunday……all 7 Sessions! A powerful read about one of the true witnesses of the Christian Faith – for all times and most remarkably in Nazi Germany during the 30’s and 40’s. (One copy remains available for anyone interested in obtaining it.) Our thanks to Deacon Linda Benatar for her leadership and the Committee (Charlene, Maili, Libby, and Lynne) for sponsoring quality education events at Peace.
Suggestions are emerging for an ongoing Book Club at Peace. Are you interested? Notify Linda or the Church Office so arrangements can be made.
Jazz Church West/Cinco de Mayo: Another outstanding jazz event awaits you this Sunday at 5:00 pm with John Calloway and Clave Unplugged. Of course this is Latin Jazz at its best with a Fiesta Celebration afterwards in Honor of Rev. Bob Lesher on the occasion of his 60th Ordination Anniversary. Don’t we have cool clergy at Peace—especially when they want to celebrate lifetime achievements by getting down and dancing in the spirit of jazz!
Please keep in your prayers: Karin Shepanek who mourns the death of her stepfather Vince; our Sunday School, Council and Catechumens, the people of Dacca, Boston, Syria, and Yemen.
Aren’t our newly planted Entrance Beds and Triangle beautiful? How lovely to watch everything grow in the Spring. Thanks to our Landscape Committee (Ken, George and Libby) for their efforts.
Tables of Interfaith Understanding: Please sign up this Sunday if you wish to participate in the 4 Dinner Rotation with interfaith friends from the I-SRV congregations. Details are available on the fliers in the Gathering Hall. These are guaranteed to bring joy and insights to your life!
Request to Borrow Rototiller – from Bill and Elana: Ours went bust and getting it fixed is of no avail. Does anyone have a rototiller we could borrow for 2 – 3 days? We really need to break up the heavy clay soil to get all the vegetables we have grown from seed into the ground. We will come and pick it up and return it at your convenience – we live in San Ramon. Your Reward: Weekly Fresh Vegetables, Herbs, Fruit & Flowers (of your choice) – throughout the Summer!!!
Torah Celebration: Last Saturday Beth Chaim celebrated the return of their repaired Torah. The repair/ mending is an arduous process requiring special skills and organic materials including an ink which is 200 years old. It is one of the 1,564 Torahs miraculously saved from Czechoslovakia after the German Invasion during WWII. It was scribed nearly 300 years ago and as Rabbi Dan said,” It is a vital reminder of the Jewish people who perished in the Shoah (Holocaust); it is a direct connection to a deep and mysterious great luminary of our tradition.” Our congratulations to the members of Beth Chaim on the return of their Torah to its home.
Partnership fundraiser for Mother’s Day! Raffle tickets are now on sale for a fabulous gift basket for Mother’s Day: soaps, fragrances, an ornate picture frame, a hot/cold spa neck pillow, a decorated plate/ cup set, a gift certificate to a local restaurant (and more)! Tickets are only $2 each or 6 for $10. You do not have to be present to win. Proceeds will support the delegation to Nicaragua leaving August 12.
PARAPROSDOKIANS: (Winston Churchill loved them) are figures of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected frequently humorous. (Thanks to Martha for these.)
1. Where there’s a will, I want to be in it.
2. The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it’s still on my list.
3. Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
4. If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.
5. We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.
6. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
7. They begin the evening news with ‘Good Evening,’ then proceed to tell you why it isn’t.
8. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.
9. I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
10. A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.
11. I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not so sure.
12. Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.
Easter Blessings, Pr. Steve
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April 17, 2013
Friends:
“Christ did not come into the world that we might understand him, but that we might cling to him; that we might let ourselves be swept away by him into the immense energy of the resurrection. The Christian hope for resurrection differs from mythological hope by directing humans in a totally new and even more intense way to our life on earth. The Christian is not excused from earthly tasks and difficulties so that we can escape into eternity. We must completely engage our earthly life like Christ and only by doing so is the crucified and resurrected Christ with us.”
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
The Pancake Breakfast was a tasty success. The congregation unanimously voted to have Pete and Everett prepare breakfast every Sunday!
The Forum presented by Dabbie on Connections and our new website development was very much appreciated. You will be learning much more in the future.
Earth Day Forum – Ro invites: Please join us Sunday, April 21st for an enlightening Earth Day Program with a timely presentation entitled “Climate Reality: An Unstoppable Force, or a Tool for Change?” Speaker Shelly Ryan has spoken to many churches about the climate change issue and those little, pain-free things we can do as a spiritual community to make a positive changes! She will speak directly after Hospitality, and again for the Interfaith Community & Public at 4pm, just before Jazz at Peace. Refreshments provided at both.
Thanks to those who have purchased Plants for our Entrance Way and Triangle beds. Additional donations can be received this Sunday for Earth Day.
Last Sunday we shared a marvelous Evening Dialogue with members of the Baha’i Community which nourished spiritual understandings and friendships. We also viewed the powerful film ‘Education under Fire’. The group has decided to meet again on May 19 and the invitation is open to more friends to join us.
It is Gen Estenson’s birthday soon and all of us are Invited to her 90th Birthday Party on Saturday, April 27 from 11 – 3 pm at the Alamo Women’s Club at 1401 Danville Blvd. Your RSVP to Pat Thergesen will be appreciated.
Jack O’Neil’s Eagle Scout Project (collecting Educational Games and Soccer balls and shoes/shin guards for our Partners at Lwamondo Parish) is in full motion. If you have items to contribute please bring them to Peace by this Friday afternoon.
Congratulations to Allison Winter on being nominated and chosen as a Student of Excellence by ROP of Contra Costa County. She has been an outstanding student in her theatre production classes – exemplifying responsibility, focus and ambition. Aren’t her parents proud too!! Congrats, Allison!
PS – Allison is Stage Managing the play Requiem for a Heavyweight at the Danville Theater. The Youth Group – and any other interested adults – are intending to see this play on its Opening Night, April 26. Notify the Office if you are interested in attending.
Keep in your prayers: Toni Baker (who is soon to give birth), Janine and Phil, Gail, Joseph, the people of Boston, Miki, Fidel and Heidi, Louise, Spoon, those searching for work.
JAZZ CHURCH WEST presents: MAD DURAN and THE SAXOPHONISTAS - This Sunday, APRIL 21 at 5:00PM. 4 of the Finest Female Sax Players including: KASEY KNUDSON, MARCIA MIGET AND MARY FETTIG! 2 SETS WITH RECEPTION – $20. (STUDENTS – High School Women who wear their Sax Neck Straps get in for Free – & SENIORS $10/Family Discounts too.) Nobody turned away! Come and enjoy JAM/Jazz Appreciation Month with this Unique Group of Artists! Invite Friends!! (Jim Bennett of “In the Moment” will be Recording this Concert for future air play in the Bay Area and beyond.)
Tables of Interfaith Understanding: The Dinner Proposal details (4 dinners with Interfaith Friends during the course of this next year) will be available to you on Sunday. Folks can sign up at Peace. Arrangements will then be made to match folks from 4 different congregations to enjoy Interfaith Conversations. A great opportunity!
For those of you who are still holding everyone you meet in Positive Regard (your Easter Exercise) – you are now released from this assignment. I would hate for you to overdo it.
“Do you love me……feed my sheep.”
Easter Joy, Pr. Steve
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April 11, 2013
Friends:
“The resurrected one stepped into the midst of fearful disciples and said, “Peace be with you.”
So many beautiful opportunities blossoming around us with the energy of Spring Time and Easter Visions:
This Sunday our Pancake Breakfast (you may contribute a donation to purchase plants for our parking lot entrance way too). In addition to fine cuisine including Kielbasa and Linguica you get to enjoy the company of good friends. See you anytime after 9 am.
Our worship this Sunday will include reflections from Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was killed on April 9, 1945. He is a true saint and inspiration for the church.
Forum – Connections: Dabbie Bowron will share with us the evolving shape of our website, internal support and external outreach. The Council encourages you to attend.
Our Baha’i Friends have requested a gathering with 8 – 10 of us in order to deepen our friendships and the awareness of future opportunities to work together as spiritual people. We have shared several classes in the past. I am appreciative of their desire to ‘not let our friendship disappear’. We meet from 5 – 6:30 pm on this Sunday, April 14. No heavy agenda – simply time given to relax and enjoy one another’s company. Chris Palmer and I will provide topics for focusing our conversations. Choose to join in.
The Council shared a fine Retreat together last Saturday. Please check in with them about what they experienced and what they are dreaming.
Two special events are coming your way for Earth Day. On April 21 for our Forum and at a 4:00 pm Community Event Shelly Ryan will speak on Climate Reality: Unstoppable Force or Tool for Change? You will find this a constructive approach to ways in which spiritual communities can make healthy changes. Also on April 24 at 7:00 pm Michele McGeoy of Solar Richmond will give a book talk at Peace (sponsored by I-SRV) entitled: Turning Over the Money Tables – The Economy, Green Jobs and Congregations. Fliers for both of these events are available in our Gathering Hall.
Jazz Church West: The Saxophonistas on April 21 at 5:00 pm…. a Jazz Concert so unique it has never happened before! Mad Duran lead a Women’s Sax Summit (4 superb Sax Players: Mad Duran, Mary Fettig, Kasey Knudsen and Marcia Miget) celebrating JAM (Jazz Appreciation Month). Plus there are 4 more players in the Rhythm Section. This will be a blow out! And High School Women who wear their Saxophone Strap – will get in free – because we want our youth to hear the best! To download a copy of the flyer for this special event click here.
Keep in your prayers: Miki and Justin on the death of Jonathan.
AFSP [American Foundation for Suicide Prevention]– our thanks to Martha Mantei for making fine presentation to the leaders of I-SRV this week on the resources that are being made available to families and friends when they experience the pain of suicide.
Beth Chaim invites you to a special Shabbat Service on Friday evening. A half hour service of Nigguns (wordless melodies) begins at 7:00 pm followed by a Hospitality time. Then at 8:00 pm the Cello Street Quartet will present an hour long concert. They will knock your socks off – if you wear them. All this is free.
- April Schedule
- April 14 – Pancake Breakfast/Connections Forum at 9 am
- Sunday Salon/Bonhoeffer Group from 3-5 pm
- ‘Education Under Fire’ with Baha’i Friends at 5 pm
- April 21 –Earth Day/Presentation by Shelly Ryan: Climate Reality–
Unstoppable Force or Tool for Change? at 4 pm
- JAM (Jazz Appreciation Month): The Saxophonistas at 5 pm
- April 24 – Michele McGeoy on Sacred Acts: Congregations Protecting Earth’s Climate at 7 pm
- April 27—90th Birthday party for Gen Estenson 11 am-3 pm at AlamoWomen’s Club
1401 Danville Blvd Alamo RSVP to Pat Thergesen
- April 28 – Stewarding Celebration
Aren’t we glad for all the musical opportunities (musicians, artists, 2 year old drummers and concerts) that Gary brings us? Aren’t we happy when Elizabeth Hunter sings to us? Aren’t we delighted that John Brett is our Teaching Parish Seminarian? How the blessings flow.
Easter Joy, Pr. Steve
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April 3, 2013
Friends:
“This life, therefore, is not godliness but the process of becoming godly, not health but getting well, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are on the way. The process is not yet finished but it is actively going on. This is not the goal but it is a true path. At present everything does not gleam and sparkle but everything is being cleansed.” (M. Luther)
What a Blessed Holy Week:
Passover Seder: A Liberation Meal of Transcendence and Transformation of our World.
Good Friday: A stark reminder of the Anguish Christ suffers with all of God’s People.
Easter Vigil: The Night of Mystery, Presence in the Stillness, Joyous light in the Darkness.
Easter Day: The Grace and Delight of Friends, Music, Choir, ‘Pie Jesu’, Trumpet, Children’s Time, Preaching and Sacrament. Hopefully Noah will drum all of us into Heaven!
First Friday Films – This Friday, April 5 at 6:30 pm: Elana and Seminarian John Brett are initiating a Monthly Film Evening for members and friends of Peace. It is an opportunity to enjoy great films and share reflections with friends…..along with pure relaxation and fine popcorn. This Friday we get to see As It Is In Heaven, a Swedish film about a famous conductor who after a tragedy must return to his home village….where he ends up leading the church choir! You will love it – especially on the 42” Flat Screen TV in our Youth Room. Spread the word, invite your friends. To download a copy of the flyer for this special event click here.
Jazz Church West: This Sunday a long time friend of Jazz at Peace – Anton Schwartz – will return with Will Blades playing the B-3 Hammond Organ. You will be surprised and enlightened by the mastery of these incredible musicians. Send your jazz loving friends to church…it will be good for them! To see the artists who are playing for the remainder of our 8th Season’s Spring Schedule click here.
Baha’i Friends invite friends from Peace to join them for a viewing of the film ‘Education Under Fire’ on Sunday, April 14 at 5:00 pm in the Peace Youth Room. This is a continuation of the dialogue that was initiated with the book study Destiny Disrupted. It is an occasion to deepen our mutual understanding and commitment to living as spiritual people in God’s world. There will be a reception and we will conclude by 6:30.
The Sunday Salon continues with the Bonhoeffer book (Chapters 16 – 22) this Sunday, April 7 from 2 – 4 pm (note the special time). All are invited to experience this incredible story of faith, commitment, challenge, choice and grace.
Please keep in your prayers: The Church Council, who will be on Retreat this Saturday; Ceil, on the death of her father; Melinda, Jonathan, our Catechumens, the people of Syria, those who prayed with us on Easter Sunday, and all those who found Easter Eggs.
The Women of Peace will meet next Wednesday, April 10 from 10 – Noon.
A fantastic Pancake Breakfast is coming our way on Sunday, April 14 starting at 9:00 am….for the pure pleasure of it! Don’t miss out.
Hospice of the East Bay is in need of Volunteers who are licensed in hair care or massage. If you know hair care specialists or massage therapists who would be interested in volunteering for HEB, please have them contact Elaine Lasack at 887-5678 x1074. Thank you, Bev Harms
BJ asks: ” If you know anyone with short-term rental space – for me and/or my stuff – please let me know asap.” BJ is moving and doing a little “Transition Dance”. Contact the church office if you have space for her temporary need. Thank you.
“The Lord has written the promise of the resurrection in every leaf of springtime.” Luther
Joyous Easter, Pr. Steve
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March 26, 2013
Friends:
“I sign your eyes that you may see the beauty of Christ, I sign your nostrils that you may breathe the fragrance of the Spirit, I sign your ears that you may hear the wisdom of God.” (Baptismal Rite) “God is your being and who you are, you are in God.” (The Cloud of Unknowing)
Holy Week / Still Week – Rites of Passage for experiencing the Mystery of Christ’s Passion:
Maundy Thursday Seder: If you want to know the origin and pulsating heart of the Eucharist, come and experience the Passover Meal of Liberation at 6:30 pm.
Good Friday: If you are willing to face the absurdity of suffering, violence and death, come to this contemplative service at 7:00 pm. (The Church will also be open from 12–3 pm).
Easter Vigil: If you want to taste the joy of Baptism and life emerging out of nothingness, come to this celebration at 7:30 pm.
Easter Day: If you want to experience Hope that creates space for New Life and transformation, come to this Extravagant Celebration at 9:30 am.
You are asked to bring any festive food/rolls/fruit you would like to share for our Easter Brunch. This allows all of us to share in creating Hospitality for all our guests this Sunday.
Of course the Egg Hunt will immediately follow worship.
(Please leave the eggs you have filled with surprises in the Gathering Hall before worship.)
After experiencing the power and depth of our Palm Sunday Service you can appreciate our Peace Logo with fresh eyes: palm branches waving in front of the cross.
Keep in your prayers: Ceil and family on the death of her father, Jonathan, Melinda, Madeline Parks (Willow’s mom), our Catechumens.
“I beg you…..be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves….the search going on within your inmost being is worthy of your whole love….the point is to live everything you experience. Live your questions now. Do not seek “answers” which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live into them.” Ranier Maria Rilke
Holy Week Blessings, Pr. Steve
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March 21, 2013
Friends:
“A person has no alternative but to respond to the real setting in which one finds oneself, with a result that one’s prayer is necessarily fabricated from the various inner and outward components of one’s life. Prayer grows out of life. It is not an isolated department of life, it is the realization of the God-ward potential inherent in every life.” (Michael Casey)
Holy Week: Our Palm Sunday/Passion Narrative happens this Sunday. It sets the stage for our understanding and engaging the mystery of the final week of Jesus’ life.
Seder – 20 people have signed up for our 6:30 Maundy Thursday dinner and retelling of the Passover Story. Invite friends to join you. Sign up on Sunday or notify the office.
Good Friday – worship is at 7:00 pm with a service of reflection, stillness and music.
Easter Vigil – will be celebrated at 7:30 pm. A joyful journey through the darkness into the Light.
Easter Day – Festive Worship at 9:30 am with an Egg Hunt afterwards. You are invited to bring something for our Potluck Brunch afterwards.
Brenda Bos sends her greetings! We had a good conversation last week and she is enjoying her work with St. Paul’s in Santa Monica. She is completing a project for Peace. She is grateful for everything learned and experienced at Peace. She and Janis send their blessings for Holy Week also.
Our thanks to the Chromatica Choir for their gift of Faure’s Cantique de Jean Racine last Sunday. They are appreciative that Peace has helped give their choir birth through our hosting and prayerful support.
This Sunday join us for our Forum: Sing as if your Soul Depended on It! This is an opportunity for everyone to learn and enjoy more the gift of music in a spiritual life. You don’t have to be a singer to appreciate the transformative role that music plays in our lives. Gary will lead us in this joyful opportunity.
The Lord of the Rings performance at Temple Isaiah was outstanding. Eight folks from Peace were able to attend. We hope that Gary will be able to bring the SF Lesbian and Gay Freedom Band back to Peace in future!
Sunday Salon/Bonhoeffer Study: The group meets again for our 4th Session this Sunday at 3:00 pm at Peace. All are welcomed to join us.
A few reflections on Prayer in preparation for Holy Week. These insights have been shared throughout the Soup and Sacrament series this Lent.
Every request I make of God is a message telling of my neediness, of my trust in God, of my willing dependence and openness to receive. Prayer is the moment in life where we need not fear to express ourselves in all our nonsense and imperfection. God already knows; it is we who need to be informed and awakened.
The test of authentic prayer is growth: growth in goodness, growth in humanity, greater serenity in living and facing hardship. Above all genuine contact with God effects a real displacement of self as the center of our existence.
Blessed are those who delight in God’s law, who meditate on it day and night.
They are like a tree planted near running water,
That yields fruit in due season and whose leaves never fade.
Prayer requires perseverance, because there is an aspect of Purpose that is asleep and must be awakened by knocking and demanding. When a person perseveres, the Maker of Life arises and gives in abundance.
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don’t go back to sleep: You must ask for what you really want. Don’t go back to sleep!
Lenten Blessings, Pr. Steve
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March 14, 2013
Friends:
“In prayer we discover what we already have. You start from where you are and you deepen what you already have, and you realize you are already there. We already have everything but we don’t know it and don’t experience it. Everything has been given to us in Christ. All we need is to experience what we already possess.” (Thomas Merton, in honor of Soup and Sacrament)
The Chromatica Choir will sing for our Healing Prayer Service this Sunday. It is their Thank You Gift for getting to rehearse weekly at Peace. Come honor these friends with your presence and enjoy the gift of their music as we pray for the healing of our lives, community and world.
Forum: The Healing Prayer Team will lead a conversation on the meaning of Healing Prayer in their lives and how it contributes to the ministries of Peace. Come and encourage these heart friends of yours.
The Final Soup and Sacrament for this Lenten Season is next Wednesday, March 20. Can you believe it? It has been a good and enriching experience to converse about and experience various forms of prayer. You are welcome to join us for the final session…..and get to enjoy a tasty meal.
Please start signing up for our Seder this Sunday, March 17.
Sunday Salon/Bonhoeffer: We gather again Sunday, March 24 at Peace from 3 – 5 pm. Please read chapters 10 – 15. New participants are always welcome to join us.
We will have an Easter Brunch on March 31 along with our Egg Hunt. It’s potluck style so bring anything you enjoy that’s tasty and doesn’t require a lot of work.
The Lord of the Rings/Symphony No 1 by Johan de Meij: Hear our friends from the SF Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band perform in this free concert at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette this Sunday at 4 pm. Gary is performing so you know it will be outstanding!
Keep in your prayers: Jonathan and Miki, Melinda Howard, Heidi and Fidel, those seeking employment, our Youth, Catechumens and Council, the falsely imprisoned, those living with addictions, the people of Syria, kids at risk, those living in countries with no political rights, and the new pope Papa Francesco.
I-SRV invites you to participate in an Interfaith Dinner Series. 8 people from 4 different spiritual traditions will be invited to meet once a quarter (starting in late May) to personalize our interfaith friendships, deepen understanding of each other’s traditions and share wonderful meals together. You would meet with the same people for all 4 Dinners. Further detailed information will be coming your way. What a wonderful opportunity for increasing peace and understanding among all God’s people.
Once again, The Washington Post has published the winning submissions to its yearly Neologism Contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternative meanings for common words. A few of the winners are:
1. Coffee (n.), the person upon whom one coughs.
2. Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp.
3. Gargoyle (n), olive-flavored mouthwash.
4. Pokemon (n), a Rastafarian proctologist.
5. Oyster (n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.
6. Frisbeetarianism (n.), (back by popular demand): The belief that, when you die, your soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.
(Thanks to Elana for these!)
Do not give up laughter for Lent!
Blessed St. Paddy’s Day, Pr. Steve
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March 7, 2013
Friends:
“Like a deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God.” Psalm 42
The Time Change happens this Sunday….please Spring Ahead!
Our thanks to Martha Mantei and Shirley Kaminsky for their presentation about understanding the causes and signs of suicide as well as resources for hope with the families who are left behind. It is a blessing that we can continue to learn more about ways to prevent suicide. Please keep the work of ASPS in your prayers.
The Youth Group meets this Saturday afternoon. We will visit John Brett and friends at PLTS Seminary.
Forum – “Women Hold Up Half the Sky”: See a portion of this powerful video which will be shown this Sunday in honor of International Women’s Day. There is still such a long ways to go for women’s rights and values to be recognized in our world.
Sunday Salon/Bonhoeffer: We gather again this Sunday at Peace from 3 – 5 pm. Please read chapters 7 – 9. New participants are always welcome to join us.
We need Choir Members for Easter! Please join in the Open Rehearsal in the Sanctuary after worship this Sunday.
What a joy to celebrate Abigail’s Baptism this past Sunday. And a blessing to have her family gathered from around the country with us.
John Brett asks your assistance with a Mapping Project of our congregation and community for this Sunday. Details to come then.
As anticipated – there was a Stampede of people trying to sign up to assist as Counters, Bread Bakers and Sound Board operators. Since we cannot include everyone we may have to step back and have a Lottery Drawing so we get the appropriate number of candidates to serve. We may have to ask members to purchase these lottery tickets as well.
Please keep in your prayers: Lois’ daughter Lori, members of our Youth Group, the Catechumens, the hungry, those elected to positions of power in government, Heidi, Fidel, Spoon, and Albert Woodfox (who has been in solitary confinement for 40 years in Angola Prison in Louisiana).
The Lord of the Rings is being performed at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette on Sunday, March 17 at 4:00 pm. Talk with Gary for the details.
I-SRV would like to create an Interfaith Dinner Series. 8 people from 4 different spiritual traditions will be invited to meet once a quarter or 4 time during this next year to become acquainted, deepen understanding of each other’s traditions and share wonderful meals together. You would meet with the same people for all 4 Dinners. We hope that the first meal will be later this Spring. Please speak with me to learn more or inform me that you would like to participate.
Blessings, Pr. Steve
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