| This Sunday, April 15th Holy Communion - 10AM at St. Paul's All are welcome to receive Communion!
The gospel for the third Sunday of Easter is always one in which the risen Christ shares food with the disciples, meals that are the Easter template for the meal we share each Lord's day. In today's gospel, Jesus both shares the disciples' food and shows them the meaning of his suffering, death, and resurrection through the scriptures: the two main elements of our Sunday worship.
Sunday's readings: |
| Serving God on Sunday April 15th Assisting Minister: Don Ockrassa Crucifer/Acolyte: Teresa Arellano Lector: Matthew Hervey Ushers: Corie Hervey Pianist: Cesar Cancino Flowers: The community of St. Paul's Fellowship: Kim Hervey, Bev Smith Sacristans: Matt Hervey and Corie Hervey Counters: Anita Patten and Karen Spears Janitorial: Karen Spears Groundskeeper: Matt Thelen
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| Worship Schedule Service and communion at St. Paul's in April, 10:00AM
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| New Congregation Name... We are down to the last two names for the new congregation should we vote to consolidate! We need to hear from everyone in this important decision.
Current and active members should plan to be present in worship on April 22nd at St. Paul's, 10am. If you are a current member and cannot attend due to illness, work schedule or a planned vacation, your email vote will be accepted for this vote.
The last two names we are choosing between are United in Grace Lutheran Church and New Vision Lutheran Church.
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| Open Cathedral Project The Open Cathedral, run by the San Francisco Night Ministry is celebrating it's tenth year of operation. Every Sunday an open air service is held in a public space. Besides the service lunches (sandwich, cookie, fruit, drink) are passed out to the homeless who attend. The food is provided by different churches, and sometimes the cost is not covered.
I would like St Paul's and Holy Trinity help put lunches together when needed, if possible. We would need to make about 125 lunches. Volunteers can help make lunches and/or help bring lunches into the city. Services start at 2:00 pm.
Please let me know how you feel about this project: Anita (707) 745-0648. |
| ELCA presiding bishop calls on church to work for racial justice
CHICAGO (April 6, 2018) - Following the "Act Now: Unite to End Racism" rally in Washington, D.C., the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has issued a statement on racism, recommitting this church "to work for racial justice and inclusion, to work against white privilege, and to be a church that truly welcomes all." The April 4 rally was held in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Bishop Eaton's statement:
In 2017, we observed the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. In 500 years, Lutheranism has grown into a global movement. We worship in every language all over the world. There are now more Lutherans of color than there are European descent Lutherans. But here in the United States, Lutherans are predominantly white. Lutherans came to this country in ethnic waves in the 18th and 19th centuries. English was not our first language; we kept to ourselves and were mostly outside of the predominant American culture. But Lutherans did share in the dominant culture in that we were mostly white and, therefore, had the privilege of not having to think or talk about the reality of racism in America. We came to a tipping point in June 2015. There, in Charleston, S.C., a stranger walked into a Bible study at Mother Emmanuel and, after being welcomed by pastors and people, shot and killed nine. The martyrs of Mother Emmanuel. Two of those killed, the Rev. Clementa Pickney, pastor of Mother Emmanuel, and the Rev. Daniel Simmons, associate pastor, were graduates of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. The shooter, Dylann Roof, is a member of one of our (ELCA) congregations. One of our own shot and killed two who had adopted us as their own. All of a sudden, and for all of us in the ELCA, this was an intensely personal tragedy. Racism wasn't something outside of us; it was in us and had been all along. It is a funny thing about being confronted by the truth - it can lead to transformation. Our bishop in South Carolina talked with his African Methodist Episcopal colleagues. The shock and grief of the massacre was still raw. But inaction was no longer an option. So congregations, ELCA and AME, started meeting together to share a meal, watch the film "Selma" and then talk about the reality of racism. The youth of our churches met together to share a meal, watch the film "Remember the Titans" and talk about the reality of racism. It is a small step, but it is a start. We still have work to do. Within the ELCA, we have named the reality of institutional and structural racism. We have begun to pry Lutheran identity away from European descent identity. It is not culture and cuisine that define us but our common witness to the gospel. We recommit ourselves to work for racial justice and inclusion, to work against white privilege, and to be a church that truly welcomes all. We cannot do this work alone. We will work with ecumenical and interreligious partners. We will show up. We will speak up. We will act up. The martyrs of Mother Emmanuel were not the first victims of violence. Martin Luther King Jr. was not the first victim of violence. Our only hope is in the innocent One who was violently killed on Good Friday, Emmanuel, God with us. He was wounded for our transgressions including the deadly sin of racism. But as he rose from the dead, we are able to rise up. In Christ,
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| Consolidation updates: Joint Councils continue to meet monthly, most recently discussing the structure and function of the new congregation's council and committees.
Constitution Draft Recommendations Committee has completed many hours of review of both constitutions with progress being made on a draft constitution and bylaws for our new congregation.
Property Assessment Committees at both churches continue to review our properties, preparing lists of needed repairs. Written observations may be turned in to Don Ockrassa or Craig Pyle.
A lawyer is being consulted to advise with legal ramifications of consolidation process.
For questions about any of these issues or to provide input please refer to Know Your Church Council near the end of this publication for whom to contact. |
| Brown Bag Ministry Reminder from Karen Spears Food prices are increasing and the need for meals is holding steady to increasing. It is time to call for cash infusions. Donations for the Brown Bag Ministry can be placed either in the special brown envelope, available at the Brown Bag display table or in any envelope, marked as a Brown Bag Ministry donation, and placed in the offering plate. Your support of this vital program is very much appreciated. |
| On Going Building and Property Survey Don Ockrassa and Craig Pyle are in the process of doing a building and property survey as a part of the Consolidation Process. They are compiling a list of building problems and needs both of the main church property and the remaining annex property.
They will be accepting written lists of what individual church members see as needs. Hand your written observations to either Don or Craig.
Sometimes we live with problems so long that eventually we don't even see that they are there so your input may be an important supplement to their list. The word "written" is important. If it is important, it is worth writing down. Also there is the old saying, "What goes in one ear goes out the other."
Support Don's and Craig's hard work by writing your observations down. Once all needs have been identified, they will attempt to assign estimated costs to put things in order. A similar process is going on at Holy Trinity. Your lists should be turned in over the next month.
Submitted by: Judy Faye |
| Celebrating April Birthdays  April... 4-Marya Michelle Penn 17-Arrian McKinley and Corie Hervey 28-Enrique Arellano
Note: I am in the process of reconstructing the monthly birthday list. If I get it wrong or someone is left out for the month, please let me know. Contact me at judithfaye@aol.com or call or text me at (707) 980-9667. |
| Opportunities for Study Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice. This is a process statement from the ELCA and feedback from both women and men is sought. You can take a look at the statement and print it out at womenandjustice@elca.org. This is an interesting and challenging discussion for us to engage in and broad participation is encouraged. We will meet downstairs at the hosting service church.
Martha Circle, women's Bible Study using "Gather" magazine meets the third Thursday of each month in Fellowship Hall at St. Paul's. Bring your own bag lunch and dessert will be served by the monthly hostess.
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| Opportunities for Service Joint choir practice will meet upstairs at the hosting congregation at 8:45 AM under the direction of Dean Ahlberg. New singers are always welcome.
Food Basket Sunday. The first Sunday of each month when we are having service at St. Paul's. Food donations go to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties. Brown Bag Lunches for distribution to the homeless are located in Fellowship Hall. Sewing Ministry: The 1st Thursday of every month in Fellowship Hall from 1 to 4 pm. Both women and men are welcome. No prior sewing experience is required. |
"Without the discipline of prayer, the world retains its illusions. Without an hour of public prayers, or half hour of private prayer, or ten minutes of quiet meditation, or saying a brief prayer of gratitude before or after a meal, we forget that God is present in the world and in our life. When we remember to pray in the morning, when we are mindful of the present moment, when we set apart Saturday or Sunday as the Sabbath, God's special day of the week, then all of life, and all times and places, and all people that we see are transformed by the light of God. The more we pray--in the sense of living a prayerful life--the more we desire to be with God in prayer. Prayer creates in us a hunger and thirst to be with the One whom we have see shining through nature and moments in time, people and events." -Henri Nouwen-SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Christ's Care List
(Recent Additions or Updates) No new Recent Additions or Updates have been reported. Healing of body, mind, and spirit...
Keith Domingo broke his arm requiring recent surgery. He is will be on disability at least through April 16 and is being cared for by his wife Sonya.
Eugene Duquettee, diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and his sister, Sonya Domingo, as she cares for him.
Anita Patten recovering from gall bladder surgery.
Lisa Olson recently hospitalized is struggling with proper diagnosis issues, medication and diet adjustments.
The family of Carmen Harnish coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and still without electricity.
Gary Schumacher diagnosed with stage 3, non-small cell lung cancer as he continues in treatment. Steve Vad was in a recent motor cycle accident. We are thankful that his life was spared but he is healing from bruises and contusions and other injuries incurred. Those Who Grieve:
The family of Debbie Varson as they grieve the loss of her son. You will remember Debbie as our former church secretary. Those Who Need Long Term Prayer: Margaret Cole
Anna Hervey
Jan Jackson
Louisa Johnson and Don Johnson (as he provides care for Louisa) Gladys Jones (Kathy Campas-Sutin's mother) Caryl Kroan Don and Ila Stradal parents of Pr. Dawn. Angelika Shanley
Robin Slusher as she navigates the legal process in pursuit of justice for her granddaughter and other children at risk.
We also pray for: -
Those affected by hurricanes, earthquakes, fires and other natural disasters. Your support through Lutheran Disaster Response will bring hope and healing to those who have or will be affected. Donations can be made on line at ( http://www.elca.org/give) or call (800)638-3522. -
Pray for an end to acts of terrorism and hatred in our country and around the world. Pray also for those who hate that their hearts might be changed. Pray also that we will not become numb and will work toward sensible laws to discourage violence. -
The communities of both St. Paul's and Holy Trinity as we continue to explore the possibility of consolidation. -
An end to racism and its injustice -
A just and lasting peace in the Holy Land -
Refugees - Those serving the armed forces.
Please Note:
If you wish to add new prayer requests please contact Judy Faye at judithfaye@aol.com, or (707) 980-9667 or (707) 557-4531. When submitting new names, be sure to use an identifier such as friend of Karen Spears or daughter of Jessica Nelson. Also briefly tell us the reason you are requesting prayers such as recent surgery so people will know what to pray for. If you see names on the list that it is time to remove, your own, or an old submission please let Judy know. With the exception of the Long Term Category, Council has recommended that names will be placed on the list for one month and then removed unless a new request with an update is submitted. If a name disappears that you want to stay in, just contact Judy with the reason you are requesting continuing prayer and she will add it back.
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| Kindly Remember Submissions to The Weekly e-pistle are due on Tuesday of each week as we agreed to at our Congregation Meeting. If you submit an article late, and it still has significance for the next week it will be included then.
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| Know Your Church Council
Don Ockrassa, President (510) 719-7730, d.ockrassa@gmail.com Craig Pyle, Vice President (707) 645-7092, capylepe@pacbell.net Keith Domingo, Secretary (707) 373-2774, k-s-domingo@sbcglobal.net Corie Hervey, returning member (510) 691-2728 Kim Hervey, new member (707) 334-4872 (Use text messaging) Kathy Sutin , Church Treasurer, Ex officio member (707) 333-0150 (use text messaging) Rev. Dr. Dawn Roginski (650) 771-4241 Please know that you are free to contact your council members with questions you might have about church governance. Remember to be patient while waiting for a response as most council members hold full time jobs and volunteer their free time to the church. They will get back to you as soon as possible. You are also welcome to attend council meetings with the exception of occasional closed executive sessions dealing with such things as personnel matters. If you wish to get something on the council agenda for a regular council meeting, contact Keith Domingo. If you wish to view council minutes, they are on file in the office. Any council member can help you access these. Remember if you are viewing minutes, they do not become final and official until approved at the next meeting.
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