Current News

New Worship Series and Bible Study begins on Sunday, October 8^th

The Holy Spirit’s power is constantly changing, reforming, and revitalizing the Church. This worship and Bible Study series will use scripture to examine our in such transitional work. We will read, study, and discuss texts related to seven positive indicators (referred to as marks of congregational vitality) that communities of faith can possess. Along the way, we’ll examine:

1. Lifelong Discipleship Formation (Acts 2:42-47)

2. Intentional Authentic Evangelism (John 4:1-41)

3. Outward Incarnational Focus (Romans 12:1-21)

4. Empower Servant Leadership (John 13:1-20)

5. Spirit-Inspired Worship (Isaiah 6:1-8)

6. Caring Relationships (Galatians 6:1-10)

7. Living a Wholehearted Faith (Mark 12:28-34)

The Session has approved at their May meeting adjusting our in-person COVID protocols as of Monday, May 22, 2023. We will make wearing masks optional for gathering indoors at the church.

We made this decision based on the reduced risk levels in the Bay Area, and the fact that practices of mandated mask wearing is largely gone in our community, even in medical settings.

Please note that we will continue other aspects for in-person gathering, including:
• Taking individual attendance at each event by the organizer/convener
• Asking that any attendee report to the church if they acquire COVID so we can let others know to test
Finally, this is an adjustment of our practice at this time. If circumstances change, we will adjust our practice accordingly.

PS – We recognize and support anyone who continues to mask at the church.

You may have noticed that the cross on top of our church Bell Tower is standing straight and tall these days! Yes, it had been leaning at times, and then would get straightened back up by one of our church members (!), but alas, it would begin to lean again a few months later.

We are so grateful to Alma Drown’s children, who generously funded the repairs needed to secure the cross once and for all! Years ago, Alma’s first husband, Donald Lenters (who was an elder and deacon at our church) worked for the Ditzler Paint Company. Sometime in the 1960’s, Alma and Donald’s children remember the cross from the church steeple sitting in their driveway, on some newspapers, as their dad painted it and got it ready to be placed up on the steeple. Upon noticing that the cross was leaning during these past couple of years, the children recently reached out to the church to fund whatever repairs necessary so that it could be safely secured.

Our Building and Grounds Committee contacted our roof contractor (Kevin Reed), and he was able to come up with a plan for considerable reconstruction up in the bell tower, removing a portion of the roof, replacing rotten wood as well as refabricating the base on the metal cross, so that it could be secure and remain that way, hopefully forever!

The work has been completed, and if you would like to see photographs of the work in progress, just stop by the church office and we’ll be happy to share the notebook that chronicles the project. Again, our sincere thanks to the Lenters’ children (Derk, John, Susan and Jim)!!

Have you seen people sitting in front of the grocery store, or standing on the street corner, asking for help? We encourage you give them a Manna Meal, which contains food that will feed them for the day, along with water bottles and a Christian note of encouragement.

Gil DeHoyos will be in the parking lot on Sunday, September 6  between 2 and 3 pm, so that when you bring foods to contribute to our “Greet and Give” event, you may also buy a Manna Meal or two, to have handy in your car for the next time you need it.  The cost for each Manna Meal is $5 – please bring cash (correct change is helpful), or you may write a check payable to FPCSL to cover the cost of your Manna Meal(s).

There are other food ministries in our community that are equipped to help people with their needs, including food, medical referrals, job training, and more. Here are a few of these resources:

• Davis Street Family Resource Center
• Alameda County Community Food Bank
• April Showers
• All Saints Episcopal Church Food Pantry

Also, please DO NOT give people money who come to the church on Sunday mornings and ask for a hand out. Again, this is not helpful and only en- courages further such requests. Often money given goes to sup- port an alcohol or drug addiction, so your “help” turns out to be counter-productive. Instead, find them a brochure about available community resources (which is available in the church narthex by the usher station). Thank you.