Dear Grace Family,
These announcements and prayer requests are being sent out every Thursday to inform us of what is happening in and the needs of our church. If you have an announcement or prayer request that you want to be included in next week’s email, please send it to office@gfccsf.org by Tuesday night.
Grace and peace, The Session and Staff of GFCC
Announcements for the week of 11/25/24
Join Us for Sunday Worship, December 1 at 10:00 AM
Pastor Al will be preaching from Micah 5:2-5; Jeremiah 33:14-16; Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7. “The Tenacity of Hope: From the Womb of the Prophets"
On our 41st Anniversary Last Sunday
Pastor Al’s sermon was “The Great Invitation: Be My People for the Sake of All Peoples”
Here is a small excerpt from his sermon:
“As we draw nearer and nearer to the heart of God, we will begin to sense strongly that it beats for all. Especially, the lost, the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized and the traumatized. We’ll begin to see what we are called to be, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. We will begin to see that God has called us all to a relationship to be God’s people, but for the sake of all people.
This is us, this is who we want to be!”
Pastor Paul led us in a litany
An excerpt is printed below. You can read the complete litany on the link:
This is Who We Are
Created in the Image of God
God’s loving hospitality
Delighting in what they have made.
We are God’s Beloved
This is Who We Are…Beheld
Shattered by the tragedy of sin
turning away from the face of God
All of creation feels the rippling effect of our
Self will and disordered loves…..
This is Who We Are Litany
If you want to re-listen to Pastor Al’s sermon (and any other previous sermons), you can do so on our church’s website.
Sermons | GFCC (gfccsf.org)
Sign the “This is Us” Document
Pastor Al, at the end of last week’s sermon, invited us to sign the “This is Us” document if we resonate with what is stated. This is a tangible way for us to say yes to who we are and why we exist.
The “This is Us” document will be left at the front of the sanctuary each Sunday. Please feel free to sign it.
If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Al or Pastor Paul.
This Is Us
Greening of the Church, Saturday, November 30, 10AM
Let’s prepare our church building for Advent (which begins on Sunday, December 1). Come join in the fun of putting up and decorating the tree, stringing up lights, hanging up garlands and more. Let’s have our church make a statement about the joy in welcoming our Savior!
Pizza Lunch will be provided!
Advent Retreat at the Mercy Center, December 6-7, 2024
2300 Adeline Dr.
Burlingame, CA 94010
The retreat team is looking forward to welcoming you to The Mercy Center on Friday, December 6th for our Advent Retreat. Overnight guests can arrive as early as 2 PM.
Friday Night's Schedule
Orientation for Overnight Guests @ 4:45 PM in the Oak Room
Dinner for Overnight Guests @ 5:30 in the Dining Room
Commuters Arrive @ 6:30 PM
First Session @ 6:45 PM in the Oak Room
When you arrive, please check in at the front desk for your lanyard.
More information is here Advent Retreat
Sharing Advent Hope Together, December 17, 7PM - 8:30PM at Church
As the season of Advent returns to our weary world, we ask, “How does a weary world rejoice?” Christ was born into a world of hardship—under a ruthless king and an oppressive empire, where poverty and suffering were widespread, yet He brought joy for all. From the opening chapters of Luke’s Gospel, we find answers: acknowledge our weariness, make room for God’s in-breaking presence, and trust in our belovedness.
Join in a casual evening to find joy in connection and share the hope in Emmanuel, God with us.
Advent Gallery Walk: Do you have an Advent or Christmas artifact that holds special meaning for you? Bring a nativity set, ornament, keepsake, or artwork, along with a brief description, to share in our gallery. Check out this example: Nativity Set
If you need printing help, send the short description to myfoo2210@yahoo.com by December 16th.
Testimony, Poem, or Musical Offering: How has God been meeting you in this weary world? Share a story, poem, or song . Email Mylene Foo at myfoo2210@yahoo.com by December 13th if you like to make an offering.
Refreshments: Would you like to bring your favorite treats to share? Your contributions of festive snacks will make our gathering even more delightful!
We look forward to celebrating this season of hope with you!
Christmas Eve Service, December 24 at 7PM at Church
Let’s welcome our Lord’s birth by gathering together to worship and celebrate on Christmas Eve.
For those who want to continue the fellowship after the service, we will have refreshments after the service.
If you wish to bring some Christmas goodies to share, let Jennifer or Caroline know.
Church Website
We do hope that you have had a chance to look at our website. If you notice any mistakes or things that need to be corrected or updated, please contact Brian Chinn.
www.gfccsf.org
Ministry Partners Update
2024 Alternative Gift List
It has been our congregation’s practice, during Christmas, to direct our monetary resources, away from purchasing gifts for each other, to different ministries. Here is the Integral Mission Team’s list of recipients for this year’s Alternative Gifts:
We will have the Alternative Gift Sheet (to indicate what gifts and amounts you wish to give) and Gift Cards available this Sunday.
As a reminder, here are GFCC’s 2024 Ministry Partners (their support is already a part of the church budget). All our partners are listed on the church website on the link below:
https://www.gfccsf.org/IntegralMission
Global
National
Agape Church
Deliberate Dialogues (Joy Kreider)
Intervarsity in Hawaii (Brenda Wong)
Maranatha Church
Oriented to Love (Christians for Social Action)
Local
Intervarsity in San Francisco (Brenden and Samantha Gutierrez-Graczak)
Jubilee Immigration Advocates
New College Berkeley
Rise University Preparatory
Jubilee Immigration Advocates (Randy Chang is the liaison)
Here is Jubilee's most recent post-election newsletter, launching their 2024 gift matching campaign.
https://mailchi.mp/jubileelegal/fall-2024-newsletter1-unshakablehope
If you would like to purchase an alternative gift card for Jubilee, please contact Clare between now and Dec 22nd.