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. Please send any announcements or prayer requests to office@gfccsf.org by Tuesday evening.
Grace and peace,The Session and Staff of GFCC
Announcements for the Week of 2/3/25
Join Us for Sunday Worship, February 9 at 10:00 AM
Pastor Paul will be preaching from Exodus 25:1-22. “Sacred Spaces”
Last Week, Pastor Al preached on “The Covenant Seal: The Blood That Leads to Access:
Significance of Blood in the Covenant
Blood is Life
Blood is Forgiveness
Blood is Commitment
Blood is Access
For our consideration
PowerPoint Slides from 2/2/25
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)
Amaya Gutierrez-Graczak Dedication, Sunday, February 9
On Sunday, we will all be witnessing the dedication of Brenden’s and Samantha’s daughter, Amaya.
Spiritual Formation Spaces
Beginning the week of February 10, four groups will meet to explore Richard Rohr’s book, Falling Upward. The schedule will be every other week.
Please obtain your own copy of Falling Upward. The book is available from Amazon.com, but you can purchase from your favorite bookstore or vendor. Please note that Falling Upward is a hardback book. If you see it in paperback, it is the Companion Book.
Falling Upward on Amazon.com: Books
Falling Upward is available as an audiobook on Hoopla through the public library, if you have a library card. Richard Rohr is the reader.
If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Paul.
Affinity Group Meeting, Thursday, February 13 at 6PM
The affinity group for young adults to age 45 (including couples) are meeting at church on Thursday, February 13. The group will begin by having dinner together. Childcare will be provided.
Feel free to invite your friends. For purposes of preparing food, please let Pastor Al or Caroline know if guests are coming.
Any questions, please contact Pastor Al.
Cultivating Creation Care Communities, Saturday, February 15, 9AM - 3PM
Have you ever longed to see your church respond to the climate crisis with prophetic imagination? Would you like to be part of a community moving from despair to hope? If so, come join Rev Dr. Ben Lowe and other experienced creation caregivers for an action-focused workshop empowering Bay Area churches to birth and nourish Creation Care Communities.
eventbrite description
Rev. Dr. Ben Lowe Will be Preaching on Sunday, February 16
Ben is the Executive Director of A Rocha USA. A Rocha USA is part of a worldwide family of A Rocha organizations spanning more than 20 countries, with a 40-year history of caring for creation. Our name means ‘the rock’ in Portuguese (our first initiative was a field study center in Portugal). Our global vision is to see a world where nature flourishes as people live equitably and sustainably.
Ben Lowe
In addition, Redeemer Community Church will be joining for Sunday worship.
If you are able to help provide additional refreshments for that morning, please let Jennifer, Samantha or Caroline know.
February 23 Love Feast
When we were reading Christine Aroney-Sine’s The GIft of Wonder, we were encouraged to unleash our inner child. One of our childhood memories may be the comfort food that we ate when we were sick or when we were “down.”
We invite you during our February Love Feast to share your favorite comfort food. Perhaps jook, Campbell’s chicken noodle soup, mac ‘n cheese, beef stew, spaghetti and meatballs, rocky road ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, potato chips, etc…
Please let Samantha, Jennifer or Caroline know if you would like to share your comfort food during our next Love Feast.
Scripture Readers are Needed
Help serve our congregation by being a Scripture Reader for our Sunday services. You can sign up on the attached sheet. If you have any questions, contact Elaine Fong-Joe.
Scripture Reading Sign-Up
An Invitation to Praise the Lord
"It is good to praise the Lord." (Psalm 92:1). You are invited to lead us in a prayer of adoration in the upcoming weeks. Here is the link if you would like to participate. We only have sign-ups until the beginning of Lent, but we will post more later on as we move forward with our planning.
Note that you can find the link to sign up in the gray box below.
Please reach out to worshipcoordinator@gfccsf.org if you have any questions.
Community Events
Ministry Partners Update
Update from Jubilee Immigration Advocates (Randy Chang is the Ministry Liaison)
“We are so grateful for your support during these dark times. Thank you for helping us raise over $72,000 with our end-of-the-year matching campaign! The generosity of our community of supporters never ceases to amaze us.
Since November, our team has been responding to the flurry of calls from undocumented immigrants who are confused and afraid for their futures….”
Continue reading:
https://mailchi.mp/jubileelegal/jan-2025-newsletter-standing-with-unshakable-hope
New College Berkeley Upcoming Events in February and March (Karen Andrews is the Ministry Liaison)
New events released! Don't miss these opportunities
In Particular, New College Berkeley has an Event on Saturday, February 15 - Bearers of God’s Image: Beauty & Dignity Amidst Dehumanizing Polarization
Division, fear and egregious behaviors abound in this political moment. Is there something in Christianity that points a way toward unity and harmony? Is there potential to make the task of political engagement more charitable, hospitable and, in a word, Christ-honoring? In this workshop, Dr. “Joey” Alan Le will examine the relationship between human dignity and the Imago Dei.
Register – Bearers of God’s Image: Beauty & Dignity Amidst Dehumanizing Polarization – New Life Church of the Nazarene
Thank you Messages from our Ministry Partners
Agape Church (Alejandro Juarez is the Ministry Liaison)
Jubilee Immigration Advocates (Randy Chiang is the Ministry Liaison)
Casa Cuenca (A Rocha USA) (A Recipient of the 2024 Alternative Gifts)
Langham Partnership (A Recipient of the 2024 Alternative Gifts)