Sunday, September 15, 2024


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 09/09/24




Join Us for Sunday Worship, September 15 at 10:00 AM

Pastor Al will be preaching from Exodus 1:8-22.  “Hope Amid Oppression: The Midwives and the Subversion of Empire”







Journey Through Exodus With Us During Our Sunday Service

What does the ancient story of Exodus have to say to us in the 21st century? Much! The story is replete with themes such as oppression and liberation, community and empire, calling and faithfulness, sin and grace.



Starting last Sunday, we will journey through the book of Exodus as we continue to explore what biblical freedom looks like in the world. Indeed, Christian freedom has social implications. Exodus is a story of liberation of a people to become God’s people; but not to form some kind of exclusive club that enjoys the blessings of God at the expense of the rest of the world. Their liberation to be God’s people was/is for the sake of all peoples, especially for those enslaved by poverty, injustice, marginalization, and alienation.



Let’s prepare our hearts, heads, and hands as we embark on begin the new series, Liberated to be God’s People for All Peoples: Journeying Through Exodus







Youth Church School, September 15

This Sunday, Lisa Greenhill will continue her sharing during church school. Note the youth and children will now dismiss after the scripture reading. Thank you Lisa for sharing your story.







Reimagining Spiritual Formation, Wednesdays 7-8:30 PM @ GFCC

Join us for a Fall series beginning on Wednesday, September 18 at 7 PM as we explore what spiritual formation is and how we can create a rich, brave space for its flourishing in us. This in-person biweekly series will combine teaching, dialogue and breakout spaces for engaging how God is at work and how we participate in God’s life. Important themes include formation as a journey, restoration, vulnerability, authenticity, listening and companionship.



September 18

October 2

October 16

October 30

November 13







Youth Friday Nights begin on September 20, 2024, 7-9 PM

GFCC Youth joining Redeemer youth on Friday nights beginning on September 20, 2024. Youth nights are every other week at 1224 Fairfax Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124. For more information, contact Pastor Paul. 







Pastor BK Woodson Will Be Our Guest Preacher on Sunday, September 22

Servant BK is a pastor, father, community organizer, musician, author and ardent advocate for human rights. He is active in many community organizations and teaches adult learners at the Leadership Institute at Allen Temple. His many years of pastoring have been centered on the uplift of those who constitute the least, the looked over, the left behind and the lost. His church feeds the community, shelters those reentering the mainstream, and serves as the host to many community groups/organizations and is a warm place of worship and education.  He is the author of Purplynd (which is presently on our library book cart.)



BK Woodson Bio







This Is Us Quilt - Thank You to Irene Who Lovingly Stitched our Words and Crumbs Together






Every week, the words that were given and stitched will be shared.  Here are a few of the words (in no particular order):

Joy

Healing for Mission

Reshape Exile

Amada

I Just Need You

Promise

Slay!

The Spirit Covers Us!

Goodness

Luke 15:1-7

Amen!

What no eye has seen, Beauty in the storm







Nominating Committee 

We are pleased to announce the slate of nominees.

Session Elder (2025-2027):

Albert Jew

Jensa Woo

(Mike Peterson will be retiring from Session at the end of 2024)



Albert has been nominated to serve a second three-year term.



Nominating Committee (2025-2026)

Matt Crawford

Paul Yee

(Heidi McLauglin and Sharon Jung-Verdi are retiring from the NomCom at the of 2024)



We are receiving Confirmation Ballots until Sunday, September 29, 2024.  If you are a GFCC member that is eligible to vote, you should have received an email with a link to the online ballot.  If you have not received this email, please reach out to Shane Chao via nomcom2024@gfccsf.org.  If you prefer to vote by paper ballot, please reach out to Shane.







Church Family Barbecue at Washington Park in Burlingame, Saturday, September 28, 10AM - 4PM

Plan on coming that day for a barbecue, games(?) and good fellowship.  This will be a good opportunity to invite your family and friends.



To get an accurate headcount of who is coming (so we know how much meat to purchase), please indicate your attendance on the below link:



Please feel free to bring side dishes, desserts and drinks.  You can sign up below:




Come Join Us for an Evening with Bill Clark, Saturday, October 19

Bill Clark is the U.S. Northwest Program Director for Peace Catalyst International.  He will be preaching on Sunday, October 20.  But the day before, we get the chance to hear more about his ministry with the Uyghurs in China. 



Stay tuned for more information.







Advent Retreat at the Mercy Center, December 6-7, 2024 

Join us for a retreat at The Mercy Center in Burlingame, titled "Curiosity, Doubt and Hope: An Advent Journey"



Participation Options (Early Bird Price):

  • Overnight rate = $225 per person includes accommodations, meals (includes dinner Friday night, breakfast and lunch on Saturday) and retreat costs.


  • Commuter rate =  $140 per person (only lunch on Saturday is included)


As we need an accurate count for planning purposes, please indicate whether you will be attending the retreat on the attached sign up sheet. For early bird pricing, payment must be received by October 1. Use the dropdown menu in our giving portal to complete payment.



If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Paul.





Ministry Partners Update



New College Berkeley Event - Staying Spiritually Centered in the Political Storm:  A Mini-Retreat, Friday, September 27



Has this election season been a little overwhelming?  Finding yourself either news-obsessed or fleeing from it altogether?  Rev. Dr. Steve Wong, Rev. Tammy Long, and Karen Seth will offer a space for processing the current moment, offering perspective, and practicing contemplative prayer to help center us beyond "fight or flight."  The goal is for a spiritual groundedness that frees us to give our attention to what it means to follow Jesus and for the Church to bear faithful witness to the hope of the gospel in these uncertain times.  In this mini-retreat, there will be time for sharing, practical considerations, and prayerful contemplation in small groups. 



You can register using the below link:



Register – Staying Spiritually Centered in the Political Storm: A Mini-Retreat – South Bay Community Church (tickettailor.com)









Community Events



Valencia Street Changes

Many San Franciscans, old and new, live on Valencia Street because they can walk to culture, coffee, nightlife, good food and community resources.  The SFMTA (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) is making plans for a Side-Running Bike Lane (SRBL).  If you are interested in seeing the proposed designs for the SRBL, have questions or want to provide feedback, please see the below brochure for more information.



Valencia Street Bikeway


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