This Sunday you are invited to bring a picture of your father or father-figure to church on Sunday to place on our Honoring Altar at the front. Framed pictures are preferred, but don’t let that keep you from bringing a picture as there will be places you can prop your picture up.
SUNDAY MORNING 10AM WORSHIP
June 21, 2026
For this service of worship for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost and our celebration of Father’s Day, we’ll explore the challenging story of Hagar as found in Genesis 21:8-21. Rev. Donald’s theme will be, “Never Forsaken.” In this story, Abraham does not exactly exemplify a great father, but God certainly teaches us what it means to be a faithful follower and parent through Hagar’s example. We will also be reflecting upon Psalm 86:1-7, known as a Prayer of David, but surely a prayer Hagar makes in the desert and one we can all make as we wander this wild world together.
Join us in person in San Marino or watch our Online Sunday Morning Worship via YouTube.
FROM OUR FRIENDS AT VOLUNTEER COLLECTIVE
April Newsletter Opener:
When the world changes too fast to make sense, we tend to use familiar words as placeholders and metaphors for the new things we don’t understand yet.
Here are a few examples: you’re looking at your device’s screen, not a “window” or a “desktop.” That thing that some of you still move around on your actual desktop isn’t really a “mouse”…
Why are words so important? Because words are the building blocks of the stories we tell ourselves and share with each other. Words make us feel: happy, sad, nervous, comfortable – confident, even. Words don’t just describe reality, they create our sense of reality.
It turns out that our words and stories also create our identities. When we use words to describe our volunteer experiences, we start to think about ourselves differently. And in a world where we so often feel like we don’t matter, what better way to remind ourselves of who we really are?
Viktor Frankl, Erik Erikson, Dan McAdams and others have written for decades about how our sense of purpose can drive our actions and get us through the most challenging times, and how the stories we tell about those events come to define our stories and our identities.
Once we tell ourselves we are strong, or capable, or generous, or collaborative, we tend to do things that make those messages true.
Psychologists have documented a phenomenon called identity consolidation. When we act generously over time, we begin to see ourselves as generous people. And once we see ourselves that way, we begin making choices consistent with that identity. We become more likely to volunteer again. More likely to be honest. More resilient.
The behavior shapes the belief. The belief guides the action. Taking and repeating the action creates the identity.
When a person spends a few shifts or weeks solving a real problem for a real community, they don’t just feel better. They become someone different. Someone with agency. Someone who matters.
Volunteering just once – and talking or writing about it – is an important step on the path to becoming the star of your story.
We are an OPEN & AFFIRMING (ONA) member of the United Church of Christ.
ONA churches have adopted an “Open and Affirming” covenant welcoming all people, without regard to sexual orientation and gender identity, into the life and ministry of the congregation.
WHERE ARE WE?
San Marino Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
2560 Huntington Drive
San Marino, CA 91108
626.292.2080
Our campus is located on Huntington Drive in San Marino where Winston meets Del Mar.
It is across the street from San Marino High School 1/2 block West.
Our parking lot is on the south side of the Sanctuary with ample street parking on Del Mar Ave. and Huntington Drive.
See our Campus Map
Our restrooms are wheel chair accessible & there is a ramp directly in front of the sanctuary building.