MARCH 7, 2018

Your weekly update about what’s happening at San Marino Congregational United Church of Christ!

“O give thanks to God, for God is good;  for God’s steadfast love endures forever.”
(Psalm 107:1)

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PRAYER REQUESTS: For the sake of privacy, we do not include prayer requests in our online posts.

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WHAT’S Happening

We continue to partner in prayer for and with a small group of local mothers, Esther, Annie and Jen who have committed themselves to praying for the community of San Marino and for the safety of the schools and peace in the city.  These young mothers walk the perimeter of the city offering prayers for all in our area.

Thursday:  7pm The United Voices rehearse – Sanctuary

Friday:  7:00 p.m. – Irvine UCC presents a lecture and dinner event featuring Amy-Jill Levine:  Amy-Jill Levine is a nationally recognized scholar and in-demand speaker who describes herself as “a Yankee Jewish feminist.” Her work on Christian origins and texts is enhanced by her own religious practice as an Orthodox Jew, as she applies her familiarity with Judaism and Jewish thought to Christian texts and especially the life and teachings of Jesus.  Ms. Levine will be at Irvine United Congregational Church for one lecture at 7 p.m. this Friday (a dinner will be available for additional charge at 6 p.m.). She will be the featured Founders Day speaker at Chapman University this Saturday and will speak again in Irvine for both worship services (9:30 & 11 a.m.) this Sunday.  More information and registration details can be found at:  www.iucc.org

Saturday:  6:00 p.m. – Spirit and the Screen:  Kedi is a delightful documentary about the street cats of Istanbul and the humans who care for them.  See why TIME Magazine calls it: “One of the Ten Best Films of 2017.”  Dinner (provided) and discussion.  RSVP to Susan or the church office.  Kedi is subtitled but all-ages appropriate.

SPRING YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR BEFORE YOU GO TO BED SATURDAY NIGHT!

THIS SUNDAY, March 11 – 10:00 a.m. Worship.  We continue our Lenten journey as we celebrate the Fourth Sunday in Lent. Pastor Donald will explore both Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 and John 3:14-21 as we contemplate God’s goodness.  There will be a special story for the children and the United Voices will sing an anthem for the Lenten season by Douglas E. Wagner, “And No Bird Sang.”  David Crist will be our liturgist.

We will receive our One Great Hour of Sharing special offering this Sunday during our Sharing Time.

We continue to collect coins for our local Ronald McDonald House.  Please bring in your pennies and loose change to put in our big jar at children’s time.

After worship, everyone is invited to Crist Hall for a time of fellowship and snacks.  Yum!

The Board of Trustees will meet after worship downstairs in The Wonder Room.

MONDAY:  Lunch Bunch meets at noon at President Thai restaurant located at 498 South Rosemead Boulevard in Pasadena.  Join us!

COMING UP:

Saturday, March 17 – All Church Retreat 9am-4:30pm at Monrovia Canyon.  All are invited.  If you need a ride up the mountain (and back), please contact Pastor Donald at the church office.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES:

March 25:  Palm Sunday worship at 10am at San Marino UCC.

March 29: Maundy Thursday 6pm Supper/7pm service at San Marino UCC.

March 30:  Good Friday service at 7pm at Montebello Plymouth Congregational Church (no meal included).  A carpool will leave from our church parking lot at 6:30pm.

April 1:  EASTER service at San Marino UCC at 10am.

Please Help us Provide Lilies for Easter:

Easter is on its way. As we journey through Lent you will have the opportunity to donate lilies. Watch for dedications in the Sunday bulletins, starting March 11 and continuing through Palm Sunday, March 25.  You can also call or email Kim in the office to arrange for a lily on your behalf: (626) 292-2080 or kimvh@sanmarinoucc.org. Access the form here to print out and mail or drop off at church.

From Dr. Bret Naylor:

2017 Penny Collection

Over the past year we have been collecting your pennies, etc. during the Children’s Time. I’m pleased to report that after (finally) getting the change counted we have raised nearly $134, including over 9000 pennies, for the Fellowship of the Least Coin. Thank you all for your contributions! We will continue to collect your change for Ronald McDonald House in the coming year. 

Brandon and Maya’s Read-A-Thon

As we announced in church on Sunday, our favorite school fundraiser, the Read-a-Thon, is back! Thank you so much to those who have already donated, and if you haven’t yet and are considering it here are the links to our pages:

Maya’s page is:
https://www.read-a-thon.com/reader/2112519847
and Brandon’s Page is:
https://www.read-a-thon.com/reader/2112520749

Thank you for your generous support!

ONGOING SERVICE PROJECTS:

BRING IN YOUR PENNIES AND PULLTABS:

A penny coin means as much to us now as it did years ago.  Saving your pennies to give to our Penny Jar for the Ronald McDonald House in Pasadena helps the many families who come to stay there while their child is in the hospital.

You can also “PULL” for the Ronald McDonald House by collecting tabs of all sizes from soda, cat and dog food, food cans, tennis ball canisters, etc.  One tab on its own may not be worth much, but if we all “pull together” we can make a difference.

BENEFITTING THE HOMELESS THROUGH SAN MARINO POLICE DEPT. We aren’t sure when the department will need more bags with water, two sources of protein, a source of fruit, and a nut/sweet item but welcome contributions of these items in any size and at any time as we store them in readiness for the next request.  Additionally, they have asked us to collect new/gently used sweaters & sweatshirts, new socks, and new/gently used blankets (including solar blankets).  Please put any contributions in the marked box in the Narthex.

SEYMOUR FAMILY CENTER PROJECT:

HELP US COLLECT FOR THE HOMELESS:  We continue to seek items throughout the year for the Jeff Seymour Family Center in El Monte who provides for the homeless and their children.  Baskets are available in the narthex for your contributions of: new packages of diapers (all sizes), baby wipes, feminine hygiene items, and travel sizes of:  •deodorant, •antibacterial wipes, •cream/lotion, •sunscreen, •toothpaste, • toothbrushes, •soap, etc..  Nothing in large packages, please as most recipients have no place to store such items.

LIZ CAMERON FOOD PANTRY:

Every day children and their families go hungry, right here in our own community.  By supporting our neighborhood food bank at La Casa by donating food items to our food pantry, you are helping to solve this problem!  Food donations go directly to families who otherwise might not have enough to eat.

 Ongoing requests:

  • beans and rice (in smaller bags – NOT large quantities)
  • bags of pasta
  • boxes of cereal (NOT the larger sizes)
  • canned proteins (tuna, chicken, ham, etc.)
  • pasta sauce