In this Enews
- Worship Service with prayers, music links, and service video
- Videos of the week – celebrating joy and beauty
- Doing the Work: Confronting and Addressing Our Role in Systemic Racism
- Coming Soon - new church directory and new informal photo directory
- From Mission Committee – MOC Civic Academy & Food Pantry Volunteering
- Wednesday Zoom Book Study Information
- Women’s and Men’s Book Groups
- Zoom gathering instructions - Sundays 11 am, Wed 12 pm, Thurs 10 am
- Supporting our church’s ministry and mission
- Rental Housing Support Fund
+ + + +
Opening Song You Are Mine –
Be Not Afraid
Click here for video
Service Video – Welcome, Reading, Scripture and Sermon Click here for video on Vimeo
Welcome Pastor Cynthia Cochran-Carney
Reading Blessing on the Waves Read by Nancy Ridout
I cannot promise
that this blessing
will keep you afloat
as if by lashing these words
to your arms,
your ankles,
you could stop yourself
from going under.
The most this blessing
can do, perhaps,
is to stand beside you
in the boat,
place its hand
in the small of your back,
and push.
Be assured that
though this blessing
is eager to set you
in motion,
it will not
leave you forsaken,
will not compel you
to leap
where it has not already
stepped out.
These words
will go with you
across the waves.
These words
will accompany you
across the waters.
And if you
find yourself
flailing,
this blessing
will breathe itself
into you,
will breathe itself
through you
until you are
borne up
by the hands
that reach toward you,
the voice that
calls your name.
by Jan Richardson. janrichardson.com
Scripture verses Matthew 14:22-33
Sermon Power and Presence on Stormy Seas Cynthia Cochran-Carney
Click here for PDF of sermon
(video link listed at top of service)
Song – Nada Te Turbe Taize
Click here for PDF of song
Nada te turbe, nada te espante,
quien a Dios tiene, nada le falta:
Nada te turbe, nada te espante,
Solo Dios basta.
Nothing can trouble, Nothing can frighten.
Those who seek God shall never go wanting.
Nothing can trouble, Nothing can frighten.
God alone is enough.
Closing Words – Celtic Blessing
Deep peace of the running wave to you,
Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace of the shining stars to you,
Deep peace of the watching shepherds to you,
Deep peace of the Son of peace to you.
Online Service Production Team
Martha Wall, John Steiner, Alan Choy and Cynthia Cochran-Carney
Videographer – Karyn Kleinman
Songs included in this service are covered by streaming copyright license
One License #A-706502
Videos of the week - Finding beauty and joy each day
The largest virtual choir. Over 17,000 people performing. The first link is an interview with the director and about how he made the recording.
Here is the interview:
Click here to watch
Here is the performance of Eric Whitacre's "Sing Gently" - 4 min of music,
6 min of credits!!
Click here to watch
Blessing in Song - Bay Area Blessing
Click here for song
John Steiner – July photos and original music – Our own John Steiner traveled to Mt. Shasta, Burney Falls and Mt. Lassen at the end of the July. Here are his photos and music reflecting the beauty of creation.
Click here for photos and music
Doing the Work: Confronting and Addressing Our Role in Systemic Racism - Resources
13 Reasons for White Church Leaders to Do Anti-Racism in Their White Spaces
By Rev. Ryan Landino – Lead Presbyter for Great Rivers Presbytery and
Member of PC(USA) Special Committee on Racism Truth and Reconciliation
July 24, 2020
Click here to read
Dated List of our Enews Anti-Racism resources are now on the website and will be updated weekly.
Click here for list
New Church Directory coming soon
FPCSR is preparing a new church directory for all active members and friends.
It will include people’s names, addresses, home and cell numbers and email.
The directory will only be sent (pdf or paper copy) to those in the directory. Watch for an email about this project.
If you would prefer that some of your information not be published, please contact Ann Pope apope@fpcsr.org
Photo Directory Project – Let’s See Your Smiling Face!
We might be forgetting what people look like after all these months of sheltering in place and not being together. So a new project is being launched by our Church Life ministry for all active members and friends – an informal photo directory! Watch your email for more details. Each person or family groups will be invited to submit a recent photo by Sept. 6.
There will also be some collage pages to feature photos of what people have been doing during this pandemic and sheltering in place to survive and thrive. So take some pictures of what you have been up to.
From the Mission Committee
Marin Organizing Committee (MOC) Zoom Civic Academy on renter protections, August 13th or 18th. The FPCSR Mission Committee serves as the MOC Core Team for our church. We want to invite all members of our congregation to participate in this Zoom Civic Academy that focuses on renters who have lost their jobs and can’t pay rent, and 2) landlords who are not being paid rent and are at risk of default on mortgages and other bills. Click here for details to sign up.
Volunteer at Marin County Food Bank – Pop Up Pantry locations in San Rafael and Novato. Members of our church, including Lorna Wuertz and Ralph & Leslie Purdy, have volunteered at the pop up food banks distribution centers. They operate with CDC Covid protocols. Consider volunteering. Here is the link.
https://www.sfmfoodbank.org/community-volunteer-support/
Book Study and Wednesday Book Reflections on Zoom
Launching A New Adventure – Rebirthing the Church
The Rebirthing of God: Christianity’s Struggle for New Beginnings
By John Phillip Newell
Zoom Weekly Discussion – Wednesdays, 12:00 – 1:00 pm Pacific Time
Wednesday, August 12
Reconnecting with Unconscious
Chapter 7
Book Groups
Women’s Book Group
Our book for August is Crossing To Safety by Wallace Stegner. We will be meeting by Zoom on Wednesday, August 26 at 3:00 pm. All are welcome to join in the discussion. For more information contact Susan Isler susan.isler.sport@gmail.com
Men’s Book Group
We are meeting via Zoom at 8:30 am on Aug 13 and 27.
We are reading Just Mercy by Brian Stevenson. All men are welcome.
August 13, Introduction - Chapter 8
August 27, Chapter 9 - Epilogue.
For info contact Alan Pabst ajpabst@aol.com
Zoom Info for all gatherings
Click on link (includes password)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/738258079?pwd=Z3pKTXVYQU5TWTE4dXgxakd2dUtGZz09
or Click on link https://us04web.zoom.us/j/738258079
Password for the FPCSR Zoom room. 996359
Meeting ID: 738 258 079
Call in number 1-669-900-9128
Zoom Sundays Today 11:00 am – 11:45 Coffee Hour and Conversation
+ Share responses to the sermon and service based on your personal experiences.
Wednesday Book Study 12:00 noon
Wednesday Reflections focused on the book study. All are welcome.
Centering Prayer Thursdays 10:00 am
Contact Kay Collette for information kaycollette25@gmail.com
Financial Support
1) Send a check to the church
First Presbyterian Church, 1510 5th Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901
2) Set up automatic payments through your bank
3) Give on line through our secure link - https://www.fpcsr.org/giving
Rental Housing Support Update
Since the coronavirus has been spreading, some of the Hispanic families who are part of our church have lost their jobs or not able to work. The church set up an emergency fund to help people pay their rent and housing expenses starting in April. Since then we have helped 6 families with housing support each month ($3500 per month). Thank you for your generosity. The need for support continues since some businesses have not re-opened and some have closed permanently. Some people are dealing with effects of the virus in terms of being quarantined or caring for a family member.
Your contributions will help families stay housed.
Please consider making a contribution. To give online, Click here
Then choose – Other – note Rental Support.
Checks made out to First Presbyterian Church with a note – rental housing fund.
Contact our pastor Cynthia Cochran-Carney for more information.
ccochran-carney@fpcsr.org.
