In this Enews
- Worship Service with prayers, music links, special music and service video
- Update from our Pastor – Patio worship in September
- Good News to Share: Baby Isla
- Doing the Work: Confronting and Addressing Our Role in Systemic Racism
- Reminder: church directory and informal photo directory
- From Mission Committee – Pedal for Protein at home edition
- Wednesday Zoom Book Study Information – The rebirthing of the church
- 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
+ + + +
Opening Song Shelter Me by Michael Joncas recorded by Spiritu
Virtual choir and musicians
Click here for song
Service Video – Welcome, Reading, Handbell Solo, Scripture, Sermon and Song
Click here for video on Vimeo
Welcome Pastor Cynthia Cochran-Carney
Reading Psalm 124 read by Mike Stone
If it were not for You, O Beloved,
You who make all things new,
fear and chaos would reign
in every heart;
in You will I trust.
When doubt threatens to overwhelm
and separate me,
when anger makes me blind,
Then You, O Merciful One,
are ever-ready
to awaken the holy, the sacred
within me;
Then do your Living Streams of Grace
enfold me.
Blessed are You, who are a very
Presence to us,
A comfort to troubled hearts!
Grant us the strength of eagle wings,
The courage to soar to new heights!
Break with us the bonds of fear
That we may live with love!
Our guidance comes from You,
O Counselor,
Blessed are You, O Giver of Life.
Beloved of my heart.
- from Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill
Special Music Be Still My Soul
arrangement by Christine D. Anderson and Anna Laura Page
Finlandia by Jean Sebelius
Marquise Usher, Handbells
John Steiner, piano
Scripture verses Exodus 1:15-21
Sermon Call the Midwives: A Story of Courage and Faith
Cynthia Cochran-Carney
Click here for PDF of sermon
(video link listed at top of service)
Song In the Arms of God by John Steiner
Mary Pritchard, singer
In the arms of God we're held
In the eyes of God we're adored
In the heart of God we dwell now and forever more
Closing Words
Holy One, we told your story today as a conspiracy of hearts;
The defiant midwives,
the laboring women,
joined forces to protect the Hebrew children
and so set the stage for liberation.
Show us the gifts we have
to offer in the service of your kin-dom--
resilience, clear-sightedness, courage, compassion—
setting the stage for The Beloved Community.
Show us your ways of love each day.
Amen.
Online Service Production Team
Martha Wall, John Steiner, Alan Choy and Cynthia Cochran-Carney
Filming & Video Production – Karyn Kleinman
Songs included in this service are covered by streaming copyright license
One License #A-706502
Updates from Our Pastor – Roofless Church in September
Cynthia Cochran-Carney
Dear friends,
The session and Re-Opening Task Force have approved outdoor services for Sundays in September. Active members and friends will receive an email or phone call on Monday, August 24 with an invitation to make a reservation. Our online worship services and Sunday Zoom 11:00 gatherings will continue. If you are comfortable attending a service a wearing mask, maintaining 6 ft physical distancing, and following other Marin County Health & CDC protocols, consider making a reservation starting Aug. 24.
Roofless Church
Under the Redwoods
Sundays Sept. 6, 13, 20 and 27
9:00 am – 9:45 am
Front patio of FPCSR – enter off of E street
Reservations required – limited space
Info will be sent regarding making reservations this week
We continue to pray for those fighting the fires throughout California, those who have been evacuated, those who wait to find out what has happened to their homes, and those whose homes were destroyed. As we find out how our congregation can be offer help and support, we will let you know. This has been such a difficult week with the fires and smoke on top of Covid concerns, economic losses and horribly hot days. It is hard to hold all of this. Be gentle with yourself. It is okay to go slow. Take time to be quiet and let the peace of the Holy One fill you.
Grace and peace,
Cynthia
Cynthia Cochran-Carney
Some Good News – Here’s Baby Isla
Our Graphics Designer Nicole Cuzzi and her husband Joel welcomed baby Isla in May. Here are some recent pictures of her at 3 months old. Nicole said that life with Isla is going well. Isla is a happy baby who eats and sleeps well. Adapting to all the changes with a newborn is challenging, but watching Isla grow and express her own personality has been a joy.
We hope to have an outdoor baby shower for Nicole and Isla sometime in September.
Doing the Work: Confronting and Addressing Our Role in Systemic Racism - Resources
PCUSA – Black Lives Matter – Week of action August 24 - 31
The Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) is sponsoring a week of anti-racism education, spiritual renewal and action. Click on the link to learn more.
https://www.pcusa.org/weekofaction/
Premiere of new documentary from PCUSA “Trouble the Water: Conversations to Disrupt Racism and Dominance.”
Click here to learn more
Dated List of our Enews Anti-Racism resources from are 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.
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!
A new project is being launched by our Congregational Life ministry for all active members and friends – an informal photo directory! Each person or family groups is invited to submit a recent photo by Sept. 6. See email sent out for details. 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.
For more info, contact Ginny Schultz virginia_schultz@hotmail.com
From the Mission Committee
Pedal for Protein
The annual Pedal for Protein held in September in Northern CA that raises money for local food banks and pantries will be different this year. Click here to read about how you can log miles and/or donate money to this important mission project. Dan Crawford and Ralph Purdy (pictured above) are the co-leaders for our church and have already started pedaling miles to raise funds.
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 26
Reconnecting with Love
Chapter 8 pages 112-119
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 27.
We are reading Just Mercy by Brian Stevenson.
August 27, Chapter 9 - Epilogue.
For our September books, we have Fascism: A Warning by Madeleine Albright
September 10, Chapter 1 - 9
September 24, Chapters 17 - 17
All men are welcome.
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
