First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael
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Worship Services Nov. 22
Online worship on YouTube and Vimeo - sent Sat. 4 pm & Sun. 8 am
Preacher: Cynthia Cochran-Carney
Featuring our FPCSR Virtual Choir
Sunday Gathering at 11:00 am on Zoom
Reflections on the sermon and service
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- News from Cynthia - stopping indoor worship services
- Church Office Closed This Week
- Stewardship Update
- Pictures from packing Thanksgiving Bags
- Wednesday Conversations
- Invitation for The Street Chaplaincy Thanksgiving Eve Service, Nov. 25 6 pm
- Women's and Men's Book Groups
- MOC workshops
- Zoom gathering instructions - Sundays 11 am, Wed 11 am, Thurs 10 am
- Supporting our church’s ministry and mission
Church Calendar https://www.fpcsr.org/church-calendar
Please submit items for the Thursday Enews to Nicole Cuzzi ncuzzi@fpcsr.org by Wednesday mornings at 9:00 am to be included in upcoming week.
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News from Cynthia
Dear Friends,
The session and I have been thinking, praying and talking regarding next steps for worship services. As you heard on Monday, Governor Newsome applied the “emergency brake" in California, sending Marin County from the orange to red category of COVID-19 protocols. This recent shift in the state and county is making people feel even more cautious and stressed. In light of these recent developments, the session voted to stop in-person indoor services for our congregation until further notice.
Our Roofless Church services in September, October and November and last Sunday's indoor service were meaningful and as safe as possible. The county still shows that Faith Communities may worship indoors with 25% capacity which we were well under. However, the recent message from local and state leaders is not to gather indoors with people outside your family bubble in this holiday season. Our church will support and follow this message. We offer our prayers and support for those who have suffered from this pandemic and commit ourselves to do whatever is necessary to ensure the health and wellbeing of as many people as possible.
It is a joy for me to plan the in-person and online services with our Worship Committee and music staff. I pray that our congregation and online community continue to experience the Spirit's love and grace through the variety of services we offer. Online services will continue. I trust the upcoming Advent online video services with our choirs and guest musicians will be a special source of joy even as we look forward to gathering again in person.
As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I am grateful for Anne Lamott and how her writings have been a source of spiritual water when my soul is dry and parched. In her book, Help, Thanks, Wow: Three Essential Prayers, she reminds us that it is bold to pray “thanks.” Prayers of gratefulness shape a pattern in us; they create a disposition of our hearts toward wonder, aliveness, surprise, hope, and love. Gratitude is an infilling with things that enliven us.
May God's grace and peace be with you in this season of giving thanks,
Cynthia
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 The church office will be closed this week November 23 - 27. Our Operations Manager, Ann Pope, will be on vacation. If you need to stop by the church office, please let our pastor Cynthia Cochran-Carney know and she can help you. ccochran-carney@fpcsr.org
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 Stewardship Update There is good news!
Thank you to all of you who have sent in your 2021 Pledges. Our current projection for 2021 pledges is between $275,000 and $280,000 – between $5,000 and $10,000 more than what was pledged for 2020. This is great news, particularly in these tough times and with an anticipated shortfall of rental income in 2021. Thank you so much for your generosity! We have 7 new pledges – some from new members and some from current. Current pledges received are $263,962
For those of you who have not sent in a pledge, just a reminder to please turn them in as soon as possible. Session is working on the 2021 budget and it is very helpful to know what our income will be as much as possible.
The Stewardship Committee
Susan Bryant, Steve Astle, Ralph and Leslie Purdy, Cynthia Cochran-Carney
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50 Thanksgiving Bags Packed Last Sunday for the Ritter Center
Thank you for sharing and loving our neighbors!
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Invitation for The Street Chaplaincy Thanksgiving Eve Service,
Nov. 25, 7:00 pm
Join Us for
The Street Chaplaincy's
23rd Annual Interfaith
Thanksgiving Eve Service
Wednesday, November 25 @ 7:00 pm
RSVP for Online Link @
www.streetchaplaincy.org/events
(emailed prior to service)
An Evening of Music and Reflections
Celebrating & Giving Thanks for Community!
*Since the service is virtual please donate and TSC will purchase
sleeping bags, blankets, rain gear and socks for our friends on the street
to distribute at a special meal earlier in the week.
An offering will be received to support the work of
The Street Chaplaincy or you can
Donate to the Holiday Fundraiser
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Book Groups
 Women’s Book Group
The Women’s Book Group will meet again on the last Wednesday in December via Zoom. The book to be discussed is Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger.
All women are welcome to join this conversation on December 30 at 3:00 pm.
If you have questions please contact susan.isler.sport@gmail.com
415-272-2526
 Men’s Book Group
We are meeting via Zoom at 8:30 am in November.
Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World by Fareed Zakaria:
December 10: Lesson 6 to Conclusion
A Crack in Creation by Jennifer A. Doudna & Samuel H. Sternberg
January 14: Prologue to Command and Control
January 28: The Task to Epilogue
All men are welcome.
For info contact Alan Pabst ajpabst@aol.com
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Marin Organizing Committee (MOC) leadership training sessions
 Marin Organizing Committee (MOC) is offering leadership training sessions by Zoom, one in November and three in December. The Mission Committee highly recommends that you attend some or all of these. You will find them empowering! What's more, they will demystify MOC for you. MOC is a powerful organization helping to rebuild the common good. Right now they are working to support the Marin County purchase of motels for use as housing for the homeless and to provide them with social safety net services.
Click here to learn more
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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
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