Grace Presbyterian Church 2100 Tice Valley Boulevard Walnut Creek, CA 94595

February 2013 issue

Address Service Requested Dated Material

You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.
John Bunyan

Non-Profit Org. U. S. Postage PAID Permit No. 241 Walnut Creek, CA

19582012 50 YEARS AND COUNTING

Grace

IN THE WORLD
FEBRUARY 201 3

Dear Grace-filled Friends: A few weeks ago as I entered the narthex I was surprised by a bag lady who was quietly reading the Bible as she sat on the bench. She left half of her possessions outside but kept four waterproof grocery bags at her feet. It was a cold-wet day and she was enjoying some warmth and respite. At 3 p.m. I said We will be leaving in about an hour and need to lock the doors so you will need to pack things up soon. At which point I fully expected her to request money for food or lodging. Instead she said the Bible tells me to tithe and I want to give the church some money. I suggested that she give money to a friend in need but she insisted that her desire was to give it to the church. She then pulled out a wad of money and handed me $20. I was floored by her faithfulness and generosity in spite of her great need. She walked into the cold and soon afterwards it started to pour. An hour later I went to lock the front door and she was simply standing under the awning, frustrated that the last bus didnt stop and wondering when the next one would come. She would have to wait another hour so I invited her back inside, hoping that I could find her some assistance or get her to where she was headed. Her story is very confusing because it is mixed with some mental illness exasperated by being on the streets for so long. Hotels wouldnt accept her because she didnt have ID and she wasnt comfortable going to a shelter even though I was willing to take her to Richmond and an intake counselor was on the phone ready to talk to her. Police had suggested the night before that she go to Solano County, probably to move the concern to another jurisdiction. I ended up taking her to BART and helping her buy a ticket with her money. The last I saw her she was making her way through the turnstile at BART. I still think of her often. Knowing that she has made it though many cold nights before gives me some hope. Luke 6:20 records Jesus as saying How blest are you who are in need; the Kingdom of God is yours. And I wonderand I pray... Please join me in prayer and actions. Blessings, Worship & Lenten Study ..2 New Book Study ...............2 New Members Class ........2 VOM ...................................3 Grace Art Gallery ..............3 Calendar ........................ 4-5 CCIC ..................................6 Mission News....................6 Grace in the Family ..........7 Mens Club ........................7 Luncheon ..........................7 New Member .....................7 Pancake Breakfast ...........7

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make your reservation for Rossmoor Friends of Graces next event

WORSHIP WITH US SUNDAYS 10 AM, Sanctuary 11 AM, Join us for Fellowship in the Fireside Room CONTACT US Regular Office Hours, M-F 9 to 3

gracepreschurchwc@gmail.com 925-935-2100 www.gracewc.org

Mardi-Gras party
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH 1:00 TO 2:30 PM Invite a friend to enjoy games, mask making, a live jazz band, wonderful refreshments and lots of socializing. R.s.v.p: to Marsha Stark at 945-7136 or El Nungesser at 256-4361

PASTORS & STAFF: Roger Reaber and Charie Reid Pastor Emeritus: Robert Williams Parish Associate: Diana Barkley Music Director: Steve Cram Office Manager: Judy Williams Financial Scty.: Jennifer Wallace

FEBRUARY News Article submission Deadline FEBRUARY 15

FEBRUARY WORSHIP
UPCOMING SUNDAY CELEBRATIONS WORSHIP AT 10 AM Feb. 3 Boy Scout Sunday! Members of Troop 302 will help lead worship and provide special music. The story of the Good Samaritan will be our focus. Psalm 113, Luke 10:25-37 Theme: A Matter of Life & Death: Communication is the Key to insure that your wishes are carried out when you are sick. Romans 8:31-39 gives us the assurance that we are always in Gods loving care.

Lenten Book Study & Prayer Group

Spiritual Survival Guide: How to Find God When Youre Sick By Charles Shields & Cynthia Ferrel Join either session of the six week class: 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Beginning Feb. 19 in the Library The issue is not if a health crisis will occur in an individual, but when, how, and how often. And although the basic elements of your spiritual survival kit may have been provided during your lifetime by parents, pastors, Sunday school teachers, and friends, the kit will serve you best if you build on those early spiritual practices, adding to them and adapting them to fit your own personal relationship with God. Put those elements to work, and the result is a body prepared for healing and open to that which you desire most: the coming of God who loves you and desires to give you life.---Shields & Ferrel Participants not only will read and discuss this marvelous book but also pray the suggested exercises and listen for Gods loving direction. Each week assigned chapters will be discussed and participants will be invited to share their prayerful conversations with God. The first week the prayer techniques of Divine Reading (Lectio Divina) and Praying with Imagination will be explored for they are used throughout the book.

Grace in the Family

Happy Birthday to You!

1Joan Larsen 2Sheila Whipple 5Ken Williams 7Ed Hinds 7Jordan Wolfe 9Andrew Lawson 10Claire Gonsalves 10Linda Lester 12June Perry 13Tim Pennington February February 15Lois King 16Bob Pokorny 16Jennifer Wallace 17Carol Bergesen 17Reta Wilcox 19Jeffrey Pack 22John Larsen 22Pat Dippo 25Linda Neyer 28Florence Stone February February

Men of Grace Greet the New Year

"Advance health care directives" will be the topic at our Second Friday conference 10 a.m. Friday February 8th in the Grace Church Library. All men are welcome to come and share knowledge. I will be bringing recent information from a forum held at John Muir Hospital. Rogers sermon on Sunday February 10th will be addressing concerns we discuss February 8th. Our shared ideas may be a resource for him. No host optional luncheon follows at nearby Rossmoor Diner.

Feb. 10

LENTEN WORSHIP AND THEMES Feb. 13 ASH WEDNESDAY. There will be a service in the sanctuary at 11:30 a.m. to help us enter into this season with an attitude of prayer. Each Sunday in Lent we will explore a different theme of the Lords Prayer Feb. 17 Feb. 24 Our Father in Heaven, Matt. 6:5-13, Rom. 8:15-16 Your Kingdom Come, Your will Be Done, Psalm 130 Matt. 13:31-33

LENTEN STUDY Offered Sundays at 11:20, Library "Pausing on the Road to Jerusalem" is a vibrant Lenten study by Michael A. Lindvall, writer and pastor of Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City. Pastor Lindvall helps us relate Lenten themes to living faithfully today: temptation, why the cross, question of evil, prodigal son & elder brother, the spiritualsensual question, Palm Sunday parody of worldly power. Film clips will sometimes be used to further discussion. Feb. 17 Feb. 24 Mar. 3 Luke 4:1-13 Temptation (Jesus' and ours) Luke 13:31-35 Why the Cross Atonement Luke 13:1-9 Question of Evil Theodicy

Sunday February 3, 2013, 11:15 AM

Grab your coffee and snack and join Roger Reaber in the conference Room to find out what it means to be a member of the family of Grace Church. Do you know someone who might be interested? Please pass the message along and share your gift of spirituality and community with a friend or neighbor. 2

Professor Elizabeth Cook, department chair and our mission co-worker at the Latin American Biblical University in Costa Rica will share her life story at the upcoming luncheon. A teacher of Hebrew Bible, she shares, "As a thirdgeneration mission worker, I feel privileged to serve in one of the countries I grew up in." Elizabeth was born in Guatemala to missionary parents and raised throughout Latin America. Since 1990 she has been teaching students from marginalized social, gender and racial backgrounds who receive Biblical and theological training for justice and social transformation. She is currently studying for her PhD in Biblical studies through the University of Exeter in England. Esther Circle in hosting the luncheon and invites all to reserve a place in circle meetings or when at church, or by phone at 935-2100. Deadline is Friday Feb. 15th to purchase your $5. ticket. Review Elizabeth Cook's profile at www.pcusa.org/elisabeth-cook. The University can be visited at www.unibiblica.net.

Enchanted Forest Pancake Breakfast Saturday, February 23, 2013 8:00 to 11:30 AM, Oak Room
Great Breakfast, raffle prizes and crafts. Fun for all ages. $5 for adults. Remember the octopus last year? Fabulous decorations will abound. Get your tickets from Marlene or at the door.

Welcome New MemberPat Hansen

I was born in Oklahoma and came to California when I was three. I grew up in a Christian home, my grandfather being a Baptist Lay Minister. I was raised as a Presbyterian, sang in the choir, joined the church, and was married, all at the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. I went to high school in Palo Alto, college at San Jose State College (university now). I worked for Hewlett Packard for 26 years in a number of different capacities. I have two children, a son and daughter and three beautiful granddaughters. After my husband of 46 years passed away, I came here to Rossmoor to be near the children. Also, I brought my sister with me so I could look after her and keep her near us. I have just started to become active in various groups, notably, Lydia Circle. I look forward to being an active member of the church. Welcome Pat!
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A note of thanks. Recently, I received a very kind gift from an anonymous giver. My family and I are very appreciative of this most generous gift. Thank you, Judy Williams

CC INTERFAITH COALITION
Our recent meeting resulted in final reports of 2012 aid to local families. It was pretty impressive and led off with the outstanding statistics that CCIC was able to assist 434 family groups with either furnishings, food supplies and/or kitchen kits or maybe all of the above! That is an amazing statistic for this group of member churches. Along with that effort, more infant/toddler clothing than was ever delivered (one woman does most of this!), 172 families to date have benefited from the 4th Week Food Program (supported by Grace Deacons), member churches provided almost half the meals served at the North Concord Shelter. CCIC is an action group and Grace Church is right in the middle of the action right where God wants us. Thank you for all your support this past year! Sharon Lyons, CCIC Grace Representative Celebrating Charies Sensational Service Saturday, March 16th from 2 to 5 PM Special program at 3 PM Oak Room Do you have a special story or thought to include in the memory book being produced? Send it to the church or bring it to the celebration. Pictures welcomed too. eta was born in Detroit, Michigan. She is 17 years younger than her only sister so it was like being an only child. She is a lifelong Presbyterian. Growing up she went to Highland Park Presbyterian Church, where her mother was the church secretary and her father served on the Buildings and Grounds committee. Church was the center of her family's life. She married very young and four children blessed her life. She spent many years as an Army wife, moving, moving, and moving. She was always a part time student and after years as a homemaker, an employment counselor, teachers aide and Girl Scout volunteer, she went back to college in her 30's. She completed her BA and later earned a Master's degree in Public Administration and is a certified Fund Raising Executive. Her 20 year career with the Girl Scouts started when she took a staff position with San Francisco Bay Girl Scout Council. Her professional career with them included consulting, fund development and CEO of the Chicago area council . Reta has traveled to all 50 states and various countries circumnavigating the world. Scrapbooking brings her much enjoyment, as it did her mother. Her scrapbooks are collections of travel items and family history. Reta has 100 years of family history in scrapbooks. The Bay Area is her favorite place of the many places she has lived. When she retired she chose Rossmoor for her home, close to three of her children. She enjoys being involved with Fundraising and Management and advocated for the renewal effort and helped craft the strategic plan here at Grace. She is currently on a second term as a Discipleship Elder. She initiated the Facilities Campaign and develops the themes. She writes materials for the Annual Pledge Drives, Legacy Giving and the Generosity Journal. She also serves on EBIC, RFOG, Outreach Task Force and Strategic Stewardship Advisory Committee. We are grateful for the many ways Reta shares her expertise, creativity and gifts. We will celebrate Reta as the Volunteer of the Month in worship on Feb. 10th. If you have suggestions for future Volunteers of the Month, please contact the church office.

Witness & Ministry News

Thank you for your generosity! In the month of December, $710.00 worth of gift cards were collect and given to the Food Box Ministries and the Garden Park Apartments. Also $1720.00 was sent to the PC/USA Christmas Joy offering. Warm Winter Nights for the homeless was held at St. Paul's Episcopal during the first two weeks of January. Grace Church's Witness and Ministry department provided dinner at St. Paul's Episcopal for 18 guests on January 13. Thank you to Louise Milford for doing the food shopping. Thank you to Jon Littig, Louise Milford, Barbara Odell, Marlene Hall, and Charie Reid who helped serve that night. And thanks to Meg Fiset and Patrice Hanlon of the preschool book club for cut up fruit for the salad and home-baked cookies for dessert. It was a very successful dinner. Thank you, Witness and Ministry Department

Souper Bowl Sunday

Sunday, February 3, is our opportunity not only to honor Boy Scouts; it is also the day we get to contribute in a very special way to the food boxes Sharon Lyons fills each month for CCIC. Years ago a youth group in the south began collecting money for food banks and programs on Super Bowl Sunday. Each person is requested to put $1.00 in the soup pots; through our Deacons, we Support this effort. The program raised $4,910,622 nationwide last year, plus almost 3 million pounds of food.

GRACE ART GALLERY: Rosalyn Cannelora displays her exquisite quilts

Rosalyn's family has been stitching fabrics together for at least 3 generations. Her grandmother brought felt scraps home from the millenary factory where she worked and made blankets for the family. Rosalyn's mother taught her to sew and quilt and was sewing her own clothes at age 12. At about 14, Rosalyn made her first quilt with her mothers help. She still has that quilt, stitched with love and memories. Rosalyn's passion for quilting began in the 90's. She always loved fabrics and really enjoys selecting the mixture of textures, colors and prints that create a quilt. She is a member of the Rossmoor quilting group and has taught a few classes there. Interested in learning to quilt? Rosalyn is happy to teach anyone. She finds quilters to be wonderful people. They share ideas, materials, time, and upon request, opinions. Often they are like their quilts ~ leading colorful lives. Rosalyn says quilts are meant to be used. If you are feeling low pull a quilt over you. Think of all the stitches and know you are covered by the love of the quilter. Rosalyns quilts will be on display until February 10th, so dont miss them. Stay tuned, on Sunday, February 17th, the gallery will change to all facets of Charie, a photo display in honor of the ministry and upcoming retirement of Charie Reid. 3

Invite a Friend to an Activity! Needlers (Knit, Sew, Craft Circle) 2nd Mondays at 11:00 AM in the Fireside Rm. Bible Study Wednesdays at 10:00 AM in the Library Beginning Bridge Wednesdays at 1:00 PM in the Fireside Room 6

In Memory of
Al Groeper 19182012 Bettie Fisher 19162012 Heidi Wagner 19102012

Memorial service for Heidi will be on Saturday, March 23rd at 2:00 PM in the Oak Room

Grace Presbyterian Church

SUNDAY
CConference Room FFireside Room LLibrary OOak Room SSanctuary DRCDiablo Respite Center PASPerforming Arts Society PWPresbyterian Women

February 2013
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

MONDAY
SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP ASSIGNMENTS

TUESDAY
A note to Fellowship teams: 9:45 Power Prayer Group (L)

Cheese and crackers are always provided for fellowship time by the 1:30 Witness & Ministry (C) church, so you dont need to Feb. 3 Esther Circle purchase them. Feb. 10 Discipleship We thank everyone who Feb. 17 Team 2 donates to the kitty for all the other Feb. 24 Deacons items we Scouts 7:00 Boy enjoy. (O) Any questions, contact leader Thank you Fellowship Teams 7:30 SUBUD (F) Margaret Sandelmann.

8:45 DRC Board (C)

All day Crab Feed Setup (O)

9-2 Theater Group (S, F) 9:00 AARP Tax Service (L)

5:30 Chess School (F, L, 9) 6:00 ATC Bible Study (F)

benefits Childrens ministries (O)

6:30 CRAB FEED

10:00 Worship & Communion (S) 11:00 Fellowship (F) 11:15 New Members Class (C) 11:20 Adult Study (L) 2:00 PAS Student Concert (S) 7:30 AA (F)

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10:00 (L) 7:00 Adult Study (L) 7:00 Boy Scouts (O) 7:30 SUBUD (F)

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10:00 Bible Study (L) 1:00 Bridge (F) 1:15 Witness & Ministry (C) 3:15 Deacons (L) 6:00 Debtors Annon. (F)

9:00 Yoga/Parkinsons (O)

All Day-AARP Tax Service (L) 10:30 DRC (F) 7:30 Choir (S) 7:45 AA (F)

9:30 Susanna Cr. (F) 10:00 Mens Club (L)

Dollar Clubhouse, Rossmoor

1:00 MARDI GRAS PARTY

5:30 Chess School (O, L, 9) 6:00 ATC Bible Study (F)

9-2 Theater Group (O, 9) 9:00 AARP Tax Service (L) 9:00 PAS Auditions (S, F)

7:00 Boy Scouts (O)

11:00 Fellowship (F) 11:20 Adult Study (L)

10 10:00 Worship (S)

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11:00 Needlers (F) 12:00 Parkinsons Dance (O)

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10:00 (L) 11:45 Esther Cr. (F) 7:00 Adult Study (L)

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9:00 Business (C)

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10:00 Bible Study (L)

3:00 GUITAR MAGIC Free Concert (S)

7:30 AA (F) 7:00 Boy Scouts (O)

11:30 ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE. (S)

1:00 Bridge (F) 6:00 Debtors Annon. (F)

9:00 Yoga/Parkinsons (O) 9:15 W & E (C) All Day-AARP Tax Service (L) 10:30 DRC (F) 12:00 Lydia Cr. (F) 1:00 Discipleship (C) 7:30 Choir (S) 7:45 AA (F) 9:00 Yoga/Parkinsons (O)

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1:00 RFOG Recap (L) 3:00 PAS Winners Concert (S) 5:30 Chess School (O, L, 9) 6:00 ATC Bible Study (F) All day Breakfast Setup (O) 10:30 PAS Concert (S)

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9-2 Theater Group (S, F) 9:00 AARP Tax Service (L) 910 Parkinsons (L) 10:00 Parkinsons Meeting (O)

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10:00 Worship (S) 11:00 Fellowship (F) 11:20 LENTEN STUDY begins (L) 2:00 PAS Recital Pianists Concert (S) 7:30 AA (F)

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Luncheon with Elizabeth Cook presenting (O)

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Begin s

Today !

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10:00 Bible Study (L) 1:00 Bridge (F) 4:00 Session Exec. (C) 6:00 Debtors Anon. (F)

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10:00 AM & 7:00 PM (L) Spiritual Survival Guide Study & Prayer Groups 7:30 SUBUD (F)

All Day-AARP Tax Service (L) 10:30 DRC (F) 7:30 Choir (S) 7:45 AA (F)

9-2 Theater Group (S, F) 9:00 AARP Tax Service

7:00 Boy Scouts (O, F)

5:30 Chess School (F, L, 9) 6:00 ATC Bible Study (F)

10:00 Worship (S) 11:00 Fellowship (F) 11:25 LENTEN STUDY (L) 2:00 PAS Teacher Recital (S) 7:30 AA (F)

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12:00 Parkinsons Dance (O)

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All Day-Life Line Screening (O) 10:00 AM & 7:00 PM (L) Spiritual Survival Guide Study & Prayer Groups

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10:00 Bible Study (L) 1:00 Bridge (F) 6:00 Debtors Anon. (F) 7:00 Session (C)

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9:00 Yoga/Parkinsons (O)

AARP TAX AID offered at Grace Church

Free tax preparation Begins Thursday, February 7 Ends Saturday, April 13

All Day-AARP Tax Service (L) 9:15 Newsletter Folding (C) 10:30 DRC (F) 7:30 Choir (S) 7:45 AA (F)

7:00 Boy Scouts (O)

7:00 CCIH Board (O)

Call 405-6278 for an appointment on Thursdays or Saturdays.