Transgender Day of Remembrance at MCC San Jose Sunday Nov. 20, 2011

All Saint’s Day /Day of the Dead Observance at MCC San Jose

Join us this Sunday, October 30, 2011, 10 am Worship for our All Saint’s Day / Day of the Dead observance: 

Please bring photos or mementos of loved ones past, or those who have been ‘Saints’ to us… marigold flowers for our Day of the Dead Altar are also welcome!

 Reverend Rebecca will preach on The Beatitudes: Matthew 5:1-12 ; “Blessed Are…”

 **Meet and eat after worship. Let’s treat one another to a celebratory Autumn Potluck to nourish our spirits and bodies.

 AND, PLEASE plan to stay so we can complete the MCC SJ Timeline exercise we began in August !

 We’ll review what we’ve already done and focus on moving forward through the 1990’s, and from 2000 to the present.  Who are our saints of the recent past at MCCSJ? Let’s remember them in this on-going celebration of our church identity and history!

Karaoke & Dessert Bar–Oct 15, 7:00pm

Saturday evening, October 15, the gym will be transformed into a Karaoke and Dessert Bar from 7:00 to 10:00pm! A fund raiser for the ministry of MCCSJ.

Tickets ($8, $15 for two) are on sale now for treats and a chance to sing Karaoke style. There will be a drawing (no additional charge) for items donate. You need not be present to win. (MCCSJ board members and staff, both paid and volunteer, are ineligible to win.)

Do you have items to donate? Can you donate a dessert? Please call the church—408-279-2711.

Save this date: Oct 15, 7:00pm-10:00

Our annual fun(d) raiser–a KARAOKE & DESSERT BAR! Get your tickets now!

Worship & BBQ, Sept. 11, at 10am in Roosevelt Park

Join us for worship this week, September 11, at 10 am in Roosevelt Park – just a few short blocks from the church!
This is a great time and place to reconnect if you’ve been away awhile, or if you’ve waiting for the right time to worship with us.

Informal Worship will be followed by a Barbeque potluck. A few church members will provide the burgers (and meatless patties) for the grill- with all the fixin’s – and soft drinks. You are invited to bring a cold side dish, salad or desert to share. Or, simply come and enjoy!

Please bring a folding chair, camping chair, or blanket to sit on. We’ll also provide a few extras for those who cannot bring their own.

WORSHIP – (beginning at the usual 10 am time) – will include reflection on the Tenth Anniversary of the 911 attacks as well as Celebration of the healing power and beauty of The Divine in nature. Guitar music will accompany our singing (want to play your guitar for worship? – Contact Rev. Marjorie right away for more information: marjpearsonmusic@yahoo.com).

**Let’s make this a joyful and meaningful worship service together followed by fun and fellowship outdoors!! Hope to see you there! [If you can help share the work of making this service and celebration happen, please contact Deacon Woody right away: DeaconWoody@mccsj.org]

DIRECTIONS TO WORSHIP – &  BBQ – IN THE PARK:
To get to the park from the church, take 11th street to Santa Clara. Turn right on Santa Clara. Cross the bridge just past 17th Street and the park is immediately on the left. There is a paved path that will lead to the picnic area where we will set up. You can park on the street and walk on that first path to the left directly to our picnic area, or drive down to 21st street and turn left. Then turn left again into the parking lot that is behind the community center. Walk past the skate board area and continue on the paved walkway towards the creek. The picnic area is under the trees right beside the creek. You can’t actually see the creek until you are at the picnic area. We will set up signs to mark where to go.

Many blessings, and thanks to all who are making this happen!
Rev. Rebecca Anderson

Congregational Meeting & Potluck–July 24

On Sunday, July 24th following worship we will continue in community with a Potluck Lunch and Congregational Meeting.  Everyone is invited to share and participate.  We will be continuing the discussion we started at our May 15th meeting about the next steps for MCC San Jose.  Bring your ideas and share.  We hope to see you there.

Celebrate Easter With Us At MCC San Jose!

A blessed Holy Week to each of you!  

As you read this message, I invite you to take the time, if you haven’t yet, to witness Jesus’ Crucifixion, by reading Matthew 27:27-66, attending a Good Friday service, or sitting in prayerful meditation. For just a time before we come together in celebration on Easter Sunday, let us acknowledge the sorrow, the outrage, and the grief of Jesus’ beloved disciples, friends and followers…

And then, on Sunday, remembering the empty tomb and all it signifies, and from the deep wonder and joy that such a resurrection must bring, I invite you to bring to church something beautiful to turn the old covered fire-pit into a Sacred Circle of Celebration for Easter! Perhaps you have a beautiful cloth you can lend us for the time we gather in worship. Maybe you can bring an Easter Lily or two (or three!). Perhaps you can gather a handful of wildflowers from a vacant lot or with permission, bring flowers from a garden (or from the grocery store) to share their scent and beauty? Maybe you have a picture or another item that speaks to you of life and hope renewed after death?

Ask yourself what YOU can contribute to help us celebrate this beautiful Easter together in community. No contribution is too small for this, for they will be together. What gives you joy?  For about an hour on Easter Sunday, can you share with us something to remind us of that joy?

May these days of witnessing Jesus in Jerusalem and Jesus on the Cross … and waiting for what comes next, lead to the Easter we each seek.

***Join us for Easter Breakfast with our host church Grace Baptist beginning at 9:30 am, and then we’ll worship (this week only) at 11am in the Fireside Room for an MCC San Jose celebration service!  

I look forward to singing Alleluias with each of you again!!

 With many blessings and peace,

Rev. Rebecca Anderson