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Non-Profit Org. U. S. Postage

P A I D Permit No. 241

Walnut Creek, CA

Address Service Requested Dated Material

WELCOME STATEMENT

Join a Rossmoor resident for a fun social. Root beer Floats will be served after the program.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:00 AM Sanctuary

11:00 AM Fellowship Time

gracepreschurchwc@gmail.com 925-935-2100; Web gracewc.org

PASTORS AND STAFF: Pastor: Roger Reaber Pastors Emeriti: Charie Reid Robert Williams Music Director: Karen Hastings-Flegel Parish Associate: Diana Barkley Office Manager: Judy Williams Treasurer: Richard Carll Asst. Treasurer: Linda Neyer Financial Scty: Jennifer Wallace

Submit articles by 8/12/16 for September

Grace In your life | In our community | In the world

A monthly publication for members and friends of Grace Presbyterian Church in Walnut Creek, California August 2016

Dear Grace-filled Friends: Radical Hospitality at Grace Church takes various forms. It is more than greeting visitors on Sundays and providing fellowship refreshments afterwards. These are essential hospitality tasks but it also happens in other ways too.

People have stepped up financially to replace the flooring in the Library because, quite frankly, the carpet was disgusting. We want the whole campus to be a welcoming place and the Library is a point of entry for many in the community, whether they are coming to a Bible Study for the first time or having their taxes prepared. Soon the new flooring will be in place and we can be proud of it once again.

We have been blessed with added children to our Sunday School and I am so thankful for Lavenia Black, Bethallyn Black, and Daniel Rogers for taking the lead in providing a fun and enriching program for our young visitors. Other adult assistance is needed so that there is always two present with the children. Let me know if you can help out. Several people responded to my invitation to provide nursery care for our wee-little visitors. Again, it is best to have two caregivers at a time. Can I add your name to that list? When a young parent wants to worship with us we provide hospitality by caring for his or her children. Please consider giving one Sunday a month to this important ministry.

Radical Hospitality happens when there is a community memorial service and Sonja Luscher and the deacons oversee the reception. It takes place when invitations are extended to join us to worship or other activity. It happens when ice cream is served and phone calls made with the thanksgiving “We are so glad that you joined us.”

There are countless ways to extend the welcome and care of Christ. May we each be engaged in providing Radial Hospitality. May Grace Church be a welcoming place.

Blessing, Roger

RADICAL HOSPITALITY

Radical Hospitality 2

Rossmoor Friends of Grace Presbyterian Church invite their neighbors for an afternoon of summer fun at the Dollar Clubhouse in Rossmoor. Plan to join with friends, old and new, on Monday, August 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for an afternoon of socializing, music, and refreshment.

Attendees will be treated to a lively musical performance. Sonja Christopher is a talented singer, banjo and ukulele player and popular local entertainer. She will be accompanied by Harriett Lee Keller on the gut bucket and Margaret Lyn Wood on the piano. After the performance, guests will enjoy a summertime favorite, delicious root beer floats. The afternoon’s festivities are free and guests are welcome to bring a companion with them to enjoy the event.

Rossmoor Friends of Grace are Grace Church members and Rossmoor residents who seek to introduce the church to friends and neighbors through four social events a year and other activities at the church campus.

Sunday, September 11 at 11:20 a.m.

After worship get some refreshments and then join Roger in the conference room at 11:20

a.m. to find out what it means to be a member of the Grace Presbyterian Church community.

Join our “Radical Hospitality” Teams

Volunteers make the world go ‘round, at least at Grace Church they do. We are grateful for the generous volunteer service you have given over the years. We could use some additional help in the following areas. These are relatively easy jobs that you can do according to your schedule. If you would like more information, the contacts are listed below.

Would you like to help provide food and service for Fellowship time? Our church attendees really enjoy this social and refreshment time right after worship making this an important ministry of the church. Each team serves just four times per year. Contact: Sonja Luscher, 937-4210.

Would you like to be an usher or greeter on Sunday mornings? Names of ushers are on put into a “database” and called on according to need and your availability. Contact: Patricia Hansen, 280-5517.

Would you like to be a Liturgist during worship? If you don’t mind reading short passages in front of a group, this is the job for you. Contact: Fran Whipple, 939-6657.

Would you like to participate on the Rossmoor Friends of Grace Committee? This group organizes four fun themed social events a year with the goal of introducing Rossmoor neighbors to Grace Presbyterian Church. Contact: Rosalyn Cannelora, 945-8613.

Would you like to be a newsletter folder? This is a one morning a month job here at the church. Usually the folding is done within two hours or less. Contact: Judy Williams, 935-2100.

Extravagant Generosity 7

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Because of your extravagant generosity we have exceeded our goal and raised $5,750 for the replacement of the flooring in the Library. Any surplus donations will help us to not dip as deeply into reserves. It is hoped that by the end of September we will enjoy a new laminate flooring in place of the stained carpet.

Other Campus Maintenance News There is more work ahead of us when it comes to

the Library. The trustees have arranged for the roof to be replaced by Excel Roofing. This expense will be covered by undesignated memorial gifts and bequests. The leaky roof added to the stains in the carpet which we had already decided to replace. Ceiling texturing and painting has also been discussed by the trustees.

About 35 years ago the Oak Room was built and recently it has been crying out for attention. A leak to the main water supply was discovered and repaired ($1,300), and the main electrical panel behind the Oak Room also has various problems and needs to be replaced ($4,500-$5,000). This critical work is currently being addressed.

Bethallyn Black met with the trustees this month to discuss a 3 year landscaping plan. This fall the first phase will begin by replanting the area right around the office, along the road, and in the memorial garden. The Betty & Carl Fisher Memorial Gift will cover at least this first stage of replanting. Betty and Carl were both very active members and Carl’s passion was the landscaping at Grace.

We made our goal. Thank you.

Project Goal

$6,800

$5,000

2016 Goal

$1,800

2015

$7K

$6K

$5K

$4K

$3K

$2K

$1K

START

Operation Gratitude

For the last decade, our little group of Needlers have been busy knitting over 600 scarves for Operation Gratitude. This organization sends care packages to soldiers deployed overseas, veterans, new recruits, first responders, wounded heroes and their care givers. Grace Needlers are comprised of a group of needle arts crafters who meet at the church twice per month. Operation gratitude is just one of the organizations that the Needlers support with donated and purchased yarn and supplies.

Below are excerpts from a recent thank you letter sent to the Needlers:

July 19, 2016

On behalf of Operation Gratitude and the heroes who receive our care packages, I thank you for your continuing support of our mission. Your generous donation of 150 handmade scarves will enable us to keep sending our lovingly-filled care packages to the tens of thousands of brave men and women still deployed overseas in harsh and remote areas.

With your sustained commitment and kindness, we have been able to send more than 1.5 million Operation Gratitude Care Packages to our military and first responders which are received with enthusiasm and great appreciation.

As one former Navy Sailor and current police officer recently wrote: “Every box of caring gifts means a lot to us when we are away from home. It gives us Hope, Confidence, Happiness, Strength and Pride that somebody thinks about us, that someone is there for us. Than you all. God Bless America.”

Thank you again for your thoughtfulness and patriotic spirit. The recipients of your generosity will remember your kindness forever.

Contra Costa Interfaith Coalition Update for August

I appreciate that many of you read this monthly information. How do I know? Aha! We’ve had several inquiries about donating a recliner after our appeal last month. So, how do you inquire about furniture to donate to CCIC? It is a simple process – phone Beverly Williams at (925)933-7040. She will answer your questions and arrange for someone to come by and pick up what can be used. That’s it! So easy and so helpful.

As always, small items can be left in the church office and it’s helpful to label sheet sizes. So, keep cleaning out those closets and God will bless you with more space and the knowledge you are helping His people. CCIC is still looking for rocking chairs, twin beds and small dressers. Enjoy your summer.

—Sharon Lyons, CCIC Representative

Risk-taking Mission and Service 6

Men’s Club News

Plans are underway

for a field trip to view a Habitat for Humanity Build in our local area. Man of Grace - please save the date Friday, August 12 to see first hand the inspiring work of Habitat for Humanity and their many volunteers.

We will meet at the church at 10 a.m. to form car pools to the local build site. After the trip, those who are interested will adjourn to a local restaurant for lunch. Contact Bob Williams, (935-7377) or Stan Dorst, (932-6691) for more information.

Backpack & School Supplies Drive for the children supported

by Contra Costa Interfaith Housing

One of the most devastating impacts of poverty is the effect it has on a child’s education. Together, we can change this story as we plan for the 2016-2017 school year. Ballooning school supply lists are a financial burden for very low-income families. Help equip promising students with the tools they need to start the school year with confidence. Your generosity creates excitement and helps low-income students succeed! Some of the most needed supplies are listed below. Bring your donations to the church office by August 9, we will deliver supplies on August 10.

Thank you, Witness and Ministry Department.

SHOPPING LIST

Backpack

Scientific calculator

3 ring binders, 1 inch size

Protractor & rubber tip Compass

Tabbed dividers (1/6th cut)

Clear Report Covers with sliding bar

Large pink erasers (2-pack)

#2 Pencils (Box of 12)

Mechanical Pencils & Leads

Pens (blue, black, & red)

Pkg. of 8 skinny washable colored markers

3 Highlighters (different colors)

Pencil sharpener that catches pencil shavings

Folders with fasteners and pockets

Spiral Notebooks (College Ruled)

Lined Paper (College Ruled)

Glue Sticks (3-pack)

Colored Pencils (24 Count)

3x5 Index cards in packages

Post it notes

In Memory

Patricia Hamilton Dowrie August 16, 1916 to July 23, 2016

Upcoming Scriptures & Sermons

Aug. 7 Communion will be celebrated and Roger’s sermon “What’s In a Name?” will be based on Gen 32:22-32, John 15:9-17.

Aug. 14 Karen Hastings-Flegel will preach her “candidating sermon” during worship. Following worship there will be a Congregational Meeting and she will be nominated to be our Designated Associate Pastor (3/4 time).

Aug. 21 Guest Preacher, The Rev. Dr. Leslie Veen, Director of Contextual Education for Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, oversees programs that get the students out of the classroom and into sites where they can practice what they are learning as they prepared to become ordained ministers. She is an active member of the Presbytery of San Francisco.

Aug. 28 Roger’s sermon “Salvation---Here and Now”

will be based on John 4:7-26, 39-42

Passionate Worship and Intentional Faith Development 3

Sunday Worship in August Adult Study

Ed’s Story Continues in August A Film/Discussion Series About Hope

11:25 a.m., Library until Aug 14

Suffering is everywhere and it changes us, for better or worse. Ed’s Story is our story. Diagnosed with ALS and given a short time to live, (In these videos) Ed wrestles with issues suffering raises: worry, identity, forgiveness, gratitude, and healing. Emerging from it all is his discovery that there is always hope.

Ed Dobson was pastor emeritus of Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and served as a consulting editor for Leadership magazine. He earned a doctorate from the University of Virginia, and authored numerous books, including The Year of Living Like Jesus and Seeing Through The Fog. He moved to the United States from Northern Ireland in 1964 and lived with his family in Grand Rapids.

Successful Aging Tuesday, August 16 1:30 PM, Library

What legacy will you

leave behind?

How do you hope to be remembered?

Have you invested in the generations that will follow?

What values do you hope others will see in you and be inspired to live out?

Veterans and new comers are welcome to this lively discussion group.

Designated Associate Pastor Nominating

Committee Joyfully Nominates

Karen Hastings-Flegel

This three-quarter time position is to begin on September 1. The Session of Grace has called a Congregational Meeting to take place after worship on August 14 to present Karen formally and for the church membership to vote on this recommendation. Karen will be preaching that Sunday. The Presbytery of San Francisco will then be asked to approve her call to ministry at its next meeting on Saturday, August 27.

After receiving the necessary approval Karen will be ordained at her home congregation, Covenant Presbyterian Church, 670 East Meadow Dr., Palo Alto on Saturday, September 3 at 2:00 p.m.

We will celebrate her installation on Saturday, September 24 with a special service at 3:00 p.m. followed by a reception. On the inser t you will find Karen’s biography and statement of faith.

Monday, August 1 Standing Ovation Summer Camp 10AM Parkinson Movement—11 7PM Boy Scouts—O Tuesday, August 2 Standing Ovation Summer Camp 10AM Power Prayer—C 12PM Witness & Ministry –C 7:30 SUBUD—F Wednesday, August 3 Standing Ovation Summer Camp 10:30 Bridge—L 3PM Deacons—L Thursday, August 4 Standing Ovation Summer Camp 9:30 Parkinson Yoga—O 7:45 AA—F Friday, August 5 Standing Ovation Summer Camp Saturday, August 6

Sunday, August 7 10AM Worship—S 11AM Fellowship—F 11:25 Adult Study—L 7:30 AA—F Monday, August 8 Standing Ovation Summer Camp 10AM Parkinson Movement—11 10AM RFOG Committee—L 11AM Needlers—L 7PM Boy Scouts—O Tuesday, August 9 Standing Ovation Summer Camp 10AM Power Prayer—C 7:30 SUBUD—F Wednesday, August 10 Standing Ovation Summer Camp 10:30 Bridge—L Thursday, August 11 Standing Ovation Summer Camp 9:30 Parkinson Yoga—O 5:30 Business—C 7:45 AA—F Friday, August 12 Standing Ovation Summer Camp 5PM Chess School—L, F, 9 Saturday, August 13

Sunday, August 14 10AM Worship—S 11AM Meeting of the Congregation—S 11:10 Fellowship—F 11:25 Adult Study—L 7:30 PM AA Meeting—F Monday, August 15 10AM Parkinson Movement—O 7PM Boy Scouts—O Tuesday, August 16 10AM Power Prayer—C 1:30 Successful Aging—L 7:30 SUBUD—F Wednesday, August 17 10:30 Bridge—L Thursday, August 18 9:30 Parkinson Yoga—O 7:45 AA—F

Friday, August 19 Saturday, August 20 9-12:30 Parkinson’s—O, L, F

Sunday, August 21 10AM Worship—S 11:00 AM Fellowship—F 11:25 Sermon Discussion—7:30 AA—F Monday, August 22 10AM Parkinson Movement—11AM Needlers—L 7PM Boy Scouts—O Tuesday, August 23 10AM Power Prayer—C 7:30 SUBUD—F Wednesday, August 24 10:30 Bridge—L 7PM Session—L Thursday, August 25 9:15 GITW Folding—L 9:30 Parkinson Yoga—O 7:45 AA—F Friday, August 26 Saturday, August 27

Key C—Conference Rm,

0—Oak Rm, F—Fireside Rm, S—Sanctuary, L—Library, 9—Rm 9

Grace Church Calendar

11:25 Sermon Discussion—L

10AM Parkinson Movement—O

August 24

Sunday, August 28 10AM Worship—S 11AM Fellowship—F 11:20 Elder/Deacon Information Meeting—L 7:30 AA—F Monday, August 29 10AM Parkinson Movement—O 11AM Needlers—L 1:30 RFOG Social—Dollar Clubhouse in Rossmoor 7PM Boy Scouts—O Tuesday, August 30 10AM Power Prayer—C 1:30 Elder/Deacon Information Meeting—C 5—9 Parent Orientation—O 7:30 SUBUD—F Wednesday, August 31 10:30 Bridge—L 7PM Elder/Deacon Information Meeting—L

Julia was raised in Berkeley. Her

dad died unexpectedly at the age of

37; Julia just was two and a half at

the time. She is proud of her dad,

who was an engineer with many

passions. He was also a political

writer, musician, and composer.

Julia’s mom raised her

as a single mom. She

was a statistician for

the state, and she too

was musically

inclined. She played

the flute, and taught

Julia to play the piano.

“My mom was a good

woman. She lived her

faith,” said Julia.

“And she was always

there for me.”

Julia attended

Berkeley schools, with

the exception of the

two years she spent at

a Quaker boarding

school in Nevada City,

California. While

away at school, Julia missed her

mother. “During that time, I had a

direct experience of Jesus coming to

me. He said, ‘I will never leave you.

You can trust in me.’”

Around that time, Julia began

writing poetry. One of her poems

was published in Synapse magazine.

She continues writing poetry today.

After high school, Julia lived in

a house in Berkeley with a friend.

One day Al Linde walked down the

street with his guitar while Julia was

sitting on her front porch, and they

chatted awhile. Ten years later they

met again and married within six

months. They raised two sons, Elton

and Andre. Julia also has a

daughter, Christine.

For a time the family lived in

the woods in Northern California.

Eventually they settled in Ashland,

Oregon and lived on their own small

farm for 23 years. They enjoyed

growing vegetables and appreciated

the eggs produced by their chickens.

Julia was a stay-at-home mom,

working part-time teaching piano

and playing the piano and singing

in church.

When Al’s mom had a stroke,

Julia and Al relocated

to Walnut Creek to care

for her. A friend

introduced them to

Rossmoor, where they

purchased a home.

During much of

her life, Julia was

afflicted with manic-

depressive disorder. As

her faith deepened, she

prayed for a cure. In

2009, Julia’s prayers

were answered. She is

now free from this

illness and is no longer

takes medications for

this disorder.

Growing up, Julia

attended the Unitarian Church. “It

was Al who brought me to Christ,”

she said. “My friend Carol Pierce

encouraged me to join Grace’s bell

choir. Shortly after that, I joined the

church. It was an honor when Roger

anointed me as a musician.”

Julia contributes to Grace in

many ways. She plays hymns on the

piano each Sunday prior to worship

services. In addition, she has

performed in the choir and the bell

choir. Julia is also a member of the

retreat team.

Please join at worship services

on Sunday, August 7, when Julia

will be honored for her

contributions to Grace Church.

by Carol King

Discipleship Department

August 2016 Julia Linde is Honoree of the Month

“…I had a direct experience of Jesus coming to me. He said, ‘I will never

leave you. You can trust in me.’”