Blessed is one who sees their own weakness, and blessed is one who, when seeing a flaw in someone else, takes responsibility for it.  Because, half of any person is wrong and weak and off the path.  Half!  The other half is dancing and swimming and flying in the Invisible Joy.   (Rumi)

Our thanks to the Small and Tall worship leaders this past Sunday – Dabbie and Jeanie for their music, Revs. Margareta and Anita, to Gen Estenson for the sharing of her prayer experiences (“I pray like a cook – never from the book”), and to all the children for helping in the Unveiling of our Pacem Totem.  Thanks to Steve Petersen for his excellent photos of the Unveiling too! 

This Sunday is Ascension…..”and in a little while you will no longer see me”.  Unfortunately this is coming true for us as we must bid farewell to Raddi and Susanna and family this Sunday.  Our thanks for all the love and gifts and laughter they have shared with us.

Our Annual Bocce Ball Picnic will follow worship this Sunday at Sycamore Park.  Join in this time of feasting and relaxing together.  Feel free to wear picnic clothes to church and bring a dessert or salad if you want to. 

It is so wonderful to have Mmabatho Mkhize back with us from South Africa.  You will enjoy catching up with her.  She will have information updates for our October Delegation.

Foreverism – The Role of Social Media in our Lives: There are so many ways that consumers and businesses are embracing/utilizing /(and even overwhelming us) with Conversations, Relationships & Products THAT NEVER END.  Our own Julie Arnone will give this presentation at our Adult Forum after worship on Sunday, June 3.  Come learn to appreciate and critique the many aspects of modern communications and life.

Setting the Table – copies of this year long program (made possible by a Grant of $7500)- which utilizes events focused on Earth, Faith and Food to literally and spiritually nourish the health of our valley interfaith community –  are available for you today.  This is a wonderful means for establishing vital connections among interfaith partners by experiencing the various ways in which earth, faith and food have been regarded in our traditions.  Time for you to grow?  We need two more participants from Peace.  Speak with Pr. Steve or Libby if you are interested.

In the Spirit – Sacred Journeys:  The Art Exhibit is phenomenal!  What a gift that we get to have it until mid July.  Please invite your friends to come and engage the profound works which fill our Sanctuary and Gathering Hall. 

Congratulations to Mark Miller for being recognized by the Wall Street Journal as one of the top 3 Master Stock Pickers in the Electronic and Electrical Equipment field

Keep in your prayers:  John Sarracino recovering from knee surgery, Karl’s father, Micki, Jonathan, Catherine Bell, those with Parkinson’s, and Fred Garrity.

Here’s a cool find:  Carol Pierovich found a Swedish letter among her family papers.  She is having Gun translate it and we will all get to be beneficiaries when it is ready to share!

The Waiting Period – Laughter in the Darkness, a one-man show with Brian Copeland, will be performed at the Lesher Theater in Walnut Creek this Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:15. (It’s regularly at the Marsh in SF.)  Martha Mantei strongly urges all of us to see it!

“Didn’t Jesus know nothing lasts without rules, laws and order?  Yes, but he also knows the only measure and criteria for spiritual matters is God’s infinite compassion – otherwise the prodigals and older siblings would never find their way home.”  Richard Rohr

Easter Blessings,  Pr. Steve

“Wisdom inspires us not retreat from pain and suffering but to ask ourselves how can we participate in the healing of our friends, ourselves, our community, world and earth.  We often discover the greatest healing can lie within the smallest gestures:  a caring word, a loving touch, the gift of a compassionate heart.  These allow us to extend beyond our personal pain and boundaries to connect with the well being of others and ourselves.  Listening inwardly (without judgment or resistance) allows the Spirit to speak; listening to others invites the presence of grace.” (Christina Feldman)

Friends –  SDG (Soli Deo Gloria!):

It is Mother’s Day this Sunday and we will celebrate with a wonderful Small and Tall Family worship that Pastors Margareta and Anita are designing.   There will be guest musicians and other surprises. Bring all the children and grandchildren you can!

The Pacific Youth and Children’s Choirs were simply outstanding!  I will never forget the little ones singing “JeRUsalem”.  What a remarkable gift from the Spirit.  Another one of the blessings of staying connected like branches in the Vine.   (Who was that man with the henna tattoos – Beloved and Fear Not??)

This Sunday two great opportunities are coming your way in the afternoon – the perfect gift for moms!   In the Spirit – Sacred Journeys is the official Opening of an Art Exhibit sponsored by I-SRV and being hosted by Peace.  Bill Carmel is a prime mover in this venture and Bob Worthington has been a source of much encouragement.  The Opening coincides with our Jazz Church West presentation of the Fred Randolph Quintet.  Your eye, heart and spirit will be delighted by the magnificence of these incredible gifts.  Please come with friends to enjoy the art and dialogue with interfaith friends.

Our Peace Council had a constructive Quarterly Retreat this past Sunday.  You will be hearing the highlights in the near future.

Please keep in your prayers:  Jonathan, Karl’s father, Catherine Bell, Barb, Joseph, Jack, Sarah and Micki, Gun,  Ruth, Robert, Wara and David, those soon to give birth, those who are grieving, political prisoners, and the people of Syria, Bahrain and Yemen.

Yoga at Peace got off to a wonderful start.  There is good participation from the larger community.  Please spread the word.  For more info:  www.yogaatpeace.org.

Kaleo reports:  Just came back from Guelph, Ontario. The workshop I lead was on Death and Dying and Rebirth and was exceptional.  4 of the students were ministers (UCC and Episcopalian) who do pastoral counseling or work with Hospice. They LOVED the “Abba/Imma” chi kung we showed them and want to share it with their congregations!

Our Annual Bocce Ball Picnic is happening on Sunday, May 20 after worship.  Save the date and enjoy the beauty of Spring with all your friends at Peace.

“It is when we insist most firmly on everyone else being “reasonable” that we become ourselves, unreasonable.” (Thomas Merton)

Easter Blessings,  Pr. Steve

“Divine Love is not deciding whether or not to forgive.  Divine love is forgiving love.  When we cannot forgive others or ourselves we often find ourselves preoccupied by sin or focused only on our own ideas of perfection –  but not on divine forgiveness.  Failure is a part of the search for God.  ‘We rarely find people who achieve great things without first going astray’, said Eckhart.  God embraces our struggling, failing, broken humanity where we stand most in need. We have to let go of everything…. even our sense of being a miserable failure.”  (Martin Laird)

Happy Birthday to Gen Estenson!  Another wonderful Easter Season baby!  What a joy to celebrate her birth and the Resurrection with Blue Grass music (thanks to John and Mary Ellen Nowel), the Mysterious Seeds sown in our children that Anita spoke of (which were on our bulletin cover), Pr. Elizabeth’s homily affirming the God of Life in all the stages of our life, and Ceil’s reflection on the beauty and stewarding of the Earth.  Such an abundance of riches!

If you would like to read the book Pr. Elizabeth referenced it is:  The Birth of the Living God, A Psychoanalytic Study by Ana-Maria Rizzuto, M.D.  (Heartily endorsed by Pr. Margareta too!) 

The Peace Band is forming!  We got to hear Jeanie Locklear and Grace Atkinson play this last Sunday and loved it.  There’s no life without flute and fiddles!  This invitation is for all musicians at Peace to connect with Worship Deacon Jeanie to see what musical resources already exist among us and help us form the Peace Band.  Gut bucket and finger cymbal players are welcomed.  You know this will be fun!

The Pacific Choir at Peace on May 6:  The Children’s Choir and the Youth Choir of the Pacific Choir will join us for worship this next Sunday.  This is a gift of love and gratitude for the weekly rehearsals the group has at Peace every Sunday night. You won’t want to miss this.  Please honor and encourage these young people with your presence.  Invite friends to join you!

BJ Jesse has donated medical equipment used in her home, including a wheel chair, two walkers, a 4-pronged cane and more–free to anyone who can use it. Call the Office (648-7000) if you have a need but won’t be in church Sunday.  The equipment will be offered to Hospice next.

The Healing Prayer Retreat was an experience of blessing, grounding and renewal.  Please keep Pr. Margareta and the 4 Seminarians who are receiving healing prayer training in your prayers.

Yoga at Peace:  Jeanne Kaplan has been organizing Community Yoga Classes at Peace which will begin May 9.  For details check out www.yogaatpeace.org or email her at yogaatpeace@gmail.com.  Beginners are welcomed.  All are invited.  Spread the word!

Two Among the Righteous Few:  A Story of Courage in the Holocaust — Monday May 7 at 7:00 pm at Beth Chaim with author Marty Brounstein.  Hear how a Christian couple in the Netherlands helped save the lives of two dozen Jews from certain death in WWII.  Marty is a lively speaker and has offered this presentation around the country.  Another affirmation of essential interfaith work.  

In honor of Cinco de Mayo:   An invitation from Greg Grebe on behalf of ARF -why not adopt a Chihuahua? Chihuahua adoptions are only $15 during the ChihuahuaPalooza event, May 2-6.  Get more information online: 

http://www.arf.net/animal-programs/adoption/chihuahuapalooza-2012.php.

Mother’s Day – May 13:  We will have our next Small and Tall Worship on Mother’s Day.  A splendid celebration awaits you.  Expect our annual Mother’s Day Raffle too. 

An Art Exhibit for the interfaith community and beyond – will Open at Peace on Mother’s Day in conjunction with Jazz at Peace.  You will be astounded and delighted by the incredible gifts of artists in our local community.  Encourage friends to join you! 

If you would like to join the Prayer Circle please speak with Lois McGee or myself. 

To assure you that there is Humor in Heaven the following are submitted from various church bulletins. (Keep Libby in your prayers.)

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
The sermon this morning – ‘Jesus Walks on the Water.’  The sermon tonight – ‘Searching for Jesus.’
Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

Easter Blessings,  Pr. Steve

Praise to you, Holy One who by your love have reconciled all creation.  Innumerable galaxies worship you, creatures that grace the earth rejoice in you, and all those in the deepest seas bow to you in adoration.  With them we give you praise!  Grant that we may cherish the earth our home, and live in harmony with your good creation.  Sustain us Creator, Son and Holy Spirit – now and forever.  Amen. 

 As the seeds and plants have grown from Healing Prayer Sunday through Easter and Earth Day….so are we.   It was so much fun to sing “This Land is Your Land”!

We have our next Taize Contemplative Prayer Service this Friday evening at 7:00 pm.  If you desire calm centering, stillness and quiet presence – please join us.

It was a gift to have Amanda and Memo Jones-Dominguez with us from Entre Culturas/Between Cultures last week.  The dinner on Friday evening had wonderful participation from the members of Peace.  It is a blessing to experience how the Spirit continues to nourish our Global Partnership Ministry.  You will be hearing more in future weeks.

Pr. Elizabeth will be preaching this Sunday!

 The Pacific Choir will join us for worship on May 6.   Two groups – the Children’s Choir (with 20 kids) and the Youth Choir (with 30 kids) will sing throughout the service.  Expect another uplifting liturgy!  Please come to encourage these children and young people (and their parents) in this ministry of music and joy.  (The Pacific Choir rehearses weekly on Sunday nights at Peace.  This is their Thank You Gift to us.)

Please keep in your prayers the 4 Seminarians (including John and Brenda) who are receiving Healing Prayer Training with Pr. Margareta during these two weeks.  The Healing Prayer Team will have a retreat together this Friday afternoon.

Lutherans to discuss ecology online on May 12!  The Lutheran World Federation is promoting a  wider conversation on ecological justice. You are invited to participate in this first virtual conference.  See www.elca.org/localevents or www.elca.org/ecumenical.

Our annual Bocce Ball Picnic will happen on Sunday, May 20 after worship.  Save the date!

Setting the Table is a one year project which has received $7500 in grant money to nourish interfaith community relationships  by working with Earth, Faith and Food themes.  You are invited to participate in an Dinner Event on the evening of May 20.  Check the Gathering Hall Kiosk for details.

Mother’s Day is May 13.  We will have our Small and Tall Worship in the morning.  In the afternoon we intend for an I-SRV Art Exhibit to have its Grand Opening with the Jazz Church West presenting the fine music and compositions of Fred Randolph.  Be sure to bring your mother!

Blessings, 

Pr. Steve

Because of the Incarnation and Resurrection nothing is profane and nothing is unholy for those who learn how to see.  Everything is charged with the presence of God.  This Sunday we celebrate Earth Day.  Here is a passage on Cherishing the Creation which you will appreciate.

“If nature is the new poor, then the Christian option for the poor and oppressed now includes the natural world.  If we are to love our neighbor as ourselves, then the range of neighbors now includes the whale, the monarch butterfly, the local lake – the entire community of life.  If the common good requires solidarity with all who suffer, then our compassion extends to suffering human beings and other species caught in patterns of extinction.  ‘Save the rain forest’ becomes a concrete moral application of the commandment “Thou shall not kill.”

This in turn requires us to realize the deep connections between social injustice and ecological devastation.  Ravaging of people and of the land go hand in hand.  To be deeply true, prophetic action must not get caught in the trap of pitting social justice issues against issues of ecological health, but must include commitment to ecological wholeness within the struggle for a more just social order….A vision of justice as cosmic justice is the only adequate option.” (Elizabeth Johnson, “God’s Beloved Creation”)

I-SRV( Interfaith-San Ramon Valley) has received $7500 to implement a one-year program called “Setting the Table”! It will link our interfaith communities for dialogue and learning how each of us has regarded earth, faith and food in our spiritual traditions.  It is hoped that this process will deepen our appreciation of one another, heighten our respect for the earth and integrate our values.  Each congregation/community is invited to designate 3 persons or families to participate in Setting the Table.  If you are interested, our initial Planning Meeting is this Sunday April 22 at Peace from 5-6. You are welcomed to come and explore the possibilities.  Pick up a copy of the year’s intentions at Peace this Sunday.  (This will not include a CSA organic food program.)

The Entre Culturas Dinner with Staff Members Memo and Amanda Jones-Dominguez from Nicaragua is happening this Friday night at 6:00 pm at Peace.  15 – 20 people have already signed up.  You are invited to join in this nurturing occasion of our Partnership Ministry.

Greg and Tioni Collins have returned from Nairobi, Kenya.  Greg will now be working with USAID in Washington, DC.  I asked him to speak at Peace and give us an update about his work among the drought impacted of eastern Africa.  He agreed to do this in the near future.  Will let you know which Sunday that will be.

A friend commented after jazz with The Brewing Company this past Sunday, “The best part of the evening will be after the reception is over, the cleanup is done, and everyone has gone home…..the sanctuary will shiver with delight all the way down to its foundation at the amazing, real get down, funky cool music we’ve just heard.  Who’d expect it in a church…but then the building will hold that energy for all those who come in the future.”

If you wish to contribute to Peace through E-Script …..Here’s How it Works:

• You register any one or all of your existing grocery loyalty, debit and credit cards for use in the program.
• Participating merchants will make contributions to your chosen group, based on purchases made by you, just by using the cards you have registered
• Your purchases are tracked and available to you online, allowing you to see just how much you are earning on your group’s behalf!

1.  Click on this link.

2. Click on Group ID and enter 157506598  (This is Peace Lutheran Church, Danville’s group number) in box and click “search.”

3.  Click on Peace Lutheran Church, Danville and click “next.”

4.  Follow the instructions to register and enter your Safeway card number and/or your existing credit/debit cards.

Portions of your purchase dollars make their way back to Peace and don’t cost you anything.

Read more about e-script here.

Another Tai Chi Chuan Class Series is beginning on Thursday, April 19 at 7:00 pm.  Learn balance, create a second heart in your body, deepen clarity through relaxation and harmonized chi flow.  The whole series is 12 weeks.  Check it out.

Easter Blessings,  Pr. Steve………PS

Two Among the Righteous Few:  A Story of Courage in the Holocaust: Come hear an engaging presentation on Monday, May 7, at 7 pm by Marty Brounstein the author at Beth Chaim. It’s a true story of interfaith compassion, courage, and doing the right thing.  The story is about a Christian couple in the Netherlands who, despite great risks, help save the lives of at least two dozen Jews from certain death during World War II.  There is a personal connection with the author as well.

“Christ always gives his life and never takes life.  Because of that and because he was true to the First Creation – endlessly generous with life and endlessly generating life – he was raised up, the first to initiate the New Creation where all shall be reconciled.  The Risen Body of Christ is the First Seed of the New Creation, we have this seed of life sown in us and we by grace become these seeds ourselves.  The Seed is organic, slow, quiet, usually unnoticed and……. unstoppable.”  Christ is Risen, Christ is Risen indeed, Alleluia!

Palm Sunday:   Passion Narrative,  Ho-ho/ Ha-ha/ He-he song, music, silence, foot washing.

Maundy Thursday Seder:  The world can be changed and we can be healed; ritual foods, Exodus Liberation & Lord’s Supper; most importantly – shared stories and real heart connections.

Good Friday:  Stillness, the Word, Faure’s Requiem, candle light, gathering under the Tent.

Easter Vigil:  Pie Jesu, stories and poems, improvisational music, Exultet, percussion, champagne cork flying to the ceiling, Eucharist, energy and joy Rolling the Stone Away!

Easter Day:  All the friends gathered, bells, rich music, children’s time, painting the interior of Pacem Totem, the choir, prayer for women, seeds sprouting, “Resusito, alleluia”, Resurrection Communion, more bells, ….and our Egg Hunt and Hospitality Hour!

Let me thank Elizabeth and John Hunter Ashley, Nancy Carlston, Bobbi Jardine. Lois McGee, Elana O’Loskey (and other angels I might have missed) for the delicious food and brightly decorated table for our Easter Hospitality Hour!  It was so welcoming for Peace members and our visitors!  With gratitude, Martha Mantei

The Liturgy for this Sunday, April 15 has been designed by Seminarian Brenda Bos and her Committee (Margaret Beeler, Greg Grebe, Pam and Chuck Fisher, Linda Benatar and Barbara Ghinazzi).  You know it will be creative.  Please come and support the prayerful efforts of Brenda and her Committee.  (Brenda will conclude her pastoral formation training at Peace on Pentecost at the end of May.)

On Being a Theologian of the Cross:  Brenda Bos and Margaret Beeler will lead this book study during the Adult Education Hour starting this Sunday April 15.  Copies are available at Peace.  Read the first chapter.  This is the follow up series we designed after our discussion on the Theology of the Cross versus the Theology of Glory.  All are invited!

Pacem Totem:  The artistic work continues to evolve.  During the Easter Season we will explore with paint and material “what might the inner journey of resurrection transformation been like for Jesus”? What is it like for us?  (Our thanks to Kaleo and Elise Ching and Bill Carmel for their continuing artistic leadership in this process!)

Entre Culturas:  Come and meet staff members of Entre Culturas who facilitate our Partnership Ministry with the community of Laurel Galan, Nicaragua on Friday, April 20 at 6:00 pm at Peace.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about our Partners and the Prayer Partner connections being established.  For details speak with Arlene Reed.

We are happy to announce Community Yoga Classes at Peace beginning in May 2012!  For more details, email yogaatpeace@gmail.com.  Further details can be found at www.yogaatpeace.org or by talking with Jeanne Kaplan.

The next 12 week series of Tai Chi Chuan Classes begin on Thursday, April 19 at 7:00 pm at Peace.  Beginners are always welcomed.  Talk to me if you have questions.

This Sunday the Jazz Church West hosts Clifford Brown, III and the Brewing Company.  Next generation jazz and way cool!  Join us at 5:00 pm.

We will celebrate Earth Day on April 22.

Easter Joy,  Pr. Steve

Our Palm Sunday Passion Narrative is always a powerful experience.  It was a tremendous beginning of our Holy Week.  Thanks to our narrators Brenda Bos, John Brett and Libby Flynn;  the choir and soloist Elizabeth Hunter; and percussionists John and Jack (this was his debut as a drummer!) Hunter-Ashley.  How gracefully the Spirit moves and shapes us.

Our Passover Seder is this Thursday at 6:30 pm.  Please bring with you the story of how your family arrived in this country. An evening rich in stories, ritual foods & joy awaits you.

Good Friday worship is at 7:00 pm – please bring a cross you can hold with you.  This will be a Contemplative Service of calm, reflection and stillness.

The Easter Vigil is celebrated at 7:30 pm on Saturday.  Please bring and open heart.  It is a service of solemnity, mystery and hilarity.

Easter Day – our worship is at 9:30 am. Please bring a friend with you.  It’s a chance to prepare for the rest of your life!  The Egg Hunt will follow.

A Baha’i friend stopped by recently and said, “Do you know why I like this church?  Because its design expresses the identity of the Peace congregation – it’s open, light filled and life-giving.  Everyone is welcome here and they feel it.” I pray this remains true for us and continues to be the experience for friends and guests of the Resurrecting One.

Sometimes the Spirit is too good:  The Jazz with Mads Tolling on Sunday was transcendent.  I understand if you find it hard to believe that Jean Luc Ponty, Danish folk tunes and Jimi Hendrix were igniting hearts and dancing on a jazz violin…..but it’s true!  Sometimes it is just astounding to find ourselves in the midst of such abundant gifts.

Seven Stanzas at Easter

Make no mistake:  if He rose at all

it was as His body;

if the cells’ dissolution did not reverse, the molecules

re-knit, the amino acids rekindle,

the Church will fall.

It was not as the flowers,

each soft Spring recurrent;

it was not as His Spirit in the mouths and fuddled

eyes of the eleven apostles;

it was as His flesh:  ours.

The same hinged thumbs and toes,

the same valved heart

that – pierced – died, withered, paused, and then

regathered out of enduring Might

new strength to enclose.

Let us not mock God with metaphor,

analogy, sidestepping, transcendence;

making of the event a parable, a sign painted in the

faded credulity of earlier ages:

let us walk through the door.

The stone is rolled back, not paper-mache,

not a stone in a story,

but the vast rock of materiality that in the slow

grinding of time will eclipse for each of us

the wide light of day.

And if we will have an angel at the tomb,

make it a real angel,

weighty with Max Planck’s quanta, vivid with hair,

opaque in the dawn light, robed in real linen

spun on a definite loom.

Let us not seek to make it less monstrous,

for our own convenience, our own sense of beauty,

lest, awakened in one unthinkable hour, we are

embarrassed by the miracle,

and crushed by remonstrance.

John Updike

Blessed Triduum and Easter,  Pr. Steve

“To live in this time is to live in God’s time for in Christ all things hold together; to have confidence  at all times that this is God’s world, that the One who is the Alpha and Omega – the beginning and completion of time – is making all things new….this is what God wants us to know.” (Paul Harms)

This is Palm/Passion Sunday and our Holy Week or Still Week celebrations begin.  It is a time of profound mystery for the Christian Community as we ponder the healing of our lives, times and cosmos.  All is being made new through the unconditional love of the Cross.  We can’t comprehend it but we can absorb the grace.  We can practice the reconciling love which breathes peace wherever brokenness, grief and injustice are found.  Participate in as many of these services as is possible for you.  Each one will enrich you in ways unimaginable.

Triduum

April 5:  Maundy Thursday/Seder at 6:30 pm.  This is the culmination of our Exodus Lenten Series.  A joyful ritual Passover Meal at which Jesus instituted the Eucharist.

April 6:  Good Friday – a contemplative service beginning at 7:00 pm

April 7:  The Easter Vigil on Saturday evening at 7:30 pm presents every aspect of the High Feast from solemnity to hilarity.  Choose to make this a central part of your Resurrection Celebration!

April 8:  Easter Day Worship is at 9:30 am.  Celebrate with music, choir and festive spirit.  The Egg Hunt will follow worship.

Be sure to return your Easter Eggs for the children this Sunday!  They can be filled with candy or little surprises.  Please make sure they sealed and closed with tape!

Our thanks to the Healing Prayer and Art and Spirituality Committees for their creative design of our Healing Prayer Service this past Sunday.   How gracefully and persistently the Gospel insists on Planting Seeds of Hope within us that we might be changed into the fullness of Love who reconciles and makes whole the broken shards of our hearts, relationships and injustice.   After grandchild Aden Collins had planted his seed of hope he gleefully cried out,  “I did it!” That’s all our God wants to hear from us, the joyful cry – I did it, I became human, I changed – I became real! Watch the planters in the sanctuary for signs of growth and transformation these next Sundays

APRIL FOOLS MADS-NESS: A Celebration of Jazz Violin with the Mads Tolling Quartet happens Sunday April 1st @ 5pm….2 Sets with a Tasty Reception.  $20/person. Our Special Guest and Emcee  is Clifford Brown, Jr. of KCSM-FM 91.1.  Mads  (who just played a concert for the Danish Prince and Princess) is a Two Time Grammy Award winner.   This is a rare treat.  Thanks to the Jazz at Peace team for their efforts to bring great culture and art to our Valley!

Keep in your prayers:  Jack Larson recovering from burns, Micki and Sarah, Joe, Joseph, those in mourning,  the people of Syria – especially the children who have been tortured; political prisoners, the abandoned and lonely, immigrants and refugees, our seminarians, the unemployed.

Holy Week Prayer:  Just before your Final Week begins – everything collides together:  The glib attitudes of life on the surface and the moment of sublime submission.

You are afraid, anxious, wary of betrayal, despair and anguish.  Here is held everything human and all human beings.  Here are you and me.

It is when you have been tested that you know who you are; You know it, Lord, not me….because it hasn’t fully happened yet for me.

Lord, we would like to follow you all the way, all the way to the Cross.

Lenten Blessings,  Pr. Steve

“Every request I make of God is a message telling of my neediness, of my trust in God, of my willing dependence and openness to receive.  Prayer is the moment in life where we need not fear to express ourselves in all our emptiness and imperfection.  God already know; it is we who need to be informed.” (Michael Casey, Towards God)

This Sunday will be a Healing Prayer Sunday for us once again.  It is good to be in God’s presence, resting like seeds in the soil for the impetus of new life.

The Big Blow Concert was simply amazing.  The SF Gay and Lesbian Band was so skillful.  They loved performing at Peace.  We had a wonderful turnout of Peace members and folks from many different circles in the larger community.  The music lifted our hearts and as I told some friends, “Even the building seemed to be dancing!”  Thank God for days of pure joy.

Our last Exodus Soup and Sacrament gathering will be next Wednesday.  Our thanks to Dr. Phil Stanley for his thoughtful and impressive presentations.

The Earth/Faith/Food program has received a $7,500 Grant to organize an Interfaith Community Project among the I-SRV Congregations.  Details will be coming to you soon.

April Fools Mads-ness:  On Sunday, April 1 the Jazz Church West presents jazz violinist Mads Tolling.  A wonderfully gifted artist (who has recently returned from performing for the Prince and Princess of Denmark) – who you will enjoy to no end.  This special addition to our jazz season is in honor of JAM (Jazz Appreciation Month) which occurs every April.  The tickets are $20/person.  There will be two sets and a fine reception.

Holy Week begins with our  Palm/Passion Sunday Service on April 1 at 9:30. We will begin in the Courtyard.

The Triduum is the name for the final days of Holy Week by which we enter into the Pascal Mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection.

April 5 is our Seder at 6:30 pm.  This is a true culmination of our Exodus Soup and Sacrament Series.  Please sign up on Sunday or notify the office.

April 6 is Good Friday with a contemplative service happening at 7:00 pm

April 7  is our Easter Vigil at 7:30 pm – I would like to make a Special Request for the participation of as many of you as possible.  A service rich in every regard. It will transform your delight, understanding and appreciation of Easter.

April 8  - Celebrate Easter at 9:30 am.  The phenomenal Egg Hunt will follow!

“Prayer requires perseverance, because there is an aspect of Purpose that is asleep and must be awakened by knocking and demanding.  When a person perseveres, the Giver of Life always give in abundance!”

Lenten Blessings,  Pr. Steve

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.  I do not see the road ahead of me.  I cannot know for certain where it will end.  Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.  But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.  And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.  And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.  Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.  I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.” Thomas Merton

Seminarian Brenda Bos will preach this Sunday.  Our worship will be abbreviated so the Korean Church can begin worship at 11 am and the preparations for our afternoon concert can begin at 1 pm.

This  Sunday – March 18 the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Band (55 members!) will be performing The Big Blow – a free concert at Peace at 4:00 pm.  The Band has a beautiful musical program prepared.  They will perform from within the Gathering Hall and the audience will be in the sanctuary. You heard the incredible Finale Chord Gary played last Sunday.  Imagine what the organ and full band will sound like.  Please invite your friends to share in this joyful celebration of life!

The final session of Understanding Baha’i also occurs this Sunday evening.   This has been a very valuable series.  It is this kind of dialogue upon which our world depends!  We received both the historical context and a sense of the faith and practice of the Baha’i community.  They have experienced persecutions and are glad for the companionship of spiritual friends at Peace.  Sometimes the affirmation of others is so simple as in,  “I see you.” Join us this Sunday evening (after the concert?) at 6:00 pm in the Art Room.

Our Lenten Exodus/Soup and Sacrament Series with Dr. Phil Stanley continues to be a profound learning experience.  “The one thing we learn from history is we don’t learn from history!” It is such a relaxing evening to share a simple meal, explore new insights and digest the questions of our faith with friends.  Feel free to join in – there’s always room for you.  Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:00 pm.

Check out the series of photos of our evolving Transfiguration Mask Man/Pacem Totem on our website!

Congratulations to Fidel Taylor on his graduation from college!  May he and his wife Heidi continue to be surrounded by the Spirit’s strength, wisdom and grace.

Our Adult Education hour was a powerful discussion on the Theology of the Cross versus the Theology of Glory.  The group will be reading a book by Gerhard Forde on this topic and continuing the discussion in the Easter Season.  All members of Peace are invited to join in.

GODSPELL, THE MUSICAL (A production of Las Positas College, Livermore):

Some stories never get old, and deserve to be retold.  This is a fresh interpretation of Matthew’s gospel, with music, dance and theatrical traditions set amidst the world of Occupy Wall Street. One of the biggest Broadway successes of all time, with lyrics and music from the creator of Wicked, Stephen Schwartz. A ground-breaking and unique reflection on the life and parables of a radical pacifist named Jesus, including themes of kindness, tolerance, social justice and love, set to a “rockin’ fun” musical score.

Performances March 23 and 24 (8:00 p.m.) and March 25 (2:00 p.m.), and March 30 and 31 (8:00 p.m.) and April 1 (2:00 p.m.).

We hope to gather groups from Peace to attend either the March 25 and April 1 matinee performances….and Abigail Vass (Pastor Elizabeth’s daughter) is in the cast.

Sing-along with the Broadway Chorus at the Amador Theater in Pleasanton on March 30 and 31 at 8:00 pm or Sunday Matinee April 1 at 2:00 pm.  Hear our own Chorus Member Martha Mantei sing.   Martha reported that the rehearsal of the 110 members of the Chorus this last Saturday was a delight for the entire Chorus.  They were fascinated by the beauty of Peace and potential future opportunities!

This year I invite you to participate in the Easter Vigil Service on Saturday, April 7 at 7:30 pm.  This ancient service has been considered the highpoint of the Easter Season/Triduum and Easter Day the culmination of the Paschal Mystery.  Try it – make it part of your Holy Week rhythm….it will move you in surprising and new ways.

Lenten Blessings,  Pr. Steve