News from Pastor Karin

Dear Kris,

Today Hardy and I, along with 13 others, are leaving for Northern Ireland to learn about peacemaking. Our group includes every decade from teens to people in their 60s and we are grateful for the breadth of life experience represented within the team.

In preparing for the trip, we watched PBS’s five-part series Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland, watched the movie Hunger, reflected on poetry by Pádraig Ó Tuama, and more. We've learned so much about The Troubles — something that, for most of us, was only on the periphery of our awareness at the time it was happening.

We look forward to sharing our experiences with you upon our return, both in conversations and during worship on May 12, and in a future Adult Learning class.

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers as we travel, learn, and process all that we will see, hear, and learn.

Peace,

Karin

Best Place of Worship!

We already know that Sunnyvale Pres is a fantastic church, and how much we love to worship together here. But what a surprise to find out that readers of the San Jose Mercury News think so too! Our church was recently voted runner-up in the category of Best Place of Worship in the annual Best of Silicon Valley edition. We proudly claim this status for the year 2024 and thank the readers who took the time to participate in the voting!

If you missed the special issue in the March 31 edition of the Mercury News, here’s a link to the online issue.

April Hike: Monte Bello Preserve

Tomorrow, Saturday, April 13 • 9 am • RSVP

Celebrate spring with a 5-mile hike through Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, hosted by Eileen and Roger. This moderate loop includes a 650-foot elevation change.

Please RSVP if you plan to join us. We look forward to seeing you there!

Want to lead a future hike? It can be one of our familiar routes or you can introduce us all to your favorite. Email us to sign up!

April is Earth Month

What are you doing to help the Earth? Picking up trash? Riding your bike? Planting a garden? Driving an electric car? Hiking in parks? Saving water? Applying your talents? Organist Valerie Sterk has selected creation-themed worship music.

Please stop by the Book Sale Cart to sign your name on the Earth Month poster and write what you’re doing for the planet. Pose for a photo for the church Facebook page or email us a photo of you caring for creation.

History of the Church of 

Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

(aka Mormonism)

Author Meet & Greet

Sunday, April 21 • 11 am

Trinity Court

Adult Learning Class

Sunday, April 28 • 11:30 am

Soulé Hall & Online

Sunnyvale Pres attendee Todd Compton, who was raised in the LDS faith and has authored books on the topic, will show what Presbyterians and LDS have in common — as well as our differences — along with the significance of genealogy to LDS.

Spring Movie Night

Friday, April 26 • 5 pm • RSVP

Join Children’s Ministry for a family movie night! Dinner will be provided. We will be watching The Secret Life of Pets in the Children’s Room in Phoenix Center.

Please RSVP so we know how much food to prepare. Contact Jenna with any questions.

The Music School's Spring Musical

Sounds of Laughter

Saturday, April 27 • 11 am & 7 pm

Mountain View High School • Tickets

Get ready for some giggles! This Music School favorite features over 120 students and is a terrific show for the whole family to enjoy, with familiar songs, funny skits, and jokes jokes jokes! 

This event is sponsored by Mountain View High School Choirs and held at MVHS Spartan Theatre.

Choir of Bells Concert

Jukebox Saturday Afternoon

Saturday, April 27 • 3 pm

Fellowship Hall

This is a great event for the whole family. We’ll have popcorn, fun music, and the audience will get to pick out the songs from the jukebox. We’ll play big band hits and movie songs on handbells, hand chimes, and even boomwhackers! The audience will have an opportunity to chat with the musicians and try out the bells. Come share in the fun at this free event!

New Friends Brunch

Sunday, April 28 • 11 am after worship

Patio behind the sanctuary

Have you been attending Sunnyvale Pres for a little while? You are invited to join us for a light brunch after worship and meet other people who have recently started attending Sunnyvale Pres. Come and learn more ways to connect, meet the pastors and other members, and enjoy a short time of fellowship.

(If you are a regular attender or member and know someone newer to the church, please extend an invitation to them for this event.)

New Member Class

Sunday, May 5 • 11:15 am–1:15 pm

Hybrid (in-person & online) • Sign up

If you’ve been attending Sunnyvale Pres and are interested in becoming a member, join Pastor Karin for the New Member Class. Email Karlee to sign up. Child care is available upon request (deadline to request child care is April 28). 

Memorial for Ralph Robinson

Friday, April 26 • 9 & 10 am • Sanctuary

Everyone is invited to the memorial service for Ralph Robinson at 10 am on Friday, April 26. The inurnment will be in the Memorial Garden at 9 am. If you are unable to join in person, we will be offering an online option via Zoom. There will be a reception in Fellowship Hall immediately following the service.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers...

• Pat Wolff — hospitalized
• Hui-Bi & Dick Chang — recovering from medical procedures
• Jean Hornsey — recovering from fall and shingles
• John Kolb — recovering from back fracture and moving to Oregon
• Elsie Hasling — recovering from fall
• Maggie Burklund — healing and strength
• Nancy and David Tousignant — strength and comfort
• Joan Latimer — cancer journey
• Mildred Prasad — dementia

CARAVAN Fundraiser

April 21

Macular Degeneration

Group

April 25

Confirmation Sunday

May 5

Save the date...

• Senior Zoom Coffee • May 9
• Safe Church Training • May 19
• Promotion Sunday • June 2
• Picnic in the Park • June 2
• Vacation Bible School • June 10–14
• CARAVAN • July 21–28

Sunday Mornings

• Bible Study • 8:30–9:30 am • Email
• Worship • 10 am • Nursery (child care) available for ages 6 months through kindergarten
• Children’s Church + STARS (3 yrs–5th grade) • 10 am • Register
• Youth Group • Times vary, check the website
• Children’s Ministry Bake Sale • 1st Sunday • After worship • Trinity Court or donate online • Supports Children’s Ministry service projects
• DipJar • 1st Sunday • Trinity Court or donate online • Supports Sunnyvale Community Services
• Grief Support Group • 1st Sunday • 1 pm (May 5 will meet at 2 pm) • Zoom • Email
• Prayer Stations • 2nd Sunday • After worship
• Family Meals • 2nd Sunday • 11:30 am–1 pm • Phoenix Center • Info

Wednesday Evenings

• OASIS (Grades 1–5) • Wednesdays • 6:15–7:30 pm • Email • Register
• Sunnyvale CircleSongs • 1st Wednesdays • 7 pm (new time!) • Fellowship Hall
• Modern Worship Collective • 2nd & 4th Wednesdays • 6 pm meal, Fellowship Hall • 7 pm (new time!) service, Sanctuary
• Evensong: Contemplative Worship • 3rd Wednesdays • 7 pm (new time!) • Sanctuary

Prayer & Bible Study Groups

• Virtual Small Group for Grades 4–6 • Mondays • 6:15–7 pm • Email
• Men’s Bible Study • Tuesdays • 6:30–7:30 am • Email

Social & Support Groups

• LGBTQ+ Family and Friends Group • 1st Monday • 7 pm • Email
• Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group • 4th Tuesday • 11:30 am • Over Zoom • Call 1-800-272-3900
• Parents Together • 1st Wednesday • 9–11 am • Patio outside the gym • Info
• Support Group for Parents of Neurodiverse Kids • 2nd Wednesday • 10–11 am • Coleman Room 702 • Info • Email
• Prayer Shawl Knitters • 3rd Wednesday • 7:30–9 pm • Over Zoom • Email
• Senior Zoom Coffee • 2nd Thursday • 10:30 am • Info
• Queer Fellowship Group • Monthly get-togethers • Email

Outdoors

• Hiking Group • 2nd Saturday • 9 am • Email
• Cycling Group • Most Saturday mornings • 9 am • Email

Helpful Links

• Subscribe to e-newsletters for children, youth, and/or weekly worship focus.
• Like us on Facebook.
• Follow Sunnyvale Pres and Youth Ministry on Instagram.
• Re-read past articles in our newsletter archives.

Join us for weekly worship opportunities!

• Sundays @ 10 am — onsite or online
• Modern Worship Collective — 2nd & 4th Wednesdays @ 7 pm in the sanctuary
• Evensong: Contemplative Worship — 3rd Wednesdays @ 7 pm in the sanctuary

To join online, look for the red banner at the top of our website. Click the white button, “Join online worship & events.”