Dear Grace Family,
These announcements and prayer requests are being sent out every Thursday to inform us of what is happening in and the needs of our church. Please send any announcements or prayer requests to office@gfccsf.org by Tuesday evening.
Announcements for the Week of 8/4/25
Join Us for Sunday Worship, August 10 at 10:00 AM
As part of the Prophets of Freedom series, Pastor All will be preaching from Nahum 1:1-3, 6-8, 15; 3:1-7, 18-19. “Nineveh Has Fallen! Is It Okay to Feel Good When Evil is Defeated?”
Last Sunday, Pastor Paul Preached on “God’s Restoration”
If you want to re-listen to Pastor Paul’s sermon (and any other previous sermons), you can do so on our church’s website.
Sermons | GFCC (gfccsf.org)
Confirmation Blessing, Sunday, August 10
Pastor Paul and Kim Towsley have been meeting with Amanda Crawford, Christa Greenhill and Naomi Williams to prepare for confirmation. This Sunday, we will offer blessings on each one of them.
As soon as the service ends, please stay in your seats as we will immediately begin the confirmation blessing. A special reception will follow afterwards.
Daily Prayer at 12PM by the People of Grace Fellowship Community Church
Dear Grace Fellowship,
At noon everyday from Friday, Aug. 8th to Aug. 14th, please pause whatever you’re doing and pray:
God of life, we come with broken hearts for the people of Palestine, and we pray that you shield them from further violent attacks. Bring them water, medical care, and electricity. You said if we pray according to your will, you will hear our prayers. We intercede on their behalf, in the name of the Prince of Peace, who is Jesus. Amen.
When you pray, picture Grace Fellowship in diaspora in the city and elsewhere praying the same words at the same time. And remember, in the words of Karl Barth, “A clasp of the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.”
Interfaith Court Vigils at ICE (Through the Month of August)
ICE immigration courts have become sites of fear and danger for many immigrants simply trying to access due diligence.
If you would like to offer presence and spiritual solidarity, prayer and pastoral care, art, music and witness, please consider being a part of the Interfaith Court Vigils.
Ongoing Monday Affirming Bible Study on Zoom at 5PM
On Monday, August 11, the bible study will be talking about Israel/Palestine. If you are interested, the link below has more information or you can contact Michael Leslie.
Also on zoom on Tuesdays is the Prayer and Advocacy time.
Affirming Bible Study August 11
Presbytery, Thursday, August 14 - Friday, August 15
This year, Presbytery will be hosted by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Daly City (101 Vista Grand Ave - a 10-12 minute walk from Daly City BART station). It begins with a dinner on Thursday at 5:30 followed by a worship service.
We are reminded that when our church was going through some very difficult times, the presbytery stood by us and their companionship and friendship were fundamental to our health today. This is a great opportunity to nurture and cultivate this very important friendship. It is also a good opportunity to see the amazing diversity of the body.
Please let Caroline or Samantha know if you wish to attend the Thursday dinner.
InterVarsity Leaders Retreat, August 14 and 15
Brenden Gutierrez-Graczak will be leading a retreat for the student leaders at church. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks will be needed during this time. If you are able to help cook or provide any of these meals or snacks, please let Brenden or the church office know.
Love Feast on Sunday, August 17 (Fundraiser for the Philippines Mission Trip in October)
Please plan on staying to enjoy some Filipino music, food and pictures. You will get to hear from some of the trip participants. The participants are Shane Chao, Robert and Margie Chiang, Alejandro and Leni Juarez, Caroline Kennedy and Al Tizon. During our time in the Philippines, we will be spending time with our Mission partners and other ministries.
We invite you to help support this trip financially. You can contribute by going online or placing a check in our offering box (clearly marked for the Mission trip).
Invitation to Bay Area Christian Connection Church’s Annual Church Picnic
“My name is Tashae. I am the Bay Area Christian Connection Church Chair. We would like to invite you and members of your church to fellowship with us at our annual church picnic.
This year the picnic will be held on August 30, 2025 at the Lafayette Reservoir Park in Lafayette, CA. 3849 Mount Diablo Blvd. Lafayette, CA. We will be located at the Upper Picnic Site. Parking is $7. Picnic will be held from 11am- 3pm. Come out and join us! Please use the Eventbrite link below to register for attendance for all individuals in your party. Children included. Deadline to register is August 15th. Come out and enjoy food, fellowship, and fun! If you have any questions please reply to this email. Can't wait to see you!
God bless you.”
Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah will be Preaching on Sunday, August 31
Dr. Soong-Cha Rah is the Robert Boyd Munger Professor of Evangelism at Fuller Theological Seminary.
Bio
We will be serving a light lunch after service to hear more from Dr. Rah. If you would like to attend, please Sign Up
Church at the Crossroad Conference, September 11 to 13
Pastor Al had mentioned this conference when he was sharing about his recent trip to Palestine.
Church at the Crossroads is a gathering of Christians who recognize that the church stands at a defining moment…. Note that the conference is in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, but there is a virtual component. If you register for the virtual attendance, you will receive a recording of the conference for 7 days.
Church at the Crossroads – Conference for Christians Committed to Peacemaking
Jubilee Immigration Advocates 10 Year Anniversary Celebration, Friday, September 12
10 years ago, Grace Fellowship Community Church “birthed” Jubilee Immigration Advocates in our church building. We want to celebrate with them all the good work Jubilee has done and continues to do for those who are voiceless and marginalized.
Please use this link to reserve your ticket.
Joint Worship Service with Redeemer Community Church on Sunday, September 14 (Refreshment time to follow)
Rev. Dr. Robert Chao Romero will be our guest preacher that Sunday. He will also be the keynote speaker at Jubilee Immigration Advocate’s 10 year anniversary celebration.
Bio — Robert Chao Romero
Save the Date - Church Barbecue - Saturday, September 20
Washington Park in Burlingame (same place as last year). More information to follow,
Freedom Stories
We have been blessed hearing Freedom Stories from our brothers and sisters in our congregation. Let this be an open invitation to anyone who wants to share his/her freedom story with the congregation to contact Pastors Al or Paul.
Ministry Partners
Celebrating Rev. Betty Shirley’s 75th Ordination Anniversary!
On August 23, 2025, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church will celebrate the 75th anniversary of Rev. Betty Shirley’s ordination!
Rev. Shirley was ordained on August 23, 1950, becoming one of the earliest women in any denomination to answer God’s call to ordained ministry.
We will have a card for all of us to sign from GFCC. This Sunday will be the last chance to sign the card.
Read more here
