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 10/13/25
Join Us for Sunday Worship, October 19 at 10:00 AM
Irene Fong will be preaching from Acts 8:26-40, “Keep it Simple”.
Last Sunday, Pastor Paul Conti preached on “You Can’t Have it Both Ways”
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)
Daily Prayer at 12PM by the People of Grace Fellowship Community Church
Recent eyewitness accounts of ICE raids have been the springboard for this prayer submitted by Jensa Woo for the week of October 17 - October 23
O Lord, we pray against the inhumanity and cruelty shown to those killed, harmed, or unjustly arrested without due process. Pierce through the callousness of those who show blind obedience to laws
that are inhumane and destroy.
O God, grant that we may see Your image in every single person who crosses our path, that we may do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with You.
Let us be instruments of Your peace and justice, today and each day.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit we pray. Amen.
Baptismal Service, Sunday, October 19
We are honored to be celebrating with Rocsi Reeves, Na’lani Reeves (Kamari
and Rocsi’s infant daughter) and Joyce Kimotsuki as they are baptized this Sunday! We will witness these beautiful baptisms during our worship service.
If you are considering baptism yourself, please speak with Pastor Al or Pastor Paul.
Food Pantry Volunteer Party, Saturday, October 25
You are invited to join the GFCC Food Pantry volunteers as we celebrate Cindy and Mike Peterson's many years of commitment and dedication to the GFCC Food Pantry! On Saturday, October 25, at 3-4:30pm in the courtyard after the Food Pantry is over, we will have a volunteer party potluck. Please bring a snack to share.
For more information, please contact Karen Seth.
2025 Advent Retreat at Vallombrosa Retreat Center - Early Bird Deadline October 26
Dear GFCC,
We are excited to offer our 2025 Advent Retreat at Vallombrosa Retreat Center in Menlo Park on Friday evening, December 12 through Saturday afternoon on December 13. Our theme is A Fairy Tale of Hope. Perhaps you could use a little hope these days.
Paul
Important Information:
Early Bird Rate till October 26, 2025. You can make a payment through our giving portal at https://www.gfccsf.org/Give. There's a drop down menu of choices where you will find the Advent Retreat.
Overnight rate =
$265 per person includes private room, private bath, meals (includes dinner Friday night, breakfast and lunch on Saturday) and retreat costs.
$225 per person includes a shared room with private bath, meals (includes dinner Friday night, breakfast and lunch on Saturday) and retreat costs.
Commuter rate =
$135 per person (includes dinner Friday night and lunch on Saturday) and retreat costs.
Pricing after October 26 is $280 per person for private room, $240 for shared room, and $150 for commuter.
Please sign up here
Special Love Feast and Dessert: Honoring Our School District Workers—Retired and Still Serving, Sunday, October 26
During worship on October 26, we will offer prayer and thanks for those serving in the trenches of our schools, and for the faithful witness of our retirees.
Join us afterward for our love feast and dessert treats as we celebrate congregation members who have served as teachers, paraprofessionals, principals, librarians, speech therapists, coaches, and support staff. Through years of patient dedication and servant leadership, they have brought Christ’s love into classrooms and communities, reflecting His grace in countless ways.
“A Peace Party – Okagesama de” Hanami Hope Event, Sunday November 2
Save the date: On Sunday November 2, 2025 between 2 and 4 in the afternoon, Hanami Hope and Grace Fellowship Community Church are sponsoring an event called, "A Peace Party-- Okagesama de".
It will be held the day after All Saints Day. "Kage" is the Japanese word for ghost or spirit. "O" is the Japanese honorific added before a word for politeness, "Sama" is like "san", which is added after a name for politeness, and "de" is a marker particle. "Okagesama de" is an important phrase in Japanese culture, giving respect to all the unseen people that take part in our everyday lives. It is kind of like, "We are all in this together".
The gathering will reflect the 1960's mood and feel, with 1960's music. This is the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the 50th anniversary of the end of the Viet Nam war. Just like 1970 was the summer of love, this should be a season of peace. Mochi and Japanese food will be served.
Please contact Laurie Gong if you have any questions.
Christmas Tree Theme
We will be redecorating our church Christmas Tree this year. Our new theme is "For God so Loved the World." The youth will be making a garland with the theme in different languages and we will still use some of our chrismons.
We would like the congregation to donate ornaments that you make or purchase. It would be great if we can have ornaments from all around the world. We will be collecting ornaments soon.
Please contact Linda Kay or Lisa Balzer if you have any questions.
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; please contact Pastors Al or Paul.
Community Events
NO KINGS Day, Saturday October 18
Grace Fellowship congregants are being invited to join NO KINGS Day—a joyful, peaceful expression of resistance to oppression.
Schedule:
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11–12 PM – Human banner at Ocean Beach (Stairwell 17)
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12–1:30 PM – Rally at Sunset Dunes (Upper Great Highway & Judah St.)
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2 PM – March from Embarcadero Plaza to Civic Center Plaza
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3:30 PM – Rally at Civic Center
Trump is doubling down—sending militarized agents into communities, attacking immigrants and refugees, silencing voters, and giving billionaires giveaways while families struggle.
For the march and rally, participants are invited (but not required) to wear Halloween costumes, bring flags, signs, and musical instruments. Let’s make this a peaceful, joyful celebration of democracy and community.
Michael Leslie will help coordinate folks who want to meet up and participate in the day's events together. He has set up a group chat on the secure, private messaging app Signal. Join the chat on your smartphone for information.
If you don’t have a smartphone or have trouble using the Signal app, please reach out to Michael Leslie for more information.
Learn more: www.nokings.org
Ministry Partners
Cumberland Presbyterian Newsletter - Denominational History
A piece of our denominational history and identity as a church was born out of the Great Revival in the early 1800s.
“The 225th-anniversary commemoration of the Great Revival drew clergy, historians and lay faithful October 10–12, 2025, at the Red River Meeting House, near Adairville, Kentucky, marking a milestone in the history of American frontier religion.”
Read more - Celebration at Red River