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 10/20/25
Join Us for Sunday Worship, October 26 at 10:00 AM
Pastor Al will be preaching from Revelation 3:1-6, “Good Enough: Waking Up to Spiritual Lethargy”.
Last Sunday, Irene Fong preached on “Keep It Simple”
If you want to re-listen to Irene’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
Noon Prayer for Those Who Serve in Our School District
submitted by Mylene Foo for the week of October 24 - October 30
To our God who sees long days and scarce resources,
we thank You for those who show up day after day—
teachers, principals, para-professionals, and staff
bearing burdens too heavy for one day.
Bless those serving now and those who have retired.
Bless the students carrying more than backpacks,
the families stretched thin,
and the vulnerable unseen by others but known by You.
In Your presence, may all come to know You—
faithful Provider of every breath.
Amen.
No King’s Day on October 16
Thank you to the members of GFCC who participated in this past Saturday’s No King’s events. You were part of the human banner at Ocean Beach - the “N” in “ON”!
In addition…here is Rev. Whitney Brown, an ordained Cumberland Presbyterian Church minister protesting in the past with words from the Cumberland Presbyterian Confession of Faith.
Rev. Brown says, “Faith and ministry takes many forms; work for justice and an end to systems of oppression is something the covenant community cannot neglect.”
Please see more about the No King’s Protests in the Family Matters and Prayer Requests section below…..
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.
Journeying Together, Sunday, November 2
The second session of Journeying Together will take place after Sunday service on November 2. Pastor Al will be leading a discussion on “Spiritual Gifts.” We will be looking at Spiritual Gifts, not just exclusively for the building of the church, but for the transformation of the world. A light snack will be provided. All are invited to attend.
The Philippines Mission Team Will be Sharing on Sunday, November 9 During Sunday Service
Here is one team member’s reflection:
“..so thankful to the Lord for the gift of experiencing integral mission in action here; the Church used by the risen Christ to transform lives of street dwellers, of bright as well as shy intellectuals, of quiet rural folks and more…”
The Ministry of CCT (Center for Community Transformation)
A kindergarten class set up in the Payatas district of Quezon City (formerly known as the garbage dumpsite)
Roadside School for the poor and street children.
Grace Fellowship Community Church Anniversary Potluck Celebration, Sunday, November 16
On November 16, Grace Fellowship will be celebrating its 42nd anniversary!
42 years ago, on Sunday, November 20, 1983, 30+ members from the Chinatown Cumberland Presbyterian Church worshipped together for the first time as Grace Fellowship Community Church at Portalhurst Presbyterian Church in the Sunset district of San Francisco.
Praise be to God for His faithfulness and bounty to our congregation. Let’s celebrate together by bringing your favorite dish to share during our potluck lunch.
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.