11.4.2025 PBPC Family Bulletin
PBPC Family,
This Sunday, I will be sharing with PBPC the message I preached at MVPC last week - about how justice is central to God's heart and what that means for us as followers of Jesus. In the OT, there are four categories of people that are often mentioned together, named the "quartet of vulnerability" by theologian Nicholas Wolsterstoff: the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the immigrant.
In preparation for this Sunday's sermon, alongside reading the text, I invite you to prayer for these groups of people.
- Pray for those in Jamaica who have been devastated by the recent hurricane. We have a connection to Jamaica - Robin (Rory's husband) is from there and has family members who still live there and have been impacted.
- Pray for widows and orphans in Ukraine, Gaza, Israel, Sudan, and Nigeria, among other places where violence and conflict are present. Pray for the widows in our congregation. Pray for those who have lost their parents, whether young or old.
- Prayer for immigrants and refugees and for those organizations who are working to resettle those feeling violence and persecution. Christianity Today had a recent article on the updated refugee cap and its impact on Christians fleeing persecution.
- Pray for individuals impacted by the continuing government shutdown and those who receive SNAP benefits. Harbor House is one organization that receives food through government subsidies. They and the community they serve may be directly impacted.
- Pray that as followers of Jesus, we can do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
Looking forward to worshipping with you on Sunday!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Calvin
"Establish Justice at the Gates"
Amos 5:14-15, 21-24
Calvin Sodestrom
Pre-Service prayer in the Cafe from 9:30-9:45
November Bible Reading Plan
Commitment Cards
If you'd still like to turn in a commitment card for 2026, HERE is a digital copy. You can send them to accounting@pbpc.org.
New College Berkeley Seminar: Jesus and Empire
New College Berkeley is hosting a seminar, Jesus and Empire: Living into God's Rule while Subject to Earthly Rulers on November 8 from 10:00am-2:00pm at First Pres Berkeley. The event will be led by Dr. Michael Barram and Rev. Mark Stryker. For more information and to register, click HERE.
Congregation Conversation - November 9
As we move forward with lease negotiations with New City Church, we want to have a congregational conversation after service on November 9 to discuss how this will impact PBPC. Stick around after the service in the sanctuary for a time of conversation and prayer.
Food Pantry - November 12
Join us for our next food pantry on Wednesday, November 12 from 5:00-6:00pm. If you'd like to help pack bags, please come at 4:30pm.
Operation Shoebox - Due November 16
We will collect all shoeboxes (in person and digital donations) on November 16. Physical boxes are available to be picked up at church and more information for digital donations can be found HERE.
Harbor House Christmas Store
On Saturday, December 13, 2025, Harbor House will host its annual Christmas Store. The Store is an empowering opportunity for parents from our community to select toys for their children, purchase them at greatly reduced prices ($2 per toy), and experience the joy of watching their children open a gift that they have chosen on Christmas morning. All proceeds raised from the Store provide financial assistance for families with urgent needs. Volunteers are needed to help us set up the Store on Friday, the 13th, and run the Store on Saturday, the 14th. To volunteer for the Christmas Store, please fill out our Christmas Volunteer Form. For any questions about volunteering, please email Nicole.
If you'd like to donate toys for the Christmas Drive, you can purchase gifts on Harbor House's Amazon Wish List. Items purchased from the wish list will be delivered to a volunteer's home and then brought to Harbor House (the deliver address is already set up in the Wish List).