Hi everyone,

At the last couple of prayer meetings, we have been talking about fruitfulness. This week, we looked at a few reasons given in the Bible for why we do not bear good fruit.

1. Materialism

In the parable of the soils, the “thorny ground” is the heart of someone “who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22).

Hi everyone,

I wrote a little bit last week about the importance of fruitfulness. That raises a few questions, and I want to address one now: What is fruitfulness, exactly? “Fruit” is a vivid picture, but it would be good to know specifically what “fruit” is.

Here are some specifics.

1. The fruit of repentance.

Hi everyone,

At prayer meeting this week, we read Mark 11:12-26. There are two stories in this passage, related to each other. On his way into Jerusalem, Jesus curses a fig tree that has only leaves and no fruit. Then, he goes into the temple and throws out the businessmen who were crowding out the worship of God. Returning home from the city, Peter notices that the fig tree was already withered up!

The theme of this passage is the importance of fruitfulness. We should be always be bearing fruit for God, not merely displaying nice-looking religious foliage. This was the problem with Israel at the time: right there in the temple they were yielding the foliage of sacrifices, but there was no fruit of worship because everything was being done for commercial gain. As he had cursed the fruitless fig tree, now Jesus cursed the fruitless temple. A few days later, the temple’s veil was torn in two. A few decades later, the temple was destroyed.

So, we must be bearing fruit for God, otherwise we are under God’s chastisement, or even judgement. But how can we? It seems like an impossible task to understand and apply the Scriptures, grow in holiness, exhort others to do the same, evangelize, help the needy, build churches, conduct worship, influence society, and on and on.

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year!

Let me start by pointing out a few things, in case you don’t read any further. More details about each item are below.

1. There will be no Sunday School on January 2. We will resume January 9.
2. During the morning service on January 2, we will observe the Lord’s Table.
3. Ladies, there will be a baby shower on January 15.
4. Teens, this year’s Snow Rally in Sonora, on February 25-26.
5. Everyone, our congregational meeting is scheduled for January 26.

Hi everyone,

This is our last announcements email of 2021! I have been thinking about the fact that only a year ago we were waiting for our tent to arrive. That seems like an eternity ago.

Our encouragements this year have been many: new members, new children, new converts, days of fasting, opportunities for outreach and service, and a strong financial situation. We have had some challenges too: saying goodbye to those moving away, witnessing our society’s increasing hostility to God, and bearing each other’s burdens of loneliness, grief, unemployment, spiritual trouble, and illness.

God’s gifts of encouragement are little sermons, preaching the truth of 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” The challenges are little sermons, too, preaching the truth of John 15:5, where Jesus tells us that “apart from me you can do nothing.” Of course, these two texts are really saying the same thing, each with a different emphasis: our labor is not in vain in the Lord, and it is in vain apart from Christ. Either way, the key thing is that we are working out of our union with Christ: relying on him, obeying him, and lovingly aiming to please him.

The Lord’s Day

Sunday school is at 9:45am.

The morning service is at 11:00am.

• Mr. Jonathan Bartlett will be preaching.
• The Heavens Declare Thy Glory #113
• Hark the Herald Angels Sing #203
• Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming #221

There will be a singing group this Sunday afternoon (December 19) at 3:30pm, at the church.

Everyone is welcome to join this informal time for fellowship and singing practice. The focus will be singing Christmas carols, including those that we will be singing at our Christmas Eve lessons & carols service.

No need to RSVP, but if you have any questions, please speak to Matt or Joy Loh.

The Lord’s Day

Sunday school is at 9:45am.

The morning service is at 11:00am.

• Pastor Conley Owens from Silicon Valley Reformed Baptist Church will be preaching.
• O Come, All Ye Faithful #208
• O Lord, How Shall I Meet Thee? #156
• That Man is Blest #558

Hi everyone (and especially the ladies),

Only a couple days before the Ladies' Holiday Cookie Exchange!

Dear Congregation,

The Mercy Ministry Team would like to bless a member and family with a basket filled with their preferences. In January we are collecting items for Fernanda and family (Fernanda’s birthday is January 5). Please see the list of things that this family likes and, if you are able, to donate an item.

For Fernanda:

1. Chocolate
2. Avocado Whip
3. Plain Puree Soup
4. Smoothie
5. Favorite Type of Reading – Romance or Adventure (this can be new or gently used)
6. Favorite Flower: Gardenia
7. Favorite Music: Jesse McCartney, Jonas Brothers, Justin Bieber
8. Gift Card to Favorite Stores: TJ Maxx, Nordstrom, Amazon, Cinelux Theatre
9. Fernanda likes dolphins and meerkats

The Lord’s Day

Sunday school is at 9:45am. This week is our year-end wrap-up. Kids and adults will both gather in the fellowship hall. Pastor Goligher will read his favorite Bible story, and there will be some gifts for our hard working Sunday school students.

The morning service is at 11:00am.

• Galatians 4:8-11, “Known By God”
• All Praise To Thee #219
• I Sought the Lord, and Afterward I Knew #466
• Let Us With a Gladsome Mind #33

Thank offering

This Sunday, the thank offering is one way that we plan to express our thanks to God for his goodness to us. I neglected to mention this last week, but on this coming Sunday the offering we receive will be designated for the OPC’s denominational ministries, known as “Worldwide Outreach.” The ministries supported by Worldwide Outreach include Foreign Missions, Home Missions, and Christian Education. You can watch some videos about each of these ministries here.

If you are not able to contribute to this week’s offering, you can still designate a gift until December 12.

The Lord’s Day

Bible Reading

Old Testament

This week, our Bible reading plan (Adults’ Version, Kids’ Version) includes the story of Balaam the false prophet. Though Balaam was very powerful to curse Israel, God was more powerful to bless Israel. And God used a donkey to rebuke him! That’s humbling.

New Testament

Hi everyone,

This week, our Bible reading plan (Adults’ Version, Kids’ Version) takes us beyond the Red Sea and en route to Mount Sinai. It turns out that life after redemption is not a walk in the park! More like a walk in the wilderness. Thankfully, the God who brings us out of slavery is also able to satisfy our hunger, quench our thirst, and overcome our enemies.

Jesus gave much the same assurance to his disciples the night before his death, which is recorded in detail in John 13-17. After his death and resurrection, life would not be easy, but they would have the love of the Son who gave himself for his friends, the comfort of the Spirit, and the promise of eternal life with the Father. By faith, they will overcome the world. These promises all become reality when Jesus suffers arrest and trial (ch. 18), death (ch. 19), and then rises again (ch. 20) to renew his disciples in their service to him (ch. 21).

Kids, this week you’ll be reading in John 5 about how Jesus healed a disabled man. Here are a few things to think about:

Hi everyone,

This week, our Bible reading plan (Adults’ Version, Kids’ Version) switches two one OT chapter per day and two NT chapters per day. In the Old Testament, we are reading about the plagues God sent on Egypt. These plagues were acts of salvation to free his people from slavery, but they were also signs to display his power as the true and living God and to humiliate the false gods of Egypt.

Hi everyone,

Happy Reformation Day this Sunday!

This week, our Bible reading plan (Adults’ Version, ) takes us from the end of Genesis into the beginning of Exodus. In this portion of Scripture, all the odds are against the promises we read about in Genesis. Israel is far from the land, and surrounded by prosperous and strong enemies. The offspring of Abraham is threatened through murderous working conditions and the murder of infant boys. Yet God moved heaven and earth (literally!) to keep those promises and to glorify himself as the true God, against all the false gods of Egypt.

Dear ladies,

Here is a note from the Women’s Ministry Team:

Our dear friend Reshmi and her family will be moving soon to the Sacremento area.

Hi everyone,

Here are this week’s announcements. But first, a few words about this week’s Bible reading plan (by the way, here is the Adults’ Version, and the Kids’ Version)

Hi everyone,

Here are the announcements for this week. Please take note of the plan for a fellowship lunch on Sunday, November 14.

Sincerely,

Pastor Goligher

Hi everyone,

Here are this week’s announcements.

Just a reminder: tomorrow (during the Sunday School time) will be the first meeting of our Foundations Class, which is especially for visitors considering membership and younger folks preparing to profess their faith. Please join in if you would like.

Deacon Stan Liao will be teaching Adult Sunday School tomorrow on the subject of tithing. This is a very practical subject, so come if you are able and bring your questions!

Hi everyone,

It was a pleasure over the summer to get to know Jonathan Bartlett and also to meet his fiancée, Maddie Bolyard. They are to be married tomorrow (Friday, October 8) at their home church, Covenant Community in Taylors, SC.

The wedding will begin at 5pm EST (2pm our time). There will be a livestream of the wedding on the Covenant Community Church’s Youtube page. Whether you are able to watch or not, we encourage you to pray for the couple to enjoy God’s blessings as they enter upon married life together.

Hi everyone,

Our fall Bible reading challenge begins on Monday! There are more details in the announcements below.

This Lord’s Day morning we will gather at the Lord’s Table. I thought it would be timely to include a couple of questions and answers from our Larger Catechism on the Lord’s Supper. I hope these will assist you in your preparation for worship this week.

Hi everyone,

Here are the announcements for this week.

Sincerely,

Pastor Goligher

Hi everyone,

We are expecting a large group at the wedding celebration on Saturday afternoon, so we have decided to hold the event at the church to ensure there is adequate space.

The plan is for the appetizers (at 4 pm) and the meal (at 5 pm) to be served outside under the tent.

There will be activities and appetizers for the young children in the fellowship hall from 4 to 5 pm.

Hi everyone,

Last week, I announced that Pastor Michael Grasso would be filling our pulpit on Sunday the 19th. As it turns out, you are stuck with me! It will be “business as usual,” Lord willing, this Sunday.

Please note that tomorrow (September 18th) is the last day to RSVP for Jeff & Lydia’s wedding celebration. Speak with Julie Lemen to RSVP, and with Melissa Harvey to contribute to a group gift.

Sincerely,

Hi everyone,

I enjoyed reading this comment from Martin Luther on Galatians:

Jesus Christ the Son of God … suffered and died to deliver me from sin and death. … And this is the truth of the Gospel. It is also the principal article of all Christian doctrine, wherein the knowledge of all godliness consisteth. Most necessary it is therefore, that we should know this article well, teach it unto others, and beat it into their heads continually.

Hi everyone,

Unfortunately, our order of Psalter-Hymnals has been quite delayed. There is no word yet on when copies from the next printing will be ready to ship. In the meantime, some of you have mentioned that you are enjoying the app for your iPhone or iPad.

Personally, I have been using the Psalter in my own morning worship. Today, I sang through Psalm 65A, which includes these lines:

Hi everyone,

I am away this Sunday, for Jeff & Lydia’s wedding. We are glad to have Jonathan Bartlett filling our pulpit again.

The autumn season is an exciting one for church life. We are thankful for the rest and travels we have enjoyed over the summer, and now we are glad for a return to routines and rhythms of ministry and fellowship.

We have so many opportunities and advantages for serving the Lord. Our congregation is blessed with adequate finances, unity of purpose, and a spirit of prayerfulness and submission to God’s word. As we “lift our eyes” to the harvest fields around us, we pray for God’s help to use every opportunity for building his kingdom and honoring his name.

Hi everyone,

As promised, here is a suggestion about how to spend the day of fasting.

The basic point is to temporarily turn from something ordinary (food) to devote ourselves to something spiritual (prayer). Fasting does not have to be only about food. I would suggest that tomorrow we also turn from news, social media, and other entertainments as well. This is a simple way to reserve time and attention for prayer.

At breakfast time, read Nehemiah 9. Pray for God to forgive our sins, both personally, as well as the sins of the church more generally, and of our society. Praise God for his power in creation and his kindness in providence.

Hi everyone,

First of all, please remember that this coming Saturday, August 21, will be a day of fasting and prayer for many in the OPC. Tomorrow evening I will send out some suggestions for how to observe this day, but for now please note the corporate prayer time set for 3pm on Saturday afternoon.

This is an exciting week for our congregation, because Jeff Bergman and Lydia Bisson will be married, Lord willing, on Saturday afternoon. It has been a joy to watch over the past year and a half as they have taken steps towards marriage. We are looking forward to greeting the happy couple when they return to the Sunnyvale area after the wedding.

Since I will be in Ohio this weekend to officiate at the wedding, we have asked Jonathan Bartlett to supply our pulpit. We thank him for traveling all the way from South Carolina to assist us in this way.

Hi everyone,

One more sign of summer coming to a close is that Jonathan Bartlett, our summer intern, will depart for Greenville tomorrow. We have been blessed by his ministry to our congregation over the summer, and wish him well as he resumes his studies at Greenville Seminary, and prepares to be married in October.

Partly because it is his last Sunday, and also to provide me with a week off, Jonathan has a full slate of ministry opportunities this week. Lord willing, Jonathan will be back in our pulpit on August 29th, since I will be in Ohio that weekend for Jeff & Lydia’s wedding.

This week, we are also saying farewell to Claire Baeriswyl, who is leaving for San Diego State University. It has been a blessing to have Claire in our congregation these past several years, and we wish her success in her studies and God’s blessing in her life.

Hi everyone,

Santa Clara County revised its public health order this week. We will leave it to each of you to decide whether to wear a mask at church. The fellowship hall will remain a masks-only area during our Sunday service times.

Please continue to pray for our civil authorities to model wisdom and humility, and for the Church to know how to relate to them in a way that honors God and shows true love for other people.

On another topic, I hope many of you will be able to join us for Adult Sunday School over the next couple of weeks. Jonathan will be teaching about the history and teachings of Islam. We need to know about this subject, because we have many Muslim neighbors who need to hear the truth about Christ.

Hi everyone,

As July turns to August, our minds turn to the Fall, when vacations will be over and normal rhythms of school and work will resume. God is good to give us seasons of work and rest. In grace, he gives us six days to work and one to rest and worship. In nature too, he gives us springtime and harvest, summer and winter.

I have been reminded recently to pray for rain, as we seem to be entering another period of drought. Certainly, we should pray for God to send rain to make our fields fruitful, our homes comfortable, and our forests safe.

This week I have been studying Ezekiel’s prophecy of renewal to the people of Israel. Their time in exile was like a severe drought: their lives were barren and dirty, spiritually. God promised to give them new life, including a renewed land for them to live in.

Hi everyone,

This Sunday morning I will be addressing the subject of child safety in the Adult Sunday school class. The goal is to equip our church to prevent abuse and to respond appropriately to abuse if and when it happens.

For a variety of reasons, this subject is becoming more important and more complex. I plan to address 4 key developments in the past year that we need to be aware of as we consider how to nurture and guard our children, and how to live as “children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).

Another item to look forward to in Adult Sunday school is a presentation from Jonathan Bartlett on what Christians should know about Islam. He will give this presentation on August 8, with some follow-up on August 15.

Hi everyone,

It has been a wonderful and valuable week of ministry to kids, both inside and outside our church. Thank-you to everyone who helped out, and to all the kids who joined in. And together we thank God, who gave his Spirit so that we would have the gifts we need to serve together for his glory.

This Sunday evening, we are going to resume our custom of singing together before the evening service. This will be at 5pm (not 4:45, as in the past), so please come at the normal time. The only change is that before the usual announcements, there will be about 10 minutes of singing.

Hi everyone,

The apostle Paul wrote:

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)

Hi everyone,

Please note that the park day we had planned for tomorrow morning is canceled. Please stay tuned for announcements about future park days!

Sincerely,

Pastor Goligher

Hi everyone,

This is an eventful period for our church. After the upcoming long weekend, we only have one more week to prepare for Vacation Bible School, which starts on July 12.

There are a number of other items coming up, so please read carefully through these announcements.

Sincerely,

Hi everyone,

Some of you asked about the mobile app for the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. It is currently available only on Apple devices, but there is an Android version in the works. Here is the link to purchase the app for iPhones and iPads.

On the same “note” (see what I did there?), remember to order a copy or two to use at home. You can join the church’s order, which will save you a bit on shipping. The cost is $20 per copy, and we need your order by next Sunday, July 4. You can use to get in on this order, or speak to any of the church officers about it.

Hi everyone,

First, a quick note. Some of you have asked about using Zoom to join our lunchtime conversation with Tabitha Ewert. You can do so with the usual link. Of course, you can’t have pizza if you join by Zoom - up to you!

Resuming Sunday School last week was a great joy. So many things were the same as they used to be: telenews, singing happy birthday and the “world bank,” and some lively discussion. The kids also had a grand time learning about Pilgrim’s Progress.

Hi everyone,

First, two quick notes.

1. Please notice the announcement below about using masks in the fellowship hall during worship.

Hi everyone,

There are two special announcements I want you to notice:

Serving Christ in Ottawa

This , everyone is invited to join a conversation with Tabitha Ewert. Tabitha is a friend of mine who works in Ottawa, Canada as the legal counsel and spokesperson for “We Need A Law” ().The purpose of this organization is to save the lives of unborn children by advocating for legal restrictions on abortion.

Hi everyone,

We’ve been waiting a long time, and finally this week we return to Sunday School. Remember to set your alarm a bit earlier, and join us for edifying and enjoyable conversation and instruction. There are some more details below about how that will work. If you were not already in the habit of attending Sunday School before last year’s hiatus, now is the perfect time to get started!

May I also recommend that you join us for our evening services. Most Sunday evenings for the next couple months, Jonathan Bartlett (our summer intern) will be preaching through the book of Ruth. This is a fascinating and very personal story of God’s grace to one woman, her family, and to the whole people of God. This week, Jonathan is planning to preach on Ruth’s conversion and confession of faith in the true and living God.

Sincerely,

Hi everyone,

I hope you have all had a good week. It has certainly been a busy one for the church! We are thankful for all the opportunities God has given us for service.

Please take special note of the announcement about our plans to resume Sunday School next Sunday, June 13.

Sincerely,

Hi everyone,

The great English Bible translator William Tyndale once wrote:

Where the Holy Spirit is, there it is always summer, for there are always good fruits, that is to say, good works.

Hi everyone,

Before we get to our usual announcements, let me share the news that Rev. Sal Solis died yesterday. Rev. Solis pastored First OPC Sunnyvale for several years in the 1980s and 90s, and several other congregations in our presbytery as well. Here is a note from the stated clerk of our presbytery:

Pastor Solis was involved in the formation of Sovereign Grace Community Church as mentioned above. He served in several pastorates in this presbytery including First OPC, San Francisco, and First OPC, Sunnyvale as well as serving for a time in his retirement as stated supply for the Hughson Church. Please pray for Pastor Solis’ wife Amy; they were married for 66+ years, as well as for their children and other family members.

Hi everyone,

Please see this announcement from the Women’s Ministry Team:

On Sunday after the morning service we will gather outside under our tent to hold a baby celebration for Chloe Goligher. Given the current circumstances, this celebration is being held instead of a baby shower.

Hi everyone,

You and your friends are invited to Vacation Bible School at First OPC this summer!

Please share this email with anyone you think would like to join us for VBS this summer.

All the details are below. Looking forward to seeing you there!

May 16

Hi everyone,

One benefit of preaching twice a Sunday is that I often notice connections between two far-flung portions of Scripture. For tomorrow morning, I am preparing to preach on Psalm 125, which shows us the spiritual stability of God’s people who live by faith. Our text for the evening (Philippians 4:4-9) is another classic description of that spiritual stability, where we see what should come out of our minds (prayer, not anxiety) and what should go into our minds (“Whatever is true…”).

I’m thankful for these glimpses of Scripture’s wonderful unity, and also for its clear relevance to us as we seek to live in faith today.

Hi everyone,

Summer is just around the corner! This is exciting for all the usual reasons, but also because it means that some of our ministry plans are about to launch. Please take a minute to review these announcements, mark your calendars accordingly, and pray for God’s blessing on our efforts to serve him.

I am hoping to resume a more regular rhythm of pastoral visits. You can book a visit using this online tool (by the way, you can always find this link at the bottom of our announcements). If none of those times work, feel free to reach out to me directly. Most of the time, one elder and I will visit together. Over the summer, Jonathan will likely join many visits as part of his internship.