As the restrictions on worshiping in-person continue indefinitely, we are holding online worship services every Sunday at 10 am. You can participate by clicking on the link below. Previous services are available on the Services/Sermons page. 

This Week's Sunday Worship Service
Welcome to the Elim community of faith. We are a diverse people who gather in the presence of God to receive grace and hope and to be renewed in our calling to love one another, all people and all of creation. ​
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ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week's Devotion from Pr. Kathryn

Gratitude
A week ago, at our Tuesday evening Bible Study, we were lamenting how we are all feeling a bit discouraged recently with what’s been going on in our lives: 
  • The division in our country
  • The cry for justice from people of color
  • Air quality in our towns
  • Electricity warnings for possible shut offs
  • Children and youth doing online learning 
  • Concerns about COVID, and 
  • Questions regarding our church having in–person worship. 
We all agreed that it is a time when God’s people are anxious, and yearn for 
the gift of HOPE. 

Then one woman in our group said these simple words of wisdom: “When I wake up each morning, before I even get out of my bed, I give thanks to God for 4 things. They may or may not be the same 4 things I listed the day before.”
    
So I’ve been doing that, and it has “jump started” my day! I believe that gratitude is like a door which opens to HOPE & JOY! 

Here is what I thanked God for this morning: 
  1. The beautiful, crisp, slightly cool fall morning! 
  2. The hike I went on with Sofia, my black lab, on Monday morning. 
  3. The privilege of working with our fine, committed, faithful staff members of Elim: Erin, Lauren, Barb & Richard. 
  4. The opportunity to serve at Elim as your Interim Pastor.  
May God empower you with gratitude for all of God’s gifts for you, and may you be given the grace to receive hope and joy! 

See you in worship, 
Pastor Kathryn May God empower you with gratitude for all of God’s gifts for you, and may you be given the grace to receive hope and joy! 

See you in worship, 
Pastor Kathryn

Tuesday Night Bible Study -- on Zoom!

Come join us every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. for conversation about the upcoming Sunday worship Bible passages. ALL are welcome! No prior experience with Bible Study needed! Just bring your Bible and an open heart! To get an invitation to this Zoom gathering, please contact Erin at the church office.

​Be A Part Of Our Online Worship!

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It's wonderful to see our church family participating in our online worship services. We would love for you to join in! There are several ways you can be a "worship helper" during this time of online worship. We're looking for:
  • Photos of "You" to share in the service. A way for us to "see" each other!
  • Senders
  • Readers
  • Special music
Interested or have questions? Contact Barb. Thanks!

Second Mile Giving: November 2020

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ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response
“Second-mile giving” refers to an extra offering toward a special cause. Our second mile giving for November goes to Mt. Cross Outdoor Ministries. Mt. Cross is conveniently located amidst the beautiful redwoods in Ben Lomond, California – only 20 minutes from Santa Cruz. It offers  summer camps for 2nd through 12th grade campers as well as programming for families and youth including traditional overnight camps, beach camp, night owl camp, adventure programs, servant events, family camp, congregationally-based day camps, and more.

​Offering can be given through Tithe.ly or mailed to the Church Office at 504 Baker St., Petaluma CA 94952
​Note: If donating to Second Mile Giving, please note "2nd Mile: Mt. Cross" in your preferred offering method. Thanks!

Food Pantry News

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The Interfaith Food Pantry was featured in an Argus Courier article on May 28. Click here to read the article.
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The Thursday food pantry is an essential service in our community, even more so during this crisis.  We hope to keep it available to those in need of food and are looking for volunteers who are willing to help with distribution on Thursdays. If you are interested, please contact the Office.  We have a good supply of paper bags at the moment, thank you!

Set-up:  4:00—5:30 p.m.
Distribution:  5:30—6 p.m.
Clean-up:  6—6:30 p.m.

ELCA COVID-19 Response Fund

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​Months may have passed since you last walked in the doors of your congregation and worshiped, face-to-face, with your community of faith. To be sure, being the body of Christ looks and feels differently than it ever has before. 

With congregations and ministries across the country, and a network of companion churches and partners in over 70 countries around the world, we anticipate this crisis will affect us all. Your gifts to the ELCA’s COVID-19 Response Fund will provide funds to the ministries of the ELCA most in need and best positioned to help. This includes our congregations as well as local and churchwide ministries capable of reaching and assisting those in need. If you are able, please help with a gift today.

Donate Now
 ​Elim Lutheran Church | 220 Stanley Street | Petaluma CA 94952
​(The church office is next door at 504 Baker St.)
​Office hours: 9am-Noon,  Monday - Thursday. Also noon - 2pm by appointment.  Closed until further notice but the phone and email will be monitored!