Welcome to Gonzales Community Presbyterian Church (PCUSA). Our worship services are at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays in our historic sanctuary at the southeast corner of Fourth and Day Streets in Gonzales, California. Sunday School for adults and youth from 10 years of age and up is held at 9:00 a.m.
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This website, like the church, is reformed and always reforming. Last reformed on November 4, 2003 by Ed Lee
Monthly Newsletter
The Pastor's Corner:
From the Pastor:
As we enter November, we are moving into one of the busiest times in the life
of our church. Preparation for the holidays seems to require even more time
than the actual holidays themselves. It is also a time for looking back at the
past year and looking forward to the next. In order to manage the stresses and
hectic pace of the time, it is important to keep our prayer lives on track and
to remember everyday to offer up the little prayer that Gerry Gerbrandt shared
with us: “Lord be with me today. I am going to do your work."
Sunday School for adults and youth has gotten off to a great start. Each week
we have had more people participating. If you have not yet had a chance to join
us, look to your schedule and see if you can take forty-five minutes on Sunday
mornings to join us at 9:00 for this new and different approach to Christian
Education.
November of course means Ham Dinner time. This year we really want to sell
300 meals. If you are unable to use or sell the tickets that were sent to you,
please return them to the church or to Wilma Twisselman for sales at the door.
The Dinner is on Wednesday, November 12, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. in Fowler Hall.
If you have not yet found out how you can help, please contact Trudy Pedrazzi,
she will find a place to put you to work.
On Sunday, November 16, we will be collecting the Faith Covenant cards that
you received during October. We were thrilled that in 2003, for the first time
in many years, we have been able to pay our operating expenses without having
to draw on our savings. This was due to your faithfulness in supporting the
work and mission of the church. We would like to be able to do the same thing
in 2004. Your pledge is important to us in planning what we will be able to
do in the coming year. Please take a few moments to prayerfully consider what
you can do to support Christ’s church in the coming year. Remember, it
is not just about money. If you are unable to pledge a specific dollar amount,
we still would like to know of your commitment to the church. Also remember
that this is a covenant between you and God as a way for you to say thank you
for the blessings that you receive for being a part of Christ’s church
in this place.
We will be holding our annual Thanksgiving service on Tuesday, November 25
at 7:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to bring some peace into your life
during this busy time and we hope that you will join us to take half an hour
to offer up thanks to God for the many blessings that have been showered upon
us during the last year.
Advent begins this year on November 30. This is the beginning of the church
year and a time of spiritual preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Sometimes
as we get into the work of preparing for Christmas we forget why we are doing
it. Each Sunday in Advent we will take a few moments to focus on the reasons
for this celebration.
Work continues on the new pictorial directory. Remember, if you do not have
a picture taken, you need to submit one to be included in the directory. If
you do not get your picture taken or submit one, I will draw one to include.
Remember, I am no artist.
The facilities work is also continuing. The new sidewalks and ramp to Fowler
Hall have been completed, a new sprinkler system on a timer has been installed
in front of Fowler Hall and on the north side of the church. New trees have
been planted and sod will be laid down within a week. If any of you would like
to add some new roses to the north side of the church, they would certainly
enhance the beauty of our facility. We are still waiting for the electrical
work to be done so that we may update the wiring in the church and begin the
work for creating a new church office with the computer and desk in the same
room. The plans will allow for a place more conducive to pastoral counseling
and be a true Pastor’s Study.
We am making plans for a different kind of service for this Christmas Eve.
Using the Vision Grant we received from Presbytery, we will be setting up a
multimedia projection system and we hope to incorporate more visual elements
into the service. Watch for the December Chimes for more details.
May the peace of Christ be with you all.
Pastor Ed
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Organized in 1883, Gonzales Community Church has met in our historic sanctuary
since 1884. Now part of the Presbyterian Church (USA) we remain firmly rooted
in the Reformed tradition in worship and theology, while reaching out to the
community as part of the Universal Church of Jesus Christ. As stated in the
original Church By-Laws, "our goal is to be Christian without being Sectarians,
. . . to be a community church in which all Christians can come together on
a common platform of Christian work and worship, without asking anyone to surrender
a single conviction or a single interpretation of Scripture that he or she holds
dear as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ." Back to home Coming Events
Though much has changed in one hundred and twenty years, we remain committed
to being an open, caring, and welcoming church, inviting all who wish to grow
in their Christian faith or to experience God's Good News of Jesus Christ to
join us in seeking to serve God in this community. As part of our commitment,
we incorporate contemporary elements into our traditional worship style to provide
an experience that will feed the needs of all the faithful.
We offer periodic, four to six-week long adult Bible study programs throughout
the year with special emphasis during Advent and Lent. We offer regular children's
Sunday School during the school year and a summer program designed to allow
children to have fun while learning about the faith. We also have child care
available during worship for infants and toddlers.
We glorify God in all our worship. Our choir welcomes all those who love music
to join with us in singing praises as we learn new contemporary praise songs
and enjoy traditional hymn favorites. Please join us as we continue our second
hundred years of being a "community" church, learning and growing in faith,
service and Christian outreach.
The Pastor is Reverend Ed Lee. Rev. Lee is a 1999 graduate of San Francisco
Theological Seminary and also holds a Bachelor's degree from Hardin-Simmons
University and a Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law.
He has been pastor of Community Church since January 2000.
Events for November 2003
Communion: November 2
Deacons: November 3, 7:00 p.m.
Session: November 9, 11:30 a.m.
Veterans' Day Holiday: November 11
Ham Dinner: November 12, 4:30-7:00 p.m.
I-HELP: November 19
Thanksgiving Service: November 25, 7:00 p.m.
Thanksgiving Day Holiday: November 27
First Sunday in Advent: November 30
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Scripture Readings and Worship Leaders
Scriptures for November
| Scriptures for November | Worship Leaders for |
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November 2: Ruth 1: 1-18 |
Worship Associate: Bud Sarmentor Sunday School Teacher: Adult: Joy Lee Youth: Rev. Ed Lee Children: Linda Fellows Ushers: The Marble Family Coffee Hour: Communion Server(s): Betty Finn |
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November 9: Exodus 16: 11-18 |
Worship Associate: Betty Finn Sunday School Teacher: Adult: Joy Lee Youth: Rev. Ed Lee Children: Linda Fellows Ushers: Lyn and Mikel Ann Miller Coffee Hour: |
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November 16: 1 Samuel 1: 4-20, 2: 1-10 |
Worship Associate: Susan Warner Sunday School Teacher: Adult: Joy Lee Youth: Rev. Ed Lee Children: Linda Fellows Ushers: Fred and Diane Green Coffee Hour: |
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Christ the King Sunday 2 Samuel 23: 1-7
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Worship Associate: Gary Gerbrandt Sunday School Teacher: Adult: Joy Lee Youth: Rev. Ed Lee Children: Linda Fellows Ushers: Marian Martin and Betty Phelan Coffee Hour:
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First Sunday of Advent Jeremiah 33: 14-16
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Worship Associate: Nancy Hunter Sunday School Teacher: Adult: Joy Lee Youth: Rev. Ed Lee Children: Linda Fellows Ushers: Coffee Hour: Communion Server: |
December 7 Malachi 3: 1-4 Communion |
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Photo Gallery
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| Gonzales Community Church | Interior of Gonzales Community Church |
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| Pentecost 2003 | The Rose Window |
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| Faw Window (1897) | Faw Window close up |
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| Palm Sunday 2002 | Easter 2002 |
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Reviewed and reapproved 3-13-2001
Mission Statement Gonzales Community Church
“The Gonzales Community Church hopes to foster, encourage, and extend to others,
the spiritual love embodied in the life, teachings, and person of Christ. It
hopes to be a place of worship of God, a spiritual resource, and an extended
family, welcoming and enriching the lives of all peoples and families in the
community and beyond.”
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History
The original deed to the property where the church now stands was signed by
Guadalupe Gonzales and her sons, Alfredo and Mariano, who were instrumental
in laying out the plan for the town in 1874. The Gonzales family designated
this parcel of land for a church building and the deed was presented to D.K.
Edwards, (the town's first public school teacher), Thomas F. Faw and George
J. Boekenoogen. These three men were trustees of the newly organized Baptist
Church of Gonzales. Three lots on the opposite corner were also a gift and were
later used to build a manse for the resident pastor.
Mr. Thomas Faw and Mr. D.K. Edwards organized a Sunday School program which
met in the original school house at 5th and Day Streets. A few years later these
men were joined by the Rev. Joseph Beaven, who began to hold monthly preaching
services. In 1883 the Rev. S.C. Keetch, had succeeded Rev. Beaven, and services
were being held twice a month.
On May 31, 1883 a group of 14 persons gathered at Mr. Edward's home to organize the Baptist
Church of Gonzales. The Edward's home still proudly stands on the northwest corner of 4th and
Day Streets. In the early 1920's it became the residence of the Ernest Bougher family. The
committee decided to begin construction almost immediately on the church sanctuary. Mr.
Joseph Patton hauled the lumber from Santa Cruz by horse and wagon.
On June 14, 1884 a service was held dedicating the completed structure. The
building and furnishings cost $3100. This amount was paid in full by the time
of the dedication. A quote from a local newspaper in 1884 gave the following
description: "Our church has a seating capacity of about 174 persons, including
the lecture room, which is separated from the main sanctuary by folding doors
which can always be used as needed. The style of the building is the 'Carpenter
Gothic' form of architecture which was very popular in the midwest. It has a
tower 60 feet high, containing a bell whose tones have been heard six miles
distant." The impressive stained glass windows have been in place for many years
and were given in memory of former pastors and members. The oldest of these
windows, the Faw Window, was given by Thomas Faw in memory of his wife, Jennie
Gilbert Faw, the first organist for the church.
In 1889 a Parsonage was built across the street from the church as housing
for the minister and his family. During the mid 1920's when no permanent pastor
was engaged, the Parsonage was rented out to single women high school teachers.
At that time the Parsonage received the nickname, "the salt shaker." As the
story goes, these women married local farmers and thus served as seasoning agents
in the community. From 1955-1968 the Parsonage served as Sunday School classrooms
and a church office. It was demolished in 1968 to make room for the construction
of the present Christian Education building. Back to home
The building of Fowler Hall was primarily the accomplishment of a group of ladies
known as the Mite Society, which was formed in 1915. The Mite Society met once
a month and welcomed all women of the community. They raised the money for the
building and all the furnishings of Fowler Hall in 1926-27. The hall was named
after the Rev. Walter Fowler, a former pastor. The hall was used by the high
school for basketball games and community social functions. The Mite Society
provided an important community service to Gonzales and was active in both social
and church activities for about 60 years.
From its beginning in 1883 until 1954 the church was known as the Gonzales Baptist
Church. In 1954 the Presbyterians joined forces with the Baptists to form a
Federated Church that became known as Gonzales Community Church. A major remodeling
of the sanctuary in 1955 included the addition of a choir loft and three classrooms
adjoining the east wall of the church. A new manse was also built.
In 1983 we celebrated our centennial year with several well-planned events beginning
with a tea and fashion show in April that showed clothing designs of the last
100 years. On June 11, 1983 our adult choir, augmented by voices from other
valley churches, presented two performances of "Alleluia! The Church Alive,"
to honor our church's birthday. A youth choir also sang. Sunday, the following
day, an unforgettable morning service of worship was presented with many pastors
in attendance who had filled our pulpit in previous years. After the service
a chicken barbecue and program held at the high school cafeteria concluded the
centennial events.
The Rev. Tom Patten faithfully served this church as pastor for 25 years from
1958 to 1983 when he retired. Twenty two ministers had preceded him. He was
only the second Presbyterian, the others all being Baptists. In 1988 our church
in a gesture of affection and appreciation elected Rev. Patten as Pastor Emeritus
of the Gonzales Community Church. His wife, Mrs. Marilyn Patten, besides being
a mother of four lovely daughters, found time to teach public school and direct
a large church youth choir which sang at services once a month.
Under law, a building in continuous use for 75 years may receive special recognition.
Our 115 year old church is the oldest building in Monterey County continuously
used for worship. Rev. Patten was instrumental in getting the church placed
on the National Register of Historical Places. A special service was held and
a plaque was placed on the front of the church near the plaque which commemorates
the rededication of the sanctuary in 1955.
In 1996, work began on refurbishing the sanctuary building with a new roof,
new paint and new landscaping. Special efforts were made to preserve the historic
stained glass windows and assure that they would continue to inspire worshipers
for another one hundred years.
Amazing Grace--A Blessing for the World
Everyday is Thanksgiving Day when we are in tune and harmony with the life
God has given us. There are many pearls of spiritual songs that offer us hope.
We are touched by messages sent to us that in words and music give us consolation.
One such blessing is the song Amazing Grace. Did you know it was written in
the 18th century by a man who in his early years was rebellious and lived the
life of a drunkard and a gambler? His mother had taught him Bible stories and
to pray, but he fought the spiritual side of his nature for many years. His
name was John Newton.
"Press-ganged" onto an English war ship, he escaped, was found, put
in irons by the tough captain who became fed up with his disruptive nature,
and traded him to the crew of a slave ship. Slaves were "cargo," no
more than a bale of wool or bunch of bananas. One night a violent storm rocked
the boat. John Newton could not swim. Amidst the turmoil and screams, he made
his way to the wheel, lashed himself to the wheel, and steered the ship through
the violent storm. It was then that he prayed. He asked God to save his soul,
and there he gave his life to the Lord. He prayed and asked the Lord to save
him and let him live He promised that he would change. His prayer was answered.
Then, he formed the words of the song that has become the anthem of Hope to
people in their own storms. He had lived through his "bottom." This
experience gave birth to Amazing Grace. He condemned slavery and became known
as "the slave-trader preacher."
This beauteous song that goes beyond religions, cultures, color and geography
has blessed the world. It was produced in the midst of sin. As Judy Collins
wrote in her personal history, it is a song about "letting go." She
had been on the edge, drinking to get beyond the chaos in her life. Since 1970,
at the end of every concert, she sings this song of healing with the audience.
Who knows how many have been touched by the testimony of song? It is a prayer
for the world. It has a straight path to the heart. It is a talisman and a blessing
for all of us. It is a hopeful message of salvation.
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