This month has been a blur - too much to get to a newsletter each week!! God has shown up in amazing ways. We had six delegates attend the Divisional Youth Retreat March 15 -17. I witnessed God speaking to each one at different times during the weekend. You'll be hearing from them soon.

Church members helped support the Community Easter Egg Hunt event the following weekend on March 23. Despite the rain, we had a great turnout! About 250 people set foot onto this church property to enjoy time with their families - majority of them for the first time. God is good!

The next day, March 24, we joined together with Gilroy, Redwood City, Sunnyvale, San Jose, and the Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) for a united Palm Sunday breakfast and service. We sang together, heard prayers and scripture in different languages. We were so happy to see how our Santa Clara family participated from the prayers, testimony, scripture, praise team, and our singing group.

Finally, we came together on March 29, Good Friday, to reflect on the history of the Israelite people and the significance of how Jesus saved us all on the somber day of His death. Which leads us to Easter Sunday, where we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

We look forward to spending the morning with you to celebrate our Risen Lord.

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Major Shoshannah

Breakfast starts at 9:30 am, followed by worship, and then an Easter egg grab after church.

Displayed Easter Lilies at church are from and in loving memory of:

Carlos Aragon - Grandmother Isabel Sepulveda

Bram Begonia - Grandparents Claudia & Johnny Begonia

Sharol Begonia - Grandparents Fortunato & Maria Sapla

Marisel Castillo - Father Francisco Castillo

Desiree Medina - Mother Gloria Ann Almanza

Desiree Medina - Grandmother Beatrice (Betty) Medina

Roxann Moorhead - Uncle Harold Moorhead

Rich Serrato - Father Robert Serrato

Shari Serrato - Mother Judith Costello

Shari Serrato - Father Clinton James Williams

Salvation Army - Soldier Richard T. Carr

Salvation Army - Soldier Arvona Stillwell

Our Women's Ministries Retreat theme is "Overflow." Our weekend will focus on Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (NIV).

The registration fee has not risen and is the same as last year - $200 for cabins, $250 for Lodge rooms, and $100 for those choosing to stay off-site (commuting from home/staying in a hotel) or choosing to be a Saturday-only attendee. Good news is that we will help pay $100 towards your weekend retreat (except if you are commuting). Any questions about the cost, please contact Major Shoshannah.

What to look forward to:

• Silent Basket Auction
• Mystery Grab Bag sales
• Workshops
• Bible studies
• Great food
• Great teaching
• Making new friends
• Bringing a friend
• Staying a Redwood Glen Camp and Conference Center

***Registration closes on April 12. Please let Major Shoshannah know if interested in attending.***

I am so excited to announce that I have the opportunity to serve APU this year in the Dominican Republic! I will be leading the team this year, which I am very excited about!

My team and I will be in the Dominican Republic from May 6th to June 4th, serving alongside Kids Alive International. My team has the opportunity to serve in Kids Alive schools throughout our time in the Dominican Republic, serving lower-income children and families. We will participate in teaching English, AWANA, math, art classes, sports ministry, various projects, and so much more. I am ecstatic to take this opportunity to serve the kingdom of God.

I cannot do this alone, so I would love it if you could consider partnering with me in prayer for my team, the trip, and Kids Alive; that would be amazing! Also, would you consider partnering with me financially? This trip is $3550, and I am confident the Lord will provide for me and my team to be confident in our YES to the Dominican Republic. There are two ways you can support me and my team financially! There is a link in my Instagram bio, and you can also click the link below, which will take you to the page where you can donate! You can also Venmo me at @Oscar-Sanchez-526. Your prayers and donations mean the world to me, and I could not have done this without you and your continuous support and love!

I have also attached some graphics below for you to share with your friends and your churches. It would mean a lot to me if you could spread the word to everyone and let them know about this amazing opportunity and how they can support it!

https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/GETeamSum/OscarSanchez

If you have any questions or want to know more about this trip, please feel free to contact me, and I would be happy to chat with you! Thank you again and again for your support in every way!

Blessings,

Oscar Sanchez

We are all focused on the upcoming holiday season, but I wanted to give you a bit of information regarding the upcoming Territorial Congress:

• Date: June 13-16, 2024
• Location: Pasadena Convention Center
• Theme: Testify!
• Visiting Leaders: General Lyndsay and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham
• Mission Statement/Scripture: Teach, Train and Motivate Salvationists to tell the Story of Jesus more often, and to more people, through words and actions. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)
• ARC Command will be receiving their own travel subsidy for current beneficiaries. Those who have graduated and attend your corps can be included in your non-officer counts.

Registration is now open, and the registration website also has links to the hotels that we have negotiated room rates for. We encourage everyone to register and book rooms early. PLEASE note Retired Officers must book their hotel room directly through Major Nancy Dihle. https://events.usawest.org/

The Ordination and Commissioning ceremonies will take place as part of the Friday night opening celebration session of the Congress, with the appointments being given out in the final meeting on Sunday afternoon. What an exciting way to start the Congress!

Meals

Registration at the congress includes 5 meals for the entire family. This will be a wonderful time for fellowship.

There is a goal of sending 200 delegates (no officers or retired officers included in this count) from the Golden State Division. There will be a subsidy available of $350 per delegate for the first 200 delegates. We are still working out details regarding the subsidy and how it will be distributed.

As more information becomes available, it will be shared. Here is the link to an article on The Landing about the Territorial Congress: https://usawest.sharepoint.com/sites/NewFrontierChronicle/SitePages/General-to-attend-2024-Congress-in-Pasadena.aspx

If you're a Salvationist with a passion for art, this is for you! The theme is "Testify" – teach, train, and motivate others to share Jesus' story through their words and actions. 1 Peter 3:15 reminds us to "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope

that you have."

To enter, submit your original artwork that represents your ideas and thoughts on the theme. All submissions must be the original work of the participant, and open to Salvationists of all artistic abilities across the Western Territory.

1 Winner per category will have their art featured on an item sold during Congress, June 14-16, 2024.

Each winner will also receive a $50 Amazon gift card! Entries are due by April 7, 2024.

Email submission must include your name, age and Corps/Division

artcontest24@usw.salvationarmy.org

Creating Artwork for the “Testify” Theme

If you're a Salvationist with a passion for art, this is for you! The theme is "Testify" – teach, train, and motivate others to share Jesus' story through their words and actions. 1 Peter 3:15 reminds us to "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope

that you have."

To enter, submit your original artwork that represents your ideas and thoughts on the theme. All submissions must be the original work of the participant, and open to Salvationists of all artistic abilities across the Western Territory.

Your artwork may be hand-drawn or digital but must include The Salvation Army red shield. It should be no larger than 8 1/2" by 11", and submitted in JPEG, JPG, PDF, or PNG format. Only one entry is allowed per person.

Categories:

Adults 20+

Teen 19-13

Children 12 below

Please help us keep you informed by signing up for the Remind App. Simply follow the directions. The goal is to touch base with a newsletter once a week and avoid 25 responses to a group text. This is a secure way for us to do this. Text to: 81010, Send the message: @chkhc6.

Feel free to share the info. Thank you in advance.

Sunday:

• 9:30 AM Sunday School for Youth and Adults
• 10:30 AM Worship service
• 11:00 AM Junior Church
• 12:30 PM Potluck & Fellowship (3rd Sunday unless scheduled otherwise)

Wednesday:

Illuminate Youth Schedule

• 4:00 PM Troops Youth Character Building Program
• 5:00 PM Music Instruction: Singing, Timbrels, Drumming, Solo Practice
• 6:30 PM Dinner for All
• 7:15 PM Adult Bible Study/Youth Drama

Friday:

• 5:00 PM Teen Youth Group (Monthly - Dates vary)

• 7:00 PM Women's Fellowship - Ladies Night Out (Monthly - Dates vary)

Email: shoshannah.ruwethin@usw.salvationarmy.org
Website: siliconvalley.salvationarmy.org
Location: 3090 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, CA, USA
Phone: 408.247.4588
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TSASantaClaraChurch