On September 5th, 1882, union workers from many trades took a day off. They lost pay to march in New York City to demand better compensation, fewer hours, and safer working conditions. Many stayed after the march to picnic and enjoy their day off. This event became the first unofficial Labor Day and an annual celebration of workers, becoming more popular every year in other states. In 1887, Oregon was the first state to pass a law making Labor Day a holiday; over time, other states followed. In 1894, Congress officially made the first Monday in September a federal holiday. (Labor Day information from study.com)

Labor Day has become a day of rest for laborers and an "extra day off," but we can often fill it with things we have to get done or use it as a day to catch up on work. In a world that glorifies busyness and constant productivity, it's easy to overlook the importance of this chance to get some rest. But as Christians, we are called to live differently, and part of that calling involves embracing the gift of rest.

Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV) - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Jesus himself invites us to find rest in Him. He recognizes our weariness and burdens and offers a place of solace and rejuvenation. Resting in Him acknowledges our need for His grace and guidance. 

When we take a day of rest, we are following Christ's example. We step away from the noise and chaos of the world to draw closer to Him. It's an opportunity to pray, reflect, and meditate on His word. In doing so, we find spiritual renewal and strength for the challenges ahead.

So, let us not view this day off as a mere break from work but as an opportunity to connect with God, embrace the gift of rest, and allow it to nourish your soul, for in those moments of rest, you will find the peace and strength that only He can provide.

We hope you have a wonderful Labor Day tomorrow, and if you have the day off, enjoy a day full of rest!  

Join us for our next monthly Sister's Breakfast!

Time:  9:00 AM

Place:  Leila by the Bay

Address: 1991 Railroad Ave., Hercules

All sisters and friends are welcome! Please RSVP by Wednesday, Sept 4.

We hope to see you there! 

Some from our fellowship groups went to the beach last weekend at Santa Cruz Beach and had a great time! We had great conversations as we discussed scriptures and different ways the scriptures impacted our hearts while listening to the sounds of the waves and the seals in the background. We then enjoyed time to relax on the beach and continue the fellowship and some even went down to the shoerline and got their feet wet in the water.  The kids enjoy playing on the beach and then a group took the kids over to the Beach Boardwalk to go on some rides. Then others of us went to the pier and enjoyed some seafood for lunch as we continued our time of fellowship and great conversations. God truly blessed the day and we had beautiful weather and just an overall fantastic time of faith, fellowship and fun!

Sydney Diggs, a disciple from our sister church in Dallas, had a powerful revelation after a bout with cancer – she felt she hadn’t done much help in her community. So she started an organization called “Any Step” in Dallas to help needy older members of the community to receive the help they need in the form of food packages. 

In 2017, Any Step donated 130 lbs of food to 25 families. In 2020, they donated 3893 lbs of food to 718 families. Most recently, at the end of 2023, they donated 19,299 lbs of food to approximately 3000 families!

Learn more about her charity at www.anystepcommunity.com.

Watch the 5-Minute video Keydogo made about Any Step by clicking the button below.

Laboring For The Good Of The Community

New Inspiring 5-Minute Keydogo Video About "Any Step" In Dallas

Can you believe it is September?! How did it get here so fast?!

School is in session for the kiddos, campus is returning to campus soon if they haven't already, the Peninsula Fellowship Group had it's Fantasy Football League Draft, our annual Teen event with Sac Metro and Reno and the Fresno fellowships is in just a few weeks, our annual Singles Conference in Anaheim is a wrap, the elections are quickly approaching.... wow so much going on! 

Next weekend we will again have church services around the Bay Area. We will have services in Oakland/Alameda, Tri-Valley, South Bay, Peninsula, Palo Alto, and San Francisco.

We have a SCUAD (Social Cultural Unity And Diversity) Team Zoom event coming up where we will address the elections and the divide that can occur and how to look at it spiritually. More on this event on our website.

Our next All Fellowship Service will be at the end of September, when Kyle Plum from our sister church in San Diego will be joining us. More information to follow on the website and the newsletter.

We hope you can join us soon!