Jesse Cottonham: GX Volunteer Mentor
by Grace Dulcé
With more than 25 years of working with youth from all walks of life under his belt, Jesse Cottonham is showing no signs of slowing down. He and his wife, Pally, of 34 years have been awarded a number of covetous titles including the Jefferson and Mielke Awards for outstanding community service. This San Francisco native’s love for God and passion for kids can be seen weekly as he volunteers his Sundays to help serve GX youth.
The Cottonham’s have been ALCF members for three years. They have two adult children who are both married and ALCF members. Jesse, having gone on the Mexico mission trips and both summer and winter camps, treasures many fond memories with the youth. By profession, he is a human performance senior specialist for a local energy company, where he trains electrical workers to reduce performance errors. Upstairs in GX, he is simply known as “Uncle Jesse.” Read more
Share Your Easter Celebration 2012 Story With Us!
We are believing God for some amazing things to happen in and through us during this Easter Celebration season. Please share your story with us!
In Memoriam: Pastor Sid Harms
On Tuesday, February 21, Pastor Sid Harms went home to be with the Lord. He had served as our pastor of Marriage and Family Ministries for over eleven years and, while we are deeply saddened by his passing, we are extremely grateful to God for his ministry which has had a tremendous impact on the lives and marriages of many in the ALCF family and beyond.
To us on staff, he has been a wonderful friend, colleague, mentor, and pastor. We will miss him greatly.
Please join us in praying for Pastor Sid’s wife and ministry partner of forty years, Christine, and their family.
The Harms also welcome your expressions and condolence and remembrance which you can post at pastor-sid-harms.forevermissed.com. Cards may be sent to the ALCF administrative offices at 2581 Leghorn St, Mountain View, CA 94043. (The family has requested that no flowers be sent to the home due to allergies.)
If you would like to provide practical support to Christine and the family, we invite you to email the coordinator at careforchristine@gmail.com.
Click here to view the memorial service held on Saturday, March 3.
Answering The Call
by Grace Dulcé
What began for ALCF member Gina Covello as a two-year volunteer assignment with Kid’s Club, has become a lifelong commitment and friendship with two young girls whom she came to know deeply through this weekly after school program at Brentwood Academy in East Palo Alto. Gina, a former high school teacher, felt God’s calling through ALCF’s weekly service announcements.
“It’s funny because when God calls you, He really calls you.”
The goal of ALCF’s Kids Club is not to just teach kids biblical lessons and values, but to help them apply God’s Word to situations and circumstances in their own lives given the challenges they face at home, in their neighborhoods, and at school. Read more 
Experiencing God’s Faithfulness
by dr. jjj (Shared at NOW, October 2011)
At last October’s Night of Worship (NOW), Roger Whitcomb shared his journey of finally “seeing” and accepting Jesus. His relationship with God affirms that there is something comforting and empowering in knowing that no matter how far we drift from God, He never withdraws His hand from us or His call on our lives. Read more
RealOptions (CPC) Celebrates 30 Years!
MEMBER MILESTONES—ANNIVERSARY: September 1981
Founded by ALCF members Tom and Marion Recine, RealOptions (formerly Crisis Pregnancy Center) has offered “hope, help, and healing” to over 100,000 clients facing unplanned pregnancies through medical services, educational programs, and practical support for the last thirty years.
One such client, ALCF member Stephanie* attests to the support she received when facing her unplanned pregnancy:
“When I found out that I was pregnant, I confused and hurt and ashamed, and I wanted to terminate the pregnancy altogether. No one would know, and life would be easy. Read more
“Let Them Eat Cake!”
Pastor Sid and Christine Harms’ Fortieth Wedding Anniversary—Cake, Coffee, and Card Reception Held on August 28, 2011
by Elizabeth Softky
“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”—Psalm 127a
It’s a beautiful celebration for a lovely couple whose love for God and each other is as fresh today as it was when they met in high school. Fellowship hall guests maneuver their way through tables topped with generous bunches of fragrant red roses and scattered with photos of the Harms’ wedding and honeymoon trip. A stream of well-wishers wait patiently in line to thank Pastor Sid and his wife, Christine, for how they’ve been blessed by them. Read more
Rashele Norman Celebrates Ten Years of Sobriety
by Nicole Minieri (Shared at Night of Worship, October 2010)
RASHELE NORMAN is the Child Care Director for Abundant Life. She grew up in a Christian home and learned about God and Jesus through Sunday School and church experiences. She feared God and reverenced Him. However, she wasn’t able to accept His love, and wound up turning to alcohol to numb the pain in her heart. On June 24, Rachele celebrated ten years of sobriety from alcohol, and shared her experience, strength and hope at the June 22 Night of Worship service. Read more
Ella Nolley
Ella Nolley
Ella Nolley went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 after a brief illness. Funeral services were held at ALCF on Friday, July 22.
Ella will be remembered for so many things, but mostly for her generosity, candidness, fierce devotion to family and friends, and her infectious laughter.
To view and share comments on her memorial site, visit ella-nolley.forevermissed.com
ALCF Member: 13 years
Ministry involvement: Ushers, Stewardship Committee, OASIS, Singles
