February 2005  

Evening Prayers - Wednesday, Feb. 2 - 7:00 - 7:40 pm 

"Fat Sunday" Feb. 6             

The worship service on Sunday, February 6,  will be a festive and jazzy “Fat Sunday” observance.

Annual Meeting and Congregational Lunch February 6       

On Sunday, February 6, our Annual Meeting will be held in the sanctuary right after worship. A major item of business at the Annual Meeting will be a review of Old First’s 2005 budget.

The Congregational Lunch will be held in the Fellowship Hall immediately after the annual meeting.  A Mardi Gras Chinese meal (one of those Only-in-San Francisco things) will be catered by Moonstar Restaurant, whose food was greatly enjoyed at an Anniversary Lunch a couple of years ago. On the day of the event, tickets will be $8 for adults, $4 for young folks.  

The program at the lunch will focus on Old First’s plans for 2005.    

Jazz Vespers - Feb. 6 - 5 pm - Clairdee and the Ken French Trio

Ash Wednesday Service with imposition of ashes - February 9, 7:30 pm  

Lenten Soup & Study - Thursdays during Lent (February 10, 17, 24, March 3) from 6-7 pm.  Meet in the Social Hall for a hot bowl of soup and a group study of lectionary scripture references during Lent.

Note from your friendly local transitional pastor

Old First Faith Community,

From the celebration of Jesus’ birth, we move through his baptism, the purification journey into the wilderness, the ministry of healing and teaching, and the transfiguration on the mountaintop. The season of Lent begins early this year with Ash Wednesday on February 9. We meditate upon his experiential wisdom about humanity in relationship with the divine as we follow him toward God. His humanity is so infused with his close relationship with God that we are drawn to focus on his journey as central to our search for meaning.

Winter slowly turns toward spring, darkness toward light, cold replaced by warmth - though in San Francisco , warmth is relative. The warmth and closeness of family and friends during the Christmas season is mixed with the shock of the massive south Asian tsunami. As that devastated area transitions into rescue, recovery, and rebuilding, questions about God’s activity in the world emerge from the world’s religions, as much of the human race again wrestles with the question of theodicy - why do bad things happen when God is good? The mounting numbers of casualties in Iraq , both military and civilian, cause more and more people to question the wisdom of current US policies.  

We search for signs of God’s transformative work in the world, in our lives, and in our religious institutions.  Both the best of humanity as well as its brokenness are on display, in both large and small ways.  We take part in the global response to the victims of the tsunami, and view with alarm the continuing tension between warring parties in Sri Lanka and Aceh. More homeless are housed, while current state and national government priorities place others in danger of becoming homeless, losing medical coverage, or obtaining jobs that do not pay enough to support their families. We pray, meditate upon the sacred texts and their meanings for our lives, and learn to become open to the Spirit’s movement in every moment. Slowly, we leave behind old patterns that harm ourselves and damage our relationships, choosing to live as peacemakers.

We confess our desperate need of God’s love, wisdom, and grace. We still yearn to not just know about God, but to know God in Christ, beyond all of our questions, busyness and theologies.  This is at the core of being human within the context of a faith community that calls itself Christian.  Prior to every other concern and reason for being together is the quest for God, though we may not talk about that in the same way, or agree how to do it. Nevertheless, as people who gather around the central figure of the Christian faith, Jesus of Nazareth, we know that the deepening of our relationship with the living God, and our courage to live out the implications of that relationship, is of central importance. As the saying goes, God has no grandchildren; the children of God must nurture and teach, primarily by example, their own children, and those who are drawn into this fellowship, trusting the Spirit to bring the seeds they have sown to fruition. 

Therefore, we continue to worship, work, plan, play, and share together, as we live and move and have our being in the vastness and closeness of God in Christ. This congregation travels on through this transitional time, prays for guidance, seeks focus in its ministry, practices its stewardship of time, money, skills, and energy, and mends its relationships. In ministry and contemplation, in stillness and in activity, in song, sacraments, classes, and committees, this talented, passionate, and faithful community makes its way through its own wilderness adventures as it journeys toward its best self.  This city, this world, and each of us, needs this church to be vital and healthy…… and, believe it or not, playful. After all those serious words above, remember that it is not all up to us. Let’s enjoy our travels together. Let’s grow into a way of working together that is life-giving, redemptive, and satisfying, playing in the fields of the Lord. This church’s future is, in the end, in God’s hands. Not to be trite, but it is said that angels fly because they take themselves lightly. And I have the feeling that you and I need to take that advice seriously.

Now take a deep breath…

In peace,

Jeffrey Cheifetz

Spring Retreat Planned for April 23

This year’s Spring Retreat will not be a weekend at a retreat center in the Russian River country. We’re going to try something different.

The retreat will be held at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara on Saturday, April 23.  That’s right, one day only, with no overnight stay.

Our leader will be Steve Johnson, who taught a number of very popular adult education classes at Old First before moving to the South Bay .  The topic will be the Theology and Techniques of Prayer. 

Signups will begin in March.  Watch for more details.

Fasting

Lent provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the necessity of self-denial in our permissive society. Fasting means restricting the food we eat, and also the size and number of  meals. Abstinence means abstaining from eating meat.

A spirit of fasting can include restriction of luxuries such as television watching, shopping  and going out with friends. The entire family could choose main "give-ups" that all will observe (for example, desserts,  television, or a favorite show). Each child can select additional  things to "fast" from during Lent - maybe a video,  or candy. (No fair giving up homework or not hitting your sister!)

We can give away clothing or possessions to those in need or we can give time to the Lord  by volunteering our services. It would be good to involve children in this special kind of giving.

Biblical References to Fasting - 

Joel 2:12-14a

Therefore, saith the Lord, turn ye to me with all your heart,  and with fasting, and with weeping and with mourning: And rend  your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your  God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great  kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil. Who knoweth if He will  return and repent, and leave a blessing behind Him.

Matthew 6:1; 16-18

Vs 1:  Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Vs 16-18: "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,  that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

More on fasting: www.kencollins.com/pray-02.htm

Lectionary

Feb 6  - Exod. 24:12-18; Ps. 2 or Ps. 99; 2 Pet. 1:16-21;  Matt. 17:1-9

Feb 9 - Ash Wednesday - Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isa. 58:1-12; 

            Ps. 51:1-17;  2 Cor. 5:20b-6:10;  Matt. 6:1-6, 16-21

Feb 13  -  Gen. 2:15-17, 3:1-7;  Ps. 32; Rom. 5:12-19;  Matt. 4:1-11

Feb 20  - Gen. 12:1-4a; Ps. 121; Rom. 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17

Feb 27  - Exod. 17:1-7; Ps. 95; Rom. 5:1-11; John 4:5-42

Mar 6  - 1 Sam. 16:1-13; Ps. 23; Eph. 5:8-14; John 9:1-41

Less-ness by Rosemary Bledsoe

Doesn't sound very appealing, does it?  There's a suggestion of unpleasant things:  carelessness, homelessness, thoughtlessness. What we really want is more-ness, lots-of-stuff-ness. After all, that's *The American Way*!! Giving up something for Lent is a kind of torture, the 21st century equivalent of self-flagellation.

Personally, I'm not spiritually evolved enough to fully accept the words of the Taize chant: "Oh poverty, source of all my riches," but I can dimly discern truth in there somewhere. I would really mean it if I could sing, "There's a whole lot of stuff in the world I don't really need, but I've bought some of it anyhow and I wish I hadn't."

You probably know people who have sold out and moved away from the Bay Area to get out from under the big mortgage and the overly-complicated lifestyle. They went somewhere less expensive to devote more time and energy to their marriage and their children and less to commuting, earning and acquiring. That could be the beginning of a new  trend.

I grew up in one of those less expensive places, the agricultural heart of West Tennessee , and I suspect at some point the refugees from Too-Muchness are going to meet it coming back at them from the other direction.  I have seen the fragile, gray, rusty-roofed houses of the truly poor bulldozed to make room for a shopping center where a restaurant called " Po ' Folks" offers the entertaining novelty of drinking iced tea from a canning jar. 

I have a problem with reducing poverty to a kind of theme park, or, for that matter, glorifying it as the source of something wonderful.   In the language I speak, "poverty" signifies having nothing, or nearly nothing; it's nasty and uncomfortable and downright dangerous. I need to substitute the awkward and artificial "less-ness" to begin to deal with the Christian pronouncements against having too much. There are other terms like "minimalism" and "simple abundance" which might mean the same thing, but I can't be sure.

"Less is more"? Maybe. I'm willing to deal with the concept. I don't want to be owned by my possessions, or defined by them, or limited by them, and I most certainly don't want to hear from every direction that I can't be happy unless I buy more stuff! I can understand that fewer things to keep clean, organize, maintain, insure, read the directions for and make payments on will open up space in my life for loved ones and friends, and, yes ......... even for God.

It has to do with where your attention is focused. It's worth a shot.

In Memory

            Merle Montgomery died November 22 in Austin , Texas .

            Gretchen Poore died December 30.

Baptized

            Isabelle K. Mangindaan, daughter of Olaf and Ingrid Mangindaan, January 16.

Dear Friends,           

My thanks to you for your support during my father’s illness and your sympathy and concern after his death.  I deeply appreciate your prayers, cards, and words of understanding. 

There was a message on my home phone from Mary Russell before my plane landed in Memphis , and all my family appreciated “the Presbyterian flowers” sent on your behalf by the Deacons.

Rosemary Bledsoe

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Joins Tsunami Relief Efforts

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has already sent more than $300,000 to areas affected by December’s epic tsunami in Southeast Asia .

PDA officials have channeled the One Great Hour of Sharing money through faith-based agencies that are providing immediate relief to tsunami victims. The contribution includes funding to help ship health kits and medicine boxes.

PDA, which coordinates the Presbyterian Church (USA)‘s disaster-response operations in the United States and around the world, hopes to raise at least $2.5 million in relief funds though a churchwide appeal.

The PC(USA)’s disaster assistance arm has been active in the tsunami relief effort since it began, working with partner churches around the world after earthquake-triggered tsunamis swept through coastal communities from Thailand to East Africa on Dec. 26, killing more than 200,000 people.

The tsunami relief effort represents one of the biggest aid efforts ever that has mobilized governments, international aid organizations, churches, armies and ordinary citizens. It is expected to last a long time following the magnitude-9.0 undersea quake, the strongest in 40 years, that triggered the killer waves.

Some of the money dispatched so far by PDA has been used by relief agencies in such countries as:

• India - Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) is trying to help 50,000 families in three states: Andrah Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. With materials and food from CASA warehouses throughout the country, immediate food distribution has been set up through nine member church denominations located in the affected areas. Prepared meal programs are being implemented in 10 centers across three states. Other assistance includes blankets, clothing, utensils, matches, candles, and plastic sheeting for immediate shelter

• Sri Lanka - PDA has provided $20,000 to Church World Service in support of a shipment of 500 family shelter kits and 75 disaster medicine boxes to Sri Lanka . The family shelter kits consist of a tent, plastic cover sheeting, and a ground sheet.  The medicine boxes include medicine to support a community of 1,000 people for one month.  Both medicine and shelter supplies are in critical shortage in Sri Lanka .

• Indonesia - PDA is responding through Yakkum Emergency Unit (the emergency arm of the Christian Foundation for Public Health), Yayasan Tanggul Bencana (the emergency program of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia ), and Church World Service. All are focusing on the islands of Sumatra , Aceh, and Nias.

Contributions for tsunami relief can be made out to Old First Presbyterian Church and designated “for tsunami assistance.”   Checks payable to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with reference to the account number “PDR Account #DR000167 (Asian tsunami relief) can be mailed directly to: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Individual Remittance Processing, P.O. Box 643700 , Pittsburgh , PA 15264-3700 .                                                     

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