March 2002

LENT CONTINUES AS HOLY WEEK AND EASTER APPROACH

Lent is a period of introspection, leading us into Holy Week and our Easter Celebration on March 31.   The church schedule of events for this entire period can be viewed by clicking here.

EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR MEN MARCH 10 – 23

Old First will again be participating in the Emergency Shelter program organized by the San Francisco Interfaith Council and Episcopal Community Services (ECS), by hosting the men’s shelter in the lower level of the church building for two weeks, March 10 – 23, 2002. 

ECS will set up a 60 bed emergency shelter each night in the Fellowship Hall.  The shelter will open at 7:00 p.m. and close at 8:00 a.m. There will be no day access, so the Fellowship Hall will be available for normal use during day hours. Dinners will be prepared and brought in by other congregations.  ECS staff workers will remain on location throughout the night, as will volunteers from Old First.  ECS will supply all needed materials and supplies, and provide janitorial services the following morning.

In order to make the shelter program a success, Old First members and friends are needed as overnight hosts.  A workshop will be held on Sunday, March 3 at 12:30 p.m. to orient all volunteers.

Sign-ups for those who wish to volunteer their time, talents or other resources to this effort have begun and will continue through Sunday, March 3 during the social hour in the Fellowship Hall.  If you have questions or wish to discuss any aspect of this program, please call Lori Yamauchi at 415-695-8725.

SPRING RETREAT MARCH 15-17: FINDING GOD IN THE EXODUS

The Exodus story is every believer's story.  We will explore the amazing story of the exodus from Egypt and the wandering way to the Promised Land.  A fabulous storyteller will bring the story alive for us, young and old alike, then we will focus on several particular themes and portions of the story to help us make better sense of how God is acting in our lives. 

In each aspect of the story, we will explore various Chris-tian practices that can help us recognize God’s presence in our being.   We will experience contemplative prayer, lectio divina, action-reflection, academic study, silence, music, art..  Participants will have the opportunity to choose their practices in each portion of the retreat.  Our hope is that everyone can experience some new ways of experiencing faith as well as growing in some of their more familiar patterns. 

Most of the retreat will require no prior preparation; however, one section of each aspect will involve some prior reading.  Some short essays will guide our discussion in these groups.  If you are interested in doing that reading before the retreat (whether you participate in those practices or not), please check the appropriate box on the registration form so we can send you the essay. 

The primary focus of what we do during the retreat will be an attempt not to do anything!  We want to find what God is doing and not keep trying to be in completely in charge of our own Christian life.  This will be a true “retreat” from the activities, cares, and busy-ness of our lives.

Each phase of the retreat will include activities for children and for adults. 

The Retreat will be held at Westminster Woods. Leaders include Sam Alexander, Erwin Barron, and Ken Matthews from our staff,  plus the creative ideas of Barbara Alexander and other special guest stars. 

WOOSTER CHORUS TO SING AT OLD FIRST  MARCH 18

The Wooster Chorus will sing at Old First on Monday, March 18, at 8 p.m.  The principal work on the program will be Fauré’s  beautiful Requiem (performed by our own choir and orchestra in their concert last March). There will no admission charge; a free-will offering will be taken during the concert.

The College of Wooster was founded in Wooster, Ohio in 1866 by Presbyterians who wanted to do “their proper part… of educating those who are to mold society and give shape to its institutions.” The Wooster Chorus, founded in 1964, is composed of 52 student musicians representing all areas of the College and is dedicated to the performance of the finest sacred and secular music.    

The Chorus is led by Music Director John Russell,who has taught organ and music theory at Wooster since 1974. He is also Organist and Director of Music at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lakewood, Ohio.

Ken Matthews, our Music Director, has agreed to find housing for the students on the night of the concert. We will need to arrange 26 homes for 2 students, although we will be glad to have members and friends house 1 or 3 or more. Please  help welcome the Wooster Chorus to San Francisco and sign up with Ken Matthews to host students overnight Monday March 18.

FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE EASTER (MARCH 31) AT OLD FIRST

1.  Give an Easter lily in memory of or in honor of someone dear to you. Watch the Sunday bulletin for details.

2. Bring baked goods (muffins, fruit bread, pastries, cookies) for the festive Easter Coffee Hour put on by the Evangelism Committee. If you can bring something, let Rosemary Bledsoe know.

3. Invite a friend to attend the service with you.

4. Help make our visitors welcome. On Easter we have visitors from all over the country. Talk to somebody you don’t recognize. Tell them what a great church this is!

5. Please remember your special offering to 

                                                  ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

In the wake of the September 11 tragedy, we have become acutely aware of the trauma of disasters and crises, both for individuals and families directly affected, as well as for the nation as a whole.  The local and national response to the tragedy of September 11 showed how people can pull together and share generously to help others whose lives were so dramatically changed.

Tragedies and crises occur all over the world, some not as well publicized as September 11, but in some of the same ways, dramatically affect people’s lives. Thanks to the ministries of our own Presbyterian Disaster Assistance(PDA), some of the people displaced or harmed by war, flood, earthquake or famine are being helped.  Thanks to the development ministries of Self-Development of People and the Presbyterian Hunger Program, ongoing relief and rebuilding of individual lives and entire communities are being supported and advanced. You can make a tangible difference by giving generously to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering that will be received on Easter Sunday, March 31.  Join with Presbyterians and other people of faith all across the country in demonstrating God’s grace and love in this small but important way.

THREE THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT SUNDAY, APRIL 7

1.   Daylight Saving Time begins. Set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed Saturday night. You don’t want to be late for .......

2.  Hymn-Sing Sunday - Our traditional post-Easter worship service when we celebrate the Resurrection with music — lots of music! If you do forget to change your clocks, at least you’ll be on time for ..........

3.  The Ice-Cream Social sponsored by our Board of Deacons, at Coffee Hour — a very sweet way to contribute to the Deacons’ Fund!

HOMELESSNESS TASK FORCE NEW NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION PARTNERSHIP

SATURDAY, APRIL 20 , 5 -7 P.M.

Location to be Announced - either St. Luke’s Church or Old First Church

The Homelessness Task Force, comprised of several churches in downtown San Francisco, is incorporating as an independent non-profit organization. Through mutual relationships of caring and trust, the Task Force volunteers and staff help homeless people in the Van Ness, Polk Street and upper Tenderloin areas to access health care, drug and alcohol treatment, shelter, and other social services. The Task Force offers hospitality at the Welcome Center Tuesdays and Thursdays at Old First Church, and at monthly Saturday evening dinners alternating between St Luke’s Church and Old First. During 2001 the Homelessness Task Force served over a thousand meals and directly helped more than a hundred people.

To increase community participation in its response to the needs of the homeless, the Task Force is announcing a fund-raising reception, on Saturday, April 20th. This event will showcase the art and life of our homeless neighbors, through their photography. Several nearby restaurants are contributing appetizers.

More information about this event will be available soon. Watch for details.

SAVE THE DATE

Saturday, April 27 - Polly Day’s Piano Recital

Sunday, April 28 - Old First Choir concert, 4 pm

Sunday, May 19 - Pentecost Worship Service and Old First’s 153rd                           Birthday Celebration

SECOND PLEDGE CAMPAIGN BALANCES 2002 BUDGET .....

AND THEN SOME

What do you do when your pledge drive yields $13,000 less than you need to balance the church budget, and economic times are not good?  Just try again, of course.

Our unprecedented “second effort” pledge drive brought in not only the $13,000 needed to cover the bare-bones proposed budget, but another $8,500 over that, which will be used to restore some of the cuts which had to be made.

Old First’s financial history has been noted for leaps of faith and miracles, but 2002 is spectacular, even for us. Many, many thanks to everyone who came through so generously with pledges, prayers and encouragement..

DAN JORAANSTAD ELECTED TO SESSION

In a special election at the February 3 Congregational Meeting, Dan  Joraanstad was elected to our Session of Elders, Class of 2002.

IN MEMORY

Verlin Yamamoto died on February 10, 2002. A memorial service will be held at Old First on Sunday, March 10, at 2 pm.

Verlin and Dee Yamamoto joined Old First in 1993. Before moving to San Francisco, Verlin had been active in several Presbyteries in other parts of the country. He served a term as Elder on our Session and was a faithful and valuable delegate to San Francisco Presbytery for a number of years. Verlin also was a member of our Task Force on Amendment B, whose work led to the 1997 General Assembly’s adoption of the “Fidelity and Chastity” amendment.

BAPTIZED

On February 3 - Samuel David Boyke, son of Chris and Maria Boyke.

SESSION NOTES

From the January 22 meeting

Pastor’s Report - Rev. Alexander’s first priority remains meeting all the congregation; his taking the photos for the new church directory is one means of doing this.

Finance Committee - There was extensive discussion of the proposed budget for 2002, since the pledge drive did not yield enough to balance the budget. even after a number of cuts had been made. Session agreed to make a 10% across-the-board reduction in benefice items, but could find no place to make further cuts. It was agreed to send out a second pledge drive letter to the congregation asking for increases in pledges.

NOTE OF THANKS

Thanks to all of you who worked so hard to make the reception after Sam’s installation such a success. The turnout of  Committee members and other volunteers was great.  I can't begin to come up with the names of all those who helped, but I appreciate everything!

The whole affair exceeded even my wildest expectations.  The social hall has never looked more festive (thanks to Becca); the flowers (thanks to Glen) were magnificent;  and the food (thanks to everyone) was delicious and plentiful.

I especially appreciate the turnout of people for cleanup duty. It’s the first CCC event when I didn’t have to wash even one dish!

                                                                                                                                                                       • Doris Bebb

LECTIONARY

Mar 3     Exod. 17:1-7; Ps. 95; Rom. 5:1-11; John 4:5-42

Mar 10   1 Sam. 16:1-13; Ps. 23; Eph. 5:8-14; John 9:1-41

Mar 17    Ezek. 37:1-14; Ps. 130; Rom. 8:6-11; John 11:1-45

Mar 24    Passion/Palm Sunday

              Matt. 21:1-11; Ps. 118:1-2, 19-29; Isa. 50:4-9a; Ps. 31:9-16;

              Phil. 2:5-11; Matt. 26:14-27:66 or Matt. 27:11-54

Mar 25    Monday of Holy Week

                 Isa. 42:1-9; Ps. 36:5-11; Heb. 9:11-15; John 12:1-11

Mar 26    Tuesday of Holy Week

                  Isa. 49:1-7; Ps. 71:1-14; 1 Cor. 1:18-31; John 12:20-36

Mar 27     Wednesday of Holy Week

                  Isa. 50:4-9a; Ps. 70; Heb. 12:1-3; John 13:21-32

Mar 28     Maundy Thursday

                  Exod. 12:1-4 (5-10), 11-14; Ps. 116:1-2, 12-19;

                  1 Cor. 11:23-26;  John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Mar 29    Good Friday

                 Isa. 52:13-53:12; Ps. 22; Heb. 10:16-25 or Heb. 4:14-16,                    5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42

Mar 30    Great Vigil of Easter

                 Gen. 1:1-2:4a Ps. 136:1-9, 23-26; Gen. 7:1-5, 11-18, 8:6-18,                  9:8-13; Ps. 46; Gen. 22:1-18; Ps. 16; Exod. 14:10-31,

                12:20-21; Exod. 15:1b-13, 17-18; Isa. 55:1-11; Isa. 12:2-6;

                 Prov. 8:1-8, 12-21; 9:4b-6; Ps. 19; Ezek. 36:24-28; Ps. 42                         and 43; Ezek. 37:1-14; Ps. 143; Zeph. 3:14-20; Ps. 98;

                 Rom. 6:3-11; Ps. 114; Matt. 28:1-10

Mar 31    Easter Sunday

                 Acts 10:34-43; or Jer. 31:1-6; Ps. 118:1-2, 14-24;

                 Col. 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18 or Matt. 28:1-10

Apr 7      Acts 2:14a, 22-32; Ps. 16; 1 Pet. 1:3-9; John 20:19-31

December 2001, Nov 2001, October 2001,  September 2001, July/August 2001, June 2001,  May 2001,  April 2001, March 2001, 
February 2001, January 2001 

December 2000, November 2000,October 2000, September 2000, July/August 2000, May/June 2000,April 2000, March 2000, February 2000