April 2003

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER APPROACH

The introspective period of Lent is ending this month, transitioning to Palm Sunday and Holy Week, followed by a festive Easter celebration.  Come home to Old First and join us in the festivities!  Old First's schedule of events can be accessed by clicking here.

ART FROM THE STREETS APRIL 26

The Welcome Ministry will present its Second Annual Art from the Streets event — an art, photography and poetry contest and sale — at 6 pm, Saturday, April 26, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (our neighbor at Van Ness and Clay). All proceeds will benefit The Welcome Ministry. For more information, contact Megan Rohrer, 776-5552, extension 310, or megan@oldfirst.org

HYMN-SING SUNDAY ON APRIL 27

As is our custom, we will celebrate the Good News of Easter with a mostly-music worship service on April 27. Come back to church on the Sunday after Easter prepared to sing!

OLD-FASHIONED ICE CREAM SOCIAL APR. 27

Here’s the scoop on “Sundae Sunday”. Join the deacons for ice cream in the Fellowship Hall after the service on April 27. The cost is only $2.50 for adults and $1.00 for children 12 and under. We will have flavors and toppings to suit every taste. Limited quantities of sorbet also will be available as an ice cream substitute. All proceeds benefit the Deacons Fund. Don't miss our Ice Cream Sunday!

OLD FIRST’S 154TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION SET FOR MAY 18

On Sunday, May 18, we will celebrate the 154th birthday of Old First at a fun and festive luncheon party. A program of “Further Presbyterian Tales of the City” will  highlight some memorable people and moments from our past. This year’s ethnic food buffet will be a fully catered Chinese meal; nobody will have to bring food.

Tickets go on sale at Coffee Hour on April 27. Before May 11, the cost will be $6 for adults, $3 for children age 6-12. On May 11,  the  price  goes up  to  $8  for adults, $4 for children.

PASTOR'S PONDERINGS

Dear Friends,

Evangelism, Evangelism, Evangelism. That’s what the Church of Jesus Christ is about; it is what Old First Church needs to be about as well. I believe we need to commit ourselves to a three year effort to reach out to new people and grow our congregation. Why? First and foremost, we live in the midst of a city where less than 2% of the population go to church with any regularity at all. It’s a mission field. We’ve got to find a way to express the gospel so it can be heard and taken in as the good, albeit mysterious, news that it is.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Old First is perfectly placed to do so. It is why I came here. We are a known congregation and what we are known for is our desire to give to the world around us. We are known to accept all comers. We have a lovely sanctuary. We are theologically flexible without having lost a sense of theological direction. We have enormous creative resources and an interest in varieties of worship. (Let others offer smooth productions and praise music, we’ll go places that others don’t go and reach people in places that others cannot reach — that is to say, San Francisco.) For my part, I am open and interested in other theological points of view and do fairly well at approaching them without judgment.

Second, the future of Old First’s ministry is at stake When you look at the budget for this year, you know that we are struggling to maintain the ministry which the congregation worked so hard to build. To support the ministry we are already doing, we need an additional 100 members. Please don’t misunderstand — this is not about money: it is about our ability to serve our God in this city, in the way God has called us to do it.

The Evangelism Committee recently met with Dave Hawbecker, a consultant in church growth from the PCUSA. We had a productive discussion. I came away challenged by four things:

            • We need to start attending to growth now.

            • Growth will have to involve every single person in the church.

            • We need to attend to the concern that, in the process, the basic character of Old First not be destroyed.

            • We need to know who Old First can most effectively reach.

In order to grow into our ministry and to impact the City with the good news of God’s redemptive love, we need to recognize who it is that we can reach. Old First is not a church where people will enter the doors and “sign on the dotted line” two weeks later. We will serve those taking a more considered approach to their spiritual journey. Our goals for growth need to reflect this fact. Some churches set goals for Membership. Calling people to join this community — a community which has Christ at its center — is certainly our goal too, but I wonder if our first goal shouldn’t be participation in the worship and educational life of this church.

Beginning Easter Sunday 2003, let’s get to work.

                                                                                    Grace and peace,

                                                                                Rev. Sam Alexander

EVANGELISM “OLD FIRST STYLE”

by Michael Berg

The images and sounds of evangelism come to me often — sometimes in the grainy black and white photos of tent revivals in my favorite magazine, the Sun, or at other times the voices of soapbox ministers hawking their wares on Market Street.  Living in a commune in the sixties, I recall “Jesus Freaks” outwardly embracing the movement but with a hidden agenda of bottled- up sexuality and repressive morality.  Once, while waiting outside a dinner event for the AIDS Memorial Quilt in Washington, D.C., Tim Hart-Andersen and I were verbally assaulted by self- described Christian evangelists who accused us of consorting with fornicators.

Kinder images come to me from my youth; of caring nuns and smiling priests who were filled with love and learning and catechism classes where I learned of the work of missionaries, many of whom gave their lives carrying a message of salvation.  Later in life I met a retired priest who eschewed the trappings of life to pursue the comfort of his spirituality.  He was content and serene and claimed to have no possessions.  I was attracted by his lifestyle and realized that true evangelism could work quietly.

All these thoughts were with me when Sam Alexander approached me about co-chairing the Evangelism Committee with Pam Byers.  I have been outspoken lately about the need for our church to focus on growth and renewal.  We cannot to sit back and rest.  Our old shoes may be comfortable, but we are called upon to do a new thing.  To continue the great Old First traditions of worship and service in this new century, we must step outside of our comfort zone, take up the staff of our Lord, and spread the word of Jesus Christ.

So what do we do? Do we speak openly of our love of Jesus Christ? Do we advertise? Do we target our message to certain groups?   Are we loud or quiet evangelists?  Is it attraction or promotion that we are after?  Do we target an increase in a number of members?  Should we give witness to our spiritual lives? Are we missionaries here in San Francisco? I can’t say I know the right answer, but I do know that if we pray and think about something, the road will be made clear. I am proposing that we integrate evangelism into every element of our work as elders, deacons and members here at Old First.

To begin, I will propose to Session that after Easter this year, we take a three month sabbatical from much of our traditional committee work and have each committee take up these questions, each in their own way.  Once we have had this time to formulate our response, we can begin to implement some of our ideas. I am convinced that positive thinking about evangelism at every level of this church will produce powerful results. The Evangelism Committee would also greatly appreciate hearing your ideas for how we can share the fellowship, growth, and love that we experience here

Imagine what a wonderful Easter we can have in 2004, given a year of successful effort! 

PARISH ASSIGNMENTS - BOARD OF DEACONS, 2003

Parish 1, Afar  -- Shirley Buono, Jeanne Kirkwood

Parish 2, North Polk/Russian Hill -- Linda Reyder/Buddy Choy Tate

Parish 3 - Potrero/North Beach/Embarcadero -- Connie Johnson/

                    Bryan Nichols

Parish 4 - North Nob Hill -- Emily Borland/Tracy Clagett

Parish 5 - South Nob Hill  -- Jordan Hollarsmith, Mary Russell

Parish 6 - West Nob Hill -- Emily Borland/Tracy Clagett

Parish 7 - Van Ness/Central -- Kristi Hoerauf/Oliver Spencer

Parish 8 - Pacific Heights -- Erin Berg/Becca Smith

Parish 9 - Civic Center/Sequoias -- Carol Carter/AnnieScott Rogers

Parish 10 - Noe Valley/Mission -- Jan Hammock/Rod MacDonald/

                        Sarah Taber

Parish 11 - Noe Valley/Buena Vista Park -- Erin Berg/Becca Smith

Parish 12 - Haight/Western Addition -- Connie Johnson/Bryan Nichols

Parish 13 - Presidio/Richmond -- Jan Hammock/Rod MacDonald/

                        Sarah Taber

Parish 14 - Sunset -- Jordan Hollarsmith, Mary Russell

Parish 15 - Twin Peaks/Diamond Heights -- Carol Carter/

                        AnnieScott Rogers

Parish 16 - Westside -- Kristi Hoerauf/Oliver Spencer

Parish 17 - East Bay -- Pat Amdur/Pat Devine-Cummings

Parish 18 - SF/South Bay/Peninsula -- Linda Reyder/Buddy Choy Tate

Parish 19 - North Bay -- Pat Amdur/Pat Devine-Cummings

If you don’t know which parish you are in, contact Jeanne Kirkwood or Shirley Buono.

CHAPEL OF THE RESURRECTION:  OLD FIRST’S COLUMBARIUM

by Steve Taber

For the past two years, planning has proceeded on a new chapel at Old First.  Proposed to be named the Chapel of the Resurrection, it will be located in the seldom-used stair area outside the Old First Concerts office, just south of the Narthex.  The chapel will be a stunning architectural jewel, with arches and a central dome painted blue with gilded stars.

This chapel will be both a place for meditation and a columbarium — that is, a place for the interment of cremated human remains.  The columbarium niches will be on the south wall of the main chapel space, faced with stone.  On the opposite wall will be matching stone plaques on which will be engraved the names of persons whose remains are interred elsewhere.

Throughout most of the history of the church, Christians have been interred within churches and church-yards, because we believe that in life and in death we belong to Jesus Christ. Interment within the church symbolizes our continuing membership in the body of Christ and the community of faith.  We are reminded that death cannot separate us from the love of God.

In an urban center like San Francisco, burial in a church-yard is not practical (in fact, it is illegal).  However, because cremation has become more popular in recent years, it is once more possible to provide an opportunity to have one’s remains lodged in a place of worship.

The Chapel of the Resurrection will initially contain 110 niches and 50 memorial plaques, in a beautiful new chapel accessible to all for meditation and reflection.  The niches and memorial plaques are priced at a level that is competitive with other columbarium options and include not only the niche or plaque, but also endowed perpetual maintenance of the chapel.

In order to start construction, it will be necessary to obtain a minimum level of commitment for purchase of niches and memorial plaques.  Members and friends of Old First are now being offered the opportunity to sign up for niches and memorial plaques with the hope that this minimum number can be sold and construction start within the next few months.

If you are interested in exploring the purchase of a niche or a memorial plaque, you may contact Steve Taber or Sara Barrios.

LECTIONARY

Apr. 6 -- Jer. 31:31-34;  Ps. 51:1-12 or Ps. 119:9-16; Heb. 5:5-10;                         John 12:20-33

Apr. 13  -- Passion/Palm Sunday -- Matt. 21:1-11 or John 12:12-16;

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

                     Phil. 2:5-11; Mark 14:1-15:47 or 15:1-39 (40-47)

Apr. 14 -- Monday of Holy Week -- Isa. 42:1-9; Ps. 36:5-11;

                      Heb. 9:11-15; John 12:1-11

Apr. 15  -- Tuesday of Holy Week -- Isa. 49:1-7; Ps. 71:1-14;

                      1 Cor. 1:18-31; John 12:20-36

Apr. 16  -- Wednesday of Holy Week -- Isa. 50:4-9a; Ps. 70;

                        Heb. 12:1-3; John 13:21-32

Apr. 17 -- 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

Apr. 18 -- 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

Apr. 19  -- 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:--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;                            Mark 16:1-8

Apr 20  -- Easter Sunday -- Acts 10:34-43; or Isa. 25:6-9;

                     Ps. 118:1-2, 14-24; 1 Cor. 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43;

                     John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8

Apr 27 -- Acts 4:32-25; Ps. 133; 1 John 1:1-2:2; John 20:19-31

May 4 -- Acts 3:12-19; Ps. 4: 1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b-48

MUSIC AT THE SENIOR CENTER

by Judith Dancer, Senior Center Director

Music is an important aspect of our Senior Center.  We are blessed by two musical members of the church who volunteer with us regularly and bring joy to us all.  We also have several participants of the Senior Center who are pianists themselves and love to renew their “chops” regularly.  We have also had the good fortune to have two wonderful singers volunteer to sing for us, with future times in mind. 

Hats off to Don Pender and Polly Day for their monthly visits to the Center.  Don sometimes serenades us during our lunch hour with jazzy tunes.  In March, he was here the day 45 children from Spring Valley School performed for us for Chinese New Year.  After lunch, Don had about 20 children gathered around the piano, grooving on his tunes and in love with his style of playing.  One of the ladies said that those kids are going to all run out and ask for piano lessons!   

Polly comes the week we celebrate monthly birthdays and always accompanies us for good singing cheer; she has also led singing of Christmas carols at our Christmas party and Irish songs for our St. Patrick’s Day celebration.  Both Don and Polly play for a group of women who sing songs from yesteryear every week after lunch.  Bart Crosby often comes by and leads the women in song, telling funny stories and quips while sharing his love of music.

Several of our participants are pianists themselves and will sit down and play the piano.  If you come by between 11 and 12 on Mondays, you’ll get to hear them.  Some grab the sheet music of songs we all know and love, another improvises great tunes with vigor and zest, and one comes in every week and plays the same song  each time to show  he still has what it takes.  James Uren and I often dance across the room as we are setting up or taking care of running the Center.

We had two singers to entertain us in February.  Yumi Thomas sang love songs for our Valentine’s Day Party.  Since she was recovering from a cold, I stepped in and sang some songs in-between hers, so she could rest her voice.  Am Vongthongsri visited us on Feb. 17 to sing Thai folksongs and educate us about music from Thailand, the history and content of each song. 

We are blessed by good music and people who want to share their interests and talents with us.  The music adds to the quality and good feeling at the Senior Center.

Do you have a talent you would like to share with us?  if you are not available during the days on Mondays, we are open every holiday, except Christmas week and New Year’s week.  If you’d like to join us on one of those holidays and share music, dance, crafts, art work, or even a hobby, please call me at (415) 776-5552, extension 316.

December 2002,  November 2002, October 2002, September 2002, July/August 2002, June 2002, May 2002, April 2002, March 2002, February 2002, January 2002

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