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May 2005
Evening
Prayers
-- Wednesday, May 4, 7:00 - 7:40 pm
Presbytery
Meeting -- May 15
Old
First will host San Francisco Presbytery on Tuesday, May 10, from 3 to 9
pm. We will need lots of help
to show our famous hospitality -- people to turn out in force, either for
the whole time (beginning at 2 pm) or for a 2- or 3-hour shift
Please
contact Pam Byers (pambyers@covenantnetwork.org)
if you can help. Oh, yes, and
wear your Old First t-shirt or baseball cap!
(Yes, a few are still available!)
Homecoming
Sunday -- May
22
On
Sunday, May 22, we will celebrate the 156th birthday of Old First with a
fun and festive “Homecoming Sunday.” If you know a fellow Old Firster
who hasn’t been around much lately, this is the time to invite
them to see old friends.
Lunch
will feature ham, ribs, and a salad bar. Desserts will be homemade by
friends of Polly Day from recipes from her cookbook.
A
program of “Yes! Even More Presbyterian Tales of the City” will highlight some memorable people and moments from our past.
Tickets
are now on sale at Coffee Hour $7 adults, $3 ages 6-12, through May 15. On
the day of the event they will be $8 and $4.
Note
from your friendly local transitional pastor
This
month of May is the eleventh month we have been together as parish and
transitional (or interim) pastor. So far, we have encountered, at least in
part, all of the developmental tasks that are necessary to a successful
transition time: coming to terms with history, discovering a new identity,
allowing needed leadership change, renewing denominational linkages, and
commitment to new directions in ministry.
The
fact that we have settled into this journey bodes well for the future
health of Old First. If we think about the time it takes for individuals
and families to recover well from traumatic situations, such as severe
illness or even the death of a loved one, we realize that expectations for
a quick return to 'normal' life are usually unrealistic. In the less
severe case of 'just' a move to a new location, we still need time to
respond to the challenge, adjust, and settle in as best we can. When we
lose a job, we no doubt have emotional reactions to that event, including
the loss of the familiar, perhaps the sense that we were not valued as we
had wished, and a mixture of anxiety and anticipation as we prepare the
resume and proceed to search for the next position.
Even
though we may feel anxious about the future of OFPC, and wish that we
could just 'get on with it' in terms of searching for the next installed
pastor, it is important that we identify what it is that contributes to
that anxiety, and then continue on with the journey.
Giving
way to anxiety because we want quick resolution is not the best use of our
energy, and only shortcuts the necessary healing and reenergizing work
that remains.
The
most interesting texts in our Scriptures have to do with times of
transition: the travels of Abraham and his family from
Haran
to
Canaan
in response to God's call. The Exodus from servitude in
Egypt
, when the people were challenged to learn to trust the God who was
bringing them through the desert to the Promised Land. The time of the
Judges, when people like Deborah were inspired to act in dramatic ways,
and the end of the time of the Judges, when the people decided to have a
king like every other nation. The
Exile in
Babylon
saw the re-formation of the structures of the Jewish religion. Jesus'
prayer time in the
garden
of
Gethsemane
led him to complete his life's purpose no matter the cost. And actually,
when we take a look at the whole Bible, we see that it is the story of
God's long conversation with humanity as God worked to create and then
recreate human beings into vessels of compassion, justice, love, and
faith; that is, into helpers who would live as though the Kingdom of God
existed in fullness.
If
it is taking longer than expected for Old First to journey through this
present transition, remember that it took God seven days (literally
speaking) to create all that exists, forty years for the Hebrews to
complete the Exodus, and seventy years of Exile before the people could
return to rebuild Jerusalem!
I
believe that you will know when it is time to 'move on'. Of course, when
the future Pastor Nominating Committee makes its recommendation to the
congregation as to who it believes should be the next installed pastor,
then you will know for sure! But, as we continue working toward that day,
remember that we are building the strong foundation that will enable Old
First and that next pastor to get a running start in a positive direction.
What
does the foundation consist of? Well, it will include the results of those
five developmental tasks listed above. It will include a renewed
understanding and commitment to healthy stewardship of energy, gifts,
money, and time. It will include, probably, a realignment of Old First's
committee structure that will align with the goals of the Mission Vision
document. It will include many healed and restored relationships.
So,
we still have a ways to go, but we are on the way. May we all enjoy the
journey, and rest in the God who is with us as the Good Shepherd, guiding,
protecting, and nourishing us as we travel.
Peace,
Jeffrey
Cheifetz
Welcome
Back to Ken Matthews
By
Cindy Burt, Worship Committee Moderator
It
is with grateful hearts that the choir
(especially) and the entire congregation welcomes our esteemed
Music Director Ken Matthews back to the organ and the helm of the music
program after a long illness. Many
prayers were offered up for Ken’s return to health and wholeness.
Indeed,
the prayers of the people were answered in various ways:
Old First was able to experience the excellent musical leadership
and compositional skills of Jay Pierson, PhD during Ken’s absence.
Under Jay’s direction the choir didn’t miss a beat.
Jay maintained what Old First has come to expect—high quality
musical expression of our faith that speaks to our hearts and pleases our
ears.
Our
prayers were also answered when George Becker and Eleanor Hammer filled in
at the organ, keeping the pipes, pedals, and stops in good working order.
God provided ministry opportunities for outreach to Ken through
cards, food, visits, and even some nursing care.
Now
that Ken is back the choir feels “complete.”
Once again, Ken is enriching the service with interesting organ
registrations of the hymns, playing
beautiful preludes and postludes, and carefully attending to choral
interpretation of lectionary passages.
And, the bass section is grateful to have Jay Pierson’s rich
vocal tones and expert support once again .
Have
you ever stopped to think how much God has richly blessed Old First with
talent and depth in our music program?
Just think how much more can be achieved in the future, with
God’s help and with the solid support of the congregation.
As we move forward together please continue to remember Ken in your
prayers, that he might have steadily improving health and strength.
Calendar
notes:
•
Pentecost is Sunday, May 15 – Expect a Spirit-filled worship service.
•
There will be a Congregational Meeting after worship on Sunday, May 15, to
elect elders and deacons to fill vacancies on both boards.
•
There will not be a Church
Town Hall
meeting on May 29.
One
Great Hour of Sharing
This
year Old First will receive the One Great Hour of Sharing offering on
Pentecost Sunday, May 15.
Since 1949 Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians
through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God's love with those in need.
Our gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and
resettlement, and community development that help people find safe refuge,
start new lives, and work together to strengthen their families and
communities.
Recognizing
that the hope we have in Christ is lived out in our hope for one another,
we respond with gifts that help our sisters and brothers around the world
find hope for a brighter
future.
Welcome
to our New Members Received on Easter Sunday
Robert
J. Carling becomes a member of Old First through Baptism and Affirmation
of Faith. Robert lives and
works in
San Francisco
. His work consists of being
the utility-maintenance man in his apartment building and other buildings
in the
San Francisco
area. Robert is in charge of
the church parking lot on Sunday morning.
Ellen
Milligan comes to us by transfer of membership from Geneva Presbyterian
Church, Modesto,
California. Ellen is currently an
administrative assistant for RR Donnelley. Ellen has been singing in the
choir for several months
Join
the Presbyterian Team for July 17 AIDS Walk
Old
First will again join the Presbyterian multi-church team for this year's
AIDS Walk San Francisco, to be held on Sunday, July 17, 2005.
As
in past years, we are required to have a certain minimum number of walkers
registered in advance for the multi-church team to qualify for a team
table at the event. The team table is used as a meeting spot, a place to
store extra layers of clothing, and the location to host our BBQ. The sign
above the table shows the support that Presbyterians give to the local
community.
To
be sure that Old First is represented, we invite you to take advantage of
the online registration that is now available. Simply go to www.aidswalk.net/sanfran
and click on "Register", then click on "Join a Team",
then choose "Join an Existing Team" and you'll find our team
under “Presbyterians" on the pull-down menu of team names. It is
not necessary to be a member of a Bay Area Presbyterian church to join, so
you can invite your friends and family to join the fun.
Email
Mission Committee Moderator Dana Nojima at noji-1@pacbell.net
to let him know you’ve registered, or if you have any questions.
Can
a Christian be a Liberal? Can
a Liberal be a Christian?
A
four-week adult education course on Christianity and politics
taught
by Stephen Taber - May 29, June 5, 12 and 19 • 9:30 am in the Munro Room
In
a world in which "Christian" is increasingly associated with
"conservative," liberal Christianity’s long and distinguished
lineage has been ignored and even disparaged. This course will examine
Christian views on politics, with particular emphasis on liberalism.
-
May
29 — Because Christianity pre-dates liberalism by more than 1800
years, this class will explore Christian thought on politics and
government in general to understand the theological principles
relevant to looking at political philosophy.
-
June
6 — The origins and
evolution of liberalism in Western culture and its relationship to the
Reformation, Humanism, science and technology.
-
June
13. — Discussion of attacks on liberalism, both by those who totally
oppose its premises, such as Marxists, fascists, traditional
conservatives and some religious fundamentalists, and those liberals
who seek to rectify liberalism’s flaws while maintaining its basic
premises.
-
June
20 — Evolving theological thought, emphasizing Reformed, Roman
Catholic and Liberation perspectives. In each case we will look at
what bearing these perspectives have on liberalism.
Lectionary
May
1 - 6th Sunday of Easter
Acts 1:22-31; Ps.
66:8-20; 1 Pet. 3:13-22; John
14:15-21
May
5 - Ascension of the Lord
Acts 1:1-11; Ps. 47 or Ps. 93; Eph. 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53
May
8 - 7th Sunday of Easter
Acts 1:6-14; Ps.
68:1-10, 32-35; 1 Pet.
4:12-14, 5:6-11; John 17:1-11
May
15 - Day of Pentecost
Acts 2:1-21 or Num. 11:24-30;
Ps. 104:24-34, 35b;
1 Cor. 12:3b-13 or Acts 2:1-21; John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39
May
22 - Trinity Sunday
Gen. 1:1-2:4a; Ps. 8; 2 Cor. 13:11-13; Matt. 28:16-20
May
29 - 9th Sunday in Ordinary
Time
Gen. 6:9-22, 7:24, 8:14-19; Ps. 46;
Rom. 1:16-17, 3:22b-28
(29-31); Matt. 7:21-29
June
5 - 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gen. 12:1-9; Ps. 33:1-12;
Rom. 4:13-25; Matt.9:9-13, 18-26
Save
those Old Ink Cartridges
Here’s
an easy way to help both the Welcome Ministry and the environment. Save
the used ink cartridges from your computer printer, then put them in the
plastic bag on the handle of Megan’s office door.
The Welcome Ministry will recycle them and receive a payment in
turn.
Dear
Friends,
Some
of the first things that drew me to Old First were the Prayers of the
People, especially one by Susan Ashton.
Since
we have no records of these prayers, I’ve decided to collect them.
Initially it was just to have them so they aren’t lost and are in one
place. As I’ve talked to people about this idea, there has been some
interest in eventually printing them, perhaps as a fundraiser for the
church.
If
you have kept one or more of your own prayers and would like to share
them, I would love to receive copies.
You
could place your prayers in the brown file box in the church office in the
“Wedding Coordinator” folder; this box is in the church office during
the week and in the narthex each Sunday.
You
could also e-mail them to me at mkrozek@yahoo.com.
Thank
you for taking the time to do this.
Marne
Krozek
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