News and Announcements

October 2002

Dear Friends,

What's on my mind this month is Worship. Beginning September 18, Old First Presbyterian Church is offering an every Wednesday Evening Vespers. You've read about it in other places I'm sure. We're going to be doing different kinds of meditative services each Wednesday. We are doing this with an eye towards spiritual growth, as well as an eye towards evangelism Yes . . . Evangelism.

By now, I think that you know when I say that word, I don't not mean we are going to invite people to church, ask them to close their eyes and raise their hands if they want to accept Jesus. That's not what I have in mind. We are surrounded by spiritually hungry people in this city — people who are engaged in a spiritual quest, trying to live life with a greater purpose and meaning. All too often they are doing so alone, without a community that will open its doors to their search.

I think that Old First is in a perfect position to open its doors and its heart to people reaching out towards the love of God. I think we can begin to do so through different kinds of worship. 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.

So we begin. My question for you as you read this is this: Is God calling you to be a part of these services. Is this a moment for growth in your own life? If so, I'm looking forward to seeing you on Wednesdays.

One other thing. If you have something on your mind and would like to talk to me, I'm available. Just call, (at home or at church), and we can set something up.

Grace and peace , or as my wife Barbara might say, "Namiste."

Sam Alexander

WEDNESDAY EVENING WORSHIP - 7:00 - 7:30 PM

Oct 2 - Evening Prayers

Oct 9 - Service of Healing and Wholeness

Oct 16 - Guided Meditation

Oct 23 - Taizé Service

Oct 30 - Holy Communion

BLACKFORD CONCERT FOR FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS, OCT 4

Richard Blackford's Mirror of Perfection, settings of seven poems of Francis of Assisi, will be performed at 7:30 pm, Friday, October 4. Kenneth Matthews will conduct the Old First Choir and Friends, and the New Old First Orchestra, along with the Concert Choir of the Piedmont Choirs, under the direction of Martin Benbenuto. Baritone Jay Pierson and soprano Britt La Gatta will sing the solo roles.

OLD SOUTH DINNER OCT 5

The South Will Dine Again at 6:30 pm, Saturday, October 5, with yummy items of regional cuisine, gospel music, and Lord-knows-what-all.

Cocktail hour will feature Co’Colas, peanuts, watermelon, and pork rinds, and dinner will be even better. Southerners are asked to contribute their family favorite side dishes and desserts. The Congregational Care Committee will supply basics like barbecued ribs and chicken; tickets are still available at the last-minute rate of $7 for adults and $3 for “chillun” ages 6-18.

If you’re a real fun-seeker, you can attend the Old South Dinner (dinner will be served at 7 pm) and still get to the Night Ministry show at 8. We’ll expect to see you in church the next morning, too.

CABARET NIGHT MUSIC OCT 5

The San Francisco Night Ministry, a 38-year crisis outreach service to the people of the night, will present Cabaret Night Music on Saturday, October 5, featuring local performers Meg Mackay and Billy Philadelphia, who will sing and play a selection of tunes highlighting the 1930s and 1940s, Broadway hits, and jazz favorites. Don Sanchez, Arts & Entertainment Director for KGO TV will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

All proceeds for the evening will help support the San Francisco Night Ministry's unique service to anyone in crisis in the middle of the night.

When: Saturday, October 5, 2002, 7:00 PM

Where: Urban Life Center, 1101 O'Farrell St. at Franklin St., San Francisco

Doors open at 7:00 p.m. beginning with the silent auction of items such as a vacation week in Aspen, Japanese art and dinners and fine restaurants. Entertainment starts at 8:00 p.m. An hors d'oeuvres buffet and beverages are included in the ticket price. Free parking is available in St. Mark's Square, next to St. Mark's Lutheran Church, accessible from Gough Street.

JAZZ VESPERS

5:00 pm -- Oct 13 - John Santos with Murray Low

Colorful Latin percussionist/educator with THE piano wizard and on future Second Sundays, same time, same place ....

Nov 10 - Anton Schwartz Quartet

Talented Tenor saxophonist/the best rhythm section in the Bay Area

GOLDEN GATE HUNGER WALK OCT 20

Join hundreds of your concerned neighbors and friends in a community event to raise awareness and stop hunger! On October 20, Old Firsters will join folks from around the Bay Area in a walk to benefit the San Francisco Food Bank and Church World Service. The Walk will take place at Crissy Field at 1 pm, rain or shine. In the past couple of years, it has been beautiful weather — you don’t want to miss it!

All are invited: People of all age groups; people with all types of walking abilities; those in wheelchairs; those who run marathons; and yes, even dogs.

Please see Emily Borland after church in the Fellowship Hall to sign up to walk or to donate money to the Crop Walk September 29 through October 20. You can also email Emily at emilyborland@yahoo. com .

DEACONS’ SUNDAY OCT 27

The Board of Deacons invites you to Deacons' Sunday, October 27. Deacons will help lead the worship service, and the Rev. Sam Alexander will deliver a sermon spotlighting Christian service and hospitality.

After worship, the Board will host a reception for the congregation in the Fellowship Hall, with refreshments and music. Our deacons will be available to answer any questions you might have about their work. Don't miss this joyous celebration.

NOVEMBER 3 MISSION FAIR

Please plan on joining us on Sunday, November 3, following worship service for the Mission Fair in the Fellowship Hall to celebrate the mission work of Old First Church.

Historically we have had representatives from the organizations that we support join us for this celebration. This provides members and friends an opportunity to personally meet and talk with the people who provide vital services for these organizations. The financial assistance we provide to these organizations is important. However, our personal relationship with them is just as important!

These are the organizations through which we help the aging, hungry, homeless, ill, homebound, youth, marginalized, and fellow Christians. Don’t miss this chance to meet with our Mission partners!

STRATEGIC RESPONSE TASK FORCE ELECTED

Paragraph G-6.0106b remains in the PC(USA) Book of Order, prohibiting the ordination of gay and lesbian pastors, elders and deacons. What can our congregation do about it? We’ll know next spring.

At their August meeting, the Session elected a Strategic Response Task Force of two elders, Bill Feister and Dana Nojima; two deacons, Jeanne Kirkwood and Rebecca Smith; and three members from the congregation: Chris Burt, Tracy Clagett and Wilson Hardcastle. With Pastor Sam, these seven people will work to identify the core issues and recommend actions.

They have been charged with the responsibility of producing a written report no later than March 25, 2003.

SEEKING COMMON GROUND IN MINNEAPOLIS

“Confessing Christ Today - Seeking Common Ground is the theme of this year’s Covenant Network Conference to be held at Westminster Church, Minneapolis, Nov 7- 9. Shirley Guthrie, one of our great Presbyterian theologians who is particularly good at explaining crucial concepts to lay people, will talk about “Christian Evangelism in a Pluralistic Society”.

Full details about all the other notable speakers and preachers, as well as a registration form, are in the CovNet newsletter, in the brochures you’ll find in the Old First narthex, or on http://www.covenantnetwork.org. The registration fee is $125.

PEACEMAKING OFFERING OCTOBER 6

October 6, World Communion Sunday, is the day the annual Peacemaking Offering is received at Old First. Offering envelopes will be in the bulletins you receive that day — the day we recommit ourselves as a Peacemaking Congregation.

On Sunday, September 8, the Peace and Justice Committee presented to Old First a check for $414.75. The check was received with thanks by Michael Berg, who reminded the congregation that this amount will provide more than 400 hungry people with a meal. This sum was the designated 25% to be spent on local concerns from last year’s Peace Offering of October 2001.

Old First made its original commitment on May 21, 1985 to become a Peacemaking Church, and again on September 24, 2001. This annual offering is one of the many ways we can incorporate peacemaking into the life and mission of the congregation.

Pat Devine-Cummings, Interim Facilitator of our Peace and Justice Committee, reminds us that “Christians do peacemaking because we are a people who know God’s peace.”

LECTIONARY

Oct 6 - Exod. 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Ps. 19; Phil. 3:4b-14;

Matt. 21:33-46

Oct 13 - Exod. 32:1-14; Ps. 106:1-6, 19-23; Phil. 4:1-9; Matt. 22:1-14

Oct 20 - Exod. 33:12-23; Ps. 99; 1 Thess. 1:1-10; Matt. 22:15-22

Oct 27 - Deut. 34:1-12; Ps. 90:1-6, 13-17; 1 Thess. 2:1-8;

Matt. 22:34-46

Nov 3 - Josh. 3:7-17; Ps. 107:1-7, 33-37; 1 Thess. 2:-13;

Matt. 23:1-12

JUST SAY YES

by Bryan Nichols

from his Deacons’ Sunday Meditation, Oct 21, 2001

I am here to speak of “The Call”. Looking out on this congregation, I see many branches that bear fruit: the choir, staff, elders, committee members, volunteers for our various programs, and deacons past and present. We are blessed to be part of such an active congregation. All of us are called by God to do different things in this church. This morning, I want to speak of the call to be a deacon.

It comes to different people in different ways. I would like to tell you how it came to me. One night when I was extremely ill three years ago, I almost died. I found myself in what has been described as a “thin place,” a moment when God is very, very close. All that separates one from eternity is the thinnest of membranes, and a person may even catch a glimpse of the infinite. At the moment that I almost died, in this thin place, God spoke directly to my heart and said, “You are mine. I will take care of you. You have nothing to fear from death.” It was an amazing moment. My fear of death completely disappeared, just like that! What an unexpected and wonderful gift to receive!

My lungs cleared within a few days, and I was released from the hospital. Obviously I did not die. I knew what I had to do, which was to come here — to Old First, the only church in San Francisco that I had ever visited. Even though I was called to be here, I had no idea why. As some of you may remember, I was a man in a hurry, dashing around in my ridiculous hat shaking hands and asking questions. I had to find out why God had sent me here, and that required finding out what the Presbyterian Church was all about.

It fell to Tim Hart-Andersen to explain the difference between deacon and elder. He said elders were the decision-makers of the church, the governing body that led committees and formed policy.

I said, “That’s not for me. What’s a deacon?” He thought a moment, then said, “Deacons visit the sick and take food to people who need it. They’re the hot casserole people.”

“That’s it”! I replied. “That’s the one! Where do I sign up?”

He just laughed and said, “All in good time.”

Within weeks of joining the church, I asked the Reverend Keenan Kelsey to nominate me to be a deacon, which she did. Neither one of us knew that my direct call from God was no match for church rules. I had to wait at least one year before becoming eligible to be a deacon. Tick, tick, tick, tick. The year seemed to take forever. The nomination process could not begin soon enough for me. Finally nominations were submitted, and the Old First Nominating Committee met behind closed doors. I waited. One Sunday afternoon the phone rang.

It was Bob Hermann from the Nominating Committee. He asked if I wondered why he might be calling out of the blue. I tried to play innocent. He then asked the magic question. Would I like to be a deacon at Old First? My response was immediate. “I would be honored and delighted,” I said. When I hung up the phone, I thought, “Yes! They got the same call that I did!”

Serving as a deacon has indeed been an honor and a delight. Some of you are now being asked to serve as deacons, starting next year. You may have been a deacon before and have been asked to serve again; or you may have never even considered being a deacon. It will be a very personal decision for each of you who is asked. Only you and God can decide. Yet if you do feel the call, don’t fight it. I know many of you have very busy lives with demanding careers and children to raise. You might wonder how you could make time for yet one more responsibility. I think back to one of Tim’s sermons that influenced me most. It was entitled, “Just Say Yes”. When you are asked to do a job, no matter how big or seemingly impossible, just say “Yes”. God will help you. God will help you make room in your life.

Jesus truly is the vine, and we are the branches. Jesus will give us all the nourishment that we need. As he said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” Just say “yes”. Amen.

TUTORIAL PROGRAM

by Tom Kearney

The Old First Tutorial Program opened its doors for its 37th year on Wednesday evening, September 25. Questions were raised last year about the program’s continuance this year, so this is a year for renewal.

Two distinct personnel positions have been defined: the Program Director and the Program Educational Coordinator.

Tom Kearney, as Program Director, will provide administrative leadership to the program, as well as provide organizational support for the church, the students, and the program volunteers. He will coordinate outreach to the schools and other organizations to draw students and recruit volunteers.

Katherine Markov, as Program Educational Coordinator, will be providing professional educational guidance and input to the program and its students and volunteers. She will establish developmental and educational objectives including a “curriculumî”that is coordinated with local schools and their programs. She will also provide assessments of students and provide training and support to tutors.

Much interest has been expressed already this fall by the principals and teachers in the nearby elementary schools. Katherine is visiting the schools and working with the principals and teachers during these fall months. Tom is looking for students and volunteer tutors.

We hope to refresh the Tutorial Program with what we do this year. If you are interested in contributing your time (one hour a week) to the instruction of our young people, please contact Tom at 776-5552, ext. 301. Teaching methods and areas of concentration have changed in the schools, and we hope to reflect those dynamics in the program we offer here.

We will not be measuring the success of the program on number of students or tutors involved, but rather on an evaluation of student progress at the middle and end of the academic year. If we can show a concrete improvement in the students’ skills, we will have demonstrated the Tutorial Program’s effectiveness and how it has a better chance of continuing into the future. It should be an exciting year for all.

STILL ON THE SILL

By Megan Rohrer

One day, when Jesus and the disciples were in a boat on the sea, a great storm came upon the boat. The disciples were frantic. They woke up Jesus, who was sleeping, and yelled, "Can't you see that we are dying!?!" Jesus raised his head and looked at the chaos that was engulfing them and said, "peace, be still." Then, immediately the chaos became calm. (Matt. 8:23-34; Mark 4:35-41; 5:1-20; Luke 8:22-39).

I see this story illustrated nearly everyday, when I look at the street in front of our church. There is chaos and stress filling the air. Waves of deadlines, obligations, commitments, responsibilities and traffic undulate in the ebb and flow of Van Ness and Sacramento. Even in our church we are sometimes engulfed in the urgency of our good intentions.

Perhaps it is because God knows how easy it is to get drawn into the swirling chaos around us, that Psalm 46 commands us to "be still, and know that I am God." This passage reminds me of our homeless friends that find God in their stillness everyday.

Sitting on the sill of our church is a man whose mostly toothless grin is beautiful enough to warm any heart. He sits on the sill in his knit stocking cap and quietly feeds the pigeons. He does not say anything to the people passing by. He just smiles, because he knows that this church is the only place he has ever been where people are nice to him, and this is the only place where anyone has ever bothered to learn his name.

I know that some people are frightened of our homeless friends who sometimes gather and sit on the windowsills in front of our church. Their weather-torn faces show the storm that continually attempts to capsize their lives. It also reminds us of how close we are to the same fate.

I hope that when we feel afraid of our homeless friends, while we take care of our own safety, we may also allow our hearts to be still and know that God is with us and with the people whom we fear. The smile that we offer our homeless friends may be the only one they ever get. You are welcome to join us as we share hospitality with the homeless every Tuesday and Thursday from 2-4 pm.

Please pray for our homeless friends --

Health Needs: Larry, Spencer, and Anonymous;

For Comfort and Guidance: Jeffery, Billy, Robert Nash, Michael, Robert, and Kevin

MINISTRY TO NURSING HOMES BECOMES “ELDERGIVERS”

San Francisco Bay Area Ministry to Nursing Homes has changed its name to Eldergivers. Executive Director Brent Nettle explains that “what began as a focus on nursing homes has broadened to include elders in other residential or institutional settings: assisted living, life care and retirement communities, senior centers and even private homes. Our main concern is to help elders stay connected to community — for our sake as well as theirs.”

The new name also connotes a shift in emphasis. Brent says, “Our former name could imply an unequal relationship between elder and volunteer: the well visiting the unwell ...... a ‘fixing’ relationship, rather than one of service. We’re not in the business of fixing our elders!

“Eldergivers speaks of reciprocity of gifts. Our elders..... have gifts learned from long lives and varied experiences..... We can learn to appreciate and share our mutually-beneficial gifts.”

One thing that hasn’t changed is the need for volunteers and financial support. You can e-mail your questions and comments to info@eldergivers.org or call (415) 441-2650.

MY DEAR FRIENDS,

I am so grateful for the beautiful ordination service and celebration you helped with and hosted on June 23. I can still feel the laying on of hands, and I can still feel all those hugs! Thank you to Ken and the choir for helping to choose music and for participating. The deacons outdid themselves with the cake and gift! I have used the communion kit several times. The charge given by Pam was a tearjerker for me (is this good news?). It is framed on my wall.

What is even more remarkable and humbling to me about the service was all the people from Old First and other parts of my San Francisco life who were there to support me, once again. Or maybe I should say “support me still”. I am so lucky to have spent my Christian life amongst one family of believers who loved me and every one else in the congregation for so long and through so much. The Old First family has always been a family of God who truly knows how to love their neighbor and how to love their own.

I thank you for allowing me to be one of your own. Now that I've officially been installed I'm no longer one of your own. But in my heart — I will always be one of yours.

I was installed as Designated Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Brookfield, Illinois on Sunday, August 18th. I could not wait for the question about being a colleague in ministry. It was very moving to hear the congregation answer their questions too. The congregation is quite small, yet there were seventy people in attendance. My sixth grade teacher and his wife are a couple I have kept in touch with. And they were there! The congregation sang and prayed and laughed, and then we ate at a really fun reception downstairs. My mother was planning to come all along, but the surprise to me was that my brother John, who lives in Oakland, was coming too! What a great family I have! There were people there from my childhood all the way through my current life. I feel so loved. God is good. I am ready to be with this wonderful congregation toward whatever God is calling us to do!

Blessings,

Deb (The Rev. Debra McGuire)

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT GIVING AND TITHING?

by Cindy Burt, Moderator, Stewardship Committee

The Bible has 2,350 verses dealing with money and possessions, compared to 500 verses describing prayer.

Old Testament

The Old Testament shows that giving to the Lord was integral to the life of faith. First, there was the priority of the Lord's portion. Having taken His people out of Egypt, God said "Sanctify to me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast: it is mine" (Exodus 13:1). The order in the Old Testament code gave the place of priority and primacy to God — not to man. The people were to give not what was left over after they had made provision for themselves, rather, they were to give the firstborn, and the firstfruits.

Second, there is a clear emphasis in the Old Testament on proportional giving. The tithe, or tenth part, is first mentioned in Leviticus 27:30. The tenth of the harvest was regarded as belonging to God: "All the tithe of the land...is the LORD's; it is holy to the LORD." The giving of the tenth was symbolic of the offering to God of the whole. The stipulation in Deuteronomy 14:23 required the people to eat the tithe in the presence of the LORD, where He had placed His name, so that they might fear Him always. The tithe, therefore, was an obligatory, proportional offering. Tithes were given to the priest, for the services of the priestly ministry; a tithe was given for the worship meal; and a tithe was given for benevolent purposes. The significance of the tithe was not that everyone gave the same amount, but that each gave to the Lord out of the measure granted by God's providence.

New Testament

Although the New Testament does not specifically mention the tithe, it does teach that we should give as we are "able and even beyond (our) ability". (II Cor. 8:3). Jesus himself teaches that our relationship to wealth should be far more radical and generous than that of the Old Testament. He reminds his followers that God was "pleased" to give us the kingdom (something they longed for), which should liberate them to "sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Luke 12:33-34). Therefore, in the New Testament the tithe (10%) is seen as a kind of minimum guideline for giving for those who 'have been given the kingdom'.

The generosity of the early disciples was remarkable. Filled with the Spirit of God, they gladly parted with their property and goods to help the work of the apostles. They had 'all things common', and none had need. There were no appeals, no borrowing from the coffers of a pagan world, no deficit. Open hearts and open purses were the firstfruits of Pentecost. Fields and houses were sold, and the money laid at the apostles' feet. The supply of gospel provision, and the support of vibrant evangelism, were uppermost in the thinking of the fledgling New Testament church. All else was of little consequence.

—————————

We have the testimony of Biblical giving— so, what do we do now? You hold the key. Here’s one response, with many apologies to William Shakespeare:

To pledge, or not to pledge, that is the question.

Whether ‘tis nobler in a man to take the gospel free

and let the other fellow foot the bill.

Or, sign a pledge and pay toward church expenses?

To give, to pay — aye, there’s the rub.

To pay, when on the free-pew plan, a man may have a sitting free

and take the gospel too, as though he paid, and none be aught the wiser.

To err is human, and human too, to buy at cheapest rate.

I’ll take the gospel so! For others do the same — a common rule!

I’m wise, I’ll wait, not work. I’ll pray, and not pay.