Shared Life [Archive]
December 2006 Issue
Advent and Christmas at Old First
Letter from Pr. Jeff
Happy New Year!!!
Christmast Potluck
New Officers Elected
Fair Trade Gifts
Lectionary
Senior Center News
Polly Day Tribute Concert
Old First Concerts Podcasts
Jazz Vespers Article
Advent and Christmas at Old First
Friday, December 1
8 pm concert - *San Francisco Holiday Guitar Ensemble
Saturday, December 2
Noon - 4 pm - All are invited to help decorate the Sanctuary
Sunday, December 3 - First Sunday in Advent
9:30 am - Adult Education - Linda Reyder leads “I Love to Tell the Story”
11 am Worship - Theme, “Prepare” - Holy Communion, Advent Candle lighting
5 pm - Jazz Vespers - Anton Schwartz Quartet
Friday, December 8
8 pm concert - *The Josquin Singers present Advent and Christmas music
Sunday, December 10 - Second Sunday in Advent
9:30 am - Adult Education - Linda Reyder leads “I Love to Tell the Story”
11 am Worship - Theme, “Signs”- Choir and Chamber Orchestra bring forth the Cantata, “The Last of Days Shall Reach Its Destination” by George Philipp Telemann, with biblical themes common to early Advent. Candle lighting.
3 pm - *Candlelight Concert by the Piedmont Children’s Choirs
Sunday, December 17 - Third Sunday in Advent
9:30 am - Adult Education - Linda Reyder leads “I Love to Tell the Story”
11 am Worship - Theme, “Expectation” - Holy Communion, Advent Candle lighting
4 pm concert - *Festival of Carols with the Ragazzi Boys Chorus
Friday, December 22
8 pm concert - *A Celtic Christmas with Golden Bough
Sunday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
11 am worship - Theme, “Haste” - Church School Christmas pageant
9:00 pm - Christmas Carol Singalong; holiday refreshments
10:00 pm - Service of Lessons and Carols, ending with passing the “light” and singing “Silent Night”
*Concert admission - General admission $15; student/senior, $12.
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From your Friendly Local Transitional Pastor
Overheard today at lunch at a Japanese restaurant: “Do you have regular beer, or just Japanese?” Not knowing what to make of that except how it might sound to the Japanese proprietor, to whom “regular” beer may just be Japanese beer, I looked up “A History of Beer” (http://www.ala-bev. com/history.htm):
“Although beer as we know it had its origins in Mesopotamia, fermented beverages of some sort or another were produced in various forms around the world. For example, Chang is a Tibetan beer and Chicha is a corn beer and kumis is a drink produced from fermented camel milk. The word beer comes from the Latin word bibere, meaning "to drink", and the Spanish word cerveza originates from the Greek goddess of agriculture, Ceres. After Egypt was succeeded by the Greeks and Romans, beer continued to be brewed. Plinius reported of the popularity of beer in the Mediterranean area before wine took hold. In Rome, wine became ambrosia from the god Bacchus. Beer was only brewed in the outer areas of the Roman Empire where wine was difficult to obtain. For the Romans beer was considered a barbarian drink.
The oldest proof that beer was brewed on German soil comes from around 800 B.C. in the early Hallstatt Period, where beer amphora found near the present day city of Kulmbach have been dated back to this time. As Tacitus, who first wrote about the ancient Germans or Teutons, put it like this: "To drink, the Teutons have a horrible brew fermented from barley or wheat, a brew which has only a very far removed similarity to wine"….
Early civilizations found the mood-altering properties of beer supernatural, and intoxication was considered divine. Beer, it was thought, must contain a spirit or god, since drinking the liquid so possessed the spirit of the drinker…. For example, in the Finnish poetic saga Kalewala, 400 verses are devoted to beer but only 200 were needed for the creation of the earth. According to the Edda, the great Nordic epic, wine was reserved for the gods, beer belonged to mortals and mead to inhabitants of the realm of the dead. Beer brewing played an important role in daily lives. Beer was clearly so desired that it led nomadic groups into village life. Beer was considered a valuable (potable) foodstuff and workers were often paid with jugs of beer.”
So here's to “regular” beer, whatever we decide that might be.
And, very quickly, onward: Here's to the “regular” Advent season, which, astonishingly enough, comes up very soon, and which introduces the feast of Christmas. This time of year may seem “regular” or “irregular”, depending on one's family history and current state of mind. I don't know if Old First considers its way of journeying through Advent and Christmas as unique to itself, but in any case it is an important season for Christian faith communities, given that we are reminded to take another look at ourselves and how we are in the world as followers of Jesus before we get to the fun part. Because how we approach Christ's birth does affect our attitudes and actions when we do celebrate it.
The truth is, many of us are tired of the usual way of living through this season - it is too commercialized, glitzy, and hectic, and besides, it seems to begin right after Halloween! Scary. Anyway, I think many have long ago decided that this culture's
“regular” Advent and Christmas just doesn't measure up to what it truly is about, which is the celebration of God's breaking into human history in a way that turned upside down our “regular” way of understanding God's dealings with human beings, and our relationships with one another.
So we try to find a way that draws us back to the core of our Christian heritage, back to that place of heart, mind, soul and strength that is centered upon the amazing grace of divine love for each and every one, whether we are “regular” or not. In that place, the great are humbled, and the lowly lifted up, the poor are given hope and the hungry are fed. In that place, water flows in the desert, and the bumpy wilderness road is made straight and level. Enemies become friends, priorities are
straightened out, the lost is found, the grain of mustard seed becomes a great tree. Debts are forgiven, the immigrant alien becomes one of the rest of us, widows and orphans find justice, and the prodigal finds a generosity of forgiveness beyond his/her wildest dreams.
That's God breaking into the “regular” run of things again. That's the reason for the season.
Back to beer, for just a sec, from “Women and Beer: Back to Basics”:
“Aside from being consumers, women have a history of brewing beer as well. A quick glance at the history of brewing reveals that women dominated the scene in early times: evidence has shown that women brewed beer in ancient Egypt, during the Pharaonic period. By the 1700s, women brewers were commonplace throughout Europe. It was only during the Industrial Revolution, when commercial brewing was introduced, that men began to take over from women as master brewers. Today, however, more and more women are returning to the business of brewing beer. Certain forward thinking breweries headed by women are giving this hitherto male-dominated industry a run for its money. (http://www.drinkfocus.com/beer/women-and-beer.php)
How about that?
Actually, around Christmas I prefer hot spiced cider. And you?
Peace, love, and joy to you and yours, and to the whole wide world,
Jeff Cheifetz
Transitional Pastor
Happy New Year !!!!!
Does this sound a little strange in December? This is just a little reminder that Advent is the beginning of the New Year for the church liturgical calendar. Our worship themes of prepare, signs, expectation and haste help us begin to think about the New Year in the life of the church and in our own lives.
We prepare to welcome the Christ child by welcoming those of us who are new in your midst. How do we welcome each other into the many groups at Old First?
There are signs that things are a stirring: inter-active children's sermons, story telling, making advent wreaths, sharing in the making and eating of soup, decorating the sanctuary for Advent and Christmas. Look for more signs in New Year of 2007 such as a new Bible study, social activities, and a church retreat.
Expect to think of new ways in which you can participate: long term, short term, or a special interest. Recycle an old idea with new energy. Introduce a new idea to challenge us all to work together in a new way.
Haste! Mary and Joseph can find no room at the inn! Let us, at Old First, be that welcoming inn where Jesus is born anew within us and his star shines through us in all that we say and do.
Blessings and Peace for a very happy New Year.
Nancy Holve
Congregation Nurture Director - Christian Education Director
Fair Trade Gifts
The Fair Trade table will be up after the 11:00 a.m. service on the first three Sundays in December with a well-stocked inventory of all the usual favorites -- whole bean coffees, drip coffees, teas, cocoa, chocolate candy bars, and Palestinian olive oil. They might even have more of the hand-carved Jerusalem crosses.
Also at the Fair Trade Table will be copies of the Alternative Gifts International catalogue for the 2006/2007 season. It lists over thirty organizations who work nationally and internationally and are devoted to such causes as hunger relief, shelter, education, medical assistance, women's development, the environment, child survival, peace and justice, water and emergency disaster relief.
On Page 28 of the catalogue the work of Father Elias Chacour, the founder of the Mar Elias Education Institutions in Israel is described. He is responsible for building a school in Israel which brings together Jews, Druze, Arab Christians and Muslims alike to learn to live together in peace and harmony. They desperately need money for science and computer equipment. A $25 donation can help them improve their science and computer labs. Purchasing one such gift from the Alternative Gifts catalogue in the name of a family member or friend could be one way of contributing to the building of future peace in the Middle East.
And remember --when you purchase a Fair Trade gift you are also contributing to the Old First Scholarship Fund to send an Old First youth to the 2007 Intergenerational Peace Conference.
Christmas Eve Potluck
Celebrate the coming of the Christ Child with your old First Family at the home of Steve and Sarah Taber. The potluck dinner will be held 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, before the 10:00 pm Christmas Eve service.
Steve and Sarah will provide turkey and ham. You are asked to bring a side dish to share. If you need or can offer rides to their house or to the church afterward, contact Sarah.
New Officers Elected
At a congregational meeting on Sunday, December 19, the following officers were elected:
Elders, class of 2009 - Rosemary Bledsoe, Pam Byers, Ellen Milligan, Charles Olson and Jean Olson. Deacons, class of 2009 - Pat Amdur, Pam Free and Dianne Middleton.
Also elected were the four members at large for next year’s nominating committee: Nina Berg, Mary Russell, Marne Krozek and Betty Voris.
Dec. 3 1st Sunday of Advent
Jer. 33:14-16; Ps. 25:1-10; 1 Thess. 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36
Dec. 10 2nd Sunday of Advent
Mal. 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Phil. 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6
Dec. 17 3rd Sunday of Advent
Zeph. 3:14-20; Isa. 12:2-6; Phil. 4:4-7 Luke 3:7-18
Dec. 24 4th Sunday of Advent/Christmas Eve
Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:47-55 or Ps. 80:1-7; Heb. 10:5-10;
Luke 1:39-45 (46-55); Isa. 9:2-7; Ps. 96;
Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
Dec. 25 Christmas Day
Isa. 62:6-12; Ps. 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20;
Isa. 52:7-10; Ps. 98; Heb. 1:1-4 (5-12); John 1:1-14
Dec. 31 1st Sunday after Christmas
1 Sam. 2:18-20; Ps. 148; Col. 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52
Jan. 7 2nd Sunday after Christmas
Jer. 31:7-14; Ps. 147:12-20; Eph. 1:3-14; John 1:(1-9) 10-18
Connecting with the Senior Center
First of all, a BIG thank you to all for the warm greetings and good wishes for being back as the Director of the Senior Center. I am truly honored to serve in this capacity and obviously couldn't stay away.
I know many of you are wondering how you can become more connected to the Senior Center, in terms of caring and giving. There are many ways to give to this ministry of the church:
1. Please visit us on a Monday for conversation, lunch and stay for singing or tai chi. This would be a great way to get to know who attends and why.
2. Agree to lead a half-hour to 45 minute program to a group of 15-20 seniors. It could be on a topic near and dear to you, photographs from a trip or sharing a hobby you enjoy.
3. Donate your time by volunteering. You could come once monthly or weekly. We always have room for more and currently we need an extra person in the kitchen.
4. Donate the cost of tickets for a trip we will take, starting in January 2007. Seniors then can go for free and just use their Fastpass to get to the museum or trip site (we travel together on the bus from the church).
5. Come along on a trip with us. Currently, I am planning to go to a museum in January, probably on a Thursday afternoon (approximately 4 hours total).
6. Make a dessert for us (enough for 70) and leave it in the kitchen on Sunday for us to deliciously delight in on Monday. (Note: a member of the church bakes us birthday cakes once a month for our monthly birthday party-ain't she sweet).
7. Make a financial donation to help pay for the cost of running the Center.
8. Pray for the volunteers, staff, members and guests to the Center regularly.
If you are working on Mondays, plan ahead and come on a holiday Monday! We are open every Monday holiday except Christmas and New Year.
If you have another idea, please let me know. I am flexible and open to discussion. I want you to feel connected to this amazing ministry of your church.
Blessings to you all in this Advent Season,
Judith Dancer, Doris Krauss Senior Center Director
A Great Tribute to Polly Day
by Sara Barrios
On October 28th, Old First Concerts gave a concert to honor Polly Day’s contributions to the Concerts and to Old First.
What a lovely tribute it was, with Polly’s piano teacher Richard Rogers performing and presenting four of his present students: Dan Joraanstad, Greg Swartz, Chistina Sum, Bill Rudiak and Dr. Richard Bohannon.
Mike Greensill performed a medley of works by Duke Ellington. Mike is Wesla Whitfied’s husband and accompanist; they have both contributed their talents to many good causes in the city.
Chris Burt was a great master of ceremonies as well as props manager, taking care of moving the piano so that our own Don Pender, who bought his Quintet to play a piece by Alexander Kreisler, could perform. They were very handsome in their tuxes and dark dresses.
Dan Joraanstad on piano, and Dr. George Becker, our assistant organist, played a duet by Cesar Franck.
To conclude a great afternoon of music, Old First Music Director Ken Matthews ended with Couperin’s stirring Chaconne in G Minor on our lovely Visser/ Hutchings organ.
Polly gave 25 piano recitals to benefit Old First Concerts, each combining music with wonderful food at a reception afterward. At this event Old First members provided some of her favorite light foods for the reception.
It was a delightful afternoon which we hope will become a tradition.
Old First Concerts Podcast Series
We are pleased to announce the Old First Concerts podcast series, featuring excerpts from past performances and previews of upcoming concerts.
To begin, download and install podcasting software onto your computer. We recommend iTunes, as it is free, easy to use and available for both PCs and Macs. To download iTunes, please click href=http://www.apple.com/itunes/down load/>here.
Once you have installed iTunes onto your computer, you're ready to subscribe to our podcast. Choose the “subscribe to podcast” option from the Advanced menu. Copy the following URL and paste it into the subscription box: http://www.oldfirstconcerts.org/podcast/oldfirstconcerts.rss
Troubleshooting
When I click on the link, I get a page full of text. Am I doing something wrong? Podcasts use a type of code called XML. Some XML can be displayed in a web browser, but not podcasting. You must use the URL with your desired podcasting software.
How do I see all the past episodes of your podcasts? Once you subscribe to a podcast, the most recent episode will be downloaded to your computer. However, since podcasting is a subscription service, all of the past episodes will be available for download. You will need to manually download these.
I am using iTunes and all I see is the most recent episode, how do I see the old ones? There is an arrow next to the podcast, which is pointing to the right. If you click on that arrow, the arrow will rotate so it is pointing down, and all the past episodes will be displayed.
Rick Bahto -- Old First Concerts
Jam Session: Music connects worshippers to the message
at Jazz Vespers services
by Toya Richards Hill for the Presbyterian News Service - October 2006
Swing, bebop, New Orleans-style, big band, fusion and the Presbyterian Church.
Various jazz styles mixed in with a denomination rooted in the theology of Protestant reformer John Calvin? It's an odd pairing for sure, but one that's worked for a number of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations seeking to offer up a unique alternative worship experience.
Jazz Vespers has taken hold in PC(USA) congregations throughout the country, including Old First Presbyterian Church in San Francisco and First Presbyterian Church in Pitman, NJ. Though the concept isn't new -- the idea began with the Rev. John Garcia Gensel in the early 1960s at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in New York City - the desire to replicate it continues.
Just recently, on Oct. 22, Noe Valley Ministry in San Francisco held its first-ever Jazz Vespers service. The PC(USA) church, already known in the community for its wide array of music offerings, inaugurated what is planned to be a monthly jazz worship service through June. "I have a great passion for this kind of service," said the Rev. Keenan Kelsey, pastor at Noe Valley. "Jazz music in and of itself is wonderful * it's a paradigm for shalom, how we live together ...Jazz musicians individually play the music and are "totally into it," yet at the same time "they are completely aware of one another."
Jazz Vespers services, although tailored to suit the individual congregation, are in the late afternoon or evening and generally follow a traditional order of worship, including Scripture readings and a sermon.
But what's different about these services is that various forms of jazz music, played by a band booked for that particular worship service, are intertwined with the spiritual message.
The minister and the band leader talk over the themes for the service - hope or love, for example, said Ed Klitsch, part of the group that created the first Jazz Vespers
service in the PC(USA). Then the music and the message are "interrelated," he said, adding that there are usually six tunes played, just like a jazz set.
The tunes could be original, or they could be something familiar, said Klitsch, "It could be something like a George Gershwin tune or a popular rock tune."
A former deacon at Philadelphia's Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church, where Jazz Vespers first started in the PC(USA) back in 1986, Klitsch is now the "jazz catalyst" who does the booking for Jazz Vespers services in the San Francisco Bay area and elsewhere. He says Jazz Vespers works because "jazz relates to the everyday person," who may or may not be connected with church. "We get people from everywhere ... A church that offers this type of innovative worship is often perceived as having an open mind.” Ed adds that someone once told him, "I came for the jazz and I got the message."
A reception usually held after Jazz Vespers is just as important as the service in terms of building community. "It's a perfect place for the evangelism committee," Klitsch said.
Jazz Vespers appeals to the jazz artists, too. “Jazz musicians often have gone through life being stuck in the back of the room in some club,” Klitsch said. With Jazz Vespers, after the first tune the artists realize there are folks tuned in to what they are doing - instead of buying drinks or smoking or trying to pick up someone from the other side of the room. "The give and take between the musicians and the congregation is just wonderful," he said. "It's as much about the musicians as it is the people who come."
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