May the light of Christ's star come to all the world
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Old First Presbyterian Church enthuiastically invites all people into our community!
This church was the first Protestant congregation established on the west coast of the U.S. during the gold rush. And we are proud now to continue sharing Christ's love, justice, and welcome to modern seekers who arrive in San Francisco now 175 years later. We have taken a leadership role both locally and nationally welcoming LGBTQIA+ Christians into full participation in the life and leadership of the Presbyterian Church. We strive to bring hope, joy and justice reaching out to people of all ethnicities, incomes, races, and life situations, and like Jesus, we always try to offer a smile and welcome the outcasts.
We hope you will come visit and consider becoming part of our community. We want to know you and share your own particular gifts, experience, and insights with us on our corner, in our city, and in our world.
We worship every Sunday at 11:00 am both in person in our beautiful sanctuary and on line via YouTube livestream. We celebrate communion on the third Sunday of the month. Worship is our joyful praise and thanks to God - our celebration of God's Love.
We have a wonderful choir singing a mixture of classical and modern music and singers are always welcome. Our organ is one of the most renowned in the city. We founded and support an amazing variety of new artists each week in our Old First Concerts programs.
Bringing God's love, welcome, justice, in our neighborhood, city and world and working to make the world a better place for all are important to us. We are a founding member of the weekly interfaith food pantry every Saturday and host a free community meal on the 4th Saturday of each month. We work with many local, national, and international groups to promote racial justice, LGBTQ+ equality, and other human rights, to end gun violence, and to help immigrants.
We feed the hungry, comfort the afflicted, and work for justice. We always need volunteers to help with all of these projects.
We believe that learning and growth are important for all ages. We offer regular book studies, Bible studies, theological discussions, and topical classes for adults on issues important in our culture. Small groups meet on Zoom and in members' homes for study and support. We make time and space for children in worship and offer regular, broadly graded children's church school every 1st and 3nd Sundy. We also have excellent childrens' and adults' libraries.
We love to read and support the Little Free Library on Sacramento Street. Bring you books to share with the community.
I have found myself deeply moved by our theme this advent: What Do you Fear - Insist on Hope. In a time when I can feel so overwhelmed by my own worries and business and now by the overwhelming news of the shootings at Brown University and at Hanukkah celebration in Australia ,I need to dig deep into hope more than ever, to follow in the ways of the prince of peace whose both we remember and celebrate this Christmas. It is not too late pick up an advent devotional or use the online version. (just email us by clicking below, and we can send you one). Join us for worship in person or online, or simply read the poem below. Let us be hope bearers in a world longing for hope.
Pastor Maggi
The Fourth Sunday of Advent | What do you fear? Insist on Hope - when you’re afraid, give me your hand
"Tethered"
When we were children, we fell asleep
with walkie talkies tucked under our pillows.
All that separated us was a bathroom,
a hallway, a few feet of empty space,
but as children, even small distances can feel like miles.
So after the parents whispered prayers over our skinned knees
and spelling tests, after they kissed our sweaty foreheads
and tucked us into bed,
we’d pull the walkie talkies out from under our pillows.
We’d roll the dial on the top of the transceiver.
We’d sputter that invisible tether to life.
And with a few crackles in the quiet of the night,
you’d whisper my name.
I’d press down the button.
I’d promise I was close.
As an adult, I don’t know what ever happened
to those blue-grey walkie talkies.
But I know,
that even today,
if the monsters in the closet feel too real,
and you whisper my name,
I promise I’ll be close.
January 4, 2026
The first Sunday of 2026 is our day to celebrate Epiphany, the 12th day of Christmas, and the day traditionally celebrated when the magi's star led these foreign scholars to the newborn Christ for them to worship him. This Sunday (January 4) our former intern Brook Scott will preach for us, and we will distribute "star words." Join us in worship and receive your own guiding word for the year.
If you cannot attend worship, you can watch on our streaming service (click below). And you can request we send you a star word by e-mail.
January 18
Many of us grew up in churches with regular pot luck dinners. And quite often those churches published their own little cookbooks with members sharing their favorite recipes from those potlucks. On Januay 18, we will celebrate those old, wonderful potlucks. Look in the back of the closet and find those old cookbooks, and while you're there look for that jello mold - you'll need it. Let's have lots of tuna mac casseroles, and deviled eggs, and lime jello with carrots in a pineapple shaped mold! If you don't have your own church cookbook, Old First can share theirs, just ask in the church office. Or you can check out the website below for some real winners that southerners will especially enjoy!
January 2026
Presbyterians are led by elders and deacons chosen from among the people. Each year we seek people who feel called to serve God and the church in leadership roles. If you feel that call or would like to recommend someone for the Session or the Board of deacons, please let us know. Click below to send your name or your suggestions to the nominating committee. The election will be in February.
What's Happening at Old First