On our Corner, in Our City, and in the World
Click here for online streaming worship
Click here for Sunday's bulletin
Click here for our Lent devotional booklet
Click here to sign up for food bank
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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.
February 18
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, symbolizing mortality, repentance, and spiritual renewal, as Christians receive ashes in the shape of a cross on their foreheads, reminding them they are "dust to dust" and calling them to a period of prayer, fasting, and reflection leading to Easter. The ashes represent mourning for sins and dedication to Christ, linking the start of the Lenten season to His Passion. Old First will have a brief service of worship and offer imposition of ashes in our sanctuary at 1:00pm on Wednesday, February 18.
February 18 - April 2
This Lent, our theme focuses on remembering that Christ's good news really is good news. It is joyful—like fine wine saved for celebration. It grows like a mustard seed and smells like perfume poured from an alabaster jar. It tastes like bread passed endlessly through a hungry crowd. It sounds like laughter and feels like mercy. The good news is alive in the world. We will look at what was central to Jesus’ life and ministry: radical welcome, love for neighbor, care for the vulnerable, nourishment for the hungry, nonviolence in the face of injustice. At the heart of Jesus’ teachings, we find liberation, love, mercy, and grace—all of which are meant to be very good news for us all. Join us in this reflection for the next 40 days before Easter.
We have prayer cards for each day of Lent available at church. We also have an excellent, thought-provoking Lenten devotional booklet available online by clicking below.
click here for Lent Devotional Booklet
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February 22-28
Our theme for the first week of lent focuses on God bringing surprising joy into our lives. In the Gospel of John, Jesus's first act of ministry is at a wedding party where they run out of wine. Jesus's first miracle is winemaking! What a surprise! The party moves from tragedy to unforgettable. Jesus's first act is not a healing, or an exorcism, or turning tables for justice, but Jesus's first act is to to help ensure the best party ever! It's a total surprise! Jesus doesn't have to begin with defeating evil because he knows ultimately evil doesn't stand a chance against a God who loves to party. Evil doesn't stand a chance against a god who will never let an empty wine cistern or a full tomb have the final word! God's goodness and joy will overflow - EVERY SINGLE TIME!
What's Happening at Old First