SOCIAL EVENTS
SMALL GROUPS AT OLD FIRST
Old First Presbyterian church has many adult small groups for sharing, study, and growth. Although the pastor may offer guidance and support and provide study resources for the small groups, these groups at Old First are self-governing bodies, deciding for themselves how they will be organized, where and when they will meet, and what they will study or discuss. Topics that small groups may include as part of their discussions, may be scripture based, books of relevant interest, worship, world events, and we even have had an LGBTQ group. Many of of small groups meet on Zoom. Currently we are offering a zoom class once a month using Bene Browns book Atlas of the Heart. Each class stands on it's own. Contact the church office for more information.
MEMBERSHIP & OUTREACH
The community of Old First is continually renewed by new members and long term visitors. .
We trust visitors will find a warm welcome from many members at the Fellowship Hour following worship. It's a time to enjoy a cup of Petes coffee, tea, pastries, and most of all our stories. Having received God's welcome, we try to exhibit the hospitality so central in the scriptures to all who visit.
New members/Inquires classes are held several times during the year. These classes, led by the pastor, include an overview of core Christian beliefs, information about Old First and the Presbyterian Church, discussions of participants questions and concerns, and opportunities to connect and serve.
We gladly accept in membership all who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and wish to follow him.
ADULT EDUCATION
We can always grow, learn, and explore new ideas. We offer regular, challenging and interesting adult education opportunities. We frequently do community reads, reading and studying a book together. We have series of classes on important issues of the day and theological study. During Lent, Advent and other special times of the year, we explore important topics in our society relating them to our faith. Growing and challenging each other's thinking is an important aspect of life in our Christian community.
CHILDREN'S EDUCATION
We have a small number of children of varying ages and they are well loved and honored at Old First. We have a well-designed children's space where we have educational opportunities the 1st and 3nd Sundays of the month . In addition, for children who come to worship, we provide a childrenspace in the sanctuary with activities related to the scripture of the day. We have an amazing childrens library with books for children of all ages on religious and biblical topics along with works of fiction for all ages. The library is constantly updated and there are books that delight, challenge and speak to a child's growing awareness and complexity of the world they life in. There are is even a good selection of games of which both childrena and adults are invited to enjoy. There are also books for parents.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
An important part of Christian life for us is reaching out to neighbors in need. The Inter-Faith Food Pantry provides an accessible neighborhood food source for SF/Marin Food Bank clients. Each Saturday, one of five host churches uses Old First Presbyterian Church to provide a week's worth of groceries to around 350 of the city's families. Once a month, we serve a free, homemade, hot, community dinner for neighbors, housed and un-housed! Volunteers cook and serve the meal to guests who are invited to sit with us at tables in our FellowshipHall.
MISSION AND OUTREACH
Bringing justice, sharing good news, and working to make the world a better place are important to us. We support with donations and volunteers many local, national, and international mission projects and work with both faith-based and other community organizations for racial justice, LGBTQ rights, help for the unhoused, assisting refugees, working with children and youth in the community, and many others.