“Afterward I will pour out my spirit on everyone; your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions.”
Joel 2: 28 

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We are in the season of new beginnings! At the end of May we will celebrate the birthday of the church. I am not referring to the birthday of First Congregational Church (this will be at the end of July), but to the Church of Jesus Christ throughout the world. 

Pentecost is known throughout the Church as the day that God created the Church as we know it today. In the book of Acts we read how the wind blew and the Holy Spirit was sent upon the disciples of Jesus Christ. Tongues of fire rested upon them, they spoke in other languages. People from all over the world heard the salvation story of God's reign. It must have been an incredible sight and experience for those who were present at that birthday party in Jerusalem.

I invite you to wear the color “red” on our Pentecost celebration. It is a sign of the Holy Spirit and the flames that move us forward in faith.

On Easter a “birthing” process has taken place in our midst. Five new members have affirmed their baptism, confirmed their faith in Jesus Christ, and started as new members of First Congregational Church. It is a new phase of their spiritual journeys that began in the waters of Baptism years ago.

Another “birth” experience that I am thinking about is the new church building that we as a congregation are entering into a new neighborhood. With our new people and ideas we are moving into a new period in the life of our congregation.

It is pretty exciting to see how the “Wind of the Holy Spirit” is still moving and working in the Church of Jesus Christ. I, for one, am glad to be part of the movement. I believe that you must be also. Let us be thankful for the work of Divine Spirit who still moves us forward in the grace and peace of Jesus Christ.
 I wish you all a blessed Pentecost. 

           Happy Birthday, Church!
 

           Rev. Wilfried
          Rev. Wilfried Glabach
          minister@sanfranciscoucc.org

 
On Easter Sunday, we not only celebrated the resurrection of Christ, but also the addition of five new members to our church family:  Brenda Bonhomme, Eric Alatorre and Dorothee Vogt, Herb Lily and Jaime Velasco.

Philadelphia's loss was the Bay Area's gain when Brenda moved here almost 20 years ago.  A marketing consultant by profession, she's a vocalist and music teacher by avocation.  She's been a soloist with our choir for approximately three years, and is also a member of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, and has sung with many choral groups in Bay Area.

If you have seen or heard the famous choral group Chanticleer, then you have seen or heard Eric Alatorre.  You can recognize him by his outstanding mustache and mellifluous bass voice. Originally from Los Angeles, he has been in San Francisco for 17 years, 13 of them with Chanticleer.

Originally from Offenburg, Germany, Dorothee (Doro), Eric's partner, came to San Francisco about three years ago.  She is a research scientist studying viruses, has completed her Master's Degree and is a Ph.D. candidate at UCSF.

Herb left Sacramento because he felt there weren't enough opportunities to engage in mission work there.  Shortly after arriving in San Francisco, he assembled packages of toiletries and distributed them to participants in St. Mark's homeless shelter program.  Since then, he's been volunteering at the Old First Presbyterian homeless program, and assisting Dora Ford at Cornell Halfway House.

Originally from the Philippines, Jaime has been in this country for some time.  His wife, Restie, has been a member of our church for over 10 years, and on Easter Sunday, Jaime decided to become a member also.

Welcome, All!

 
Last year the Rev. Annegret Helmer from Essen, Germany, spent a couple of months in the Bay Area to visit the Graduate Theological Union summer school in Berkeley, and also for an internship with Rev. Wilfried. 

This year, her husband, the Rev. Ulrich Holste-Helmer, will intern with us from the end of May until the beginning of August.  Like Annegret, he would like to attend the Northern California Nevada Conference Annual Meeting at Asilomar, visit the summer school in Berkeley and intern with the congregation.

Maybe you remember that Uli is also a great pianist and singer.

Herzlich willkommen, Uli! 
 

SAVE THE DATE
Save Sunday, June 20th for our congregational Annual Meeting.  Following a pot luck luncheon after worship
 

For further information, contact Rev. Wilfried at (415) 441-8901 or e-mail:  minister@sanfranciscoucc.org

THURSDAY CIRCLE
Lucille Dean will host  the Thursday Circle meeting on May 6th at 11:45 AM in the third floor meeting room.   Please bring a sandwich or lunch; coffee, tea and a light dessert will be served.  All members and friends are invited.

BUILDING 5 COMMITTEE MEETS
The next meeting of the Building 5 Committee will be on Thursday, May 6th.   Gather at 7 PM  at the office of architect Ron Case at 1033 Polk Street at Geary.

Contact Ken Tipton for questions or further information. 
 

KEN/RICHARD HOST RAINBOW FELLOWSHIP
Ken Tipton and Richard Leger will host Rainbow Fellowship with a barbecue at their home on Sunday, May 9th.  They will provide their “World Famous” barbecue spare ribs, with everyone else bringing dishes to share.

Meet at 6 PM for fun and fellowship.  Contact Ken or Richard for directions to their home.

For more information, contact Rev. Wilfried Glabach at the church (415) 441-8901 or e-mail:   minister@sanfranciscoucc.org.

ALL are welcome.

A pledge of time, energy and effort is also appreciated.

WATCH OUT FOR CENTIPEDES
Sunday, May 16th is the Bay to Breakers race.  If you commute to church, plan accordingly, as traffic may be rerouted or delayed to make way for runners.

COUNCIL MEETING
The next Council meeting is scheduled for Sunday, May 16th at 12:30 PM in the Fireside Room.   Contact Moderator Nancy McManus to place items on the agenda.

WORSHIP AT POLK STREET
 Worship with us at 1302 Polk Street on Sunday, May 30 at 11 PM.  In celebration of Pentecost, you are encouraged to wear red. 

Contact the Rev. Wilfried Glabach for further information: (415) 441-8901, or e-mail:   minister@sanfranciscoucc.org
 

5th:   Worship Service at Eden Villa -- 2750 Geary Boulevard 1:30 PM
         Cinco de Mayo

6th:    Building 5 Committee

7th:   Thursday Circle --Third Floor Meeting Room Urban Life Center 11:30 AM 

9th:  FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER/MOTHER'S DAY/STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY
         Worship -- Urban Life Center Auditorium 11 AM  Wilfried Glabach Preaching
         Rainbow -  Ken and Richard's 6 PM

10th:  Lower Polk Neighbors -- 3 PM Cathedral Hill Hotel

14th-23th:  Rev. Wilfried on Vacation

15th:  Columns DEADLINE 
         Armed Forces Day

16th:  FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER/ BAY TO BREAKERS SUNDAY
          Worship -- Urban Life Center Auditorium 11 AM   Matthew Fong Preaching
          Council -- Urban Life Center Auditorium 12:30 PM 

23rd:  SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
           Worship -- Urban Life Center Auditorium 11 AM   Matthew Davis Fox Preaching

30th:  PENTECOST SUNDAY
           Worship -- 1302 Polk Street 11 AM   Wilfried Glabach Preaching

31st:  Memorial Day (observed) - office closed