 FIRST
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
OF SAN FRANCISCO |
| FIRST
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
OF SAN FRANCISCO |
| The Columns | November 2005 |
| First Congregational Church of San Francisco |
Joy-Susan Karyl, Editor
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Happy Thanksgiving Welcome New Members December Preparations First Congregational News Items First Congregational Happenings November Birthdays November Calendar of Events |
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At the end of November, we
will celebrate Thanksgiving with our families, friends, or
neighbors. It is a celebration that brings people together no
matter what ethnic or religious background they have. The origin of Thanksgiving Day has been attributed to a festival of thanksgiving held by the Plymouth Colony, although such festivals date from ancient times. In 1621, Governor William Bradford of the Plymouth Colony proclaimed a day of "thanksgiving" and prayer to celebrate the Pilgrims’ first harvest in America. One of the first general proclamations was made in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1676. In 1789, President George Washington issued the first presidential thanksgiving proclamation in honor of the new constitution. President Abraham Lincoln designated the last Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day. Each succeeding president made a similar proclamation until 1939, when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt set it on the third Thursday of November, primarily to allow a national public holiday on a special holiday week-end. In 1941, the date was changed to the fourth Thursday of November. Thanksgiving is a time to pause and reflect upon the goodness of God towards each of us as individuals and to express to God our appreciation for all that God has done for us. We ought to be thankful each and every day of our lives for the blessings which God has been pouring down upon our lives. A thankful person’s attitude reflects thankfulness to God for every blessing, both great and small. But why should we be thankful? We should be thankful to God for the warmth of the sunshine and eyes that can see the light of day. We should be thankful to God for food and shelter and a place we call home. We should be thankful to God for persons we call friends, family or neighbors. We should be thankful to God for all benefits and favors, because there are many who are less fortunate. We should live our lives in an atmosphere of thankfulness and gratitude to God continuously. Our attitude ought to be one of consistent gratitude. We should be thankful to God both in the good times an the bad times. The call to thanksgiving is a universal call to all human beings. Thanksgiving is indeed a time when families and friends gather to enjoy the fruits of God's creation. Let us indeed celebrate it. But let us also remember those who feel excluded from the table. Let us make room for them and welcome them. Thanksgiving is a few days before Advent. Let us not forget that all our activities are a preparation of the way for the "The One TO Come." I wish us all a blessed Thanksgiving …
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HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY, WILFRIED! On Monday, November 7th, the Rev. Wilfried Glabach will become a member of the “Fabulous Fifties." We will celebrate the event during Fellowship Hour on Sunday, November 6th. Come to church on that day and wish him "Alles Gute zum Geburstag!" (Otherwise known as “Happy Birthday.”) BIG THANK YOU... to John Kung of Quick (formerly PIP) Printing. For at least a year now, he has printed our weekly bulletin at no cost to the church. This is a great saving to us, and we are very grateful to John for his generosity. If you have any printing needs, we hope you will patronize Quick Printing in appreciation for John's gift to our church. It is right across the street from the 1300 Polk Street building, at the corner of Bush and Polk. REMEMBER THE FOOD BANK The season is upon us when the greatest demands are made upon the Food Banks to provide food for the needy during the holiday season. Please stock some extra non-perishable items as you shop in the coming months. They need food items all the time, but especially at this time of year. We will collect your food donations and send to the San Francisco Food Bank. STEERING COMMITTEE COMMENDS This month, the Steering Committee commends Corry Holstine for her excellent work in greeting people as Usher. She has done this with such consideration and faithfulness for many years, we are all blessed. |
ENHANCE THE ENHANCEMENT FUND This fund will help us put the "finishing touches" on the new building. The fund now stands at $114,098.72. Our initial goal is $200,000. Donations of any amount are welcome. Contact Treasurer Nancy McManus, Steering Committee Chair Ken Tipton or the Rev. Wilfried Glabach. CHECK OUT NEW BUILDING PLANS Our Church office now has a full set of plans for our new building. All are welcome to come in and see all the work our architects have done. NEARBY STORAGE We have been able to secure a storage area only a half block away for the items currently in 1300 and 1302 Polk Street. We are now planning their storage in preparation for demolition of the building. The space is large enough to provide continued access to everything. We have been fortunate to fine affordable storage so close. Vote
November 8th |
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| WEDNESDAY EVENINGS WITH PURPOSE Join us for Wednesday evening events in November. Please pay special attention to the location of each activity. November 2nd: Book study --
The Purpose-Driven Life, 7 PM, 1323 Polk Street November 9th: UCC Organizing Project -- Call the church office for further information at (415) 441-8901 November 16th: Movie and Discussion -- “History of the Pilgrims", 7 PM, 1302 Polk November 23rd: House Meeting -- Rev. Wilfried will host the House Meeting from 6:30-8:30 PM at his home. Bring a pot luck dish to share. Please RSVP to Wilfried, or contact him for directions to his home. November 30th: Advent Service - 7 PM, 1302 Polk Street THURSDAY CIRCLE  The Thursday Circle will meet on November 3rd at 11:45 AM at 1323 Polk Street. Please bring a lunch or sandwich; coffee, tea and a light dessert will be served. ADULT FORUM --"God and the World" The Adult Forum will meet EVERY Sunday in November at 10 AM at 1323 Polk Street. Contact Rev. Wilfried for further information. CELEBRATE WITH WILFRIED Join us on Sunday, November 6th in celebrating Wilfried’s 50th birthday. Think of 50 ways to celebrate. |
SENIOR SERVICES FOR NOVEMBER
November 2nd: Sunrise (formerly Bridge Point) -- 1601 19th Avenue, 3 PM November 9th: Eden Villa -- 2750 Geary Boulevard, 3 PM November 17th: Coventry Park -- 1550 Sutter Street 11 AM All are welcome to attend. For questions or further information, contact Rev. Wilfried: (415) 441-8901 or e-mail: minister@sanfranciscoucc.org
 RAINBOW
FELLOWSHIP
Rainbow will meet at 6:30 PM at 1323 Polk Street on Sunday, November 13th. Bring a pot luck dish to share. Contact Rev. Wilfried for further information LOWER POLK NEIGHBORS Lower Polk Neighbors will meet on Monday, November 14th at 3 PM at the Cathedral Hill Hotel. STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS The Steering Committee will meet on Sunday, November 20th after Fellowship Hour. See Ken Tipton for location of meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend and observe. PILGRIM SUNDAY On Sunday November 20th, we will celebrate our Pilgrim heritage during worship, and again have a "Dessert Fest" following the service. There is a sign-up sheet on the back table for all who wish to bring a Thanksgiving Dessert for our Fellowship Hour. WORSHIP AT POLK STREET We now worship at 1302 Polk Street EVERY Sunday. Join us at 11 AM. |
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 November
3rd: Nancy M |
November
7th: Wilfried G |
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November
8th:
Marilyn C |
November
9th:
Joe S |
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November
16th:
David F |
November
25th: Bob H |
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November
26th:
Mary
P |
November
28th:
Herb L |
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November
29th:
Lawerence D |
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First
Congregational Church of San Francisco
Church Office:
1323 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: 415/441-8901
Fax: 415/441-8904
E-mail: office@sanfranciscoucc.org
Last update: November 21, 2005
| Visitors since May 17, 1999
|
Rev.
Wilfried