Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church

Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy Proverbs 31:9 SAPC Response to Racial Injustice

We invite you to join us for Holy Week and Easter - from home! The Virtual Worship for Good Friday Tenebrae has just been posted. www.seventhavenuechurch.org

Here is the link to our Easter Service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRqmkvum6cE&feature=youtu.be

Our lives are always in the hands of God's and worship takes place in many ways, at many times, in many locations ... so regardless if we are with others or alone, God is with us. During these 'sheltering-in-place' days, we invite you to worship with us at whatever time works best for you. Here is a link to our past and current services: https://soundcloud.com/sapcsf. ... We suggest lighting a candle and singing the chants along with us. May peace be your companion this day ....

Helpful reflection by Lynn Ungar entitled: 'Pandemic' What if you thought of it as the Jews consider the Sabbath the most sacred of times.... Cease from travel. Cease from buying and selling. Give up, just for now, on trying to make the world different than it is. Sing. Pray. Touch only those to whom you commit your life. Center down. And when your body has become still, reach out with your heart. Know that we are connected in ways that are terrifying and beautiful. (You could hardly deny it now.) Know that our lives are in one another’s hands. (Surely, that has come clear.) Do not reach out your hands. Reach out your heart. Reach out your words. Reach out all the tendrils of compassion that move, invisibly, where we cannot touch. Promise this world your love-- for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, so long as we all shall live. In these days of concern and fear may you find that place of Spirit deep within you .....

SAPC BOOK GROUP is inviting the congregation to join them in reading White Fragility by Robin Di Angelo. It is subtitled, Why it is so hard for white people to talk about racism. Two Perspectives classes will be devoted to a discussion of this book in February. For more information contact Gail De Bellis.

Welcome the New Year in good company @ SAPC! Tomorrow night, we'll be hosting a NYE Gala benefitting the final phase of our Organ Restoration. We'll have a fun-filled evening of musical entertainment, elegant and delicious food and wines, and a silent auction! Featuring: Terrific Tom (a.k.a. Tom Stafford) With Family and Friends Festive hors d’oeuvres/wine reception... Dessert and champagne at intermission Silent auction of tickets to classy events, fine wines, gourmet dinners, home concert by our musicians, garden tea party, and more Childcare will be provided at no charge! Make sure to grab your tickets here before it's too late! https://seventhavenuechurch.org/organ-restoration-campai//

As we near the end of one year and the beginning of another we begin to reflect on our lives and what is important. Many people think about how they can impact future generations and live their lives according to the giving nature of their faith. We at SAPC are no different. You may not be aware that SAPC has an endowment fund that was set up to provide for future ministries of our beloved community. This Fund is managed through the Foundation of the Presbyterian Church. A ...charitable gift not only benefits the ministry of Seventh Avenue, but also provides you the joy and satisfaction of fulfilling your stewardship goals. Year-end giving has many advantages, including: A charitable tax-deductible contribution for all gifts received by 12/31/19. The avoidance of long-term capital gain taxes on outright gifts of appreciated assets held more than a year. When a charitable gift annuity is acquired from the Foundation, donors receive favorable-taxed income for life, plus a charitable contribution deduction. To find out more about how you can strengthen your year-end giving and the ministry of Seventh Avenue, please talk with Michael Duarte or Pastor Gaines. You can also visit the Foundation's website: http://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/or call 888-233-0600.

We hope you'll join us for our beautiful Christmas Eve service this year. Dessert reception to follow. Holiday Blessings to each and every one of our wonderful community members!

You will soon be seeing more info about our annual Christmas Joy Offering. Your gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering (to be received the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 22, as well as December 29 and January 5) are a part of a cherished Presbyterian tradition. This special offering provides support for retired church workers who are in need, through grants and assistance. It also funds education for those students who attend one of the denomination's eight racial ethnic schools or colleges. This offering continues to "lend a hand" to people at the time of their deepest need. Look for special Christmas Joy Offering Inserts in the Advent and Christmas Bulletins.

We're collecting donations for the SF Firefighters Toy Program! Bring in toys for the barrel at the back of the sanctuary!We're collecting donations for the SF Firefighters Toy Program! Bring in toys for the barrel at the back of the sanctuary!

Can you knit or crochet? If so, we need your help! We are once again making scarves as Christmas gifts for the women of SafeHouse. SafeHouse has two aspects: a residential center for formerly prostituted women with services to help them build new lives; and an outreach program to the many women that they don't have room to house. Scarves can be any color or pattern; the guidelines are warm and washable. There are some free knitting needles and yarn available. If you have yarn left over from another project that you want to donate, we can put it to good use. Scarves will be dedicated during worship in early December. You can deliver them to the church as you finish them. Contact Susan Baker-Lehne for more information, and to give or receive yarn and/or knitting supplies. E-mail [email protected], or see her at worship.