First Pres is here to support the community during this challenging time. We don’t want you to feel alone. We’re better together. While we’re not able to physically gather under the sheltering order, ministries are continuing to meet and new events are happening. This page can help you find out what’s happening in our community. Visit the dropdown menu on the right for updates. See our latest announcement videos.
July 26, 2020 Update: Based on Alameda County’s cases, hospitalizations, and other indicators, reopening guidance for places of worship includes a strong recommendation to continue virtual services. Per the 265 congregants who took our June 26–July 2 survey, 47% indicated they consider themselves to be in the high risk group, and only 20% of respondents are interested in returning to worship in-person. The Coronavirus Task Force of staff and congregants continue to work on guidelines to return to our church campus and will work further with staff and Session. We want your feedback, and hope you will participate in upcoming surveys as we move forward with planning.
See our ongoing prayer requests. See the sidebar on the right to worship with us online at our latest worship services.
Worship with us LIVE online!
Join us for worship LIVE on Sundays at 10 am via Zoom, click here, password 013527.
Click here to visit This Week at First Pres for a list of ministry programs on Sunday and the upcoming week—including links to attend!
Mission Outreach partners and First Pres congregants are sharing their front-line work close up and personally through these short videos. More videos will be added regularly.
Order a low-cost boxed meal from The Table…. Click to order
Read our updates:
Learn how to stay connected:
Worship
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP | 10 am via video message
Gather with us for teaching, music, and prayer at 10 am Sunday mornings via weekly live video messages. Questions for Reflection based on the week’s message are available for personal and group use on the sermon series page.
GODLY PLAY | via online video messages
Children and their parents are welcome to join us for worship and our Godly Play lesson via weekly video messages.
Connect
Connect with communities and events online.
OPEN DOOR COMMUNITY GROUP | Sundays | 10:30 am via Zoom
Following the Sunday worship service, join the Open Door Community Group for a time of connection, prayer, and discussion using the weekly Questions for Reflection. To receive the weekly email with Zoom link, join the Open Door CG.
CONNECT(her) | Sundays | 10:15 am via Zoom
Women of all ages are invited to take part in a time of connecting and prayer. To receive the weekly email with Zoom link, email arleneruthhatfield@gmail.com.
YOUNG ADULT LUNCH | Sundays | 12 pm via Zoom
Bring your lunch or coffee and connect with other young adults. To receive the weekly email with Zoom link, email torib@fpcberkeley.org.
Care & Prayer
REQUEST CARE & PRAYER
During this unprecedented time of sheltering in place, we know that anxiety, stress, and hardships will likely increase. Our caring teams are working to make connections between needs and resources in our community.
Email prayer@fpcberkeley.org with prayer requests.
OFFER CARE & PRAYER
Join our Pastors, Deacons, Elders, staff, and community in caring and praying for our First Pres community.
See our ongoing prayer requests
JOIN OTHERS IN PRAYING
Shelter in Place prayer teams are gathering, by Zoom, to unite in weekly prayer for our church, community, and beyond. To learn more and participate in a prayer team select one of our prayer team. Use the link provided to sign up and receive an invitation to the Zoom meeting. To expand this opportunity, additional hosts are needed. If interested in hosting a weekly prayer team, please contact Janet Sanders at janets@fpcberkeley.org for more information.
Monday Morning Prayer Group | 10-11 am
Host: Arlene Hatfield: Learn more and join
Wednesday Morning Prayer Group | 8:45-9:45 am
Host: Marian McGaw: Learn more and join
Pray Connect Serve Prayer Group | Thursdays | 4-5 pm
Hosts: Caroline Chen, Cathy Laymon, Janet Sanders
Give & Serve
Continue giving: We need your financial contributions as we continue to pay staff, our expenses, and support mission partners.
- We welcome your regular giving to the General Fund: click here to give online, or you can mail your contribution to church.
- We can receive Deacon Fund contributions via PayPal or mailed check.
Support our Mission partners: Learn more about Mission Outreach partners and First Pres congregants and their front-line work. Learn more here.
Support our small business owners: Many small business owners in our congregation have been severely impacted by the sheltering order, and we are beginning to assess needs and how we can help. If you are small business owner, please click here to take our survey.
Resources
Coronavirus Resources
- Center for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- California Department of Public Health: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx
- Alameda County Public Health: http://www.acphd.org/2019-ncov.aspx
- City of Berkeley: https://www.cityofberkeley.info/coronavirus/
