First Pres is here to support the community during this challenging time. We don’t want you to feel alone. We’re better together, ministries are continuing to meet and new events are happening. This page can help you find out what’s happening in our community.
December 18, 2020 Update:
As COVID-19 is spreading rapidly, the State of California Office of Emergency Services (OES) issued an updated Regional Stay-at-Home Order via cell phone alert in eleven counties, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and Santa Clara.
We reiterate the importance of staying at home except for essential activity, wearing a mask, keeping social distancing, and maintaining safe practices. While our campus remains closed, please stay connected with us via online worship and ministry events.
- Our staff is primarily working from home, those coming to campus are only for essential minimum business operations per the sheltering orders.
- Cornerstone Children’s Center can remain open under current restrictions, and they will be closed December 22–January 4 for winter break.
- Berkeley Christian Counselors shifted to teletherapy several months ago, and continues to serve their clients virtually.
- Our Coronavirus Task Force—with staff, under the jurisdiction of Session—continues to work on a phased reopening plan for implementation when is it safe to do so in 2021.
Sunday Worship Online!
Join us for worship LIVE on Sundays at 10 am via Zoom: click here, password 013527. The worship bulletin and Questions for Reflection are available on the sermon series page
Children and parents are welcome to watch Godly Play lessons via weekly video messages.
Programs and Events
Click here to view This Week at First Pres for ministry programs and events on Sunday and the upcoming week—including links to attend!
Click here to order from The Table…when low-cost boxed meals resume on January 31, 2021
Read our weekly email updates
Get involved
Connect
Open Door Community Group | Sundays | 11 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 the Zoom link, join the Open Door CG.
Connect(her) | Sundays | via Zoom
Women of all ages are invited to take part in a time of connecting and prayer. To receive the weekly email with the Zoom link, email arleneruthhatfield@gmail.com.
Care & Prayer
REQUEST CARE & PRAYER
During this unprecedented time of sheltering in place, we know there is anxiety, stress, and hardship. 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: Learn more and join
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 the 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 assessing needs and how we can help. If you are a small business owner, please click here to take our survey.
