Pastoral/Spiritual Care

Pastor’s Visits
The pastor is available to make both hospital and home visits. Call the office at 650-325-5659 for more information.

Spiritual Care
In an age that tends to see itself as more “spiritual” than “religious,” we struggle to understand our spiritual experiences. Often we need help as we seek to grow in our relationship to God and to discern God’s call on our life and to understand some of the more complex events in our life, trying to comprehend the work of the Spirit. To do this requires an ongoing conversion and reorientation. Our pastor is qualified to help as you sort through these questions. 

Homebound?
We can arrange to send you CDs of each week’s service and share communion to you. Contact the church office. 


Deacons
In the Presbyterian tradition, deacons assist the pastor(s) in pastoral care, work closely with the session, and are the “caring arm” of the church.  As the Book of Order puts it, “The office of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. It is the duty of deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith”.

At First Pres we have a Board of 9 Deacons who typically serve for a term of 3 years and are assigned to one of the 9 Deacon neighborhoods.  We communicate regularly with our neighborhood families in order to understand their joys and concerns and to keep them informed of events in the life of the church.  When a family is in need, we help to arrange meals, transportation, and other assistance. We encourage ride-sharing and sometimes arrange neighborhood fellowship events.

What else do Deacons do?

*   Host the annual Ingathering brunch in early September
*   Coordinate Hotel de Zink, a rotating church shelter run by Urban Ministry of Palo Alto that provides shelter and food for about 20 clients, throughout the month of July.
*   Purchase memorial flowers for Christmas and Easter services.  Publish lists of those who contribute and see that the flowers are delivered to shut-ins and families in need.
*   Assist with preparing and serving food at memorials and other receptions, such as the RMB Lectureship in November
*   Maintain a Home Health Closet with equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers
*   Help with monthly Communion service
*   Meet monthly to discuss our neighborhood and corporate concerns
*   Send a rep to various committees, such as Membership and Nominating