First Presbyteri​an Church Newsletter - November 13, 2015

November 13, 2015 "Hannah and Elkanah," by the Master of the Morgan Leaf, with underdrawing by the Master of the Apocrypha Drawing. (Details below.) Dear friends, This just in: Jesus doesn't care about Starbucks cups. The latest "war on Christmas" screed from the Religious Right makes Jesus marvel all over again at how faith can be hijacked by those who crave attention. What does Jesus care about? In a word: the poor. In another word: The rich. Okay, Jesus cares about everybody in any kind of trouble, whether the problem is greed or need. And he cares about how connected we all are to God. This Sunday's Scripture lessons are from the First Book of Samuel. They tell a story of men and women -- and a little kid, too -- with ordinary needs and issues and squabbles and cluelessness and brilliance and breathtaking faith. In other words, your ordinary congregation. Come Sunday to hear the story of Hannah and Peninnah and Elkanah and Eli and baby Samuel, who will grow up to anoint David, who will be the ancestor of Jesus, the son of God, who loves the poor and the rich and the voiceless and the attention-grabbing too much to leave us on our own. We'll sing "We Are Standing on Holy Ground" and "Sing Out, My Soul," the beginning of Mary's Magnificat, which is an awful lot like what Hannah sang when Samuel was born. The choir will sing "I Hear a Voice a Prayin'," which is what we all do as Advent approaches, and the streets and stores start to sparkle and we find ourselves yearning for more than snowflakes on red coffee cups. We want justice. We want peace. We want abundant life. Come, Lord Jesus.  Faithfully, About the Art The manuscript illumination above, in termpera and gold leaf, comes from the Winchester Bible, ca. 1150-1180. This scene takes place at the Harvest Festival at Shiloh (a.k.a., the ancient Israelite Thanksgiving). Elkanah is holding the knife with which he is about to start carving the festal sacrifice (a.k.a., the turkey). Quick Links Congregation and Community News Last Week ...  Looking Ahead Contact information Church website The Coming Week Friday, November 13th 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Youthful Fellowship Thurman Room Sunday, November 15th 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Nursery is open 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary   10:00 AM Adult Christian Education (See details below) Thurman Room 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Youth Choir Gymnasium 11:00 AM Sunday Worship Rev. Nadine will preach the sermon, "Pouring Out Our Souls" Scripture:  Samuel 1:4-20 and Samuel 2:1-10 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Sunday School (K - 7th Grade) Gymnasium 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM Fellowship for All Elliott Room Monday, November 16th 6:45 PM - 8:30 PM Session Meeting Thurman Room (Please notify the Clerk of Session if you plan to attend) Wednesday, November 18th 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Men's Breakfast  Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Adult Education (See details below) Elliott Room Thursday, November 19th 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Food Pantry 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Choir Rehearsal Friday, November 20th 6::00 PM - 8:00 PM Holy Mackerels Youth Group Youth Room (off of the Elliott Room) Congregation and Community News Focus on Hunger: The Mission and Social Action Committee has a goal to educate the entire congregation on the issues around food and hunger in our country and around the world, and why First Presbyterian is involved in alleviating the suffering associated with a lack of food.  The pantry served 139 clients with 20 volunteers on Thursday, November 12th. More than 3 billion people, close to half the world's population, live on less than 2 dollars a day. Children, Youth and Families Ministries:  All volunteers would be greatly appreciated for the coming year. Please see Elizabeth or James in person, or email them if you are able to help. In November the keyword for our Sunday School has not yet been released. Stewardship Campaign - We are now in the midst of our 2016 Stewardship Campaign. Your annual pledge card is a vehicle by which our congregation shows its love for God, support for the programs of the First Church and appreciation for the spiritual growth of this congregation. It is the generosity of previous generations that has helped our Church and community prosper. It is this generation that is next to continue this legacy into the future. "We've come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in his holy word, He's never failed us yet." Let us renew our commitment to the legacy and future of our church. Stewardship:  You can pledge on-line now, or at any time. Click this link: http://firstchurchbrooklyn.org/serve/pledge-sign-up  Thank you for your faith and commitment to First Church! Worship services are streamed live over the Internet. On our website we provide the worship bulletin so that you can follow along. Tune in to worship at 11:00 AM Eastern time. Like us.  Follow us.  Visit us.             Recently at First Church Welcoming new members Autumn Neuharth and Mary McCarthy (center, with flowers). Worship service, November 8, 2015. Worship service, November 8, 2015. Worship service, November 8, 2015. The talent lines up for the inaugural "First Prez Cabaret" in the Elliott Room, Sunday, November 8th. Videos featuring some of the music from recent worship services are available on YouTube and on the Church's Facebook page. ("Like" us there, too!) Reminders and Looking Ahead Thanksgiving Food Drive For the Church of Gethsemane  In addition to our own weekly food pantry, the Social Action Ministry is holding a special drive to collect food for Gethsemane members living in group homes or in prison ​through Saturday 11/21/15. Please bring in cans of nonperishable foods, 15 ounces or less each. Canned meats, beans, vegetables, fruits, spaghetti and meatballs, raviolis...anything will be appreciated. Two bushel baskets will be in our narthex by a large poster, for collection of your donations. Contact Jane Ehlke via email with any questions - jane.ehlke@gmail.com Fall/Winter Coat Drive: As you pull out your Fall wardrobe, see if you have any coats that don't quite fit or are not your current style. If so, drop them at the church during office hours or contact Elder Mario Adorno. He will make sure they get to someone in need. Thank you! Youth Fellowship & Adult Education Plans to the End of the Year YOUTHFUL FELLOWSHIP Note: Youthful Fellowship moved to Friday, November 27, Thurman Room, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM The Youthful Fellowship (YF) November meeting is rescheduled to Friday, November 27th in the Thurman Room from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM.  The gathering will be dedicated towards recovering from Thanksgiving  and other holiday challenges.  We will resume our 2nd Sunday meeting on December 11th -- same time, same location.  YF meets on the second Fridays of each month to discuss topics relevant to youthful Christians.  We share our experiences, challenges, and hopes in how to be part of Generations X and Y and practice the Christian faith.  Led by Eric Thomas. WEDNESDAY ADULT EDUCATION MEETINGS Each Wednesday evening program begins with a light meal at 6:30 PM followed by the program beginning at 7:00. Wednesday, November 18, Elliot Room, 7:00 PM – The New Jim Crow The Men's Fellowship discusses Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow.  Alexander's critically acclaimed monograph exposes the prison industrial complex and the complicity of governmental agencies and private investors in the construction of the inner city school-to-prison pipeline.  The subject is especially pertinent to First Church's partnership with the Church of Gethsemane.   Led by Eric Thomas. Wednesday, November 25 – No program in observance of Thanksgiving Eve. Wednesday, December 2, 7:00 PM – Howard Thurman, Meditations on Advent We will begin the observance of Advent with Meditations by Howard Thurman and selected scriptures, followed by poetry and reflections on the coming of justice and the season of waiting.  What does it mean in 2015 to expect the coming of the Prince of Peace?  Led by Eric Thomas. Wednesdays, December 9 and 16, Rose/Elliot Rooms, 7:00 PM – Inspirare Inspirare: Finding the Artistry in Advent.  Led by Susan Schultz. Wednesday, December 23, 30 – No program for Christmas and New Year's week. SUNDAY ADULT EDUCATION MEETINGS Sunday, November 15, Thurman Room, 10 AM – Unwrapping Our Gifts This Sunday we talk about spiritual gifts, material gifts, and God's gifts and what this all means in the practice of our faith.  Engagements with scripture, confessions, and experience are led by Eric Thomas. Sunday, November 22, Thurman Room, 10 AM – Gratitude World Versus Creation: Gratitude in the Natural Order Pope Francis has recently and urgently been striving to raise the world's consciousness about environmental crises and their ramifications.  In the process, he has been calling people to a new attentiveness to setting and ambience, small and large.  Where in the world do we fit in all this?  What does gratitude mean in this context?  In the Pope's absence, Rob Meadows-Rogers will facilitate the discussion. Sundays, November 29, December 6, Thurman Room, 10 AM – Christmas Carols: Do We Really Believe What We Sing? "The little Lord Jesus no crying he makes."  Really?  In two sessions, we will look at the texts of our favorite Advent and Christmas hymns to consider the question "do we believe what we're singing? Led by Eric Thomas. Sundays, December 13 and 20, Thurman Room, 10 AM – The Defiance of the Advent Epistles In a world filled with chaos, the epistles for Advent say "Rejoice!"  We will look at texts that are called "Christ hymns" in the letters to the Philippians and Hebrews, and their message of triumph through Christ in an unjust world.  Led by Eric Thomas. Sunday, December 27, Thurman Room, 10 AM – Did Christmas Happen for You? We reflect upon the holiday season with its joys and stresses to explore how we activate the "God-with-us-ness" of Jesus' birth in our everyday lives – in Christmastide and beyond.  Led by Rev. Nadine and Eric Thomas. A full calendar of church events can be found on the church website. This week's e-newsletter was edited by Ben Cosgrove, with photos from Jim Johnson and Susan Schultz. Online Donations: Set up a recurring gift to the church through a secure online account. To set up an account or to edit an existing gift, go to First Presbyterian Church's website. Flower Donations. We welcome flower donations of $30 or more in memory or in honor of friends and loved ones. Call Annie Solages in the Church office at 718-624-3770 or see Barbara Cummings during fellowship hour on Sundays. Appointments with Ministry Staff may be arranged by calling the Church at 718-624-3770, or via email.

First Church Brooklyn | info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org | First Presbyterian Church Brooklyn | 124 Henry Street | Brooklyn, New York 11201

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