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Dear friends,
How right that the Paris Climate Change Conference should open in the first days of Advent when we are waiting for God's feet to touch the earth. The coming Incarnation will hallow Creation in a way never before known, and call for radical change: straightening crooked paths, raising deep valleys, leveling rugged mountains. Not that the whole creation should look like Kansas. Rather, our inhabited earth should be a place where people can rear their families with hope and go to work without fear. Where idolatries like our love of guns are exposed for what they are. Where justice flows like water, unimpeded by prejudice and hatred. Where there is bread enough and love enough to go around. Where all living creatures and Creation itself are cherished as gifts of God. Because this time is not yet, we cry, Come, Lord Jesus, and walk the earth with us. Show us God's tender mercy. Teach us the way of peace.
Sunday's hymns include "Savior of the Nations, Come" and "Comfort, Comfort Now My People." We'll gather at the Lord's table. And in each other's presence, singing and praying, eating and drinking, passing the peace of Christ, we will know God with us.
Faithfully,
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P.S. Please note that an interfaith service for gun sense will be held next Saturday, December 12th, at Congregation Mount Sinai, 250 Cadman Plaza West, at 3:30 PM. Prayers for peace will be offered, and sharing of ways to end gun violence. The event is sponsored by Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Everyone is welcome.
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Sunday, December 6th
Protein Sunday
Please bring canned goods to church for the food pantry. Leave items in the Narthex.
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Sanctuary
10:00 AM
Adult Christian Education (See details below)
Thurman Room
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Gymnasium
11:00 AM
Sunday Worship
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday School (K - 7th Grade)
Gymnasium
(Note: The first official Christmas Pageant rehearsal takes place today during Sunday School. Make sure to be there in order to land a starring role!)
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
Fellowship for All
Elliott Room
12:30 PM
Confirmation Class
Thurman Room
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
"Inspirare: The Book of Mary"
(See details below in 'Reminders and Looking Ahead')
Led by Susan Schultz
Elliott Room
Thursday, December 10th
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Choir Rehearsal
Sanctuary
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Congregation and Community News
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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 111 clients with 14 volunteers on Wednesday, December 3rd.
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One out of every six Americans is enrolled in at least one government anti-poverty program.
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A Message From Your Pastor Nominating Committee
Over the past month, the PNC has been hard at work and making steady progress. We are in the process of conducting 2nd interviews with a group of potential candidates, who after initial vetting and interviews have continued in our pool. We have many in-person interviews scheduled over the next month, and hope to identify our finalist pool (of 2-3) by the beginning of the new year.
We would like to take a moment to let you know that, the closer the PNC gets to the final stages of our selection process, the fewer specifics we will be able to share. This is to honor our confidentiality and that of the candidates, as proscribed by the procedural instructions of the Presbytery. If you are hearing less from us, rest assured that we are making progress at good speed.
Moreover, we feel good about our pool of potential candidates and the success of the process thus far. Our PNC has spent a lot of quality time together, and we continue to cherish each other and the work the Holy Spirit is doing with us.
Please continue to pray for our discernment, wisdom and energy, as we ramp up our efforts in the latter stages of our selection process. If you have any questions, email us at PNC@firstchurchbrooklyn.org or speak to a member of the committee.
In Faith,
Your PNC
(Committee members: Willy Norton, Joyce Abernethy, Aluko Hope, Nathan Dudley, Richard Greene, Edna Asknes, Kara Maguire, Patty Watwood)
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Children, Youth and Families Ministries
Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 13th
This year's Christmas Pageant will take place during the 11:00 AM worship service on Sunday, December 13th. If your child would like to participate, please attend both of our two rehearsals which will take place on Sunday, December 6th (during Sunday School) and on Saturday, December 12th, from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM.
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Snowscape Interactive Musical Installation
An original musical score performed by the audience
Celebrate winter at this immersive and interactive musical installation, featuring a score written by composer Chris Neuner and played by audience members who ring tone chimes throughout the space. Saxophonist Ken Thomson accompanies the stream of ringers creating a unique, evolving composition.
Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM in front of First Presbyterian Church.
The score runs continuously and can be experienced for any length of time while the installation is open. Admission is free.
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Breakfast With Santa!
Dear First Church Family,
It is nearly time for our 8th annual Breakfast With Santa event on Saturday, December, 19th.
This fun and fabulous event with St. Nick is a major fundraiser for the Children, Youth, and Families programming and we would love your support.
First: Come! Whether you have children or are just a kid at heart, come eat pancakes and have a good time.
Second: Invite a friend, or hang up a flyer in your child's school, in your building, or on a community bulletin board.
Third: Volunteer! We can always use more helping hands.
Here are the event details:
WHAT: Pancake breakfast, Christmas music, crafts & a picture with Santa!
WHEN: Saturday, December 19th. Two Seatings: 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM
WHY: Enjoy a family-friendly, stress-free visit with Santa.
WHERE: First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, 124 Henry St. @ Clark St.
TICKETS: $10 per person or $40 per family
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Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King
Ahead of MLK Day 2016, join us for interfaith celebrations of the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King through music, lessons, and readings from the Christian and Jewish traditions. Worship includes choirs and musicians from congregations at both Brooklyn Heights Synagogue and First Presbyterian.
WHEN/WHERE:
Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, 11:00 AM, First Presbyterian
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Stewardship Update
Pledge Drive 2016: We need your help to get to the finish line!
We have received 83 pledge cards for a total amount of $ 229,458. This is great news with 17 new pledges from first time pledgers and new members. This is a record number of new pledges, and we thank you for your commitment to the future of First Church. Many thanks to all of you who have answered the call to support our church in the year ahead.
We need full participation from all of our community to meet our goal of almost $300,000 in pledged giving.
You can pledge on-line right now, right here, or at any time. Thank you for your faith and commitment to First Church!
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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.
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Like us. Follow us. Visit us.
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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!)
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Reminders and Looking Ahead
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After the Sermon Series
Each Sunday after worship,you are invited to discuss the sermon and other topics of interest in the Elliot Room from 12:00 PM -1:30 PM. This informal time is an opportunity to explore themes, ask questions, and/or share experiences relevant to the worship service and the practice of our faith. Led by Eric Thomas
What are You Waiting For? An Advent Sermon: As part of the Wednesday night Advent Meditation, we read a sermon in the form of a blog entitled "What Are You Waiting For? The group thought it was so powerful and timely, it should be shared with the congregation. Check it out here, and make it part of your Advent reflection this season.
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Interested in knowing more about serving on the Session? For those church members who would like to learn more about serving on the Session - the church's governing board - in 2016, please feel free to speak with any member of the Church-Wide Nominating Committee: Marta Nelson, Paul Austin, Mark Dollar, Evan Fulcher, Dianne Hutchinson, Gladys McNish, Jane Woland.
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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!
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Youth Fellowship & Adult Education Plans to the End of the Year
YOUTHFUL FELLOWSHIP
Friday, December 11th, Thurman Room, 7:00 - 8:30 –
The Youthful Fellowship (YF) gathering will be dedicated towards sharing our hopes and joys in the midst of other holiday challenges facing Generations X and Y. Bring a snack or beverage to share. 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.
Wednesdays, December 9 and 16, Elliott Room, 6:30 PM – Inspirare
"Inspirare: The Book of Mary"
Telling Mary's story. See street art made in her honor from all over the world. Help create a mural dedicated to her love of God. Led by Susan Schultz
No artistic skill is needed. Stencils will be available.
Lite dinner. Please join us.
Wednesday, December 23, 30 – No program for Christmas and New Year's week.
SUNDAY ADULT EDUCATION MEETINGS
December 6, Thurman Room, 10 AM – Christmas Carols: Do We Really Believe What We Sing?
"The little Lord Jesus no crying he makes." Really? 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.
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This week's e-newsletter was edited by Ben Cosgrove. Photos by James Johnson.
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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.
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