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Duccio di Buoninsegna, The Temptation of Christ, 1308-1311, ca. 17"x18." This tempera painting on panel, now in the Frick Collection in New York, originally occupied the predella (base) of Duccio's masterwork, the Maestà, a huge multi-paneled, double-sided altarpiece, which originally stood over the high altar of Siena Cathedral.
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Dear friends,
After the Ash Wednesday service, a number of us, cross-shaped smudges on our foreheads, gathered in the Elliott Room for Bible Study. "What are you doing for Lent?" someone asked. "Giving up the 3 C's," someone replied: "Coffee, chocolate, Coke. I always do that in Lent." "Giving up grumbling," another said quietly. Others nodded, imagining what they might forsake for 40 days. In our self-obsessed culture, what a gift Lent is – a chance to reflect on what gives life meaning, to embrace our Christian identity, and to change what needs changing. Repent. Re-orient. Reconcile. And because it all ends with Easter, trust in the resurrection.
The gospel for the first Sunday in Lent is always the story of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. We all know wilderness, and we all know temptation and confusion. Seeing how Jesus dealt with this all-too-human experience is a great place to start Lent 2016. We'll sing "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" and "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine." The choir will sing "I Love You, Lord, Today" and "My Life, My Love, My All."
Our Women's Ministry has put together a wonderful online Lenten devotional that you can get in your mailbox every day in Lent just by signing up. See the link in this newsletter.
Whether you give something up, or take up a new and life-giving habit for Lent, may this holy season draw you closer to the loving heart of God.
Faithfully,
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Friday, February 12
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Holy Mackerels youth group
Prospect Park LeFrak Center (see information, below)
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Youthful Fellowship
Thurman Room (see information, below)
Sunday, February 14
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Sanctuary
10:00 AM
Adult Education (see information, below)
Thurman Room
11:00 AM
Sunday Worship: "Love Story"
by Rev. Nadine Hundertmark
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday School (K - 7th Grade)
12:15 PM - 12:30 PM
Fellowship for All
Elliott Room
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Adult Education - The Beatitudes: NOW
Elliot Room (see information, below)
Thursday, February 18
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Choir rehearsal
Sanctuary
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Congregation and Community News
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Sunday School in February
This February we will be learning about generosity and sharing. Our key Bible passage comes from Hebrews chapter 13, verses 1-3 and 9-19.
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Online Lenten Devotional
Out of the friendship and trust in the Women's Ministry comes this offering to one another and to the First Church congregation. We hope all who read it will know themselves accompanied on the Lenten journey. The Lenten Devotional can be found online at lentatfirst.tumblr.com A new reading will appear each day online, or you can choose to have the text of the reading sent to your email by clicking the 'Subscribe via Email' link at the top of that page.
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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. On Thursday, February 11, the Food Pantry served 70 clients with 18 volunteers.
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Food insecurity exists in every county in America. In 2011, 17.9 million households were food insecure.
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Holy Mackerels
This Friday (Feb 12th) the Holy Mackerels will be going Ice Skating in Prospect Park! Meet at the LeFrak Center from 6pm - 8pm for some Icy fun. We look forward to seeing you there and, as always, bring your friends!
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Adult Education
 FIRST talks RACE: a post-church chat. Sunday, February 21 at 12:30, Elliot Room
If you missed the dynamic and emotional Wednesday evening conversations, here is your chance to participate. FIRST talks RACE will have an encore-presentation on Sunday, February 21 directly after worship in the Elliot Room. We will ask difficult questions and listen to difficult answers on the subjects of race, racism, and privilege - and, what does this information mean for the ministry of First Church? Led by Eric Thomas.
Calendar listing
Friday, February 12, Thurman Room 7 PM - 8:30 PM.
Youthful Fellowship - Dedicated towards the theme of love; Sharing of hopes and joys in the challenges of living into our Christian faith. Bring a snack or beverage to share. Led by Eric Thomas.
Sundays, February 14, 21, 28 Thurman Room, 10 AM
Isaiah in Lent - The Servant Songs and other texts of the prophet Isaiah provide a backdrop for discussion and refection as we journey with Jesus to the cross. Led by Eric Thomas.
Wednesdays, February 17, 24 Elliot Room 6:30 PM
The Beatitudes: NOW - Three Wednesday evenings in Lent, starting on February 10. Matthew's texts from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-12) will be the subject of our reflection, in relation to contemporary issues of poverty, grief, race, persecution, and peacemaking. Who are the "blessed" today? Led by Eric Thomas.
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Your Pastor Nominating Committee continues to work diligently and prayerfully to discern whom God is calling to be the next Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn. We are currently in the critical phase of interviewing our final candidates before choosing a nominee. Our process of discernment has been filled with prayerful listening as we work together to get to know our final candidates more fully. Soon, we will start to plan the presentation and introduction of the candidate to our congregation. At the Annual Meeting on January 31st, we will be previewing some of the process so that members will know what to expect in coming months. Please pray for our patience, wisdom and discipline as we continue this work.
Yours in Christ,
Joyce Abernethy (co-chair), Edna Asknes, Nate Dudley, Richard Greene, Aluko Hope, Kara Maguire, Willy Norton (co-chair), Jane Quinn, Patty Watwood
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We received a request from David Carroll, former First Church member, who was married in this church some 20 years ago, to let the congregation know of the death of his wife Mia Michaux Carroll. The Rev. Dr. Paul Smith will preach at the memorial service to be held at the Riverside Church on Sunday, March 13 at 6:30 pm. All who knew David and Mia are warmly invited to attend.
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Connect to New York City Presbytery
Stay connected with the latest news and opportunities in and around the presbytery by subscribing to Happenings In & Around the Presbytery, the Presbytery's electronic newsletter. Click here and fill out the Contact Information Form to add your email address to the subscribers list. Once completed, return the form to the presbytery office or email it to Yzette Swavy-Lipton.
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Thank you from the Stewardship Committee!
Our 2016 Pledge campaign is nearing completion, and we want you give you a heartfelt thanks for the many pledges of support to FPC. We have a record number of new pledges this year, and have very nearly met our commitment goal. A few more pledges will push us over our goal and ensure the budget for the important year ahead. Thank you for the commitment and love and offerings you have given to our 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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Last Week at First Church
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Choir rehearsing before worship
Youth Choir singing
Rev Nadine inviting all to Communion
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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
Each Sunday after worship, you are invited to discuss the sermon and other topics of interest in the Elliott Room after the service. 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.
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The next Inquirers' Class will be held on Sunday, March 6, right after church, in the Thurman Room. New members will be welcomed by the Session before church on the following Sunday, March 13, and by the congregation during worship on March 13.
Find out what church membership means, what the Presbyterian Church is about, what First Church's unique mission is and how you can be part of it. Since only church members may vote on the candidate to become the new pastor of the church, whom the PNC will present to the congregation later this spring, now's a great time to join First Church.
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First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn Social Action Committee
Criminal Justice Activities in concert with The Church of Gethsemane
A Presbyterian Church in Park Slope, Brooklyn, founded in 1986, which was created by and for formerly incarcerated men and women, their families, neighborhood people and people who are called into ministry with the poor. Reverend Diane Lacey is the pastor.
Overview of Project Connect – A successful, 25-year-old program of The Church of Gethsemane that connects men and women who are incarcerated to the Church of Gethsemane while they are still inside the prison system. Project Connect uses a four-pronged approach to join in ministry with people who are incarcerated and then helps in the transition back into the home and the community upon release. Minister Chibueze Okorie is the Project Connect Director.
Service Opportunities for FPC members with Gethsemane
- Preparing and Serving Lunch after Sunday worship service (typically 40 people)
- February 21 Criminal Justice Sunday
- March 6
- Making Prison Visits with Gethsemane staff to Project Connect members
- Sign up for orientation training
- Donating clothes, food and other items
- Can drop off at Gethsemane Mon-Thurs 10 AM - 4 PM
- Or contact Dave Ehlke for delivery
- Metrocards for job and job interviews
- Contributing words of encouragement in monthly group letters
- Administrative support for special projects
- Employment assistance for formerly incarcerated men & women
- Mental Health consultation ( if qualified)
- Housing assistance
- Project Connect Peer group participation & individual support
- Legal assistance, computer training, conduct seminars
- Volunteer Sunday afternoons as mentors- helping people with resumes, budgeting, organizing appointments and listening to needs & issues and praying with them.
Want to get involved?
For more information or to volunteer for any of the highlighted opportunities to serve, contact either
Jane Ehlke (email), Phone 781-572-6201 or
Dave Ehlke (email), Phone 617-512-5780
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This week's e-newsletter was edited by Evan Fulcher. Photos by Mark Elsenheimer
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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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