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Vincent van Gogh, Still Life with Bible, 1885, oil on canvas, 25 1/2" x 31," Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
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Dear friends,
The Bible doesn't often make it onto page 1 of the New York Times. It did this past week, though, with a top GOP staffer's firing over what, exactly, one of the candidates said about the Bible. In the tricked-up campaign video in question, did the candidate, seeing a Bible, say, "Not many answers in there"? Or did he in fact say, "All the answers are in there"? This holier-than-thou debate would be funny, except that it's not.
But back to the Bible. When I think of the Bible, it's the questions as much as the answers that are, for me, the saving word. Questions like the one in Isaiah 55, that comes up this Sunday: "Why do you spend your money on that which is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?" Then there are the answers. In Luke 13, the gospel for this Sunday, some people are shaken by terrible news of recent violence in their area. They ask Jesus a question people ask after any random disaster: "Why them? What did they do to deserve that?" Jesus' answer may surprise you.
Sunday's hymns include "Rock of Ages" and "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing." Eric Thomas will sing "Beams of Heaven as I Go." The choir and band are going on retreat this weekend at the Grange, a wonderful old house in upstate New York. If you wonder how First Church's music can be so stirring week after week, it's because the choir is grounded in prayer and bound in community. We ask God's blessings upon them this weekend. As for those of us who'll be worshipping at First Church this Sunday, we'll lift up our voices to God and do them proud.
Faithfully,
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About the art:
Van Gogh painted this work in 1885, the year of the death of his father, a Protestant Reformed pastor, who owned the Bible in the painting and with whom Van Gogh had a fraught relationship. Van Gogh himself spent some years studying for the ministry and engaging in missions among poor mining communities. Those endeavors ended in personal and vocational failure, and Van Gogh had an ambivalent relationship to Christianity and the Church for the remainder of his short life. --- The Bible lies open to Isaiah 53, which identifies the coming Messiah as a "suffering servant," whom the people will misunderstand and reject. The extinguished candle traditionally alludes to death. In the foreground Van Gogh has represented a well-worn, yellow volume of Emile Zola's novel La Joie de Vivre (The Joy of Life), which actually involves a brutally Realist account of contemporary misery, wretchedness, and suicide. The painting certainly raises more questions than it presents answers. Where does one find true joy in life? Can joy ever outweigh sorrow? What guidance or hope does the Bible offer, if any? How would we know hope, if it stared us in the face? Van Gogh's painting raises questions particularly appropriate for Lent as a time of reflection and self-examination. (Rob Meadows-Rogers)
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Friday, February 26th
6:30 PM
Women's Ministry Potluck
Sunday, February 28th
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:"Beyond your default settings"
Sermon Preached by Rev. Nadine Hundertmark
Texts: Isaiah 55:1-9, Luke 13:1-9
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday School (K - 7th Grade)
Gymnasium
12:00PM
Confirmands will be meeting in the Thurman Room
This Sunday: "More on the Bible"
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, March 3rd
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Choir rehearsal
Sanctuary
Friday, March 4th
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
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Congregation and Community News
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New Clerk of Session: The Session, last Monday, elected Elder Paul Austin to be the new Clerk of Session. Paul follows Elder Marta Nelson, who serves as clerk with grace and diligence for the last two years. Look for Paul's summary of the February Session meeting in next week e-newsletter.
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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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Tune in this morning to WNYC, 93.9 FM, to hear Eric Thomas interviewed on the Brian Lehrer show! From 10:30 to 10:45 a.m., Eric Thomas will be interviewed by Brian Lehrer; one of the show's producers, James Ramsey, who attends First Church, figures our congregation is a great example of "New York Values," the focus of today's show. We think so too!
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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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The Holy Mackerels youth group meets from 6pm to 8pm at the Shake Shack down by the Brooklyn Bridge at 1 Old Fulton St. Burgers, fries, shakes, and a super-fun quiz with lots of prizes. James to Mackerels: "Look at the music charts, latest films, books of the Bible for the best chance at winning. As always, bring your friends."
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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 25, the Food Pantry served 98 clients with 17 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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Adult Education
Sundays, February 28th 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.
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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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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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Questions about the Pastor selection process? The Pastor Nominating Committee has created "A Primer on the PNC" that was available at the Annual Congregational Meeting, and now online in PDF. Printed copies will also be available in the Narthex and foyer. It is written in a Q&A format, addressing many of the most common questions about the process.
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First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn Social Action Committee
Criminal Justice Activities in concert with The Church of Gethsemane
FPC has been actively participating with The Church of Gethsemane this year. Since the first of the year, the following has happened:
- Clothing donations: Tracey Zamot, Steve DeFluiter and Ellen Oler
-Lunch Preparation: Marta Nelson and friend on January 3; Caleb & Elisabeth Heidebrecht & their children: Jeremiah, Eliza, Mark and friend Hale; Ronald Higgins &friend Suzanne; Jane & Dave Ehlke on February 21.
- Guest Speaker on Criminal Justice Sunday: Marta Nelson, who gave an uplifting and encouraging presentation on Criminal Justice reform in the state .
- Prison visits: Jane Ehlke, Gloria Sellers, Diane Grimes, Diane Hutchinson , Sandra Turner
- Project Connect FPC group letter from 15 participants. Note, we will be preparing another letter this coming Sunday, February 28
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 Christina Adorno.
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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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