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Robert Motherwell, The Irregular Heart, 1974: acrylic, pasted cardboard, pasted papers, and clear plastic tape on Upson board, 25 1/2 " x 19 1/2"
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Dear friends,
Most Sundays, there are two Scripture lessons read in church, one from the Hebrew Scriptures and one from the Gospel. It's a Presbyterian thing. We believe that the whole Bible, the First Testament and the New Testament, are relevant to preaching, and equally God's word to us. But there's a change-up in the season between Easter and Pentecost, when stories from the Acts of the Apostles take the place of the Hebrew Scriptures.
Acts is the book of the Bible that follows the four gospels; it is believed to have been written by the same author as the Gospel of Luke. The Acts of the Apostles should really be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit. It's all about the exuberant community of believers that came into being at Pentecost. Some of its main figures are well known, like Paul and Peter. Other key figures are less well known, like Silas and Barnabas, Lydia and Tabitha. And, as in any church, there are some whose names we don't know, like the jailer in this Sunday's story, who have wonderful roles to play, and truths to tell about how the spirit of the Risen Christ changes lives.
That's the whole name of the game: changed lives. Hebrew Scriptures, New Testament: same story. God delights in taking what was static -- people stuck in the same old deathly daily patterns … congregations believing the Seven Last Words of the Church ("we never did it that way before") … even a nation enduring a racist, sexist, narcissistic, homophobic, xenophobic and fear-filled political season -- and changing things up. God has different plans for us … new heavens and a new earth. Nothing less.
Come to church Sunday to hear the choir sing "Down to the River to Pray" (the wonderful words that start our Acts 16 story). We'll all sing "For the Beauty of the Earth" and "I Know the Lord Has Laid His Hand On Me." A responsive prayer for Mothers Day rounds out our worship on the last Sunday of the Easter season, as we await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the following Sunday, the Day of Pentecost.
Faithfully,
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About the Art
The American artist Robert Motherwell (1915-1991) produced some of the most memorable images of the Abstract Expressionist movement and also wrote extensively about that movement's philosophical and aesthetic implications. He often devoted a number of paintings over a decade or more to a single theme, such as his Elegies to the Spanish Republic and his Open Series, both of which garnered him international recognition. He made the above collage, The Irregular Heart, in 1974, after the diagnosis of a serious heart condition, with which he struggled for the remainder of his life and which eventually caused his death in 1991. In the collage, brown earth-tones frame the mailing labels from a package from his pharmacy, presumably containing medications to treat his heart disease. Above and below, serene blues and purples contribute to a composition that evinces the elegance and refinement that typified all Motherwell's work. Simultaneously, the visible brushwork acts as the artist's signature and confirms the work's autobiographical basis. Showing his indebtedness to such influences as Picasso, Matisse, Paul Klee, and Surrealism, Motherwell's collage also evinces the artist's enduring engagement with the anguishes and challenges of human life, whether stemming from the cruelty of war or from the suffocating weight of contemporary anomie or from the universal "adversary" of death. At the same time, like all great art, even when the subject ostensibly addresses pain or ugliness or grief, Motherwell's collage does not accept the tragic passively, but responds to it with the dignity of beauty. Beauty enables him to go on, despite the threat of debilitating illness. Beauty enables us all to go on. Art reminds us that we need beauty... and then gives it to us... or transmits it to us from beauty's true Source in the Sprit. (Rob Meadows-Rogers)
NOTE: Until May 21st, the Paul Kasmin Gallery in Chelsea (297 Tenth Avenue, between 27th and 28th Streets) is showing a selection of Motherwell's collages, including The Irregular Heart.
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Friday, May 6th
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Holy Mackerels Youth Group
The Gym
Saturday, May 7th
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
White Rose Ministry: 8th Annual Cuba Fundraiser
See "Reminders and Looking Ahead" below for details
Sunday, May 8th
BOOKS! Come to the Pastor's Study (Thurman Room) after church today for free books. Theology, psychology, fiction, history, art, children's books and more. Great reading! Bags are provided to take your treasures home.
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Nursey is open
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Sanctuary
Sermon, preached by Rev. Nadine:
"Songs at Midnight"
11:15 AM
Sunday School (K-7th Grade)
12:15 PM
Fellowship Hour
Elliott Room
Thursday, May 12th
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Choir Rehearsal
Sanctuary
Friday, May 13th
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Youthful Fellowship
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Congregation and Community News
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Adult Education
Wednesdays at 6:30 PM in the Rose Room
May 11th
Poetry reading by Michael Whelan from his book After God. Mr. Whelan, invited by Willy Norton, writes of his childhood, his time as a Christian Brother, and his movement between faith and doubt in his relationship with God. Please join us for conversation and a light meal.
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Men's Breakfast Meeting, Wednesdays at 7:30 AM
To all men in the congregation:. This is an excellent time to join us since we're starting to read a new book by Jim Wallis, entitled America's Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege and the Bridge to a New America.
America's problem with race has deep roots, with the country's foundation tied to the near extermination of one race of people and the enslavement of another. Racism is truly our nation's original sin.
In America's Original Sin, Wallis offers a prophetic and deeply personal call to action in overcoming the racism so ingrained in American society. He speaks candidly to Christians--particularly white Christians--urging them to cross a new bridge toward racial justice
and healing.
Join us at the Park Plaza Restaurant, 220 Cadman Plaza West in Brooklyn Hts for a good breakfast, great fellowship and an exhilarating discussion of a book that is very timely and thought provoking.
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DON'T MISS THIS WHOPPER OF A SALE!
Saturday, May 14th. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
173 Pacific St., between Court and Clinton
Kindly be advised of a once-in-a-lifetime yard and basement sale on Saturday May 14th, from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (or until traffic flags) at Dick Turmail's residence at 173 Pacific St. between Court and Clinton, where parking is often available on the weekend.
Numerous items will be offered at reasonable prices, including lamps, baskets (some rare), paintings and prints, bird houses, trunks, metal portable file containers, dollies, toys, decorative ceramic houses, fiction, reference and cook books, very nice rugs, antique furniture (two desks, chair and Victorian display shelf), a dress form ( size 12), 3 sets of classy café curtains complete with hardware for hanging, large kitchen bowls and vases and various bric-a-brac, odds and ends and curios.
Will entertain all serious offers (keeping in mind that a portion of all the proceeds will be donated to the church). Sale will be held rain or shine as much of the sale will take place inside. Don't miss this last grand sale at 173 Pacific St between Court and Clinton.
SEE YA THERE!
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MANSE DRIVEWAY SALE
Saturday, May 21, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Still looking for that perfect something after Dick's Yard-and-Basement Sale?
Put this one on your calendar too! More information to come.
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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, May 5, the Food Pantry served 96 clients with 13 volunteers.
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More than 3 billion people, close to half the world's population, live on less than 2 dollars a day.
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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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Message from the Stewardship Committee
Do you have expertise in financial planning, estate planning and/or wills? Stewardship could use your help for a brief outreach project. Please contact Patty Watwood if you are willing to help out, email: patriciawatwood@nyc.rr.com. Thank you!
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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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Photos from the second First Prez Cabaret, April 24th, 2016
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Remember: 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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Worship Leaders
Interested in taking part as a reader during Sunday service? We welcome volunteers from the congregation to sign up as Worship Leaders. Please contact Annie Solages in the church office at 718.624.3770 or speak to Worship Committee Co-Chairs Edna Asknes or Barbara Cummings.
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Volunteers Needed
Please, volunteer to host Coffee Hour alone, with your family, or with a fellow church member. You can help create a warm environment after service, where conversations that engage mind, body and soul can happen. If you need help figuring out how to do it, there are lots of people willing to show you the way.
You can also volunteer to greet and welcome friends and meet new ones on a Sunday morning. Being a Greeter is a great opportunity to show newcomers why you are part of First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our community.
To sign-up to be a Greeter or to host Coffee Hour, please contact the church office (718.624.3770) or sign up at the bulletin board near the side door.
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White Rose Ministry - Annual Cuba Fundraiser
Saturday, May 7th
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
A wonderful way to spend Saturday, May 7th, is to be among the First Church family and neighborhood residents attending the 8th annual Cuba Fundraiser sponsored by our White Rose Ministry. Proceeds are used to support social service and religious programs in Cuba with whom we have longstanding relationships.
Diane and Rich Greene's home at 212 St. Johns Place (between 7th & 8th Aves) in Park Slope.
Donation: $40...$75...$100. Hope to see you there!
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Family Retreat May 20-22
"Family Retreat weekend is almost here! Relax and vibe out with your FPC squad. Check the deets below."
Translation: Join the families of First Church for a fun and spiritually bonding weekend of hiking, fishing and boating. Don't delay your sign up! Flyers are available at the rear and front of church.
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First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn Social Action Committee
Criminal Justice Activities in Concert With the Church of Gethsemane
FPC continues to be active with the Church of Gethsemane.
LUNCH SUPPORT:
Sandra Turner prepared lunch for Gethsemane on Sunday, May 1.
Marta Nelson & Ronald Higgins will be preparing lunch on Mother's Day, May 8.
PRISON VISITS:
Gloria Sellers and Sandra Turner made prison visits in April, along with Rev Diane Lacey
Note: We are looking for additional FPC male volunteers to make prison visits.
LETTER WRITING:
Seventeen members of FPC wrote words of encouragement in our group letter to over 200 incarcerated Project Connect members on April 24.
SERVICE PROVIDER MEETINGS:
Dave Ehlke arranged and participated in a meeting with Chris Owens, Director, Kings County Re-Entry Task Force and his key staff members, along with Rev Diane Lacey and Minister Chibueze Okorie from Gethsemane to learn about additional referral resources for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Want to get involved?
For more information on volunteer opportunities, contact either Jane Ehlke via email or phone (781-572-6201) or Dave Ehlke via email or phone (617-512-5780).
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This week's e-newsletter was edited by Ben Cosgrove; photos by Jim 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.
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