|
|
Dear friends,
My heart is full of gratitude as I write my last message to you. Thank you for the privilege of three and a half years as your interim pastor. Thank you for joining me in the weekly exercise of preaching. You who go to church Sunday after Sunday know that preaching is not a solo performance; it is a collaboration between one person and many who bring their faith and doubts, hopes and fears, and gather in anticipation that whatever is spoken in the pulpit might contain a word from God. And thank you for entrusting me with the specific tasks of interim ministry: helping you as a congregation to understand your history, preparing with you for the future. Thank you for allowing me into your own lives at moments of joy and celebration and moments of sickness, loss, and grief. After forty years of ministry, I know that there is simply no greater honor than that, and nothing like it anywhere else in the world. And thank you for your commitment to making First Church a place where the hungry are fed and prisoners are visited and the poor have good news proclaimed.
Thank you for being a circle of gracious friends to Rob and me and to our son Bobby and for appreciating our beloved late doggie Frank. And thank you for your love and prayers, which we have needed, and which have blessed us. Thank you for that retirement party two weeks ago – that wonderful barbeque with a New Orleans-style jazz band. The hand-clapping, soul-stirring music at First Church has been a revelation to me, and has changed my idea of what music in church can be - music that touches innumerable lives every Sunday in ways neither the choir nor Amy nor I can imagine. I am so very grateful for all the church staff: for Eric, who is preaching this Sunday, for James and Elizabeth and Andrew, for Amy and Matt – and especially for Annie and Victor, whose daily presence does so much to sustain the church's ministry. There's such blessing in working with people you admire and respect and simply enjoy being with; that has been a great gift.
And finally, I am grateful for the Spirit that led Rev. Adriene Thorne to you. She is so clearly called by God to be your pastor. I could not leave this ministry happier. Be here on Sunday, July 3, for the first worship service in a new season for the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn. In a time of "many dangers, toils and snares," this congregation is more important than ever. Truly, it is a glimpse of the kingdom of God. I am grateful to have been a part of it. God bless you.
|
|
|
|
|
Sunday, June 26th
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Nursey is open
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Sanctuary
11:00 AM
Sermon preached by the Eric Thomas: "Sal, Luz, y Azucar"
11:15 AM
Sunday School (K-7th Grade)
12:15 PM
Coffee Hour following worship
Wednesday, June 29th
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Men's Fellowship Breakfast
Park Plaza Diner, on Cadman Plaza West
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Adult Education
The Elliott Room
Thursday, June 30th
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Choir Rehearsal
Sanctuary
Friday, June 24th
6:30 PM
Women's Ministry Potluck
Peace Garden
|
|
|
|
Congregation and Community News
|
Message from the PNC
Rev. Adriene Thorne's appointment as our new pastor became official on Tuesday evening, June 14, when the NYC Presbytery voted to approve her call with a start date of July 1, 2016. Halleluja!
Given that it is July 4th weekend, we we ask as many of you as are able to attend the service on Sunday, July 3, to give our new pastor the warmest possible welcome.
|
New Planned Giving Initiative at First Church
First Church depends on its members and friends to support everything that happens at church – from facilities upkeep, to payroll, to the Church's dynamic and wide-reaching ministries and programs. Bequests and special gifts can increase or supplement your support. Planned giving creates a legacy that will strengthen First Church for generations.
There are many ways to magnify your gifts to the Church by remembering First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn in your estate plan, with special honor and memorial donations, by donating appreciated assets, or even with corporate matching funds.
We would love to speak with you about planned giving. Call the church office at 718.624.3770, or email stewardship@firstchurchbrooklyn.org to connect with a committee member. Or, find us in church: Committee Co- Chairs Jim Cummings and Patty Watwood, and committee members David Jones, Ken Andrichik, and Gladys McNish. Reach out today to plan your gift to First Church!
|
Adult Education, Wednesdays
On Wednesday evenings beginning June 8th we will be discussing Jim Wallis' book, America's Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and a Bridge to a New America, at FPCB from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in the Elliot Room.
Wednesday June 29th, we are discussing the last two chapters of Jim Wallis' America's Original Sin with a focus on what some next steps might be for First Church in light of the book.
The book can be found in a variety of formats (electronic, hard cover, audio) at your favorite online or brick and mortar book seller. The community is invited to join us. Led by Eric Thomas.
|
Men's Breakfast Meeting, Wednesdays at 7:30 AM
Join us at the Park Plaza Restaurant, 220 Cadman Plaza West in Brooklyn Heights, for a good breakfast and great fellowship.
|
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, June 23rd, the Food Pantry served 100 clients with 16 volunteers.
|
Today, one out of every four American children is on food stamp
|
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!
|
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.
|
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.
|
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!)
|
Reminders and Looking Ahead
|
Summer Worship Schedule
Mark your calendars and don't miss the extra hour of sun on summer Sundays. Worship will begin at 10:00 AM starting July 3rd and run through September 4th. During the Summer Worship schedule the choir gathers Sunday morning at 9:00 AM, no Thursday rehearsal. Also a great time for those who would like to sing with the choir in a casual environment!
|
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.
|
|
To host Fellowship Hour in the Peace Garden (weather permitting) on August 14, 21, and 28, andSeptember 4, 11, & 25.
Let's show Rev. Adriene FPC's many helping hands.
Please, contact the church office (718.624.3770) to sign up or just add your name to the list posted on the bulletin board.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
|
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.
Prison Visits:
On June 4, Gloria Sellers, Dianne Hutchinson, Diane Grimes, Amelia Schonbek and Sandra Turner made prison visits in April, along with Rev. Diane Lacey.
Letter Writing:
Twelve members of FPC wrote words of encouragement in our group letter to over 200 incarcerated Project Connect members on May 29.
Service Provider Meetings:
Dave Ehlke and Minister Chibueze Okorie from Gethsemane attended the Bi-monthly Kings County Re-Entry Task Force meeting on June 1. Dave Ehlke also attended the ReThinking ReEntry conference on June 9 sponsored by the NYC Commission on Human Rights.
Want to get involved?
For more information on volunteer opportunities, contact either Jane Ehlke (email), phone 781-572-6201, or Dave Ehlke (email), phone 617-512-5780.
|
This week's e-newsletter was edited by Christina Adorno. Photos taken by Jim Johnson.
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment