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Greetings of peace to the Children of God!
The appointed time has arrived, and I could not be more in awe of what our spirited God has done to bring us together, First Church! The image of Carmen De Lavallade above, with her flourishing cloth tossed heavenward, captures for me the wonder and joy of this moment. At the same time, the cloth dwarfs her genuflecting body, suggesting a sense of humility before the great God we serve. First Church, you have done a tremendous work over these many years to ready your hearts and minds to embrace a new pastor, and I am grateful to be on the journey to joy and justice with you now. I am awash in many emotions as my family and I begin life with you this week.
We celebrate our freedom and the birth of our nation this weekend – a time, I believe, to reflect on the state of our union and what citizens of faith might contribute to the wonderful founding ideals of equality, life, liberty, and happiness. John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, that Independence Day "ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty." For too many children of God, however, deliverance has not come, so my sermon will focus on healing and the surprising people who help in our healing as individuals and as a great nation.
I pray a prayer of gratitude for the Pastoral Nominating Committee's work to bring me to First Church. I thank God for the session's leadership in this time of new beginnings. I send blessings to Pastor Nadine for the care she offered the staff and members and I pray for us:
God of all that is seen and unseen, today we pray a simple prayer of thanksgiving to you for bringing a community together with a pastor. We pray for discerning spirits that will go where you lead us, for abiding grace to lovingly speak truth to ourselves and one another, and for never ending humor that does not take ourselves too seriously. Bless this, our community, and bless the church universal as we seek to be faithful to the call you've placed on our lives: to love you, to love self, and to love one another. Period. This has been a long journey and we look forward to celebrating together, the good things you, O God, will do in us, through us, among us, and in spite of us. Amen.
If you are not able to be in church this holiday weekend, know that God is with you wherever you are.
You are loved,
Pastor Adriene
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Sunday, July 3rd
Summer Worship Schedule: July 3rd through September 4th. Worship begins at 10:00 AM.
Protein Sunday: Please leave protein items in the Narthex
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Nursey is open
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Sanctuary
10:00 AM
Sermon preached by Rev Adriene Thorne: "Moral Leprosy"
11:15 AM
Coffee Hour following worship
Monday, July 4th
Church Offices are closed in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
Wednesday, July 6th
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Men's Fellowship Breakfast
Park Plaza Diner, on Cadman Plaza West
Thursday, July 7th
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Congregation and Community News
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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 with no Thursday rehearsal. It is a great time for those who would like to sing with the choir in a casual environment!
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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.
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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, June 30th, the Food Pantry served 93 clients with 15 volunteers.
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1 in 6 people in America face hunger.
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Music at First, Thursday, July 14, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Concert on the Steps featuring Mimi and the Podd Brothers. Last year the Brothers performed everything from Etta James, to Opera, and The Beatles. Come see and hear what they are up to this year.
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Roof Top Open House, Sunday, July 17, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
SAVE THE DATE – All our invited to the Annual Roof Top cocktail party (open house) at the home of Marcia and Ken and Ms. Scarlett – 418 Henry St. Apt. 4 – Please RSVP to Marcia at msmith@pasesetter.org or 212-571-2664
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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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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 10:00 AM Eastern time through September 4th.
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Like us. Follow us. Visit us.
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Worship with The Exultation Choir of Grace Presbyterian Church of Plano TX, Celebration of Pastor Nadine, and Summer Barbecue - all the same day, on June 12th!
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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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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!
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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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To host Fellowship Hour in the Peace Garden (weather permitting) on August 14, 21, and 28, and September 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.
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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.
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.
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This week's e-newsletter was edited by Mark Elsenheimer. June 12th photos taken 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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