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Greetings First Church Family & Friends!
My family and I have made great progress unpacking our boxes these past two weeks. We are determined to have a "box-free" home and nothing in storage. Keep us in your prayers as you are in ours, and thank you for all your organizational offers of assistance. We appreciate them. Speaking of possessions…
I have always said having things in storage was a sign that I had too many things, but when my husband and I first married, we combined two households and put many items in storage. Several years and many payments later, we gave all our stuff in storage to the poor. I wish. We moved to a bigger place and took all that stuff with us! What is it with our American society, stuff, and storage?! Nowhere else that I've traveled in the world, burdens themselves with the cavernous barns that we rent and that we read about in Luke's gospel. I am preparing for Sunday with an eye towards my ridiculous amount of stuff and thinking, I could be perfectly happy with so much less and at one point in my life…I was.
I am looking forward to seeing you Sunday when we will wrestle with the weighty issue of possessions and the even weightier issue of life and death. As my father is fond of saying, "None of us are getting out of here alive!" We know what the end is going to be for all of us, save the details and the timing, and yet we don't talk about it much at all – another fascinating aspect of American society. Can we talk about that?! Can we wrestle with that?!
If you would like to read ahead, the texts for Sunday are Hosea 11:1-11 and Luke 12:13-21. If you are traveling, we would love to "see" you on the live stream and hold you in our prayers. Sharing this e-newsletter with a friend or loved one, extends the healing justice work we offer beyond our walls as does bringing a friend to church this Sunday or inviting them to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. The world needs to know the God we celebrate and love at First Church Brooklyn – the God who is our only comfort in life and in death. See you Sunday at 10.
You are loved,
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Sunday, July 31st
Summer Worship Schedule: Through September 4th, worship begins each Sunday at 10:00 AM.
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Nursery is open, on the second floor
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Sanctuary
10:00 AM
Sermon preached by Rev. Adriene Thorne: "This Thing Called Life"
11:15 AM
Wednesday, August 3rd
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West
Thursday, August 4th
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Friday, August 5th
6:30 PM
Peace Garden
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Congregation and Community News
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A message from Stewardship and Finance--Can you help us bridge the gap?
Pledged Giving total through July 18: $167,386.67
Expected Giving as % of year: $177,146.52
We are so happy to be underway with the new ministry of Rev. Thorne, but our transition also brings extra expenses for Manse repairs and moving costs. Moreover, recent repairs to our historic sanctuary ceiling also put pressure on our cash-flow. If we all work together to keep our giving current this summer, we can close the budget gap we have due to our recent infrastructure expenses. We currently have a cash-flow deficit of over $15,000. If we all bring our pledged giving to date we can bridge this gap. Can you contribute now to help the church out? Here's a link for online giving:
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First Church - Even More Social!
Social media, that is! Following a recent meeting of the Communications Committee, we have clarified our online identity (and addresses) to proudly declare ourselves as First Church Brooklyn on Facebook and Twitter, and added new accounts to share pictures on Instagram and video via Vimeo. Look for our new online presence either through the web or on the apps.
Contact either Elder Dianne Hutchinson or Elder Mark Elsenheimer, the Communications co-Chairs, if you would like to help us keep our online presence as dynamic as our congreagation! (There is also an opening for an eNewsletter editor.)
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Like us. Follow us. Visit us.
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Summer Hymn Sings Come to Plymouth Church
First Presbyterian Church Musicians and Rev. Adriene will present music from the African American Hymnal on Tuesday, August 2nd. Please join us!
Hymn lovers are invited to raise their voices in song at Plymouth Church, Brooklyn Heights on Tuesday nights in August. Continuing a long-standing summer tradition begun at Grace Church, this year Plymouth Church (through its Worship and Arts Ministry) hosts, with the participation of several local organists. From 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM attendees will have an opportunity to choose their own personal favorites, while exploring the hymn traditions of other Heights congregations and singing works by Brooklyn writers and composers. Come prepared to make a joyful noise!
What: Summer Evening Hymn Sings
When: Tuesdays in August - August 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 at 7:00 pm
Where: Plymouth Church in Brooklyn Heights
Enter at 75 Hicks Street at the corner of Orange Street.
Who: All ages are welcome.
Why: Because hymn singing is a great way to pass a summer evening!
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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, July 28th, the Food Pantry served 111 clients with 11 volunteers.
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Today, one out of every four American children is on food stamps.
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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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July 17: Recognizing Barbara and Jim Cummings' 25th Wedding Anniversary
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July 22: The First Garden Party of the Summer (see more pictures on Instagram)
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July 24: Sunday Worship (watch video of the Choir on Vimeo)
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Reminders and Looking Ahead
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Summer Worship Schedule
Don't miss the extra hour of sun on summer Sundays. Through September 4th, worship will begin at 10:00 AM.
Also, during the summer the choir gathers Sunday mornings 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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Music at First: "Concert on the Steps"
August 11, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: FPC Choir and Band
August 25 , 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dan Emino and the Podd Brothers
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Save the Date
The annual First Church Brooklyn fund-raiser will be Saturday October 22, 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM.
Church-wide fundraister, MURDER MYSTERY DINNER PARTY!!! -- Save the date to see the play and guess the murderer!!
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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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First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn Social Action Committee
Criminal Justice Activities in Concert With the Church of Gethsemane
First Church continues to be active with the Church of Gethsemane.
Prison Visits:
Rev Diane Lacey along with Jane Ehlke, Dianne Hutchinson and Gloria Sellers visited Taconic Women's Prison on Saturday July 23.
Letter Writing:
18 members of First Church contributed to the group letter to Project Connect members on Sunday July 10 after worship. Thank you for your active support.
Lunch after Worship:
Lunch was prepared and served after the Worship service at Gethsemane on Sunday, July 17 by Dianne Grimes, Simon Boggian, Linda & Willy Norton and Jane & Dave Ehlke.
Lunch will be provided by Gloria Sellers on Sunday, July 31.
Potential Family Social work Project:
Gloria Sellers, Jane & Dave Ehlke have been meeting with Gethsemane staff on plans for a potential Family social work project in conjunction with the School of Social Work at NYU.
Summer Recess:
After the Sunday, July 31 service, the Church of Gethsemane will be closed for the month of August. During the month, we anticipate that a number of Gethsemane members will be attending worship at First Church. Let's be prepared to give them a warm welcome.
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Connect to New York City Presbytery
Stay connected with the latest news and opportunities 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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First Church Pictures, Music, and Videos Online
Videos featuring some of the music from recent worship services are available now on Vimeo and on the Church's Facebook page. We also have a new photo- and inspiration-sharing presence on Instagram. ("Like" us there, too!)
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This week's eNewsletter was edited by Mark Elsenheimer. Photos taken by Colin St Rose, and James Johnson (the Cummings).
There is an opening for eNewsletter editor! If interested in this one-week-a-month ministry, please contact 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.
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