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What Does It Mean to be Rich?
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Greetings First Church Family and Friends!
Thank you for an amazing Homecoming Sunday. We talked about money last week and…we survived! We discovered that we can discuss this tough topic and live to tell the tale! You have been in my prayers, in a particular way this week, as you attempt to tell your own stories. I am hopeful that you've been having honest conversations with yourselves about money. I've been talking with myself and my daughter over the past few days and thinking with her about sharing and giving, about having enough, and about what makes us "rich." These are not easy conversations with easy answers – not for a kid who loves toys or a mama who loves funky fashion. The reflection questions, in case you need them again, are:
What is money's authority in my life?
How is money using me?
How often am I thinking about money?
How does money drive decisions that I make?
We sit with these questions and their answers, not to increase our shame and guilt, but only to increase our awareness that money is a force that demands allegiance. We, as a community, want to acknowledge that money competes with our devotion to God. We are going to figure out together what to do about that, but it all starts with an honest conversation.
This Sunday we will look at the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Money competed with his devotion to God, and money won. We want to understand what got in his way so that we can make different choices with our precious lives.
My kid and I are fasting until Christmas – no new toys and apps for her, no new clothes or shoes for me. I'm becoming increasingly interested in learning about folks who manage to live with no money or live without spending. I'm not there yet, by a long shot, but I'm intrigued nonetheless. So, until Christmas, we will try our experiment and report back. We want to see how we handle being satisfied with what we have – a few weeks in and it's already proving difficult…
I can't wait to gather with you on Sunday. Autumn is here. The air is cooler. Pumpkins and candy corn are showing up in markets all over town. This is a great time to find your way back home to First Church if you've been away. Check out our Facebook page. Follow our Twitter and Instagram accounts. Drop in on the livestream if you can't drop into the sanctuary on Sunday. It feels better when you are here…in body or in spirit.
You are loved,
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Sunday, September 25th
Sunday worship, 11:00 AM
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Nursery is open on the second floor
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Sanctuary
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Rose Room - Youth Band
Thurman Room
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Gymnasium - Sunday School begins
Sermon preached by Rev. Adriene Thorne: The Gate Got In the Way
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
The Parables Project with Eric Thomas (See "Reminders" below)
Thurman Library
12:15 PM
Peace Garden
Wednesday, September 28th
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West
7:00 PM-8:30 PM
Elliot Room
Thursday, September 29th
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
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Congregation and Community News
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Children, Youth and Families
Donations Sought
Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) have compiled a wish list of items that could help maximize our programming capabilities. If you have any of the below items lying around in storage, or would like to gift the CYF program by making a purchase, your donations would be greatly appreciated!
COMPUTER:
PROJECTOR:
PROJECTOR MOUNT:
WII CONSOLE: Preferably an ORIGINAL (not WII U) WII console
WII remotes, accessories etc.
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Adult Education
Wednesday evenings, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM, Elliott Room
September 28: Dying to Live / Theologies of the Body and Embodiment: An introduction to a series of conversations about embodiment, words made flesh, and the body in theological expressions.
Watch for announcements in coming weeks
on more Fall/Winter Adult Education.
Sunday Adult Education
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM, Thurman Room
Traditional bible study in relation to issues and questions of our times
September 18 - October 3o
Is faith without works dead? These and other questions of Christian responsibility will be explored through weekly readings from the Epistle of James.
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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, September 15th, the Food Pantry served many clients with the help of some very wonderful volunteers.
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Approximately 28 percent of all children in developing countries are considered to be underweight or have had their growth stunted as a result of malnutrition.
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Worship services are streamed live over the Internet. We provide the worship bulletin on the website so that you can follow along. Tune in to worship at 11:00 AM Eastern time.
We have recently added an audio podcast of our Sermons. Click the "Sermon Podcast" icon below to subscribe to audio versions of all the sermons since Rev. Thorne's arrival.
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Like us. Follow us. See us. Listen to us.
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On Saturday September 17th, guest were envited to celebrate First Church Brooklyn's
loveable member Emily Thomas' 80th birthday!
Welcome Home Sunday!
Ministy Sunday/ Fellowship Hour
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Reminders and Looking Ahead
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FUNDRAISER: MURDER MYSTERY DINNER PARTY
The annual First Church Brooklyn fundraiser will be held Saturday, October 22, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
This year, join us for a Murder Mystery Dinner Party.
Save the date.
See the play.
Solve the mystery!
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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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Save The Date!
Installation Worship Service
Sunday, November 13th at 4:00 PM: Installation Worship Service for Rev. Adriene Thorne at First Church Brooklyn. More details to follow.
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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 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:
We are looking for more men to make prison visits during weekdays. See Dave Ehlke if you are interested.
Lunch after Worship:
Contact Jane Ehlke if you are interested in providing lunch in October.
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.
On Sunday, September 18th, stop by the Social Action table after worship to express interest in any of our programs for this year.
Letter writing to Project Connect members: We will be writing our next group letter after worship on Sunday, September 25th.
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This week's eNewsletter was edited by Christina Adorno. Photos were provided by Christina Adorn0, Colin St. Rose, William Norton, and Mark Dollar.
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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