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Greetings First Church Family & Friends,
I was grateful to be in attendance this week as Brooklyn Borough President, Eric Adams, honored the families of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. On that painful day, over 500 Brooklynites – law enforcement, service personnel, and civilians died. Our Brooklyn Heights neighborhood was hard hit and continues to feel agonizing grief.
This Sunday we will commemorate the 911 attacks with both a looking back and a looking forward. We have invited our local 84th precinct and FDNY Ladder 118 to be with us in worship. We will remember their heroic sacrifice and simultaneously locate hope, as we always do in times of struggle, in the beautiful faces of our children and the waters of our baptism.
We will baptize a baby. We will bless students and educators. We will hear from United States Attorney General, Loretta Lynch, and we will keep moving forward, as people of faith have done for generations, trusting in a God who works with us to make it better, make it right.
As my colleague Jim Kast-Keat is fond of saying, "Whenever we perform a baptism, we all get a little water on us." That water is a sign that we belong – to God, to the community of faith, and to Christ's ongoing mission of justice and compassion in the world. The water frees us from chains that bind us and frees us to participate in God's never ending love story. What the world needed fifteen years ago is the same thing it needs now – justice born of love.
We have a weekend of events to hold you in the midst of all that you may be feeling. Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson will lead a workshop on loss and grief at First Church this Saturday from 9:30-3 PM. Admission is only $100, and members of First Church will receive a 50% discount. Sunday morning worship is back to 11 am this Sunday and Amy has selected tranformational music to hold and heal us. Our Festival of Children and Youth Ministries will happen immediately following worship in the Peace Garden replete with a balloon artist and face painters. We will train adult volunteers in the gymnasium while registering children for Sunday School and showing off our new offerings for God's youngest people. The day will conclude Sunday afternoon, with the Brooklyn Heights Interfaith Clergy Group. We will remember 911 on the Brooklyn Promenade at 2 pm. Please enter at the Montague Avenue entrance where I will be representing our community of faith.
People will be coming from near and far this weekend, First Church, to experience the God of radical hospitality. Thank you for being present with me to set a table before them and to welcome them into God's house. Wherever you are on Sunday morning, know that God is with you and you are loved.
Blessings people of God,
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Friday, September 9th
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Sunday, September 11th
Sunday worship returns to 11:00 AM.
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Nursery is open, on the second floor
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Sanctuary
Sermon preached by Rev. Adriene Thorne: "Taking Sides and Throwing Parties".
11:15 AM
Thurman Library - The Parables Project with Eric Thomas
12:15 PM
Peace Garden
12:30 PM
Peace Garden - Festival of Children and Youth Ministries
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Gymnasium - Children and Youth Volunteer Training
Wednesday, September 14th
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West
Thursday, September 15th
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Sunday, September 18th
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Rose Room - Youth Band begins
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Gymnasium - Sunday School begins
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Congregation and Community News
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September 11th - 15th Anniversary Remembrance Weekend at
First Church Brooklyn
Saturday, September 10th
Thrive from Loss and Grief
First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn
9:30 am - 3:30 pm
So often, we barely survive our experiences of loss and grief. These challenging experiences can be the fertilizer to enrich our lives, if we only know. This one day treat offers critical strategies for surviving and thriving from loss and grief. We will look at a variety of the losses that people experience. This session will transform your life!
Led by Dr. Cari Jackson (one of the last two sessions she leads before moving out of New York City) Register here
Sunday, September 11th
September 11 Remembrance
First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn
11:00 am
Join us for worship that will heal the heart, mind, body, and soul. Special music from our gospel choir and a ritual of looking forward as we find hope in the waters of baptism and pray a blessing over our treasure - our students and educators. With a Special Guest to be announced next week.
Festival of Children and Youth Ministries
12:30 pm
Sunday school registration.
Games, balloons, and surprises for children and youth.
Brooklyn Heights Interfaith Remembrance
4:00 pm
Brooklyn Promenade
Join our partners from interfaith houses of worship throughout the neighborhood for our annual gathering to remember and honor the day.
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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 1st, the Food Pantry served 88 clients with 20 volunteers.
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For every 100 school lunch programs, there are only 87 breakfast sites and just 36 summer food programs.
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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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Fellowship in the Peace Garden
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Reminders and Looking Ahead
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Children, Youth and Families
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
- | 11:15-12:15 pm | Thurman Library – The Parables Project BEGINS! NEW!
Following passing of the peace, students from 7th-12th grades are welcome to join Eric Thomas and young adults from the Youthful Fellowship Ministry in creative explorations of the parables that will engage your five senses. (7th graders are encouraged to try out both The Parables Project andSunday School to choose the program that fits them best!)
- | 12:30 pm | Peace Garden – Festival of Children and Youth Ministries.
Immediately following worship, during the fellowship hour, join volunteers and staff in the garden to learn more about the wonderful offerings for children and youth. Bring your neighbors. Bring your friends. We will register children for Sunday School, enjoy great food, and have a few surprises!
- | 12:30-1:30 pm | Gymnasium – Children and Youth Volunteer Training.
It takes a village to raise our children. If you are interested in working with children and youth in any way or simply curious about what that might look like, join Pastor Adriene and CYF directors Elizabeth and James for an engaging look into this year's curriculum as well as tips and tricks to use at home or in the classroom. Mimosas will be served!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
- | 10:00-10:45 am | Rose Room – Youth Band BEGINS! NEW!
In this new offering, 5th-12th Graders are welcome to join the Youth Band, which will meet everySunday before worship and will be led by Andrew Leonard. Come sing, play an instrument, learn how to run sound, or all of the above!
- | 11:15 – 12:15 pm | Gymnasium – Sunday School BEGINS!
We welcome children grades K-7th every Sunday following passing of the peace. Children's Choir music will find it's home in our Sunday School hour. This year our weekly adventures through the Bible will use the Deep Blue Kids curriculum. To read more about our new study tool, click here. (7th graders are encouraged to try out bothSunday School and The Parables Project to choose the program that fits them best!)
- | 11:15-12:15 pm | Thurman Library – The Parables Project
We welcome youth grades 7th-12th every Sunday following passing of the peace. 7th graders are encouraged to try out both Sunday School and The Parables Project to choose the program that fits them best! After the first few weeks of programming, we will ask 7th graders to decide betweenSunday School and The Parables Project and stick with it to make the most out of the program they choose!
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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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
The annual First Church Brooklyn fund-raiser will be Saturday October 22, 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM.
Church-wide fundraiser, MURDER MYSTERY DINNER PARTY!!! -- Save the date to see the play and guess the murderer!!
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Save Another Important Date
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 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:
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.
September 18 afer worship - stop by the Social Action table 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 25.
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This week's eNewsletter was edited by Caleb Heidebrecht, photos provided by Dave Ehlke.
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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