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Greetings First Church Family and Friends,
Last week saw a bursting of the "bubble" for many in our community and nation as hate crimes and incidents of harassment spiked following the presidential election. At First Church Brooklyn, we continue to hold a vision of the world in which all God's people gather at a table that has room for everyone. I will carry our vision of a world that works for all God's people to the White House this Monday morning as a small group of Interfaith clergy gather for a debriefing with the current administration.
Some of you have written and called to ask, "What can we do?!" I have some thoughts:
Stay in community. It is tempting in difficult times to withdraw and pull in. Do not give into sadness and despair. Do everything you can to get to church on Sunday mornings for Bible study at 10 am, for worship at 11 am and on Wednesday nights for our weekly potluck and conversation at 6:30 pm. Community is vitally important for helping us to hold faith when we cannot hold it for ourselves.
Pray. Sure, but what else can I do? you might ask. Do not underestimate the power of faithful people harnessing their divine light for the purpose of changing the world. Pray for God to work transformation and healing in you, our church community, and the nation. Pray for clarity of vision and courage to act on the vision God gives the church. Pray for humor and joy – we won't survive without them. Pray for our children – their safety and the maintenance of their wonder.
Give money and time to organizations you believe in. Do the research. Write the check. Set up the recurring contribution. Find a date to volunteer. This is life-saving work for organizations that literally save lives. Because some of you asked, I will share that my biggest gift goes to First Church Brooklyn because I believe in our vision of intentional diversity. I believe it matters that our food pantry is open weekly. I believe breaking bread at our weekly potluck is as holy as sharing the bread and the cup of communion. I believe the worship I plan with Amy breaks us open so that God can put us back together again. I give to First Church Brooklyn because I believe God is at work in this place. Further, I support Parity and their work with LGBTQ persons. I support the justice work of Amnesty International and the work that One does to eliminate extreme poverty. I support my daughter's school with 2 hours of my time every month and I support Crossroads Theatre – a historically black theatre that produces award winning work.
It is going to take prayer and every ounce of our holy creativity, Frist Church to create the world we want. I hope you will find your way to church on Sunday, that you will pray, and that you will support organizations, including First Church, with your time, talent, and treasure.
You are loved,
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November 18th
The Coming Week
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Sunday, November 27th
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Nursery is open on the second floor.
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Youth Band in the Rose Room
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
11:00 AM
Sermon: This Is Why We Tell the Story
There will be No Sunday School or Parables Project this week!
12:15 PM
Coffee Hour follows worship in the Elliott Room.
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West
Thursday, December 1st
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Congregation and Community News
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BETHLEHEM: A Christmas Musical
(to be presented in the style of HAMILTON)
Get ready for some Christian Christmas Hip-Hop!
Pageant dates for your calendar:
Sunday December 4th
11:15-12:15 pmRehearsal (During Sunday School)
12:15-1:00 pm Potluck Lunch
1:00-2:00 pm Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Saturday December 10th
12:00-2:00 pm Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Sunday December 11th
10:15 am Arrival for Pageant Participants
11:00 am Pageant Presentation during Worship
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Sunday School Volunteers Needed!
It takes a Brooklyn Village to raise our children in the faith. Contact James and Elizabeth to express your interest.
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Blankets and Winter Coats
Please donate any coats you feel you can give away so we can provide them those in need. We are also asking for donations of blankets. We ask for new or slightly used coats and blankets. Please donate what you can.
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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)
Wednesday Adult Education
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM, Elliott Room
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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.
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Somewhere in the world someone starves to death every 3.6 seconds, and 75 percent of those are children under the age of five.
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On Thursday, November 23rd, our Food Pantry served 86 clients with the help of 20 volunteers.
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Men's Fellowship Breakfast
Meets Wednesday morning at the Park Plaza Diner, 220 Cadman Plaza West, 7:00-8:30AM. This is a great time to join. We are discussing future books to read.
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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 an audio podcast of our Sermons. Click the "Sermon Podcast" icon below to subscribe to audio versions of all the sermons since July, 2016.
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Like us. Follow us. See us. Hear us.
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Photo's From Installation Sunday
All photos from Revernd Thorne's Installation are now available here!
Sunday November 20th
Meet the New Members of
First Church Brooklyn
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Reminders and Looking Ahead
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December 4th: Faith Night Out at The Public Theatre
Join Pastor Adriene and First Church folks for Party People at The Public. Faith conversation following the performance! Information below! Theatre company, Universes, is known for their fusion of theater, poetry, jazz, hip-hop, and politics. Party People is an explosive new work about the complicated legacies of the original Black Panther Party and the Young Lords Org/Party and is directed by Liesl Tommy (Eclipsed). Our discount code will get you $30 (half off) no fee tickets. Use code PARTY30 via phone only; reserve seats at 212.967.7555 for the December 4th, 2:30 PM show.
LIMITED TICKETS so order soon!
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Youth Fellowship
On December 9th, at 7pm, we invite those in their 20s and 30s to come together with food and drinks with Eric Thomas in the Thurman Room.
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Advent and Christmas at First Church Brooklyn
December 10: Grown-Up Christmas Party | 6-8 pm $10 per person
Good food, good people, and good music. RSVP by Dec 5 to info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org
December 14: An Advent of Water and Light |6:30 pm potluck, 7:00 pm music and prayers
The holidays are not easy for everyone. Come light a candle, say a prayer, sing a song in a community.
December 17: Breakfast with Santa | 9:30 am and 11 am
Call or e-mail the office for tickets - $10 per person and $40 per family
December 22: Carol of the Bells: An Interactive Music and Light Installation |6-7:30 pm
Join us at the front entrance for this annual Christmas delight. Composed by Chris Neuner. Ken Thompson, saxophone.
December 24: Christmas Eve Worship and Caroling |4:00 pm
Plan to be with your First Church community for worship at 4 pm followed by caroling at 5 pm. A potluck fellowship will follow caroling at the Manse.
December 25: Christmas Day | 11:00 am
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Call For Artists
Many people experience the Holy in the beauty of our Sanctuary, the sound of our musicians and choirs, and the poetry of our prayers. If you are intested in helping the First Church Brooklyn community to experience God with movement, puppetry, dramatic presentation, fabric, flowers, writing, set design, and more, please share your interest with Pastor Adriene or call the church office. A meeting will be organized this fall to plan art for the coming year. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
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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.
Letter Writing
Diane Grimes will have a table after worship this Sunday for our monthly letter to incarcerated men and women. Stop by and add some words of encouragement.
Lunch after Worship- We are looking for volunteers to serve lunch after worship on Sunday Dec 9. Please contact Jane Ehlke if you are interested.
Project Connect Family Support Program with NYU School of Social Work:
Gloria Sellers is spending one day/week managing 1 Masters student intern from the School of Social Work at NYU, together Rev. Diane Lacey and Minister Chibueze Okorie to provide support services to families of incarcerated Project Connect members. This is a brand new program and expands the scope of Project Connect. A special thanks to Gloria Sellers for taking in this responsibility.
Prison visits
Jane Ehlke has organized the next Women's Prison Visit to Bedford Hills and Taconic Prisons on Dec 3.
Dave Ehlke is still looking for Volunteers to visit Men in prison during weekdays.
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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:
A new mac like this (we don't need a monitor), or any type of mac computer (all in one, pro tower, mini etc) made any year 2012 or later. We're looking for a fast, modern computer to do video editing, music production etc...)
PROJECTOR:
A new projector like this, or any type of projector with at least one HDMI input made 2012 or later.
PROJECTOR MOUNT:
WII CONSOLE:
Preferably an ORIGINAL (not WII U) WII console. WII remotes, accessories etc.
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This week's eNewsletter was edited by Christina Adorno. Photos were provided by Christina Adorno and Colin St. Rose.
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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