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Greetings First Church Family and Friends,
It seems that in the run up to Christmas this year that our world is shrouded in darkness. A Russian ambassador was killed in Turkey. A man plowed a truck into a crowd of people in Berlin killing twelve. Members of our own community of faith have recently lost loved ones, and other members are very ill. This isn't the setting for Christmas that you'd find in any Hallmark card or Norman Rockwell painting. This isn't the setting for Christmas any of us want. But this is exactly the setting Jesus was born into - a world shrouded in darkness.
At Christmas, God sends a baby into the dark – to a couple of teenagers, living under Roman occupation, who will soon be running for their very lives. It is precisely because of the darkness that Jesus comes. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed the truth of Christmas better than anyone I can think of when he wrote, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined."
This weekend we will gather to welcome the light that is Jesus, and we will spend the next year testifying that this same light is present and real in our own lives. If you are struggling this season to see the light because of loss, depression, or despair, I encourage you to join us at First Church Brooklyn for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship. My prayer this Christmas weekend, as it is every time we gather, is that you will catch a glimpse of the light God is sending into the world – in the music, in the prayers, in the people. I hope you will experience it in the beauty of our sanctuary or in the beauty of the way we pass the peace.
The world is shrouded in darkness, but we who believe in light, trust that the darkness will not overcome us.
You are loved,
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Saturday, December 24th
7:00 PM Christmas Eve
Worship in the Sanctuary
Sunday December 25th
Nursery is open on the second floor.
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
11:00 AM Christmas Day
Worship in the Sanctuary
Sermon Title: A Good Day to Get Born
Scripture Texts: Isaiah 9:2-7 and Luke 2:1-20
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 29th
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Congregation and Community News
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Update on 2017 Pledge Drive
We have received 87 Pledge Cards for a total amount of $274,301.
Our Goal this year is 110 pledges and a total commitment of $343,000.
Please help us meet our goal and submit a pledge today!
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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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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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According to one recent study, approximately 21 percent of all children in the United States were living below the poverty line in 2010. In the UK and in France that figure is well under 10 percent
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On Thursday, December 22nd, our Food Pantry served 96guests with the help of 15wonderful 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. We are reading Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance.
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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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Reminders and Looking Ahead
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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 interested 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.with the following activities:
- Monthly group letter to over 200 Project Connect members incarcerated in NYS Prisons
- Monthly Prison Visits to Project Connect members in Women's prisons in Bedford Hills
- Monthly lunch preparation and serving after worship
- Support for family members having incarcerated members pilot project.
- Administrative support
- Project connect Peer Group participation with formerly incarcerated Project Connect members
- Donation of clothes for formerly incarcerated members
- Re-entry support
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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 and photographs provided by Christina Adorno.
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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