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As our nation prepares to inaugurate its next President, it feels like we are sitting in the dark. The Senate confirmation hearings have been disturbing – suggestions that guns in schools are the way to go, a potential Attorney General with a record of making racist comments in public. As the darkness gathers around us, we may feel fear for ourselves and our neighbors who are persons of color, female, Muslim, Jewish, LGBTQ, poor, undocumented, homeless… And yet we cannot let our lights go out. We cannot let our hope and trust in the Light of the World grow dim. The dark is real and yet Isaiah tells us that, "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."
When Jesus, a Palestinian Jew, began his public ministry, it was a dark and dismal time in his country. His people were under the thumb of the brutal Roman Empire, but Jesus went about spreading the good news of the gospel and doing the work he was called to do. There is work that we are called to do in the dark and oftentimes in spite of the dark. Jesus is a light in a dark world and each week we gather in community to realign and recommit ourselves to this one who calls us to fish for people…even in the dark.
For those of you planning to join me for the Women's March NYC, we are partnering with another group in the neighborhood and changing our gathering time at First Church to 11 am. We will depart no later than 11:30. Please read this article about how to dress and what to bring. I look forward to witnessing to the light with you as we march to support equality and promote civil rights for every human.
Light a candle this weekend for yourself, for our elected officials, or for our planet. Plan to join us for worship at 11 am on Henry Street or via the live stream. We need to be together this Sunday to sing, to pray, to pass the peace of Christ, to ask each other, "How are you doing?!" and to practice being the light.
You are loved,
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Friday January 20th
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Holy Mackerels Youth Group
Ice Skating in Prospect Park
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Youthful Fellowship
Thurman Room
Saturday, January 21st
Women's March on NYC
Meet at Church at 11:00 AM for Prayer (Note: Time Change)
Sunday, January 22nd
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
11:00 AM
Worship in the Sanctuary
Sermon Title: "Jesus is Calling"
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Sunday School in the Gymnasium
12:15 PM
Coffee Hour follows worship in the Elliott Room
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM (potluck dinner at 6:30 PM)
Adult Ed - see details, below
Thursday, January 26th
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Friday January 27th
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Women's Ministry
Monthly Potluck Dinner in the Rose Room
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Congregation and Community News
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Update on the 2017 Pledge Drive
As of December 31, 2016 we have received 104 pledge cards for a total of $305,131.
Our goal this year is 110 pledges and a total commitment of $343,000.
Please help us reach or exceed our goal. Pledge today!
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SATURDAY, January 21
Join First Church Brooklyn for the Women's March on NYC from 11:00 AM -4:00 PM at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 833 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10017. We will meet at First Church Brooklyn for prayer at 11:00 AM and depart together at 11:30 AM (NOTE CHANGE IN TIME). The Women's March is in support of equality and the promotion of civil rights for every human. See WomensMarchonNYC.com for more information.
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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)
Sundays in January
- Epistle to the Ephesians bible study and discussion at 10 am in the Thurman Room
- Parables Project (13-18 year olds) meets in the Elliot Room during worship
Wednesday Adult Education
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM, Elliott Room - light meal (pot luck) is shared at 6:30 pm
Wednesdays in January
25-Jan - Coretta Scott King: "We May Yet Not Only Survive, We May Triumph" and "10 Commandments of Vietnam" speeches
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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 Feeding America's 2010 hunger study, more than 37 million Americans are now being served by food pantries and soup kitchens.
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On Thursday, January 19th, our Food Pantry served many guests with the help of
some wonderful volunteers.
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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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Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation of the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn will be held on Sunday, January 29th, immediately after worship, in the Elliott Room. Plan to stay to to see what the Session has approved as the 2017 budget, and to elect 5 new elders, as well as members of the 2017 church-wide nominating committee. Refreshments and childcare provided, of course.
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Are you the parent of a teenager? Or are you watching anxiously as your tween moves towards teenage-hood? Whether you are in the stable time that precedes the change-over, or whether you are in it already, this class is for you.
Teens are doing developmentally necessary work to become adults and it can be an arduous experience for the parent(s) too. Come learn how to support your teen's growth and transformation. Come learn how to solve everyday challenges, develop respectful relationships and find solutions that are right for your family.
Positive Discipline classes provide parents with non-punitive methods to encourage and empower children, and to help them develop important life skills.
We'll meet on Sundays after the worship service. Take a few minutes for coffee time and then proceed to the gym. Classes will be held Feb 5 & 12, March 5, 12, 19 & 26, and April 2 (no class on Feb 19 & 26). There is a $50 materials fee that includes handouts, and the book Positive Discipline for Teenagers - scholarship available, don't let the fee be an obstacle!
Mary Lynn Fiske is a Positive Discipline Parent Educator and a Positive Discipline Classroom Educator.
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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. 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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Men's Fellowship Breakfast
Meets Wednesday morning at the Park Plaza Diner, 220 Cadman Plaza West, 7:30-8:30AM. Join the men as they discuss The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World. This is a weeklong interview with the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
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First Presbyterian Church Social Action Committee
Criminal Justice Activities in Concert With the Church of Gethsemane
Current Needs: Volunteers to prepare and serve lunch for any Sunday between Jan 22- Feb February 26. Call Jane Ehlke 781-572-6201.
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 by Mark Elsenheimer; photographs provided by Christina Adorno, via Instagram.
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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