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In seminary, one of my favorite teachers taught a sacred dance class on follower-ship. Everyone knows what leadership is, but few people appreciate the underutilized power of follower-ship. Without followers, leaders are nothing. From Messiahs to presidents, leaders need people who are willing to follow.
In these critical times, when Muslims are being banned from our country, when our friends, colleagues and family members are deathly afraid for the future, whom or what will we throw our lives behind? Who will we follow? Christian people of faith throw everything they have behind Jesus. We follow what is just, merciful, and humble. We follow Jesus in feeding sheep and welcoming strangers. We follow when it is not comfortable, prudent, or expedient. We educate ourselves so that nothing comes between our commitment to Indivisible love. We take action to protect God's people, and we measure the value of that action by how closely we walk in our leader's footsteps.
If you've been following the news this week, you know that follower-ship ain't easy. Turning the other cheek, loving our enemies, is not easy, and yet, we Christians commit to throwing all we have behind Jesus and partnering with allies who support his teachings of justice, mercy, and humility. One such ally is, Congregation Beth Elohim, under the guidance of my friend and colleague, Rabbi Rachel Timoner. Please connect with the work they are doing at #GetOrganizedBK on Facebook. Plan to attend meetings scheduled for Monday, February 6th and 27th beginning at 6:30 PM at the synagogue in Park Slope. Rabbi Rachel has a background in community organizing and is the real deal. The last meeting, which broke into smaller work groups around issues ranging from Art and Activism to Islamophobia, attracted 900 attendees. This is a group we can work with.
I look forward to welcoming you to First Church this Sunday as we sing, pray, and gather at God's table to receive bread for the journey. Bring your protein for those who will visit our food pantry this month. Bring your bread and wine for a blessing. Join our faith community at 11 AM this Sunday as we recommit to following the leader who teaches:
You are the salt of the earth.
You are the light of the world.
We will talk about the salt that stings and the light that blinds, as we move faithfully onward, following our leader. You are in my prayers and you are loved,
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Sunday, February 5th
Protein Sunday
Leave protein items in the Narthex
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: Salt Stings, Light Blinds
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Sunday School in the Gymnasium
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM (potluck dinner at 6:30 PM)
Thursday, February 9th
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
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Congregation and Community News
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Update on the 2017 Pledge Drive
As of January 29, 2017, we have received 110 pledge cards for a total of $328,191.
Our goal this year is a total commitment of $343,000.
Please help us reach or exceed our goal. Pledge today!
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Leadership Training
Saturday, February 4, 2017
First Church invites you to attend a Leadership Training on Saturday February 4th, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM in the Elliott Room. Please RSVP by calling the Church office or email rsvp@firstchurchbrooklyn.org. The training will be beneficial to elders and members interested in Church leadership development. Led by Michael Lindvall.
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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
Black HERStory Month: A celebration of Black women history-makers in the context of current events and concerns. This week features Fannie Lou Hamer. We gather at 6:30 PM for a light potluck dinner, with program from 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 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, February 2nd, our Food Pantry served 106 guests with the help of
17 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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Sunday Morning Worship 1/29
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Reminders and Looking Ahead
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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 February 5 - 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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This week's eNewsletter was edited by Ben Cosgrove; photographs provided by Colin St. Rose and 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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