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Greetings First Church Family and Friends,
I'm leaving this evening for an overnight retreat with leaders from our church. We will spend the next 24-hours examining the ministry God has called us to and taking a fearless look at the gifts we bring as well as the challenges that hold us back. Please keep us in your prayers. Lives of love, justice, and faith require some fearless truth-telling.
Faith in New York, has been helping communities of faith tell the truth since 2013. Some First Church Elders and I have been working with FINY recently to tell a true story of New York City – a city that calls itself a place of sanctuary while engaging in ICE raids that tear families apart. More than ever, we need our city officials to keep their promise and make NYC a true sanctuary for all of God's people. No one should live in fear. In fact, our faith gives us strength to overcome fear.
Help me as I join the launch of FINY's Faith Over Fear platform – a week long love and justice extravaganza in prayer, art, and public actions. Next week we will use our creativity to hold our elected officials accountable and highlight the issues facing our communities. I hope to see you at one or all of the days that matter most to you. We kick-off the resistance next Tuesday, March 14th. Actions are open to all and your RSVP at contactus@faithinnewyork.org or phone call to 718-426-6564 is greatly appreciated. Take prayerful action, where you can, on the issues that unite us as New Yorkers of faith!
Tuesday 3/14 Launching a Week of Faith Over Fear | Press Conference
10 am - 11 am • Steps of City Hall
Wednesday 3/15 Funeral for Affordable Housing in NYC
12 pm - 1 pm • Contact FINY for details
Thursday 3/16 NYC is NO Sanctuary: March and Rally to Protect Immigrant New Yorkers
Rev. Adriene and First Church Choir participating
6 pm - 8 pm • Start at Washington Square Park and march to 201 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014
Friday 3/17 People of Faith Against Police Abuse: Council Member Pray-In to Pass the Right to Know Act!
11 am - 4 pm • At key Council Member offices, plus a remote call-in and social media option
Saturday 3/18 Faith Over Fear Closing Event: Havdalah, Prayer Vigil, and Altar Build
6 pm - 8 pm • Gracie Mansion, E 88th St & East End Ave, New York, NY 10028
Join us Sunday at First Church for a number of exciting events:
• We will ordain new elders in worship.
• The Parables Project youth will gather during worship to continue exploring their faith and lives.
• Youth Advisory Leader, Chris James, is calling all youth to join him in the gym classroom at 1 pm for a conversation on youth and policing.
• The Positive Discipline class for parents of teens meets in the gym at 1 pm.
• The worship arts team will gather in the Thurman Library at 1 pm to complete planning for Holy Week and Easter.
Looking forward, as always, to worshipping with you and growing closer to you and the God who calls all the people beloved.
You are loved,
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Sunday, March 12th
Remember to "spring forward" before going to bed on Saturday!
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Nursery is open on the second floor
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Youth Band in the Rose Room
11:00 AM
Worship in the Sanctuary
Sermon: "A Brave and Startling ,"
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
Adult Education in the Elliott Room
Thursday, March 16th
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 March 1st, 2017, we have received 117 pledge cards for a total of $$334,141.
Our goal this year is a commitment of $343,000.
We're now less than $10,000 away from that target. Please help us reach or exceed our goal. Pledge today!
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Online Lenten Devotional
Out of the friendship and trust in the Women's Ministry comes this offering to one another and to the First Church congregation.
We hope all who read it will experience that "Joyful Is The Dark."
An introduction, and the first devotional, were sent on the morning of Ash Wednesday. The Lenten Devotional can be found online at lentatfirst.tumblr.com. A new reading will appear each day online, or you can choose to have the text of the reading sent to your email by clicking the 'Subscribe via Email' link at the top of that page.
If you choose to receive by email, be sure to reply to the message confirming that you want to subscribe.
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SAVE THE DATE
Please join First Church on a great adventure to the African American Museum, in Washington DC on Saturday July 15, 2017. The trip will be facilitated by Amazing Destinations Deluxe motor coach transportation:
Enjoy an all you can eat lunch buffet a the Golden Coral $89/Per person. Seats are limited. If you want to RSVP, please call 718-624-3770 or email at info@firstchruchbrooklyn.org.
Please RSVP and return the form with payment by May 1, 2017.
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SAVE THE DATE
First Church's White Rose Ministry will hold its annual fundraiser on Saturday, April 22nd, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Dick & Dottie Turmail's home. (Before his passing, Dick expressed that he wanted us to have it there.)
ALL ARE WELCOME!
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"The Spirit of Sanctuary in the Time of Lent"
Every Sunday in Lent, 10:00 AM
How do we find sanctuary? How do we become a sanctuary? The word derives from the Latin "sanctus" meaning "holy," but has political ramifications that echo in our daily headlines during this time of emergency. (And we can't live in the comfort of metaphor when sanctuary is real and urgent.) Join Elder Erik Brogger for a discussion about how Lent may speak to the fugitive in each of us, using Psalm 51 and other poetry. Join us at 10:00 AM in the gym, this Sunday, March 5th, and every Sunday in Lent, for what may be the only journey where the suggested preparation is that we UN-pack!
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Elder Jim Johnson Running for Governor of New Jersey
Our beloved Elder Jim Johnson has been called into public service and is running for Governor of New Jersey. The campaign is in full swing. If you are interested in joining Elder Jim Johnson and others to improve our schools, give all families a leg up and rebuild an economy that has crumbled along with its roads, bridges, water system and mass transit, please contact Amanda Clarke at amanda@jimjohnson4governor.com to find out about helping with the campaign.
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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
In celebration of Ash Wednesday there will be no Adult Ed program on March 1. Join us in worship at 7pm in the sanctuary to mark the beginning of Lent.
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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, 50.2 million Americans lived in "food insecure households" during 2009.
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On Thursday, March 9th, our Food Pantry served 114guests with the
help of 21volunteers.
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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.
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Like us. Follow us. See us. Hear us.
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Reminders and Looking Ahead
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Postive Discipline for Teens
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; 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 March 5, 12, 19 & 26, and April 2, 23 and 30. There is a $50 materials fee that includes handouts, and the book Positive Discipline for Teenagers - scholarships 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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FIRST PREZ CABARET III
Please plan to come to the Elliott Room on Sunday, March 26, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and enjoy the third edition of FIRST PREZ CABARET. As in the past two years, this is a FREE event, open to the congregation and the surrounding community, so do bring friends. Jane Quinn will be making a return engagement as emcee ... a dozen members of our choir will perform solos, duets and four-part ensemble numbers, conducted by Amy Neuner and accompanied by Matt Podd ... guest actors will present two one-act comedy readings as well as light verse by Terry Quinn ... child care will be made available downstairs ... and wine, provided by Marcia and Ken, will flow freely. Not an evening to miss !!!
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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 week-long 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
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 Caleb Heidebrecht. Photos from Christina Adorno.
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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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