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Jesus Always Changes Things
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Greetings First Church Family and Friends,
Change is uncomfortable for most of us, even if it is for our good. Psychology teaches that most humans move towards change only when the pain to remain where they are is too great. And when you start changing, disrupting the status quo, the people around you will try to maintain what is familiar. Not because they are bad people, but because change is that disruptive. When you step out of your old place, you automatically force others to step out of theirs. Whether you stop drinking, start getting in shape, insist on going to church, or refuse to engage in gossip, a changing and evolving you disrupts life for the people around you.
Disruptive change is the story of Jesus. It is the story of faith. It is the story of the man born blind. God's call to see changes everything and in seeing, the man and we ourselves have to live differently, have to be Christ's light in the world – inviting everyone we know to meet the one who changes things.
Regardless of who you are and where you are in your faith journey, live in the knowledge that you have infinite worth in God's eyes and that you are and always will be God's beloved child. I look forward to seeing you Sunday at 11 am.
You are loved,
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Sunday, March 26th
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Nursery is open on the second floor
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
9:45 AM - 10:50 AM
New Members Class in the Woodman Room (gym)
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Adult Education
11:00 AM
Worship in the Sanctuary
Sermon: "Take Me to the Water"
11:15 AM
Sunday School in the Gymnasium
12:30 PM
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West
6:15 PM - 7:30 PM (special time!)
Adult Education
Thursday, March 30th
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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Celebrate with Eric
This week will be Eric's final week of service at First Church Brooklyn.
Join us for a special coffee hour this Sunday, March 26th, as we wish Eric Godspeed and blessings in the next chapters of his life and ministry.
Join us for a special adult education and potluck this Wednesday, March 29th at 6:30, as we gather in community to learn and to feast. Bring food or drink to share.
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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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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."
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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New Members Classes will be held on Sunday, March 19 and on Sunday, March 26, both at 9:45 in the Woodman Room (gym). Those who wish to become new members will be installed April 23, 2017. Attendance at both classes is preferred, and we look forward to seeing you here.
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The next meeting of the Holy Mackerels will be Friday March 24th for Open Mic Night 2.0 in the Youth Room at church. Start thinking about what you want to share and feel free to invite your friends. **This event will be from 6:30-8:30pm.**
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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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CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!
We are actively seeking volunteers to teach Sunday School for April and May. If you haven't had a chance to work with our young people and experience the new curriculum we're using this year, or if you've worked with our youth and want to dig deeper this is a perfect opportunity! If you are interested and available please reach out to us at cyfdirector@firstchurchbrooklyn.org.
NEW "SUBMERGE" CURRICULUM FOR 7th-12th GRADE
After the huge success of the Parables Project, we're incorporating a regular program for the 7th-12th Graders of FPC! "Submerge" is the curriculum for 7th-12th graders produced by Deep Blue Kids. This new offering is picking up from where the Parables Project left off. Led by Eric Thomas, they will be meeting every Sunday following the passing of the peace during the regular Sunday School hour. Read more about the scope and sequence of the program here.
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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)
The Future of Adult Education at First Church Brooklyn
The Sunday morning 10 o' clock hour will continue through the end of June while other adult education programming will enter into a time of prayer and discernment. Pastor Adriene and a small team of First Church elders and educators will meet for three consecutive weeks to pray and imagine a new way forward for education at First Church that offers a plan for faith formation and education from the beginning of life to the end. Please keep us in your prayers as we trust God for guidance.
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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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The poorest 50% of all Americans collectively own just 2.5% of all the wealth in the United States. Statistically, there are more children in poor households than in wealthy ones.
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On Thursday, March 23rd, our Food Pantry served 108 guests with the
help of 17 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.
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Like us. Follow us. See us. Hear us.
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Stay tuned for videos and photos
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Reminders and Looking Ahead
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Rikers Island Jail Issue is coming to a key decision within the next month.
Rikers Island has been a cauldron of despair for decades. The brutality is endemic and today violence is up even as detainee population is down. Every day thousands of people are held in pre-trial detention simply because they are too poor to afford bail, leading to a litany of tragedies, such as the terrible death of Kalief Browder. The recent documentary film "Rikers" by Bill Moyers highlighted the inhumane conditions. There is no dispute that the Rikers Island Jails are dangerous, isolated, and woefully inappropriate for human beings. A growing number of New Yorkers have come to the conclusion that Rikers cannot be reformed; it must be closed.
In the spring of 2016 City Council Speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito formed an independent commission of 27 civic leaders headed up by former NY state Chief Justice Jonathan Lippmann to study the existing Rikers Island Jail and make recommendations about alternatives that would result in a more safe ,humane and less discriminatory situation for inmates, guards and New York City and at a lower cost.
The Lippmann Commission Report is scheduled to be released in April 2017. Currently there are less than 10,000 inmates in NYC jails with 75% awaiting trial. The Report is anticipated to recommend a number of improvements to the process of how people are handled before going to trial, including: Speedy Trial Reform, Bail Bond Reform, Pre-trial Supervised Release and Mental Health treatment. These reforms should enable the NYC criminal justice system to be modernized by reducing the jail population, closing Rikers and expanding capacity of existing detention facilities in the 5 boroughs, closer to the courts and family support.
Without waiting for the results of the Lippmann Commission Report, Mayor DeBlasio is recommending spending over $1Billion in the next two year to build new jails at Rikers Island. This is an unconscionable waste of money which won't solve the problem of injustice. The Christian Action Committee of the NYC Presbytery urges us to call our local city council members to block this action by the Mayor and follow the recommendations of the Lippmann Commission Report when it is published in April. FPC has actively supported the CloseRikers campaign. Stay tuned for opportunism to support this important movement.
Dave Ehlke
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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 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!
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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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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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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 or email the Church office.
Please RSVP and return the form with payment by May 1, 2017.
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SAVE THE DATE - CYF FAMILY RETREAT
We have Holmes camp reserved for our 2017 CYF Family Retreat Friday June 9th-Sunday June 11th. Further details will be coming soon. We hope to see you there!
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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 in concert with the Church of Gethsemane this month.
- Monthly group letter to over 200 Project Connect members incarcerated in NYS Prisons. Six pages of notes were collected last Sunday
- Prison Visits to Project Connect members in Women's prisons in Bedford Hills 7 women from FPC will be making visits on Sart, mar 25.
- Prison Visit Orientation for Men was held last week for 4 men, including Erik Brogger from FPC.
- Lunch Preparation : Marta Nelson prepared lunch earlier in March and a group of women from the FPC Women's group will be providing lunch on Sunday, Mar 24 as well as participating in worship. .
- Administrative Support: Ongoing administrative support has been provided by Jane and Dave Ehlke
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This week's eNewsletter was edited by Chrisitna 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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