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Greetings First Church Family and Friends,
When I was growing up in the 70s, I loved to watch the intro to ABC's Wide World of Sports: "Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport! The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat! The human drama of athletic competition."
"Human drama" certainly sums up this endeavor we undertake in trying to follow Jesus. Somedays we are the victorious, walking nimbly in the footsteps of our rabbi – loving the people and showing God's love with our lives. Other days, we are the defeated, camouflaging the beautiful spark of God-ness in us – forgetting that we may be the only Jesus some people ever meet.
What does it mean to be not only sent by Jesus but to be sent as Jesus? Are we willing to step into our rabbi's shoes?! Show up in the world as Jesus himself?! Matthew's gospel suggests that if we are not willing to do this, if we are not attempting to follow Jesus in the work of healing and liberating then we've got what it means to follow Jesus all wrong. Join me and our beautiful First Church Brooklyn community this Sunday at 11 am as we do the uncomfortable work of training to be followers of Jesus.
You are loved,
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Sunday, June 18th
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
New Members class in the Gym
11:00 AM
Worship in the Sanctuary
12:30 PM
Fellowship Hour
Monday, June 19th
6:45 PM - 8:00 PM
Session Meeting in the Thurman Room
Wednesday, June 21st
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West
Thursday, June 22nd
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Friday, June 23rd
7:00 PM
Brooklyn Music Café with the First Church Brooklyn Choir
Front Steps of the Church
Saturday, June 24th
1:00 PM
Memorial Service for Rev. Mother Ben Smith
Sanctuary
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Congregation and Community News
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Clark Street Subway Station Closure!
The Clark Street (2) (3) subway station will be closed on weekends from June 16 to Spring 2018. People who normally take the subway to First Church need to walk from Borough Hall or take the B25, B26, B38, B41, B52 or B103 bus.
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Brooklyn Rock and Roll Half Marathon Training
Training has begun and your participation is welcomed!
Group runs are Mondays at 7:00 PM and Saturdays at 8:30 AM. Meet in the Peace Garden and run with our team: Brooklyn Samaritans
Marathon Day – Saturday, October 14th
Entry fee $75
Money raised supports Brooklyn Community Pride Center, Living Waters for the World, Navajo Water Project, and Children's Health Fund.
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First Church Brooklyn All Church BBQ
Sunday, June 25th
Immediately following worship in the Peace Garden with fun and games for all
First Church Brooklyn will provide drinks along with burgers and dogs and all the fixins!!!
What we need from you are healthy side dishes and desserts.
Make plans to join us and get to know your church neighbors.
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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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One out of every six Americans is now enrolled in at least one government anti-poverty program.
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On Thursday, June 15th, our Food Pantry served 105 guests with the
help of 15 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 a podcast of our Sermons. Click the "Sermon Podcast" icon below to subscribe.
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Like us. Follow us. See us. Hear us.
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Family Retreat to Holmes Camp - June 9-11
Rev. Dr. Lorena Parrish led worship on Sunday, June 11th
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Reminders and Looking Ahead
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June 18th & June 25th - New Member Classes
The latest new member classes continue this Sunday.
We will meet Sunday, June 18th and June 25th, at 9:45 AM in the gym. Installation is scheduled for June 25th during worship.
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Save the Date!
Friday June 30th 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM - farewell gathering for Elder Larry Picard, please join us in the Elliot Room. All are invited.
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Men's Fellowship Breakfast
Join as we discuss the new book by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, "This Fight Is Our Fight," about the disappearing American Middle Class and what can be done about it.
Come join us even if you are not reading the book.
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CHILDREN, YOUTH, and FAMILIES (CYF)
Following an amazing Youth Sunday and Family Retreat, Sunday School is on hiatus for the summer and will resume Sunday, September 10th. All God's children will worship together throughout the summer. The nursery remains open to provide wee care to children 4 and under. CYF Director, James Allison-Booth, will lead volunteers in the FPC Kid's Corner located in the front right corner of the sanctuary. Biblical based quiet activities are provided for children age 5 to 10 who are welcome to sit with their parents or join James and friends in the Kid's Corner. Biblical based books and crayons are available for people of all ages on the bookshelf in the narthex. Help yourself to materials, and thank you for returning them so that others may enjoy them in the future. Blessed summer!
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Worship Leaders
Interested in taking part as a reader during Sunday worship? 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 Chair, Barbara Cummings.
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The FPC Social Action Committee and Adult Education Committee are hosting the #CLOSErikers campaign team to inform our community on the status of the campaign and important work that is in process.
The goal of the #CLOSErikers campaign is to close the Rikers Island jails as soon as possible, transform the justice system in NYC, and build communities. Closing Rikers will require the City to reduce overall incarceration, and detain far fewer people, both in the immediate and long term. Temporary secure housing must be an intervention of last resort. We want a smaller justice system that repairs harm and maximizes fairness, accountability, and equity.
By closing Rikers Island, New York City can achieve justice for thousands and focus on the important work of healing and rebuilding the communities where Rikers has brought suffering.
We hope you can join us for this important information session and support the #CLOSErikers campaign in calling for New Yorkers to boldly reimagine our city's failed criminal justice system and become a national leader in ending mass incarceration.
Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 28 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM and RSVP to Jane Ehlke at janehlke@gmail.com if you are planning to attend
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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.
- Group Letter writing: Two weeks ago, we prepared our monthly group letter to Project Connect members during fellowship hour.
- Sunday Lunch after Worship. Jane & Dave Ehlke, Linda &Willy Norton and Diane Grimes will be providing June 11 Lunch at Gethsemane. We are looking for volunteers for the rest of June and July.
- Prison Visits: Steve deFluiter and Dave Ehlke will be visiting Project Connect members at Green Haven prison on Wednesday, June 14. The Womens Prison visit has been rescheduled for June 17.
- Administrative Support: Ongoing administrative support has been provided by Jane and Dave Ehlke. The Project Connect database has been expanded to 215 members in 30 different prisons.
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This week's eNewsletter was edited by Mark Elsenheimer. Photo provided by: Patty Watwood, Adriene Thorne, and 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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