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Happy Pride First Church Family and Friends,
Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A. My only comfort in life and in death is that I am not my own, but I belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.
Too many people today feel outside the circle of belonging: people of color, like Philando Castille, who fear for their lives in a country that has already taken so much from them. Immigrant people like, Jeanette Vizguerra, who speaks against the demonization of people from other countries who make their way to the USA in pursuit of the American dream. Muslim children of God like, Nabra Hassanen, whose murders are deemed "road rage" but look an awful lot like hate crimes. And LGBTQIA persons like Savannah who are looking for safe and loving communities of faith that will welcome them just as they are.
I am very grateful for our community of faith that works intentionally and carefully to welcome all of God's children. I appreciate that we often ask ourselves the question, "Who would not feel welcomed at First Church Brooklyn?" and that we then do the work of drawing our circle a bit wider. We gather this Sunday, and every Sunday, to proclaim to God's people, "You belong!"
My friend and colleague, Rev. Dr. Shari Brink will bring the Word this Sunday morning. Shari understands the importance of belonging, and it will be a gift to our community to have her in our presence this Pride Weekend. Shari and I look forward to welcoming you to First Church Brooklyn at 11 am on Sunday.
You are loved,
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Friday, June 23rd
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Brooklyn Music Café Pride Event
Front Steps of the Church
Saturday, June 24th
1:00 PM
Memorial Service for Rev. Mother Ben Smith
Sanctuary
Sunday, June 25th
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Nursery is open on the second floor
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
11:00 AM
Worship in the Sanctuary
Sermon to be preached by Rev. Dr. Shari Brink, "When Is the End Not the End?"
12:30 PM
Fellowship Hour - All Church BBQ in the Peace Garden
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
"#CLOSErikers, Build Communities" Information Event in the Elliott Room
Thursday, June 29th
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Friday, June 30th
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Farewell to Elder Larry Picard, all are invited.
Elliott Room
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Congregation and Community News
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First Church Pride Event
Tonight, Friday June 23rd starting at 7:00 PM
- Concert on the steps with the First Church Choir
- Refreshments
- Family crafting projects
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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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First Church Brooklyn All Church BBQ
THIS 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 healthy desserts.
Make plans to join us and get to know your church neighbors better.
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Wednesday, June 28 from 6:30- 8:30 PM
Why Close Rikers?
How can it lead to better, stronger communities?
Come and Find Out
First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn hosts
Just LeadershipUSA #CLOSErikers campaign team
Learn what steps the City must take to:
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Close down this notorious complex
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Provide a more humane system to benefit our neighborhoods
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Build communities rather than tear down individual lives
RSVP to Elder Jane Ehlke, Co-chair of First Church Social Action Committee
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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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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.
Volunteers needed Wednesday evenings from 7:15-8:00 pm to receive fresh fruits and vegetables for our food pantry. If you are available to come to First Church Brooklyn and receive donations from our partners at Brooklyn Bridge CSA and Sweet Pea CSA, please call the church office to be connected to pantry coordinator, Jane Woland.
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In 2015, 42.2 million Americans lived in food insecure households, including 29.1 million adults and 13.1 million children.
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On Thursday, June 22nd, our Food Pantry served 128 guests with the
help of 22 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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Reminders and Looking Ahead
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Brooklyn Rock and Roll Half Marathon Training
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
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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)
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 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.
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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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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 provided lunch on June 11 at Gethsemane. We are looking for volunteers for the rest of June and July.
- Prison Visits: Steve deFluiter and Dave Ehlke visited Project Connect members at Green Haven prison on Wednesday, June 14. The Women's Prison visit took place on 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 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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