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Greetings First Church Family and Friends,
Sigh… I was sitting with our seminary intern, Steph Quintana-Martinez, this Thursday tallying up the heartbreak of the past few weeks: the US President battling with NFL players over #TakeAKnee, the US President battling with the mayor of San Juan over the tepid federal response to various hurricanes, and finally the violence of the largest mass shooting in USA history that left 59 people dead and 500 injured. Sigh… Literally, every week we are processing another unprecedented trauma or tragedy. At least I hope you are processing. Grieving and lamenting are healthy.
How are you doing?
Remember what I've said in the past about the importance of faith communities holding faith for one another when we can't hold it for ourselves. Find your way to worship this Sunday or connect with us via the livestream on our website. Let us hold faith for one another. Like the Israelites of Sunday's scripture, we will journey through this wilderness together, helping one another to see God's miraculous activity in small and large ways.
Praying for you and asking you to pray for our country.
You are loved,
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Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Nursery is open, 2nd Floor at Top of Stairs
Youth Band in the Rose Room (2nd Floor)
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Children's Choir in the Rose Room (2nd Floor)
11:00 AM
Worship in the Sanctuary
Sermon to be preached by Rev. Adriene Thorne, "Title TK"
Scripture: TK
Sunday School
Following Worship
Fellowship Hour in the Elliott Room (2nd Floor)
12:45PM - 1:45PM
Pastoral Care meeting in the Thurman Room
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Gender Identity Workshop
Elliott Room
Thursday, October 12th
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Friday, October 13th
6:30 PM
Dinner before Brooklyn Half Marathon
Elliott Room
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Congregation and Community News
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NEW MEMBERS
Ever wonder about the history of First Church or what it really means to be a member of this church? This is your chance to find out! On October 15th and 22nd, come to listen and learn about becoming a member of this community. The informational classes will be held at 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM in the Gym. Attending the classes does not commit you to becoming a member; it allows you to explore the option. If you have an interest please RSVP to membership@firstchurchbrooklyn.org by October 12th. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Elder Patrick Tirino, Elder Diana Lee or Rev. Adriene. Hope to see you there!
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Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is in touch with presbyteries in the affected areas from Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria, and the Earthquakes in Mexico. PDA is standing by with resources and National Response Team members ready to deploy upon invitation and when it is safe to do so.
For those who wish to support PDA's emergency response and recovery efforts, gifts can be designated to specific disaster response, or where needed the most, via the form here. We need your help. Please give generously.
If you prefer to mail a check, you may send it to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
PO Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA, 15264-3700
You may also call Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), at 1-800-872-3283 to donate by phone. For updates, please go to pda.pcusa.org.
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Below are additional resources for those interested in making donations for specific needs or populations affected by the hurricanes.
For those interested in sending non-monetary donations, First Church is monitoring the situation to assess various needs, and will determine if a collection effort will be organized. Please contact Elder Jane Ehlke with any questions.
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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 Church is involved in alleviating the suffering associated with a lack of food.
Volunteers are needed Wednesday evenings from 7:15 PM - 8:00 PM to receive fresh fruits and vegetables for our food pantry. If you are available to come to First Church 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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Thirteen percent of American households (15.8 million households) are estimated to be food insecure.
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On Thursday, October 5th, our Food Pantry served 112 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.
Missed a week, or want to hear a Sermon again? We have a podcast of Sermon audio. 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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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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Clark Street Subway Station Closure
The Clark Street (2 and 3 trains) subway station will be closed on weekends until 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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CHILDREN, YOUTH, and FAMILIES (CYF)
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Youth Band and Children's Choir in the Rose Room
Band at 10:00 AM
Choir at 10:30 AM
Andrew can't wait to see you!
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A Place at the Table: Wednesday Evening Education/Discussion
Elliott Room, Second Floor
6:30 PM - Light Supper/Refreshments
7:00 PM - Round Table Discussion
All ages welcome, Age appropriate programming for children at 7:00 pm.
October 11 - Gender Identity(ies)
Gay? Cisgender? Non-Binary? Trans Female? Trans Male? Pansexual? Confused by all the terms? More importantly, would you like more information about what they really mean to people and their identity? Presented by The Brooklyn Pride Center. Please RSVP to membership@firstchurchbrooklyn.org.
October 18 - Liberation Theology
Looking at the Book of Exodus
Led by Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes of Union Theological Seminary
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Brooklyn Rock and Roll Half Marathon Training
(Race date is October 14th)
Brooklyn Samaritans group runs are Mondays at 7:00 PM and Saturdays at 8:00 AM.
Ask Rev. Adriene to add you to the Facebook group with details of each training workout. Walkers are also encouraged to join; all are welcome to train.
Support our Participants
Come out and support our marathon runners by helping them "Carbo Load" before the big race. On Friday, October 13th, we are holding a pot luck pasta dinner to celebrate the accomplishment of these amazing people and give them a loving rally before they race the next day. If you can make some pasta dish please contact membership@firstchurchbrooklyn.org by October 4th. All are welcome in the Elliott Room starting at 6:30 PM.
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Men's Monthly Potluck Dinner at First Church
The proposed monthly men's potluck dinner is being postponed at least for the month of October. Willy Norton will try to assess interest and figure out the best course going forward.
NOTE: There is no men's potluck on the first Friday of October.
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Men's Fellowship Breakfast
Join us as we discuss the book, "A Cloud of Witnesses," edited by Joyce Hollyday and Jim Wallis. A collection of 35 short stories of exceptional people grouped by the 8 Beatitudes.
Come join us even if you are not reading the book.
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First Presbyterian Church Social Action Committee
Criminal Justice Activities in Concert
With the Church of Gethsemane
First Church members are invited to donate buffet menu items for Rev. Lacey's installation reception. The installation is scheduled for Sunday October 15th, at 3:00 PM, at the Church of Gethsemane (1012 Eighth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215). If you are interested, please contact Diane Grimes.
On Wednesday Sept. 27th, two First Church men participated in a men's prison visit. If you are interested in this ministry, please contact Dave Ehlke.
First Church continues to be active in concert with the Church of Gethsemane.
- Sunday Lunch after Worship. We are looking for volunteers
- Administrative Support: Ongoing administrative support has been provided by Jane and Dave Ehlke. The Project Connect database has been expanded to 225 members in 30 different prisons.
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This week's eNewsletter was edited by Ben Cosgrove. Photos provided by Jim Johnson.
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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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