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Greetings First Church Family and Friends,
One of our deepest human needs is to feel a part of, to enjoy a sense of belonging. On the first Sunday of the year, the church celebrates the Baptism of our Lord. At First Church Brooklyn, we also renew our baptismal promises. We remind ourselves that we belong. We belong, body and soul, to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ.
We also celebrate the Lord's Supper on first Sundays. At the table, in the sweet bread and pungent grape juice and wine, we are reminded that God loves us and that God will never leave us. We belong! We belong! We belong!
In this new year, when so many people are feeling shut out, cut off, and left on their own, know that there is a place, in Brooklyn Heights, where they and you belong – it is God's house, God's table, and all are welcome here who desire a relationship with Jesus Christ. We hope to see you on Henry Street this Sunday at 11:00 AM.
You are loved,
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Sunday, January 7th
Nursery is open, 2nd floor at top of stairs
10:00 AM - 10:55 AM
Sunday Morning Bible Study in the Thurman Study
11:00 AM
Worship in the Sanctuary
Sermon: "I Belong" - Rev Adriene Thorne, Preaching.
Sunday School
Following Worship
Fellowship Hour in the Elliott Room (2nd Floor)
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West
Thursday, January 11th
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Choir Rehearsal
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Congregation and Community News
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Adult Education Wednesday Meeting - January 10th
Since the first Wednesday in January 2018 falls close to the end of the Christmas break, we will shift the usual first Wednesday meeting to the second Wednesday, January 10. It is the only Wednesday meeting scheduled in January so far. As usual, we will meet for a light potluck at 6:30 and start our conversation at 7:00. We'll wrap up between 8:00 and 8:30.
Our topic is:
"Love thy neighbor": What about your political enemy who hates you?
This will be a round table discussion. References to some thoughts on this topic will follow by next week. If you have questions, or would like your name added to the Adult Ed email list, please notify Willy Norton at wpnorton@gmail.com.
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WINTER BLANKET AND COAT DRIVE
The Social Action Committee is coordinating our church's annual drive to collect winter blankets, coats, hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, socks, and boots to be distributed to people of need in our extended community. Outerwear can be for male and female, children and adult sizes. New and used items - in good condition and clean.
Please bring your donation items during open church office times, or Sunday morning, and leave them in the back, right hand pews.
This donation drive will continue throughout our cold weather weeks.
Please contact Jane Ehlke if you can help to sort and/or transport donated items, or if you have questions or suggestions - jane.ehlke@gmail.com
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Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is in touch with presbyteries in the affected areas from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, 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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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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Nearly all households Feeding America serves with school-aged children (94%) receive free or reduced-price school lunch through the National School Lunch Program, whereas less than half of the same population (46%) participate in the School Breakfast Program's free or reduced-price breakfasts.
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On Thursday, December 28th, our Food Pantry served 53 guests
with the help of 4 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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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)
Sunday School is in full swing, with additional programs available for younger members of our community. Those with school-aged children are encouraged to register for the separate CYF Weekly Updates newsletter at http://tinyletter.com/cyfdirector
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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 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 Rev. Adriene Thorne.
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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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