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Radically Rearranging the Furniture
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God's peace, First Church Family and Friends,
I am very fond of a Rumi poem called The Guest House. In the economy of words that is poetry, Rumi invites us to radical change – not unlike Jesus in the gospel message for Sunday morning.
In this new year, when we are preparing for our Annual Meeting next Sunday, January 28th, it is helpful to think about cleaning house and radically rearranging our furniture. What is sacred, and what do we need to let go of? What needs turning over and what new construction are we called to build? How can we sweep out the spiritual dust bunnies and open a window for the fresh wind of God's Spirit to blow through God's church? This Sunday we will think about it and next Sunday we will gather to plan for it. Looking forward to welcoming you Sunday morning.
You are loved,
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Friday, January 19th
6:30 PM RIKERS: An American Jail
Viewing PBS Documentary with panel discussion
Saturday, January 20th
10:00 AM Women's March
Meet at First Church, bring your signs and your prayers
Sunday, January 21st
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: "Under Construction" - Rev Ariene Thorne, preaching
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday School
Following Worship
Fellowship Hour in the Elliott Room (2nd Floor)
Hosted by the Prison Visit Volunteers, collecting messages for the monthly Project Connect letter.
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West
Thursday, January 25th
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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TONIGHT @ 6:30 PM
First Church is hosting a viewing and panel discussion of the award winning PBS documentary RIKERS: An American Jail in the Elliot Room. This film from Bill Moyers is the first documentary to focus exclusively on people formerly detained in New York City's notorious Rikers Island Jail and give them the opportunity to tell their compelling stories, directly to the camera. The event will target teens as audience members and through powerful personal testimonies provide an opportunity to educate our youth about the culture and issues associated with mass incarceration in this country. Panelists will include: Gregorio Mayers, Esq., Mark Pollard, Esq. (criminal defense attorney), Hon. Robert E. Cornegy Jr. (Councilman and author of the Kalief Browder Bill) and Hon. Jesse Hamilton (Senator and author of Raise the Age legislation) among others. Youth from first church and the community are invited to attend. Pizza and beverages will be served.
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REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR WINTER BLANKET
AND OUTERWEAR DONATIONS
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 wherever 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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In 2015, 59% of food-insecure households participated in at least one of the three major federal food assistance programs in the prior month:
–Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-formerly Food Stamp Program),
-The National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and the
-Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
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On Thursday, January 18th, 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.
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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Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend
Sunday Worship at First Church
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Additional photos from Sunday are available here
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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
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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 Mark Elsenheimer. Photos 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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