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Greetings First Church Family and Friends,
Human beings, whom our society despises, make possible the prized items that will sit on our communion table this Sunday. This ironic disconnect should break our hearts and inspire our action.
We are honored this Communion Sunday to welcome our sister and brother partners from the Eastern Farm Workers Association – laborers who make possible the presence of God on our communion table in the grapes and grain they pick. If you are able to support the EFWA winter survival effort this Sunday, please do. If you ordered tamales, thank you! If you'd like to buy some on Sunday, bring cash, there will be extras. If you'd like to make a cash donation, those are welcome. If you can donate any of the supplies below, all items are received with thanks.
The table we set every Communion Sunday, in remembrance of Jesus, is a reminder that no one goes hungry. It is our job, as people of faith, to ensure God's people are loved and fed. The liberative theology of Jesus that meets the woman at the well and the farm worker in the field, starts where it hurts. Starts with five husbands who have likely died or divorced her. Starts with limited means to feed self and family when there are no crops to pick. Thank you for standing with those who bring a bounteous harvest to our tables.
You are loved,
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NEEDED ITEMS: Work pants, work boots, personal hygiene items (soap, lotion, toothpaste and brushes, dental floss, mouthwash, shampoo, feminine hygiene supplies, perfume) brown rice, white rice, dried beans, corn oil, and oatmeal.
RECEIVING ITEMS UNTIL FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9th at 12 NOON! Our confirmation candidates will deliver the supplies and visit with our partners on Saturday February 10th.
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Sunday, February 4th
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: "Give me a Drink" - Rev Ariene Thorne, preaching
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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, February 8th
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
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Congregation and Community News
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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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Adult Religious Education
Wednesday, February 7th
Our topic is revised a bit from an earlier email.
Can my Neighbor and I Love Each Other and
Hate Each Others' Politics?
How Shall We Do It?
Please join us at 6:30 PM for a light potluck supper followed by a conversation at 7:00. You'll definitely be out by 8:30, maybe earlier if we don't find a solution.
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Mens Prison Visit Activity
On Thursday, Jan 18, the FPC Men's Prison Visit team comprised of Steve DeFluiter, Erik Brogger, Jabe Ziino, Caleb Heidebrecht and Dave Ehlke joined Minister Chibueze Okorie from the Church of Gethsemane to visit Project Connect members at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining NY.
We will be scheduling our next visit in February.
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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, Feb. 1st, our Food Pantry served 129 guests
with the help of 12 amazing 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
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Presbytery of NYC Justice Ministry Events noted by Dave Ehlke
February 3, 2:00 – 5:00 pm, Home Is a Verb, a play on the challenges formerly incarcerated people face when returning home, developed by the Rehabilitation through the Arts Reentry Project. Carnegie Hall's Weill Terrace Room, entrance at 881 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019. There is no cost, but RSVPs are critical for entrance. RSVP to info@rta-arts-org by January 29.
February 7, 1:00 – 6:00 pm, - Social Justice with Politically Diverse Communities, a seminar sponsored by the New York State Council of Churches, the Presbyterian Network to End Homelessness, the Committee on Witness to Society and the World and others. Faith leaders, unions, advocacy groups, government officials, and interested citizens are invited to spend a day conversing together about doing social justice in congregations, city suburbs and rural areas which are politically very diverse. What are the possibilities of working together and how can we encourage others to do justice? There will be a focus on issues related to housing. The event will be held at Flatlands Reformed Church, 3931 Kings Hwy, Brooklyn, NY 11210. Registration is open; a $15 donation is suggested.
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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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