|
|
Everything Happens for a Reason…Nope!
|
Greetings First Church Family and Friends,
I hope you are enjoying our traipse through the gospel of John this season as much as I am. The narrative approach to the lectionary that we are using this year is transforming our vision and understanding of these texts we love and…hate. We are growing new eyes. We are being transformed.
On this Transfiguration Sunday, the last Sunday before Lent begins (Ash Wednesday is February 14th), we journey with the man born blind and discover a modern addition to the NRSV translation ("this man was born blind so that…) that is not in the original Greek! This edition suggests that God orchestrated the man's blindness so that God could show off! Nope. Nada. Uh-uh. God doesn't do bad things to us to show how good She is. God doesn't ruin our lives to test our character. God does not harm the children to give Himself opportunities to show off. Everything does not happen for a reason; some things just happen. What is true is that God can bring good out of the things in our lives that just happen. This man was born blind and God started from there. God starts from where we are too. Thanks be to God.
Eat, Pray, Lent: 40 Days at First Church Brooklyn
As we step into Lent next week, I hope you will come to the table we have prepared, that you will drink deeply and eat your fill. Ashes will be distributed during lunch on Ash Wednesday and we will worship as a community at 7 pm. Our seminary interns, and I, invite you to fireside chats on the I AM statements in the gospel of John every Wednesday evening in the Thurman Library beginning February 21st at 6:30 pm. Sunday mornings at 10 am, gather in the Thurman Library for ongoing conversations on faith, love, and justice. As Jesus says in the gospel of John, come and see. Come and experience God for yourself.
You are loved,
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Sunday, February 11th
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: "Was Blind But Now I See" - Rev Adriene 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
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Ashes on the Sidewalk
First Church Brooklyn
7:00 PM
Worship
First Church Brooklyn
Thursday, February 15th
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
6:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Dinner, Documentary and Discussion
First Church Brooklyn
|
|
|
|
Congregation and Community News
|
Our Social Action Committee wants to thank our wonderful choir and Rev. Adriene for the beautiful Valentine cards they made while on retreat, for us to send to the Project Connect women in prison.
|
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
|
Adult Religious Education
Wednesday, February 14th
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.
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
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.
|
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).
|
On Thursday, Feb. 8th, our Food Pantry served 112 guests
with the help of 16 amazing volunteers.
|
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.
|
Like us. Follow us. See us. Hear us.
|
Saturday, February 3rd and Sunday, February 4th
|
Reminders and Looking Ahead
|
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.
|
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
|
Men's Fellowship Breakfast
|
Presbytery of NYC Justice Ministry Events noted by Dave Ehlke
|
This week's eNewsletter was edited by Caleb Heidebrecht. Photos provided by Jim Johnson.
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment