Friday, October 19, 2018

First Presbyterian Church eNewsletter - October 19, 2018



October 19, 2018


Her Name Was Bathsheba​



Greetings First Church Family and Friends,

Children of God have taken a pummeling over the past several weeks. Between Hurricane Michael and the Supreme Court confirmation of a man accused of sexual assault, many of us are reeling. Add to that health challenges, work concerns, and family dynamics, and you have a recipe ripe for holy healing.

Whether we have personally experienced natural disaster, sexual assault, or any array of other troubles, the news cycle has left us feeling horrified and helpless with the toll on human bodies and psyches, including our own.
 
The text for Sunday, like our current political climate, is rough. It is the story of Bathsheba – a woman sexually assaulted and seemingly cast aside as a person in her own right. Amy and I have spent the last two weeks selecting special music, reaching out to worship leaders, and preparing a space we hope will be healing for you no matter what your gender, political affiliation, or experience. We are all hurting in some way, and my hope is that worship this Sunday will give us breath, space, and freedom to lay some of it down. Looking forward to being with you.

You are loved,


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The Coming Week

Friday, October 19th
6:30 PM
Journey of Faith: Cuba
First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn


Sunday, October 21st

9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Nursery is open, 2nd floor at top of stairs
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Choir Rehearsal
Sanctuary

9:45 AM
New Member Gathering 
Woodman Room (Gym)
10:00 AM
Bible Study special topic: Conversations on Cuba

11:00 AM
Worship in the Sanctuary
Rev. Adriene Thorne will preach her sermon titled, "Her Name Was Bathsheba" based on the Scriptures in

11:30 AM
Sunday School in the Elliott Room (2nd Floor)

Following Worship
A time for Fellowship in the Woodman Room (Gym)

Conversation continues with our Cuba ministry partners

12:45 PM - 1:15 PM
Blessing of the Animals
On the front steps of the Church

Wednesday, October 24th

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Mens Fellowship Breakfast 
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West


Thursday, October 25th
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Food Pantry
 
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Choir Rehearsal

Congregation and Community News


You're invited
To be part of a
Journey of Faith

An occasional series featuring Faith Leaders
sharing about their journeys
of liberation, justice and love.

Friday, October 19, 6:30 PM
First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn
124 Henry St, corner of Clark, (2 train to Clark St; A to High Street)

Featuring: Rev. Jose Padin-Martinez,
Pastor of La Fernanda Presbyterian Church, Havana, Cuba and
Dania Perez-Cubas Cardenas, former Chair, Presbyterian Women of Cuba

Sharing a discussion about the Church in Cuba today –
What does it mean for people in Cuba?
What does it mean for us here in the United States?
Come with the thoughts and questions you've discovered on your own journey.

Sponsored by Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization/Pastors for Peace
And White Rose Ministry, First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn
For more information or to RSVP: 347-262-6466


Conversation with Cuba Partners

Sunday, Oct 21:  Join Rev. Jose Padin-Martinez, and his wife, Dania Perez-Cubas Cardenas at the 10:00 AM Bible Study and/or at a gathering immediately after Church

Rev. Padin is the pastor of La Fernanda Presbyterian Church, in Havana. La Fernanda has had a sister-church relationship with First Church Brooklyn for many years, and we sponsor a meals program for seniors in the neighborhood where the church is located. We'll see a short video of the meals program and hear from some of the participants. We'll also have a chance to hear more about La Fernanda, the church, their youth choir, and more. Bring your questions, and prepare to hear Rev. Padin and Senora Dania think about the church in Cuba, Cuba's new President and proposed constitution, the proposed law for single-sex marriage, and more....




Murder Mystery Dinner Party - Church-wide Fundraiser

Saturday, October 27, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Tickets are on sale now, while supplies last. Click the following link for the Flyer with more details.

Sunday School Teachers Needed

Sunday school starts this week for ages K-5, and we are still looking for volunteers to serve as teachers in the classroom. NO WEEKLY PREP (Rev. April takes care of all of that!) - just show up and be with kids!

If you are interested please email Rev. April.


Pastoral Care at First Church

First Church Care Ambassadors are church members
who are available to serve as a witness in your life.

If you are in crisis and are in need of visitation, or if you have a prayer request or a joy to share, look for the First Church Care Ambassadors wearing the white boutonniere during service or email the Care Team at pastoralcare@firstchurchbrooklyn.org.



Window restoration - Double Your Impact

We are seeking offerings specifically to restore one of our glorious, historic Tiffany windows - the fisherman window on the north side of the sanctuary.  A generous anonymous donor has offered to match all gifts made for this purpose, so the donor is willing to cover up to half of the estimated $18,000 cost.  This restoration will bring out the incomparable beauty of another of our windows, and is necessary to prevent possible permanent harm.  Please note "window restoration" on any check or payment made for this purpose, and submit it with the offering or by sending it to the Church office.  Contact Annie, Rev. Adriene, or Stewardship co-chairs Odette Perriel and David Jones for more information.


Seeking Mac Computer Donation to Enhance Online Worship Streaming

We are in the process of making technology upgrades across the First Church experience. One thing we are looking for is an Apple Macintosh desktop computer (not a laptop). It has to be relatively new, made in 2012 or later. If anyone has an appropriate used iMac, Mac Mini, or Mac Pro / Tower, with or without a monitor, and would like to donate it, please contact the church office or Chris Neuner (bass player in the band). The computer will be used to expand our video streaming capabilities.


On Thursday, October 18th, our Food Pantry served 109 clients
with the help of 20 dedicated 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.

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Recently at First Church

Pictures from Sunday, October 14, 2018










Reminders and Looking Ahead

New Member Gatherings 
continue to meet October 21st and 28th at 9:45 AM in the gym. 


Presbytery Advocacy Day

Presbyterian Mission Agency staff from the Office of Public Witness and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations will join us on Saturday, November 10 for a day of workshops, training, and worship about advocating for justice in the name of Jesus Christ. The day will be at First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturday, November 10. Watch for more details.


Men's Fellowship Breakfast at the Park Plaza Diner on 220 Cadman Plaza West is now reading Meeting Jesus Again For the First Time by Marcus Borg. Join them every Wednesday at 7:30 AM.

The Youthful Fellowship
Our monthly young adult group meets on the Second Thursday each month, 8:30 PM- 10:00 PM. Join Pastor Adriene in the Thurman Library for a conversation on life, justice, and Jesus.

A full calendar of church events can be found on the church website.

This week's eNewsletter was edited by Mark Elsenheimer. Photo credits to 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.

Appointments with Ministry Staff may be arranged by calling the Church at 718-624-3770, or via email.

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