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Waiting for the Wise Men by Lee Kaercher
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Happy New Year First Church Family and Friends!
As we step into the stories of Matthew's gospel this new year, we begin with a story that invites change and a new way of doing things. It is the story of three wise people who found themselves and the baby king they'd gone to visit in danger. Did they freak out? Did they commission a five-year study? No! They gathered themselves together and went home another way.
In these first, fresh days of 2019, I'm thinking that sounds like an amazing metaphor for faith and life together. I hope you will be with us this Sunday as we think about how we get to the places God is calling us. Elder Mary Robinson will lead Bible study in the Thurman Room at 10 am. Worship with communion will be at 11:00 am. After worship, please make plans to join us for the People's Supper Potluck, where we will discuss starlight and how to get home by other roads.
You are loved,
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9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Nursery is open, 2nd floor at top of stairs
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Choir Rehearsal
Sanctuary
10:00 AM
Adult Education
Thurman Room
11:00 AM
Worship in the Sanctuary
Sermon Title: "Home by Another Road"
Following Worship
Fellowship in the Elliott Room
Wednesday, January 9th
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Mens Fellowship Breakfast
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West
Thursday, January 10th
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Food Pantry
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Choir Rehearsal
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Congregation and Community News
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The Black Census Project
Dear Friends,
It's been over 150 years since the Freedmen's Bureau conducted a census on Black people in the U.S. Auburn Seminary is joining the Black Futures Lab in picking up the mantle and conducting "The Black Census Project," the largest survey of Black people in recent history. So far, over 35,000 Black residents have taken the Census -- but it's time for to go even bigger. We have until December 31, 2018, to meet our goal of administering 40,000 surveys and we need your help! Will you support this work by taking the Black Census? You can fill out the survey here: https://blkcns.us/aubsem.
The purpose of the Black Census is to deter speculation and increase transparency regarding what Black people want for their communities right now and envision for future generations. We aim to gather insights, stories, and solutions from 40,000 Black people in order to capture:
1. How Black people of various backgrounds view the most pressing problems in Black communities and larger society as a whole; and
2. Solutions Black people believe will change the conditions in Black communities.
Black people are often spoken about and for, but rarely listened to; we believe that uniting Black people across geography, class, gender, sexuality, disability, and immigration status matters in order to set the record straight and give Black people an opportunity to speak for themselves. You can support us by taking the survey yourself and sharing with Black folks in your network with this link: https://blkcns.us/aubsem.
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Sunday Morning Adult Discussion Group - 10:00 AM in the Thurman Library
January 6 and January 13, 2019
Join us as we continue our discussions in 2019, starting with some consideration of light and the Epiphany!
Mary Robinson will lead the conversation this Sunday, and Diane Grimes will lead the conversation next Sunday.
Please stay tuned as the list of weekly topics are updated, including future sessions led by our intern Conor Foley. We welcome topics and discussion leaders.
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On Thursday, December 27th, our Food Pantry served 115 guests
with the help of 17 dedicated volunteers.
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Worship service audio is 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.
If you are away and have access to a screen, try our beta Video LIVE Stream on the page https://fb.me/FirstChurchBrooklyn/, scroll down to the video with the  logo at about 11:00 AM. This stream features multiple cameras, and sound system audio for clarity.
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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We're Social: Like us. Follow us. See us. Hear us. Watch us.
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Reminders and Looking Ahead
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WINTER OUTERWEAR DONATION DRIVE
The Social Action Committee is collecting winter outerwear through the 2018-19 cold weather season. Please consider donations of clean (new or gently used) outerwear for any age and size -- coats, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, boots -- and leave them on a back pew, on the right side of the sanctuary, as you enter from the rear. Donated items will be taken to local shelters. Contact Jane Ehlke with any questions: jane.ehlke@gmail.com. Thank you!
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Save the Date
Friday, January 11th, 2019
6:00PM - 10:00PM
The Elliott Room
Join us in celebrating Elders Ken Andrichik and Marcia Smith for their years of service to First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn!
Please no gifts. Donations can be made for the restoration of the Tiffany windows.
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As a part of our music ministry, we will be hosting a release party for Richard Arriaga's album "Agape" on Wednesday, January 16th.
Based on scriptures from the Hebrew Bible and the Gospel, "Agape" tells the story of the Bible in 10 songs. Please join us in the Rose Room at 7 PM
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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.
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Save the Date: Jan. 19th - This film screening (on the Saturday of MLK Weekend) is in partnership with the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue, and in addition to our Friday evening Shabbat worship, and Sunday morning worship at First Church Brooklyn.
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Sunday School Teachers Needed
Sunday school is underway for years K-5. 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 interested please email Rev. April.
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Men's Fellowship Breakfast gathers at the Park Plaza Diner, 220 Cadman Plaza West. They are now reading and discussing Meeting Jesus Again For the First Time by Marcus Borg. Join them every Wednesday at 7:30 AM.
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This week's eNewsletter was edited by Christina Adorno. Caroling photo provided by Rev Adriene; December 23rd worship 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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