| | Dear First Church Brooklyn Family, Sakai HÅitsu painted this Cherry Tree in the early 1820s, about when the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn was founded. 200 years. Few things last so long in a world increasingly built around disposability. When perdurance is not a profitable product, we are offered cheap, weak, and inflexible commodities that wear away in minutes. Even relationships have become dollar store disposable. Community is a wisp, and is blown asunder by the slightest infelicitous wind. 200 years is a testament to a different order of thing. Across generations and transformations First Church Brooklyn has remained rooted, holding fast to the Gospel and a vision for community that endures every changing season. That historic witness has required work and worship and Spirit. And it deserves celebration. So join us this Sunday for Homecoming, as we welcome Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Paul Smith, and worship together as we have for centuries now. Start time is 11 a.m. See you there! Yours in Christ, Conor |
| This week's guest preacher is Rev. Dr. Paul Smith. Dr. Hildi Hendrickson, Dr. Paul's Biographer will be in attendance. 25 copies of "Building the Beloved Community in the life of Rev Dr Paul Smith will be autographed by Dr. Paul and Dr. Hildi. First Church members and friends can order the book on Amazon and from our Publisher University of Georgia Press directly for a discount. Proceeds will go to First Church Brooklyn in celebration of the Bicentennial. Copies can be bought for half price ($15) . |
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| | | Friday, September 30th 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Women's Potluck Elliot Room Bring food and/or drinks to share with the group Saturday, October 1st 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM Celebration of Life of Elder Edna Asknes Sanctuary to view virtually click here Sunday, October 2nd Homecoming Sunday NOTE: You can find the Bulletin for Sunday's worship online here. 9:00 AM Choir Warm-Up and Rehearsal in the Sanctuary 9:30 AM Power Hour Adult Christian Education and Discussion Meeting ID: 853 2522 6456 9:45 AM Formation Station in the Gym and Youtube for more information contact Rebecca Stevens-Walter 10:20 AM Confirmation Class for more information contact Rebecca Stevens-Walter 11:00 AM Worship and Communion |
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| | Celebrating the Life of Elder Edna "Pearl" Asknes 
Saturday, October 1, 2022 The family of Elder Edna "Pearl" Asknes invites you to join them as we celebrate the life of this exceptional human being. "Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord, and let Light perpetual shine upon her" Service and Viewing Location: First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn 124 Henry Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 Viewing: 9:30am to 11:00am Service: Begins at 11:00am Burial (Following the service): Green-Wood Cemetery 5th Avenue & 25th Street Brooklyn, NY Repast (Following the Burial): First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn Elliott Room and the Gym Parking: Available on Henry Street and Clark Street - must display placard Placards will be handed out in front of First Church |
| Worship Leaders Needed What we create together in worship on Sundays is food and drink for thirsty and hungry people. Thank you for saying yes to leading in worship and sharing your time and talent in this meaningful way. If you'd like to lead in the summer, we would love to welcome you. Please check out the link below and add your name. Worship Leaders – Sign up |
|  Welcome Team Update
Starting this week, masks will no longer be required indoors and we will no longer be checking vaccination cards at the door. However, please understand there are some who feel more comfortable continuing to wear their masks. Let your care for others be your guide as you choose. We recommend you stay home and worship with us from the virtual space when if you do not feel well. We will continue to have extra masks on hand in the narthex when you come in if you would prefer to wear one in the sanctuary. lWe will be leaving the pews on the outside aisles by the windows free for our more vulnerable members. Please be sensitive to cues when you go to greet or pass the peace to others. |
| Share in Our Ministry of Hospitality If you are already a regular attender, the Welcome Team invites you to share in our ministry of hospitality. It's simple but profound: whenever you greet people at the door before the service or help host fellowship hour afterwards, what your actions say to each person who walks into God's house is "you are home." Sign up for Welcome Team (greeting/ushering) here. You'll be contacted with full instructions prior to your "shift." Sign up to host Fellowship Hour as an individual or a committee here. Reimbursement is available for Fellowship Hour refreshments if needed. |
| Session Digests 2022 Dear Friends, We invite you to check out a summary of the most recent Session meetings for your reference and information. Please let us know if you have any questions, we are grateful for your interest and support. Thank you for being a part of the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn community. Current Ruling Elders: Jon Abernethy Diane Greene Zayn Silva Christina Adorno David Jones Emily Thomas Diana Lee Robert Thaxton-Stevenson Nate Dudley Joyce Waller Sarah Wyss Jenny Gage Dimitri Moise Dr. Clive Neil - Moderator Elder Barbara Cummings - Clerk |
| It's Our Bicentennial Year |
| The First Church Brooklyn Bicentennial planning committee is generating a range of ideas to celebrate the church's coming anniversary. Although the actual anniversary date was March 10, 2022, we will be celebrating our 200 years as a Brooklyn Heights institution throughout the March-December 2022 period. All congregation members are invited to participate in the planning and coordinating of activities -- so please jump in and join us! The Bicentennial Committee would especially like to hear from anyone who has an interest in being one of the readers for one of the ten (or so) video presentations of the church's history, to be made and shown between now and the end of 2022. Please email Mary Robinson. The time commitment would be an hourlong Zoom rehearsal on a weeknight with the other readers, and a 30 minute recording session of your segments at the church, probably on a Saturday. |
| GREEN-WOOD CEMETERY BECKONS! 
Bet you didn't know that First Church Brooklyn has had a relationship with Green-Wood Cemetery for over 150 years. The Bicentennial Committee invites you to join us in celebrating this 150 year relationship and learning about the cemetery's history and the lot owned by First Church Brooklyn for use by its members.
Date: Sunday, October 16th (following church service)
Location: Green-Wood entrance is on 5th Ave at 25th Street Time: Green-Wood trolley begins tour at 1:00pm The First Church Brooklyn Bicentennial Committee is pleased to report that interest in the tour has been enthusiastic with only 3 open seats remaining on the trolley. This historical tour will include a stop at First Church Brooklyn's cemetery lot that was acquired over 150 years ago as well as other featured areas. Due to logistic and potential (outdoor) temperature-related concerns, we will not be providing picnic lunches as reported earlier.
The Committee looks forward to sharing this experience as part of our bicentennial observance. Refer any questions to Rich Greene.
See for yourself the early history of First Church Brooklyn and the rich history contained in the rolling hills of this beautiful oasis. To join us please click the link. |
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Women's Potluck on September 30th at 6:30 pm in the Elliott room.
Join the women of First Church Brooklyn for good conversation, great food and a fantastic time together.
Please bring something to share.
This month we will gather together to discuss and cope with the loss of our dear friend and one of the original organizers of the Women's Potluck, Elder Edna Asknes. |
| Food Pantry  Serving Thursday, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM On Thursday, September 29th, our pantry served 160 clients with the help of 9 volunteers. We are maintaining food bins and a community fridge at the church to provide round the clock support to the food insecure and unhoused. If you need food, please help yourself. If you have food to share, thank you for dropping off. Volunteers are welcome to arrive on Thursdays between 9:00-11:00 AM to serve in the pantry. No advanced notice required. Please contact the church office to inquire about volunteering. We look forward to serving with you. Jane Woland Pantry Coordinator |
|  Men's Fellowship Book Discussion
The Men's group has resumed its breakfast meetings and book discussion each Wednesday at 8AM at Park Plaza Restaurant on Cadman St West in Brooklyn Heights. All men are welcome even if you are not reading the book or can only attend occasionally . We also discuss and try to solve the issues of today. Please contact Dave Ehlke if you have any questions. We are currently reading: The Nation That Never Was by Kermit Roosevelt III  Our idea of the Founders' America and its values is not true. We are not the heirs of the Founders, but we can be the heirs of Reconstruction and its vision for equality.
There's a common story we tell about America: that our fundamental values as a country were stated in the Declaration of Independence, fought for in the Revolution, and made law in the Constitution. But, with the country increasingly divided, this story isn't working for us anymore—what's more, it's not even true. As Kermit Roosevelt argues in this eye-opening reinterpretation of the American story, our fundamental values, particularly equality, are not part of the vision of the Founders. Instead, they were stated in Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and were the hope of Reconstruction, when it was possible to envision the emergence of the nation committed to liberty and equality. |
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Join the Green Team for clean-up, soil preparation and planting on Saturday, October 8th at 11:00 a.m. in the garden. |
| Congregation and Community News |
| STAY CONNECTED TO THE PRESBYTERY OF NEW YORK CITY First Church Brooklyn Community: Stay connected with the latest news and opportunities in and around the presbytery by subscribing to Happenings In & Around the Presbytery, the Presbytery's electronic newsletter. Stay updated and apprised of Presbyterian events, resources, grants, and opportunities. Church members can fill out the contact information form so that their email addresses can be added to the subscribers list. Click here for the Contact Information Form. Once completed return the form to the presbytery office or email it to Yzette Swavy-Lipton. |
| Prayer Requests "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." (1 John 5:14 NIV) Our world is changing daily, and yet we still believe in the power of prayer. We still desire to pray with and for our community. If you have a prayer request – a joy or a concern, please send your prayers to us at info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org. We will add prayers to our worship bulletin each week and keep your prayers in our hearts and on our lips for the week to come. |
| Worship service video 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 have access to a screen of any size, try our Video LIVE Stream on our website and our Facebook page. Want to hear a Sermon again? We have a podcast of Sermon audio! Click the "Sermon Podcast" icon, below, to subscribe. |
| Wednesday "Flash" Text Devotionals 
Sometimes the weeks are long, right? Our Wednesday morning "flash" text devotional is a piece of inspiration or scripture meant to help give you a boost in the middle of the week. Simply scan the QR code at the right or text the word DEVOTIONAL to 718-689-6171 to sign up. |
| A full calendar of church events can be found on the church website. |
| This week's eNewsletter was edited by Christina Adorno. |
| 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 Church Brooklyn'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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