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| But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. (Luke 6.35) I was privileged to be first employed after college at a Presbyterian boarding high school where kindness allowed students from 15 states and 10 countries, as well as 5 tribal lands, to live together peaceably. We learned about honoring social and ethnic attributes from various cultures. Discipline, when needed, was handled equitably by a board of discipline, composed of students and teachers. Students who struggled academically studied with teachers and those who struggled socially were lovingly embraced and encouraged by staff and fellow students alike. All this was due to our headmaster, a man who loved his enemies, expected nothing in return, and had deep faith in his God of kindness. Some may have chuckled, thinking him naïve, but I have rarely experienced the quality of life that that little school offered to the 150 of us who lived and worked and studied there. It seemed to me that we especially realized it every June at graduation when 25 students crossed the stage, being recognized with extended and personal celebrations of their achievements and their worthiness as children of God, a God whose kindness had become tangible in the relationships throughout our time together. The tears and hugs between students and staff were the final proof. I chase this as a dream to this day, believing it still to be possible despite the barriers we so often erect among us. Kindness may seem foolish and childlike in a harsh world. But I live to experience it again. I wish the same for you and yours. Interim Pastor, |
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| | | NOTE: You can find the Bulletin for Sunday's worship online here. 9:00 AM Choir Warm-Up and Rehearsal In the Sanctuary REGULAR WORSHIP HOURS BEGIN 11:00 AM Worship Service Dr. Janet Dewart Bell, preaching Wednesday, September 11th 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Men's Fellowship for more information contact Dave Ehlke
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Homeless Street Ministry Peace Garden Thursday, September 12th 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Food Pantry For information on how to volunteer contact
the church office. 7:00 PM Choir "Welcome Back" Rehearsal In the Sanctuary 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Youthful Fellowship In the Manse For more information please contact the church office |
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10th History Video Our 10th and final history video is seeking the participation of anyone in our congregation who wishes to share in our church's journey of faith. If you'd like to participate by doing a 10 minute interview, please email Erik Brogger and Mary Robinson to set up a weeknight time for a remote interview or a Sunday afternoon after the service time for an in-person interview. Please put "FPC interview" as the subject heading, give us a few dates and times that would work for you, and we'll get back to you to set it up. Please note that we are holding in-person interviews after church on several Sundays in September. Here are the questions to consider––please select any two of them: 1. What drew you to First Church Brooklyn and what keeps you here? 2. What specific incident during your time at First Church Brooklyn would you like to share? 3. Was there a specific event or time in New York, the U.S., or the world during which First Church Brooklyn made a personal impact on you? 4. What do you think is the most important challenge that First Church Brooklyn faces now? 5. If you could speak to the people at First Church Brooklyn 100 years from now, what would you say? We look forward to hearing your thoughts! |
| Hearing Help We have a wireless headphone listening system available for anyone who is hearing impaired. For more information please see any tech operator for assistance. |
| Session Digests 2024 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 Diana Lee Patrick Tirino Dimitri Moise Joyce Waller Emily Thomas Nate Dudley Zayn Silva Sarah Wyss Jenny Gage Terrance Stroud Gladys McNish Lynn Schnarr Richard Greene Kevin Bentley Interim Pastor Danila Noble - Moderator Elder Barbara Cummings - Clerk |
| Looking for Food and Fellowship Volunteers First Church Brooklyn serves a Sunday fellowship lunch once a month at the Church of the Gethsemane, our sister Presbyterian church in Park Slope, Brooklyn, whose members are mostly formerly incarcerated. First Church volunteers prepare a meal, either at home or at the church's kitchen, attend worship at 11:00AM, and serve lunch after service to approximately 15-20 congregants. It's a wonderful opportunity to make good food and even better friends. We are looking for volunteers for September and October, on whatever Sunday works for you. Please contact Marta Nelson if you have questions or would like to volunteer. |
| Food Pantry Serving Thursday, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM 
On Thursday, September 5th, our pantry served 150 clients with the help of 5 wonderful volunteers. According to the 2023 edition of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, between 691 and 783 million people faced hunger in 2022, representing an increase of 122 million people compared to 2019. Volunteers are welcome to arrive on Thursdays between 8:00 and 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. |
| Congregation and Community News |
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20s and 30s are invited to gather for food and fellowship, engaging in discussion, playing games, watching films, going on outings, building community around kindness and care. Come on over! |
| Men's Fellowship
The Men's group will restart their Breakfast schedule at the Park Plaza diner this next Wednesday, Sept 11 at 8AM. At this meeting we will be discussing and selecting the next book we will be reading.. All men in the church are welcome, even if you do not read the book, we discuss each week.
Contact Dave Ehlke at dave.ehlke@gmail.com if you have any questions. |
| Whether you identify on the queer spectrum or as an ally…all are welcome to build a community of radical inclusion and love every 3rd Sunday of the month. Please gather at the front of the sanctuary right after service. |
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Bring your favorite dish to share with the community every 2nd Sunday of the month. Not only can we share delicious and loving crafted delights but create heart-warming memories with each other. Please bring the recipe so we can create a First Church Brooklyn Cookbook in the near future. |
| 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, 10:00 AM from July 4th through Labor Day weekend. If you have access to a connected screen of any size, try our Video LIVE Stream on our website and our Facebook page. |
| We're Social Like us. Follow us. See us. Hear us. Watch us.    
  
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| Wednesday "Flash" Devotionals, now in video format! 
Signup for our Wednesday morning devotional and receive a link to a short video message from our staff to give you a boost in the middle of the week. To sign up, simply scan the QR code at the right or text the word DEVOTIONAL to 718-689-6171. This number is private to First Church for this ministry and your information will not be sold or distributed in any way. |
| A full calendar of church events can be found on the church website. |
| This week's eNewsletter was edited by Chi Ling Moy. |
| 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 $75 or more in memory or in honor of friends and loved ones. Please contact Annie Solages in the Church office via email. Appointments with Ministry: Staff may be arranged by calling the Church at 718-624-3770, or via email. |
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