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| "For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9.6) This season of Advent is one of the least peaceful I've known for a long time. So much of the world is in turmoil and our individual lives have their own challenges as well. What does it mean for us to celebrate a season of peace when we feel as though we have no peace? For me, faith is about our relationship with God and also our relationships with each other. Peace is not just a gift from above but also a gift from God that we give to one another. Within the framework of "family systems," which is a way of understanding how relationships work in small and large groups, there is a teaching that gives some hope: When there is peace between two people it then permeates the larger community. Likewise, when a church community has peace it also permeates the greater community around it, etc. In other words, the nature of our individual relationships affects circles of relationships beyond us. So if we are feeling the peace of Christ we should share it with each other- with words of kindness, support, encouragement, and hope. And if we have relationships that need some attention, perhaps have not recovered from a conflict of some kind, then whatever we do to reconcile and be at peace is not just limited to us but lifts up the community to which we belong. Our peace is more than personal- it builds up those around us, even those with whom we do not have contact. Seems strange, but give it a try. Be at peace and share it especially during this Advent season. Congregational survey in progress!
I need your participation to begin our mission review process as we prepare for a pastoral search. If you weren't able to take the survey on November 10 during worship, please take a few moments to do so now.
Survey can also be found by searching for survey.fpc.church
Interim Pastor, |
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Stewardship 2025 The Stewardship Committee extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who pledged to support the church in 2025. We are deeply indebted for your financial gifts, which sustain the missions of FPC. We are not at our pledge drive goal yet, but we are getting there ($70,350 remaining), thanks to you. For those who have not yet done so, please consider a gift. Any amount truly helps. You can pledge on our website, https://www.firstchurchbrooklyn.org/, or via the pledge cards in the pews. Peace and blessings,
Stewardship Committee |
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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 9:45 AM Power Hour Adult Christian Education and Discussion
via Zoom. 11:00 AM Sunday Worship Interim Pastor Danila Noble, preaching Title: "Who's Who Lists"
Scripture Text: Malachi 3.1-4, Luke 3.1-6 After Worship White Rose Ministry event Converstation with a Cuban friend, Nacyra Gomez
in the Elliott Room
Fellowship Potluck After Service Bring a dish to share! Worship with us in person, our website, or on our Facebook Page. Wednesday, December 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 8:00 PM Bible Study on Zoom Thursday, December 12th 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Food Pantry For information on how to volunteer contact
the church office. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Youthful Fellowship in the Manse For information contact the church office. |
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| | WHITE ROSE Cuban Ministry Event
Sunday December 8 Join the White Rose Ministry after Worship in the Elliott Room for a conversation with a Cuban friend, Nacyra Gomez. She has hosted past Mission Trip's participants at her Ecumenical Retreat Center in Varadaro. Nacyra is the widow of Sergio Arce, Presbyterian Liberation Theologian, whose writings played a major role in smoothing the working relationship between Church and State in Post-Revolutionary Cuba. She will give a short briefing on the situation in Cuba today, and we'll have lots of time for questions and answers. If you have any questions, please contact Elder Emily Thomas through the church office at info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org. |
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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. |
| Santa Vs. Amma Zon: Battle for the Soul of Christmas 
"Santa Vs. Amma Zon: Battle for the Soul of Christmas" is a family friendly musical comedy about Santa and Amma Zon's epic battle for the soul of Christmas. Commercialism and the spirit of Christmas battle boot to heel in this absurdist gospel comedy with upbeat tunes and nonstop laughs. Come see the show, in the form of a live staged reading at the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn (124 Henry Street) at 1pm on Saturday December 14. "You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why: Amma Zon is coming…to town!" Tickets are $20 each. Family of up to 6 $60, streaming $20 + eventbrite fees events.fpc.church |
| The Queer Big Apple Corps: All Around The World
Symphony Space, Saturday December 14 @ 7:30 PM Very Limited seating remaining!! 
Including our own Pastor Noble in the trombone section! Anyone wishing to buy tickets can use the code QBACFRIEND for a discount. |
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Power Hour meets each Sunday at 9:45 am. Come join us at 9:45 am in person in the Thurman Room, or on Zoom (link above in The Coming Week section). |
| 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. |
| November Sandwich Making 
November Women's Potluck 
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| Last Chance This Sunday December 8th! Wanted: Craft, Sewing, and Kitchen Supplies for La Fernanda Church in Cuba 
We're collecting sewing supplies to take down to our sister church in Cuba, La Fernanda Church.  In addition, they are looking for flashdrives to use in their public ministry so we are also collecting any empty flash drives that you are no longer using.
You can help by: Donating empty flash drives Donating any unused items from your sewing box (see list) Contributing funds to purchase needed items Pins and Needles (both machine and hand sewing) Spools of thread Zippers – various sizes and colors Packets of Elastic, Velcro, Snaps, etc. Lace and rick-rack for trimming Scissors Pieces of Fabric or Felt, various colors Knitting Yarn and Crochet Thread, knitting and crochet needles Stamens and other materials for making artificial flowers Kitchen towels; Cutlery sets; Reusable plastic cups and glasses Thank you for supporting this community! |
| WHITE ROSE Cuban Ministry SPECIAL EVENT SAVE THE DATE! January 24th, 2025 
Come join members of the White Rose Ministry and attend a concert featuring one of the most sought-after Cuban dance ensembles, The Malpaso Dance Company. They are scheduled to perform at the Joyce Theatre on January 24th, 2025 and we have reserved 50 tickets (tax deductible) for First Church Brooklyn members and supporters. Think about what a great holiday gift this will make! To reserve your tickets, please contact Rich Greene at rtgreene2@gmail.com. More information to follow. |
| Looking for Food and Fellowship Volunteers First Church Brooklyn serves a Sunday fellowship lunch once each 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 December and January, 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, December 5th, our pantry served
125 clients with the help of 8 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. 
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| Congregation and Community News |
| Accepting Donations Until Sunday, December 8th! Eastern Farm Workers Association - Holiday Toy Drive Once again this year, First Church will hold a Holiday Toy Drive for the children of members of the Eastern Farm Workers Association on Long Island. New toys (boxed but not wrapped), for kids from newborn to 14 years old, may be left in the Toy Collection Box in the vestibule of the church or just inside the door to the church offices. If you would rather donate money to purchase toys, please contribute by using this link, or scan the QR code in the graphic. 
Approximately 800 children are supported on this drive. By distributing these toys to parents to enable them to provide at least one toy for each of their children. First Church has supported this drive for over 10 years! We are collecting toys until Sunday, December 8. If you have any questions, please call or text:
Mary Robinson 917-686-5485, Erik Brogger 917-474-6811 or Dave Ehlke 617-512-5780 |
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NEW SCHEDULE The Needlework Group is now meeting the first Wednesday and third Friday of each month in the Elliott Room. Our monthly potluck is on the third Friday after the meeting at 6:30PM. |
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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 fellowship group meets weekly for breakfast and discussion at the Park Plaza diner (220 Cadman Plaza West, Brooklyn Heights) - Wednesday at 8:00AM. The Men's group is now reading and discussing The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates. 
The renowned author of Between the World and Me journeys to three resonant sites of conflict to explore how the stories we tell—and the ones we don't—shape our realities. Ta-Nehisi Coates originally set out to write a book about writing, in the tradition of Orwell's classic Politics and the English Language, but found himself grappling with deeper questions about how our stories—our reporting and imaginative narratives and mythmaking—expose and distort our realities. All men in the church are welcome, even if you have not read the selection 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. |
| 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 "Minute Message" video! 
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. Photos provided by Jane Woland, Dennis Barton and 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 $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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