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Ashes and Hope |
Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them, …Whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you,
…Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, …And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, …Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth. (Matthew 6.1-21, a universal Ash Wednesday reading) Oh my, I want to invite you to come to the Ash Wednesday service next week to receive the imposition of ashes on your forehead but "do not…do not…do not" seems rather uninviting. Jesus asks us to do these great things (donate, pray, fast, be frugal) but do them all in secret while at the same time we go home with an ashen cross on our foreheads for all to see. The ashes might seem to indicate we have gone to church in the middle of the week and want to the world to know it. But perhaps the ashes could instead proclaim that we have not given as we could or that we have succumbed to the materialism that surrounds us. In that case the ashes would be a confession of sorrow and complicity in a world alienated from God. Then having confessed, might we enter into the following days and weeks of Lent daring to wash our faces and joyfully celebrate our work at getting unattached or less attached to those treasures and public acclaim on earth? Could Ash Wednesday, with its recognition of our mortality and sinfulness, launch us into a time of thanksgiving and hope, that we are blessed to turn around and follow the One who gives life fully and joyfully? Let's gather on Wednesday to confess our disorientation and begin a season of reorientation that frees us to live as we are meant to live. |
Support for LGBT+ There are good reasons to be angry and afraid now as executive orders have been directed at you, and especially at transgender and gender non-conforming friends. I support you-- and I am available to talk by phone or in person. Don't agonize alone. We will do better together. Interim Pastor Danila Noble danila.noble@firstchurchbrooklyn.org |
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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 10:00 AM Power Hour Adult Christian Education and Discussion on Zoom and in person at First Church will host members of the Mission Review Committee for discussion 1:00 AM Sunday Worship Pastor Danila Noble, preaching
Title: "Agony and Ecstasy" Scripture: Luke 9.28-43 Worship with us in person, our website, or on our Facebook Page. Tuesday, March 4th 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Elliott Room Register on Eventbrite Wednesday, March 5th 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Men's Fellowship The group is reading and discussing "Blood in My Eye" by George L. Jackson for more information contact Dave Ehlke 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Needlework Group 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Homeless Street Ministry Peace Garden 7:00 PM Ash Wednesday Service Thursday, March 6th 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
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| PC(USA) joins religious freedom lawsuit challenging ICE enforcement actions in churches The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is among more than two dozen plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in response to a recission of the Department of Homeland Security's "sensitive locations" policy. That policy had restricted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting immigration raids, arrests and other enforcement actions at houses of worship. The case, Mennonite Church USA et al. v. United States Department of Homeland Security et al., was filed in federal district court in Washington, D.C., by the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP) at Georgetown Law. View the lawsuit here. A description of the PC(USA)'s ministry and mission is on page 15 of the lawsuit: "Guided by their call to welcome the stranger and belief in the inherent dignity of all people, PC(USA) actively advocates for and works toward more just immigration laws and processes." |
On March 2 the Power Hour will host members of the Mission Review committee for a discussion. On March 9 we will begin a discussion, lasting throughout Lent, of The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
All conversations will take part in person in the first floor classroom section of the church, as well as on Zoom.
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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper 
Join us at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, Feb 13 for a scrumptious feast of fluffy pancakes, sausage, and lots of yummy toppings! There will be music, games, and Mardi Gras beads for all! Bring your family and friends and fill up on this day of indulgence celebrated by Christians worldwide in preparation for Lent. Register on Eventbrite Suggested $8 per person |
The Needlework Group will meet this Wednesday on March 5 5PM to 7PM |
Join us for worship at 7 p.m. |
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. |
Fellowship Hour On Sunday February 23rd we celebrated Lunar New Year with lots of delicious food. What a great way to welcome the Year of the Snake. 
 
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We also celebrated Mardi Gras with a King Cake. 
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TAMALE REHEATING INSTRUCTIONS Thank you for supporting Eastern Farm Workers Association's (EFWA's) Winter Survival campaign! We hope you enjoy the delicious, authentic Mexican tamales. To ensure the best tamale-eating experience, please follow these instructions for re-heating: Microwave: - Unwrap the foil – since they are frozen, you may have to thaw them out in hot water before you can get the foil off. Keep the husk (corn or banana leaf, depending on the type of tamale) on.
- Wrap tamale in a paper towel to keep in the moisture.
- Heat for 2-3 minutes, depending on microwave wattage and whether they are chicken, cheese or vegan (it takes a little longer for the meat).
Steamer pot: - 1. Set up your steamer by filling 1/2 of steamer with water.
- 2. Turn heat up to high and let water boil.
- 3. Turn down heat to medium.
- 4. Next, arrange tamales around the steamer.
- 5. Steam for 20-30 minutes until soft.
Please call EFWA at 631-286-8004 for any questions on these instructions. Also, if you are interested in volunteering opportunities please also call us or better yet, stop by our office at 58 Beaver Dam Road in Bellport. We are open from 9am-9pm every day. Thank you again! Sincerely, EFWA Operations Team |
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 March and April, 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, February 27, our pantry served 125 clients with the help of 19 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 is required. Please contact the church office to inquire about volunteering. We look forward to serving with you. |
Congregation and Community News |
New Member Classes 
If the spirit of this community has sparked an interest in you to learn more about the faith and specific work of this church, then come join Pastor Nobel and Minister Foley to explore what it would meant to be a member of this First Church. Classes are designed to share what we are about and discern if we are a match for your spiritual path. The next set of classes are 3/23, 3/30, 4/6 & 4/13. If you wish to attend please RSVP to the church office. Looking forward to seeing you there! |
Rev. Danila Noble, a member of the trombone section, invites you to come for the voyage: 
This Spring, the Queer Big Apple Corps Symphonic Band invites you to embark on a musical adventure that celebrates our desire to explore distant lands, mysterious worlds, and the farthest reaches of the cosmos. Let your imagination take flight as we journey over land, sea, space, and time to visit the Aurora Borealis, Orion, Machu Picchu, the Mushroom Kingdom and other intriguing destinations. The Queer Big Apple Corps Symphonic Band Presents "Voyages" Sat, Mar 29, 2025 | 7:30pm Sun, Mar 30, 2025 | 3pm Prices |$20-$40 Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space: https://www.symphonyspace.org/your-visit/peter-jay-sharp-theatre Discount code valid through March 8: QBACFRIEND |
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 8:00 AM. The group is reading and discussing "Blood in My Eye" by George L. Jackson.  Blood In My Eye was completed only days before its author was killed. George Jackson died on August 21, 1971, at the hands of San Quentin prison guards during an alleged escape attempt. At eighteen, George Jackson was convicted of stealing seventy dollars from a gas station and was sentenced from one year to life. He was to spend the rest of his life -- eleven years-- in the California prison system, seven in solitary confinement. In prison, he read widely and transformed himself into an activist and political theoretician who defined himself as a revolutionary.
All men in the church are welcome, even if you have not read or viewed 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. |
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 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 or an inspirational bible verse or quote to meditate on. Give yourself 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 & Sarah Wyss. Photos provided by Lynn Schnarr Mulle & Chester Lee. |
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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