| | Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. (First Thessalonians 5.11-13) Paul's letter to the Thessalonians concludes with encouragement for all: for members of the congregation and also for the leadership of the congregation. "Build up each other" paints a great picture of ongoing praise and support that is never finished, but continues to strengthen individuals and bolster relationships. And we keep adding new friends whose gifts and skills extend the mission even more. The second focus involves leaders of the church, that they be respected and esteemed. As we begin to assemble a pastor nominating committee and look forward to the day when a new pastor is installed at our church, we also begin to plan how to welcome that pastor and prepare ourselves to work with a new leader. How will we get to know them? How can they begin to know us? Will we create an intentional process or recruit a temporary support group that guides us into a new relationship? Perhaps introductory dinners in members' homes, zoom gatherings for those who can't travel so well or who live farther away, fellowship and recreational gatherings at the church, and, "dare we say," nametags for a year or so? A new picture directory will be very helpful. And interviews with members are always beneficial. It's time to start thinking about the beginning of a new journey together so a lasting relationship is possible. |
Please consider praying for the people who left these concerns on our church's front fence in August: - I worry I won't lead a life I'm proud of and am letting down my younger self.
- I worry I will never be able to have a family with my husband.
- I worry that I'm broken and can never be fixed.
- I have severe OCD and I feel like it sabotages my ability to be happy.
- I am worried that I will never be truly at peace with myself.
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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. 9:45 AM New Member Class In the Narthex 10:00 AM Power Hour In the first floor Classroom behind the gym as well as on Zoom, join here.
11:00 AM Sunday Worship Pastor Danila Noble, preaching Title: Welcome, exiles Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1, Jeremiah 29:4-7, Luke 17:11-19, Worship with us in person, our website, or on our Facebook Page. 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM First Church Softball on Sunday nights Commodore Barry Park Tuesday, October 14th Bible Study (Online & In-Person) Thurman Room Wednesday, October 15th Men's Fellowship New location: Vineapple at 17 Pineapple St. For more information contact Dave Ehlke 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Homeless Street Ministry Peace Garden Thursday, October 16th 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
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| Midweek Worship announcement
Monthly midweek worship begins on Wednesday, October 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. We will start by meeting once in October and November for scripture, prayer, meditation, silence, and community. Come for an opportunity to spiritually re-set and re-fresh. New Member Classes Curious about what it means to be a member of this church? What it means to be Presbyterian? If these are some of the questions to have and want to explore our spiritual journey with us, join Rev. Noble on 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, and 10/19. Please RSVP to info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org so we know to expect you. If you have any questions, please see Patrick Tirino and remember ALL are always welcome!! 
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The Power Hour October 12th 10:00 AM The Power Hour (Sunday morning adult book & bible study) has resumed on on Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM. 
Over the span of several weeks, our Bible Study will explore Dr. Elaine Pagels's new book "Miracles and Wonder: The Historical Mystery of Jesus." We will investigate how the mystery of Jesus' life is represented through the varying lenses of the Gospels and how a nascent movement managed to survive the confounding events of two thousand years ago. What resonances do we see in our own time? How were the miraculous events of the New Testament explained or rationalized by the ancient authors? How do we respond to certain uncomfortable assertions that hover over the miracles of the Virgin Birth of Jesus and His eventual death and resurrection? The stories of a time when the natural world spun into the supernatural (and then back again) were mediated by flawed men who became the original Gospel authors and were ascribed the names Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Their narratives are filled with visions and revisions and have been told and retold from the early church to the present. How do we, the "Gospel tellers" of First Church, see these stories, and how are we challenged to retell them today? We will be meeting in the little classroom behind the gym. Zoom: Meeting ID: 881 8197 2079 Passcode: 658878 |
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. |
Sunday, October 5th, 2025 
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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 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, October 2, our pantry served 140 clients with the help of 18 volunteers and the YAI. 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 |
First Church Softball! 
Hey there! Are you interested in getting outside, connecting with community members, and maybe learning some new skills? You should join us for softball practice starting through the end of the month. We'll meet at Commodore Barry Park from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM on Sunday nights for fun, social, and energizing practices that might just turn us into a formidable team for a fall league! 
Women's Potluck 
Join the Women's Potluck on Friday, October 17th as we come together to build an ofrenda — a traditional altar honoring those who have passed. We invite you to bring a photo of a departed loved one to contribute to the ofrenda. Together, we'll share reflections on loss and the journey of life after loss in a space of warmth and remembrance. While this event is hosted by the "Women's Potluck" group, everyone is welcome. |
All Church Bible Study In person and online 7:30 p.m. Thurman Room and on zoom Tuesdays, October 14 and 28 Tuesdays, November 4, 11, and 18 "From Judgment to Hope" We will explore the writings of prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Zechariah and others in order to free our imaginations to consider alternatives to the stilted and lifeless thinking of our current society. How do these words of old come alive today and offer hope in these strange times? Zoom Info: Meeting ID: 869 1401 0464 Passcode: 853337 or click here |
First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn is a Matthew 25 Church The Communication and Marketing committee is proud to share our new "Ask me about Matthew 25" video. |
Men's Fellowship 
Effective Oct 15, we will be changing our men's group breakfast to the Grand Canyon restaurant located on Montague between Henry and Clinton. We will meet at 8AM in a table we have reserved in the back of the restaurant. It will be much quieter, better food selection and better service.. Hope to see you there. We will be discussing Chapters 7-9 in our book " Preparing for War; The Extremist History of White Christian nationalism" and what is coming next" hope to see you there For more info contact Dave Ehlke dave.ehlke@gmail.com "A clear-eyed, compelling study of the road to Jan. 6 and the possible future of the politics-versus-religion battle in the U.S." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review Watching the eerie footage of the January 6 insurrection, Bradley Onishi wondered: If I hadn't left evangelicalism, would I have been there? The insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, was not a blip or an aberration. It was the logical outcome of years of a White evangelical subculture's preparation for war. Religion scholar and former insider Bradley Onishi maps the origins of White Christian nationalism and traces its offshoots in Preparing for War. - Combining his own experiences in the youth groups and prayer meetings of the 1990s with an immersive look at the steady blending of White grievance politics with evangelicalism, Onishi crafts an engrossing account of the years-long campaign of White Christian nationalism that led to January 6.
- How did the rise of what Onishi calls the New Religious Right, between 1960 and 2015, give birth to violent White Christian nationalism during the Trump presidency and beyond?
- What propelled some of the most conservative religious communities in the country--communities of which Onishi was once a part--to ignite a cold civil war?
Through chapters on White supremacy and segregationist theologies, conspiracy theories, the Christian-school movement, purity culture, and the right-wing media ecosystem, Onishi pulls back the curtain on a subculture that birthed a movement and has taken a dangerous turn. In taut and unsparing prose, Onishi traces the migration of many White Christians to Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming in what is known as the American Redoubt. Learning the troubling history of the New Religious Right and the longings and logic of White Christian nationalism is deeply alarming. It is also critical for preserving the shape of our democracy for years to come. |
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 or our Facebook page. |
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Wednesday Morning Devotional message 
Signup for our Wednesday morning devotional and receive a verse of scripture, a song from worship, a short video message from our staff or an inspirational 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 Zayn Silva; Photos provided by Amy Neuner. |
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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