| | "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12.1-2) |
It's marathon weekend here in New York City. Tens of thousands will race through the boroughs, sometimes walking, sometimes catching their breath, but somehow persevering to the end (mostly). It is a motivating experience to stand by the street and applaud these athletes as they run a race they may have dreamed about for years. The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews calls us to emulate those who have served God and neighbor in the past. Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joseph, and other Biblical heroes of the faith combine to give us a cloud of witnesses who have run the race of faith, and who can motivate us as we persevere in our race as followers of Jesus. His was the ultimate contest. The joy he felt as God's own enabled him to carry on in the face of daunting circumstances, including a cross. We may not have such a cross facing us, but Jesus' example of keeping God's ultimate purposes and plans before him as incentive to endure may help us in difficult times such as these. The runners this weekend can motivate us to keep the faith, to keep going strong and shake off "every weight and sin that clings so closely." Best wishes to those of you who are running in the marathon. And may God bless us all as we run our race with Jesus, "the pioneer and perfecter of our faith." |
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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| | | Saturday, November 1st 3:00 PM Memorial Service for Marthalie "Kaye" McClean In the Sanctuary Sunday, November 2nd NOTE: You can find the Bulletin for Sunday's worship online here. 2025 NYC Marathon Plan your travel accordingly Daylight Savings Time Ends Remember to turn clocks back one hour 10:00 AM Power Hour In the first floor classroom behind the gym and on Zoom, join here
11:00 AM Sunday Worship Rev. Danila Noble, preaching Sermon Title: "Complete Salvation " Scripture: Psalm 32.1-7, Luke 19.1-10 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 Last practice of the season! Tuesday, November 4th 7:30 PM Fall Bible Study In person and online Meeting ID: 869 1401 0464 Passcode: 853337 Wednesday, November 5th Men's Fellowship Grand Canyon restaurant located on Montague between Henry and Clinton For more information contact Dave Ehlke 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Homeless Street Ministry Peace Garden Thursday, November 6th 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
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| Saturday November 1 3:00 PM, Sanctuary Memorial Service for Marthalie "Kay" McClean Your attendance and prayers are appreciated 
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Sunday, November 2 2025 New York City Marathon and Daylight Savings Time Ends 
Please plan your travel to church accordingly and remember to turn clocks back one hour |
The Power Hour (Sunday morning adult book & bible study) Sundays 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 |
Midweek Worship meets Monthly The next Midweek Worship will meet on Wednesday, November 19 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. |
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. |
October 26, 2025 Sunday Worship 
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White Rose Ministry November Monthly Meeting The WRM will gather via Zoom on Wednesday, November 12 @ 7:00 PM for its monthly planning meeting. Topics of the discussion will include updates on FPC's two principal partners in Cuba (La Fernanda Presbyterian Church in Havana, Centro La Vastida in Santiago), Cuban-related events for the FPC community, and planning for upcoming fundraisers to support the work of our two partners. For Zoom link to participate, please reach out to Patrick Dail (LPatrickDail@gmail.com, cell: 347-880-1530). |
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 November and December, 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 30th, our pantry served 77 clients with the help of 20 volunteers, including help from YAI and Packer. 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. |
NYC Presbytery Social Action News Gothamist Article here: NYC Presbytery says let us raze UWS church, we'll invest about $30M in social justice |
Toiletries Drive to support CHiPS Until November 16 
Donations of personal or small sized toiletries basics such as: shampoo, conditioner, body lotions, combs and brushes, mouthwash. The shelter gives out approximately 50 per week - it is our intent to fill at least that many personal bags. Bring toiletries to church or donate via cash, checks (payable to First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn) or Zelle using the church general email address at info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org. If you have any question, please reach out to the Social Action Team through the church office. Thank you for your support. |
Congregation and Community News |
First Church Softball! Sunday November 2 from 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM 
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! 
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Fall Bible Study November 4, 11 and 18 
The Biblical prophets have something to say to us about these days in which we live. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel experienced and navigated crises in ways that can teach us to do the same as faithful Christians. We will read segments of these major prophets and discuss their ability to "utter God into historical reality." In person and online: 7:30 PM on November 4, 11, 18. Zoom Info: Meeting ID: 869 1401 0464 Passcode: 853337 or click here Join us to study these "emancipated imaginers of alternative." |
New YOGA every second Saturday starting November 8 11:00 AM By donation -- All proceeds benefit First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn Open to all -- No experience needed 
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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 New Book 
The men's Group meets for Breakfast and discusses the book they are reading every Wednesday morning at 8AM at Grand Canyon Restaurant located on Montague St between Henry and Clinton Streets. The group is just starting a new book entitled "Coming up Short: A Memoir of My America" by Robert Reich. #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From political economist, cabinet member, beloved professor, media presence, and bestselling author of Saving Capitalism and The Common Good, a deeply felt, compelling memoir of growing up in a baby-boom America that made progress in certain areas, fell short in so many important ways, and still has lots of work to do. A thought-provoking, principled, clear-eyed chronicle of the culture, politics, and economic choices that have landed us where we are today—with irresponsible economic bullies and corporations with immense wealth and lobbying power on top, demagogues on the rise, and increasing inequality fueling anger and hatred across the country. 
Nine months after World War II, Robert Reich was born into a united America with a bright future—that went unrealized for so many as big money took over our democracy. His encounter with school bullies on account of his height—4'11" as an adult—set him on a determined path to spend his life fighting American bullies of every sort. He recounts the death of a friend in the civil rights movement; his political coming of age witnessing the Berkeley free speech movement; working for Bobby Kennedy and Senator Eugene McCarthy; experiencing a country torn apart by the Vietnam War; meeting Hillary Rodham in college, Bill Clinton at Oxford, and Clarence Thomas at Yale Law. He details his friendship with John Kenneth Galbraith during his time teaching at Harvard, and subsequent friendships with Bernie Sanders and Ted Kennedy; his efforts as labor secretary for Clinton and economic advisor to Barack Obama. Ultimately, Reich asks: What did his generation accomplish? Did they make America better, more inclusive, more tolerant? Did they strengthen democracy? Or, did they come up short? In the end, though, Reich hardly abandons us to despair over a doomed democracy. With his characteristic spirit, humor, and inherent decency, he lays out how we can reclaim a sense of community and a democratic capitalism based on the American ideals we still have the power to salvage. |
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 Chi Ling Moy; Photos provided by Sarah Wyss. |
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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