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Dust |
Next Wednesday we begin the season of Lent (7 p.m. sanctuary!) and we will be offered dust (or ashes) to put on our foreheads. We will remember that evening that we are dust and to dust we will return. In my first call to ministry I served with a congregation that had a memorial garden. It was at the foot of a great tree on the church's front lawn. And there I met many times with church members to bury the ashes of a loved one. I would prepare the ground before they arrived by digging a shallow hole. At the end of the brief service of scripture and prayer I would open the container, oftentimes a plain plastic box, that held the remains of their loved one. After undoing the tie on the plastic bag inside I would pour some of the ashes into the ground. But then I would welcome anyone in the family to do the same, a little at a time- a moment when we would remember the one we loved. We remembered their faith, their humor, their kindnesses, all the things that we would miss about them. And when we were finished, we shared the work of covering those ashes with soil. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. That's what we'll say this Wednesday as we remember our mortality and the everlasting love and grace with which God promises to hold us. Who will you be remembering this week as we ponder our own transience? What will your prayers of thanks include? |
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. 10:00 AM Power Hour In the first-floor classroom behind the gym and on Zoom, join here
11:00 AM Sunday Worship Sermon: "Listen" Reverend Danila Noble Preaching Worship with us in person, on our website, or on our Facebook Page. Following Worship Youth Group In the Manse Wednesday, February 18th Men's Fellowship Grand Canyon restaurant located at 143 Montague between Henry St and Clinton St For more information contact Dave Ehlke Prayer Vigil for Peace and Justice Sanctuary |
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Wondering what membership in our church community might look like? Come join us this Sunday right before service at 9:45am in the Thurman Room to explore what your spiritual path might look like with us. Rev. Noble and the membership committee will guide you through a multi-week series of classes that informs you about us and allows us to get to know you better and your hopes for continuing journey here at First Church. Classes are 3/8, 15, 2 and culminating with ceremonial joining during service on 3/29. We hope you will come explore with us. |
On Wednesday evenings from February 25 to March 25 we will be meeting God in the ordinary objects of life that Jesus would have encountered on his way to Jerusalem- bread, cross, coins, shoes, oil. In them we will find meaning in Jesus' final days and open ourselves to the kingdom of God. Come for the prayer, the learning, the song, the fellowship. Thurman Room, 7 p.m. |
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of Tracy Zamot's passing on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Tracy was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church. Please keep Tracy's daughter, Gracie Loscalzo, and family in your prayers. |
Stewardship 2026 Campaign The ministries of our church are made possible because of you. Make your 2026 gift by filling out the Blue pledge card from the pew pockets or directly to Pledge page on the website at www.firstchurchbrooklyn.org/pledge/ . If you have any questions, see an Elder on Sunday after worship or email the church office at info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org. The Stewardship Committee extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who pledged to support the church. We thank everyone who submitted an estimate of giving in support of First Church and its mission. We are glad to report that we have exceeded our 2026 Goal . As of February 7, we have received 104 pledge commitments for a total of: $361,423.76. Thanks again for your diligence and your act of Faith. |
SUPER BOWL SUNDAY TAMALE BENEFIT Benefit for Eastern Farm Workers Association's WINTER SURVIVAL CAMPAIGN 
Your Choice of Authentic Chicken, Vegan, or Cheese Tamales Order By The Dozen $20 a Dozen or $10 a half dozen (suggested donation) A Great Idea for Super Bowl Sunday Delivery on: Sunday, February 8 after worship during fellowship If you have not ordered yet, you will be able to purchase some on Sunday EASTERN FARM WORKERS ASSOCIATION (EFWA) is an all-volunteer, unincorporated membership association of farm workers and other low-income workers in Suffolk County. Every winter, our members face an untenable "choice" of whether to heat their homes or feed their children. For others, it's a "choice" between paying the rent or seeing a doctor. EFWA members help each other meet some of our daily survival needs through EFWA's year-round membership benefit program while we fight to end government policies that have led to job losses, poverty wages, home foreclosures, utility shutoffs, and denial of health care. |
The Power Hour (Sunday morning adult book & bible study) Sundays at 10:00 AM We meet 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. |
Parents' Night Out  Service Sunday, February 1, 2026 
Annual Meeting Sunday, February 1, 2026 
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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: Jonathan Abernethy, Kevin Bentley, Erik Brogger, Jenny Gage, Richard Greene, Diana Lee, Gladys McNish, Dimitri Moise, Lynn Schnarr, Zayn Silva, Terrance Stroud, Emily Thomas, Patrick Tirino, Joyce Waller, Sarah Wyss Interim Pastor Danila Noble - Moderator Elder Barbara Cummings - Clerk |
Sandwich Making for CHiPS Sunday, February 15 After Service In the Elliott Room 
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Cuba's Malpaso Dance Company Returns to New York! 
First Church's White Rose Ministry is reserving a block of tickets for this world-famous dance ensemble. They will appear at the Joyce Theatre in Manhattan and our tickets are for the Friday, February 13th performance. Click here for more information. Proceeds will be utilized to support programs in Cuba that provide food and farming expertise to our brothers and sisters on the island. |
EFWA Is Urgently In Need of a Roadworthy Vehicle to get out to the labor camps and the 100s of miles of driving required each week
to carry out our organizing efforts throughout Suffolk County. Do you have a roadworthy car that you don't drive? Your donated car can save lives! Eastern Farm Workers Association (EFWA) Needs Your Help during the Winter Survival Campaign as farm workers and other seasonal workers face mass layoffs and government cut-backs in essential services
and resources in a time of great uncertainty. EFWA needs volunteers to reach out to the labor camps and
low-income communities to make our organization and benefit program available to more members as well as doing collections for the Winter Survival Campaign. EFWA is 100% volunteer and does not seek or accept any funding
from the government or any funding with strings attached,
so that we can remain independent and able to address government policies,
solely in the interests of the membership. Please give us a call at 631-286-8004. to learn about how you can make a difference. Thank you for your aid to the farm worker struggle! |
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 February and the rest of 2026, 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 12, our pantry served 67 clients with 13 volunteers, with the help of Packer, Yai, and AHRC. 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 Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn is a Matthew 25 Church The Communication and Marketing committee is proud to share our "Ask me about Matthew 25" video. |
Men's Fellowship 
The Men's group will be discussing world affairs as well as local news instead of reading a new book. We are meeting at 8am on Wednesdays at the Grand Canyon restaurant located on Montague between Henry and Clinton. For more information contact Dave Ehlke  |
YOGA every Second Saturday February 14 @ 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Open to all -- No experience needed 
Register in Advance on Eventbrite Traditional yoga styles like Hatha and Vinyasa focus mainly on physical postures and sequences: - Kundalini Yoga emphasizes inner transformation as much as physical conditioning.
- The focus is not on perfecting the pose but on breath, sound, and awareness
- Rather than flowing through postures, Kundalini often includes repetitive movements, chanting (mantra), and meditative stillness.
- Every class follows a thematic kriya (set) designed to target specific aspects of healing—be it the heart, the lungs, or the mind.
This practice is made for the times we are living in. It helps gently reset the nervous system and opens space to experience God's power at work within us, strengthening our resilience. We leave feeling renewed, nourished, and empowered. Each monthly session will center on a dedicated theme, and participants will receive a take-home practice to support continued growth between classes. The PROCESS In Kundalini Yoga, we begin with an opening mantra to center ourselves and turn our attention toward the Divine. We then move through gentle warm-up exercises before entering the main practice. After the kriya, we shift into deep relaxation accompanied by music and the soothing vibration of the crystal bowl. This restorative rest allows the work we have done to be integrated into the body and nervous system. From that place of stillness, we then move into meditation. This month February 14th: Heart-Centered Practice On February 14th, our practice will focus on the Heart Center, beginning with the Kriya to Open the Heart Center, followed by Meditation for the Heart Center #2. The Kriya to Open the Heart Center is a physical and energetic set designed to create open, loving feelings. It works to gently open the heart, increase compassion and sensitivity toward others, and help release emotional defensiveness. Its calming effect quiets unnecessary thoughts and emotional reactivity, allowing us to be more present and to experience our feelings with greater clarity and ease. Following the kriya, we move into Meditation for the Heart Center #2. These meditations are specifically designed to balance the frequency and quality of the Heart Center. In this meditation, the mind is focused into the channel of the heart, cultivating compassion and humility. Through heart-based understanding, the mind is invited to recognize a deeper truth—not through effort or analysis, but through direct inner knowing—that Infinity is within us. Together, the kriya and meditation offer a complete heart-centered practice: first preparing the body and emotional field, then guiding the mind into the wisdom of the heart. This Valentine's season, we practice opening the heart not as sentiment, but as a grounded, embodied spiritual reality. More information on the meditation and it's benefits can be found here |
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 Maddie Blackett, Amy Neuner, Joyce Waller and 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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