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Goodness |
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. (3 John 1:11) If you have one minute, you can read the 3rd Letter of John in the New Testament - all 15 verses. Short and sweet and to the point. "Imitate what is good."
It is a sort of a first century email that reminds us who we are and how we are supposed to live. This brief letter praises one church member for being gracious and welcoming while calling out another for being self-satisfied and power hungry. Sound familiar? Churches still deal with the same drama.
So the charge is simple: Do what you know is right. Set aside the ego. Work alongside one another. Welcome the stranger. Just, "imitate what is good." |
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 |
 Guest Preacher this Sunday:
We Welcome Reverend Dr. Clive E. Neil, the son of Othneil and Lillian Neil, was born in Jamaica, West Indies. Dr. Neil was awarded a Princeton University Fellowship, and later graduated with a Masters in Divinity. In 1991, Dr. Neil received his doctorate in Counseling from Drew University in Madison, N. J. In 1988, God joined together the ministry of the congregation of Bedford-Central Presbyterian church and the ministering gifts of Dr. Neil to create a dynamic, Christ-centered, Bible-believing, people-building, community-reaching church. Dr. Neil is a former Professor of Psychology at the Metropolitan College of New York and New York Theological at Auburn Theological Seminaries; he continues to lecture and preach in various academic settings around the country. |
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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: "Four Little Words" Scripture: Galatians 6:6-10 Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Clive Neal Men's Fellowship Grand Canyon restaurant located at 143 Montague between Henry St and Clinton St For more information contact Dave Ehlke Lent in Plain Sight - "Bread" Thurman Room |
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| With great sadness we announce the passing of dear friend of the First Church family, Sam Gindin, on Tuesday February 17, 2026. Please keep Sam's family and husband, Elder Larry Picard, in your Prayers. 
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Wondering what membership in our church community might look like? Come join us 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 March 8, 15, and 22 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. Wednesday, February 25, 7 p.m.
Lenten Wednesday: "Bread." A common item from everyday life that we enjoy and that gives us entrée into the ministry of Jesus and the kingdom of God. We will enjoy some special bread along with conversation and song and prayer as we enter into the season of Lent. Let's start the season together! In-person in the Thurman Room, and online here |
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. |
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. |
Session 
Deacons 
Youth Group 
Part of our group that attended the Malpaso (Cuban) Dance Company 
February 15th Worship 
CHiPS Sandwich Making (February 15th) 
English Sword Dance Festival (February 15th)  
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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 |
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 19, our pantry served 64 clients with 20 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 March 14 @ 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Open to all -- No experience needed 
Register in Advance on Eventbrite |
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. |
We're Social Like us. Follow us. See us. Hear us. Watch us.    
  
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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 Mark Elsenheimer. Photos provided by Amy Neuner, Chester Lee, 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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