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Foolishness |
"For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom…"
(1 Corinthians 1.25) The Apostle Paul admits that with all his religious competence, his extensive religious education, and his well-respected intellect, his wisdom is nothing compared to what he once thought was God's foolishness. In his earlier days he rejected Christ as plain folly. Jesus' message was foolish and the cross was foolish. But when Christ appeared to him Paul realized the foolishness was his. The ways of the world are often reckless and foolhardy. These ways damage lives and leave a path of destruction. God's ways through Jesus, finding strength in weakness (that being the cross), seem destined to fail. But Paul discovers that Jesus Christ is the key to life, not death. "The problem is, many of the people in need of saving are in churches,
and at least part of what they need saving from
is the idea that God sees the world the same way they do."
― Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith Do we twist God's intentions to agree with our own? Do we realize how far our plans are from God's? Do we know what God's plans really are for us, our church, and our world? We, of all people, should be able to tell the difference. The gift of Christ offers us a vision of what could inhabit our individual and our corporate lives -- grace, peace, dignity, mercy, forgiveness, and love in abundance. These transform if we are vulnerable to the presence of Christ in our hearts. Let's not clown around - may we allow him in this Lenten season. |
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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| | | Sunday, March 8th - Daylight Savings Begins! 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 Elder Erik Brogger preaching 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 - "Coins" Thurman Room and online here |
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Move your clocks FORWARD this weekend (lose an hour of sleep) |
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 March 29th. We hope you will come explore with us. |
Lenten Wednesdays Lenten Wednesday, March 11 Topic: Coins A familiar object to us and to Jesus. They will help us explore our loyalties, how to share our joy when the lost is found, and how our money is part of an exploitative system. Scripture, song, fellowship study. Wednesday, March 11, 7 p.m.
In-person in the Thurman Room, and online here |
The Power Hour (Sunday morning adult book & bible study) Sundays at 10:00 AM We are studying the women in the New Testament using Beth Allison Barr's book, The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Submission of Women Became Gospel Truth. 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. |
Scenes from Worship on March 1st   
Lunar New Year Fellowship Hour - Year of the Fire Horse! 
Thanks to our creators and hosts: Diana and Chester Lee Keiko Delille Jenny Weng and family Ping and Chi Ling Moy  
See the full album of 45 photos, from multiple photographers, here |
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: Ben Bray, Reem Bushara, Kevin Bentley, Erik Brogger, Jenny Gage, Richard Greene, Diana Lee, Gladys McNish, Zayn Silva, Kelly Strandemo, Terrance Stroud, Emily Thomas, Marell Thomas, Patrick Tirino, Joyce Waller Interim Pastor Danila Noble - Moderator Elder Barbara Cummings - Clerk |
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 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, March 5th, our pantry served 57 clients with the help of 15 volunteers including Packer 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 returns on April 11 Taking a break in March for the Woman's Retreat 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 Sarah Wyss, Chester Lee, Dr. Janet Dewart Bell, and others! |
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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