Friday, April 24, 2026

FPC eNews: Prayer for These Days - April 24, 2026

 

 

April 24, 2026

 

 

 

 

Prayer for These Days

 

 

 

Philippians 4. 4-7

 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

 

 

We are called to pray always, but these days seem especially valuable times for prayer. It might be good to remember these words that Paul writes to the Philippians, words that call forth joy and thanksgiving. Even though he is in prison and may not see a way out. Even though the powers at large are pressing down on him. He prays and asks us to pray with him.

 

A week ago we hosted a prayer vigil on a Wednesday evening. About 25 people attended, some in person and others online. Most from our congregation and some from the community. We prayed for peace and dignity and hope. Last Sunday we prayed the concerns left in the box on the front fence and we prayed our individual concerns as we passed the mic.

 

Now at home we have the opportunity to pray daily. Despite the insanity in our world, and despite whatever’s pressing down on us, we can pray with joy and thanksgiving, for there is a power greater than all this, a power of love and peace that will not die. Do not be anxious, be praying. Make your requests known to God. And share your concerns with us all when you are ready. We will join you.

 

  

 

 

Support for LGBTQIA+

 

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

 

 

Watch the Sunday Livestream

Join us on Social Media

 

 

The Coming Week

 

 

Sunday, April 26th 

 

Last day to register for Communications Workshop for Youth Ages 13-17

 

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: "The Gate of Abundance"
Scripture: Psalm 23, John 10.1-10
 

NOTE: You can find the Bulletin for Sunday's worship

online here.

 

Worship with us in person, on our website, or on our Facebook Page.

 

 

Wednesday, April 29th

 

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Men's Fellowship

Grand Canyon Restaurant located at 143 Montague between Henry St. and Clinton St.

For more information, contact Dave Ehlke

 

 

Thursday, April 30th

 

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Food Pantry

For information, contact the church office

 

 

Saturday, May 2nd

 

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

16th Annual FPC Cuba Fund Raising Party

557 First Street in Park Slope

 

Know Before You Go

 

The Power Hour
(Sunday morning adult book & bible study)
 
Sundays at 10 am
We meet in the little classroom behind the gym and on Zoom.
 
We will be discussing a New Yorker article on Paul this week.
 
St. Paul Remade Human History. How Did He Do It?
 
Read the article here.
 
Zoom:
 
Meeting ID: 881 8197 2079
Passcode: 658878

 

 

The Membership Committee is delighted to announce a first draft of the Directory!!!

 

Over the next several weeks please review your entry on it with either Patrick Tirino or Kevin Bentley. You are strongly encouraged to make sure we have a photo of the folks that make up your family.

 

Everyone is welcome to be included, whether you are an elder, member, regular attender, etc. If you are a part of this community then we want you listed in the directory. We will be circulating before service and during Fellowship Hour. Thank you for your assistance in getting this complete.

 

 

 
Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC)
 
The PNC is thrilled to announce that we have completed our first task and the Ministry Discernment Profile (MDP) is posted on our website as well as with Christian Leadership Connection (CLC). Simply stated, the job posting is live!!!
 
Encourage interested parties to apply by going through the CLC.  We are poised to have our hearts and minds align with the call of prospective candidates. If people have questions please forward them to PNC@firstchurchbrooklyn.org. We will continue to be in touch when we can share progress appropriately. May God bless every step in our process.  
 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Recently at First Church

 

 

April 19th, 2026

Sunday Worship

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Session Update

 

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

 

Social Action Committee

 

 

The White Rose (Cuba) Ministry

 

Main fundraising event

Saturday May 2nd - 4:00pm to 7:00pm

557 First Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn 11215

 

 

 

Plan to join us and provide support to a people under duress.

Please use the QR code to sign up for this event.

 

 

 

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 11:00 AM, 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 April 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, April 23rd, our pantry served 119 clients with the help of 15 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

 

 

 

YOGA

 

Every 2nd Saturday

Next event: May 9, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

Communications Workshop for First Church Youth Ages 13-17


Saturday, May 16, 2026
9:30 am – 5:00 pm

 

Breakfast and lunch included. No cost.

 

All youth ages 13 – 17 are welcome. No prior experience required or expected. This is a day of learning and fun! Certificate of Participation awarded at end of the workshop. Need to commit to the entire day. Parental permission required. Registration is open. Deadline to register: Sunday, April 26.

 

Goals: To improve communications and public speaking skills, to gain confidence.

 

Practical applications: improved participation in church programs; college, internships, and job interviews. Skills for a lifetime!

 

Instructor: Dr. Janet Dewart Bell, Founder/President; LEAD InterGeneratonal Solutions; Adjunct Professor, Baruch College Marxe School of Public and International Affairs; Emmy and Peabody award winner; Author; NAACP Image Award nominee for Lighting the Fires of Freedom: African American Women in the Civil Rights Movement. She chairs the Women’s Media Center board and serves on the board of the Authors Guild Foundation. Dr. Bell is a noted communications and management expert.

 

Dr. Bell has been a member of First Presbyterian for over 30 years and loves this church, particularly our children and youth!

 

For inquiries and further information: Email Dr. Bell or text or call 917 796-8803.

 

Registration Form (Email or return the completed form to Dr. Bell or church office)

 

Registration deadline: Sunday, April 26

 

Workshop Schedule

 

 

 

FPC All Church Retreat

 

May 29 - 31, 2026

 

FAITH IN ACTION

 

 

 

The all-church retreat is a time to enjoy wonderful worship and fellowship, delicious food, and over 500 acres of NATURE!

 

There will be music late night bonfires, early morning hikes, worship led by both children and adults, art making and memories, and friendships that will last a lifetime.

 

Registration Form for the Retreat is here.

 

 

 
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.
 

 
View it now by clicking the video's image, above, or at https://vimeo.com/1100321955

 

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 8:00 AM on Wednesdays at the Grand Canyon restaurant located on Montague between Henry and Clinton.

For more information contact Dave Ehlke

 

 

 

 

 

Sandwich Making

Every Third Sunday

 

 

Mark your calendars for May 17th

 

 

 

 

 Around Town - Where Church Members and Friends are Performing 

 

 

 

Send your upcoming performances to Pastor Danila or enewsletter@firstchurchbrooklyn.org

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

      

 

    

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.

No comments:

Post a Comment