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A challenging quote from Richard Foster1: Love of God, of necessity, leads to love of neighbor. They are not two commands, but one. As we learn to love people–truly love them—we will desire for them far more than it is within our power to give them, and that will drive us all the more deeply into prayer for them. The converse is also true: the more we pray for people, the more we will come to love them. Here, then, is a penetrating test of our devotion: if we do not pray for people—truly pray for them—how can we say that we love them? We live a cruciform life- with our hands stretched out toward all those around us whom we aim to love, while we also look heavenward for God’s love to claim us and direct us. What a privilege to be in community with one another at First Presbyterian where we love and are loved. And at the heart of our common life is our prayer---prayer for fulfillment in the lives of those around us and prayers of thanks to God. Foster reminds us how inextricably linked our love for God and neighbor really are. One depends on the other. And one nourishes the other. Where is God? In the hearts that pray for others. |
Footnote: 1 Richard Foster: author, theologian, best known for his 1978 book Celebration of Discipline, which examines the inward disciplines of prayer, fasting, meditation, and study in the Christian life, the outward disciplines of simplicity, solitude, submission, and service, and the corporate disciplines of confession, worship, guidance, and celebration. |
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 |
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Sunday Worship
The Day of Pentecost
Rev. Danila Noble preaching
Sermon: Dangerous Language
It's Pentecost- wear red!
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.
Monday, May 25th
Church closed for Memorial Day
Wednesday, May 27th
Men's Fellowship
Grand Canyon Restaurant located at 143 Montague between Henry St. and Clinton St.
For more information, contact Dave Ehlke
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Food Pantry
For information, contact the church office
Friday, May 29th - Sunday May 31st
All Church Retreat
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The Power Hour
(Sunday morning adult book & bible study)
The 10 AM Power Hour will not meet next Sunday during the Memorial Day weekend. We will meet on the 31st, when we plan to continue the “Pocket Books of the New Testament” with another brief letter: the Book of Ephesians. Rev. Danila has suggested that before we do so, we might look up the meaning of “the flesh” and explore its applications in the eyes of Paul – a man who had suffered his own fleshly torments (beatings, sight impairment, imprisonment) to become the architect of the nascent Church.
We expect that these readings and discussions will take us into June and the later conclusion of this year’s 10 AM Bible Study.
Zoom:
Meeting ID: 881 8197 2079
Passcode: 658878
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The membership committee has been hard at work to develop a congregational directory that will contain regular attendees, members, elders, staff, and online attenders. We are looking to have it represent the entire body of the church and those who bring life to this dynamic congregation. Right now, we have a draft! We need anyone who would like to be included to review the information with either Kevin Bentley or Patrick Tirino and make any necessary corrections. If you are not currently listed and would like to be, please fill out an information card or email Patrick Tirino. Please note that we need one picture per household that illustrates all the beautiful homes that make up First Church. Please forward that photo to the QR code above or click here.
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The Brooklyn Heights Community Fridge has moved!!! It is just across the street at 125 Henry Street (in front of the Lutheran Church) There will be a Welcome Home Party/Donation Drive for a family-focused pantry on May 31st from 1 pm to 3 pm. Suggested donations include diapers, baby wipes, formula, baby cereal/oatmeal, and shelf-stable children's snacks Please continue to support it in its new home. |
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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.
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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. |
Saturday, May 16th Communications Workshop for Teens Led by Dr. Janet Dewart Bell 
Sunday, May 17th 
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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: 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 |
THE EDNA AWARDS Background
First Church is expanding its Social Action initiatives by inviting members and supporters to nominate organizations they know or are affiliated with. Selected organizations will be eligible to receive one of four $1,000 grants.
To qualify, nominated organizations must be based in Brooklyn and provide services that benefit the communities we serve. These awards are given in honor of our beloved Edna Asknes. How to Nominate an Organization
- All members of the First Church family are encouraged to submit nominations, including youth (high school age and above) and retirees.
- Nomination forms will be available at the church and online, and will also be included in the church e-newsletter.
- Completed nomination forms must be submitted to the Social Action Committee by June 30.
Selection Criteria and Process
- Nominated organizations must align with First Church’s Mission Statement.
- The Social Action Committee will review all submissions and make final selections in early July.
- Grants will be awarded to four selected organizations in September.
Edna Awards Application
The First Church Social Action Committee welcomes your submission. Completed applications should not exceed two pages in length. Please respond to the following questions by clicking on the link.
EDNA AWARDS APPLICATION First Church's Social Action Committee welcomes your Edna Award submission. To nominate an organization, please click on this LINK and answer the questions below.
- Your name, email address, and phone number
- Please provide the following identifying information about your nominee:
- Name of organization, address, phone contact
- Website (if available)
- Status of organization (emerging, 501(c)(3), affiliate, etc.
- Name of person(s) overseeing organization & title
- Length of time the organization has existed
3. What is your relationship to the organization you propose? 4. State the purpose/goal/mission of the organization. 5. What do you find most appealing about this organization? 6. How would you like to see the award (if received) used? 7. Any general comments regarding your nominee? |
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 May 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, May 21st, our pantry served 88 clients with the help of 16 volunteers, including Packer and YAI. 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 |
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
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Kundalini Yoga Every 2nd Saturday Next event is June 13 
You can communicate with instructor Kim Reynolds at her new email address and register directly by clicking this link or clicking the graphic, above. |
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.
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Around Town - Where Church Members and Friends are Performing |
Featured Puppeteer Zuri Terrell is appearing in a show about the MOVE activist group on May 21, 22, 28, and 29 at 7:30 p.m. Click here for info and tickets.
ATTENTION: not recommended for children; some disturbing content
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.  Add the Prayer Requests to your calendar! A new prayer will be in your calendar each day, and update automatically. Add the calendar feed https://www.prayermate.net/feeds/f7120f2c8ffc8619be3f9facb5019174cee88/ical
If clicking the link doesn't work directly, instructions for subscribing to a calendar feed for a variety of calendars can be found here. |
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 Sarah Wyss. Photos provided by Amy Neuner and Maddie Blackett. |
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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