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“The Sabbath was made for humankind and not humankind for the Sabbath.” Matthew 2.27 You may have experienced or heard about sabbath laws, or “blue laws”, that required businesses to close on Sundays. Vestiges of these laws remain in a few places, but for the most part consumerism has claimed every day of the week. There is no rest from the acquisition society in which we now live. One of the ideas behind sabbath was to be reminded that we aren’t gods, that creation carries on even when we take a break, or step aside, or choose to withdraw from the economic rat race. One can even see this in starker terms. Sabbath is a protest of the empire’s expectation that we exist for the sake of production. That our worth is tied to our productivity. Those who contemplate retirement sometimes face this in a real way. They wonder what their purpose is if they aren’t doing something that has tangible results. Who are they if they aren’t working, generating, delivering? Taking sabbath time, setting aside productivity, allows for reclaiming the alternative reality of worthiness—we are worthy because we are God’s creation, made for God’s love, dignified by God’s grace. To be intrinsically valuable denies the dominant narrative that we have to earn it. Try to find those sabbath times this summer to remember your worth comes not from what you do, but rather, whose you are. |
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
Rev. Danila Noble will deliver the Sermon
Sermon: "Extravagant Wastefulness"
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.
Men's Fellowship
Grand Canyon Restaurant located at 143 Montague between Henry St. and Clinton St.
We are meeting through July.
Thursday, July 16th
Food Pantry
For information, contact the church office
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Homeless Ministry - New Day!
Meet in the Peace Garden
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Peace Garden Volunteers Needed – Sign Up for just a Week! 
Our beautiful Peace Garden is a place of reflection, prayer and natural beauty for all who visit. To keep it healthy and beautiful this summer, we're looking for volunteers to "adopt" the garden for one week (or day) at a time to help with watering.
All that's required is a little time, a caring heart, and attention to the weather forecast! We'll provide clear instructions and everything you need. Let's work together to keep the Peace Garden a vibrant, welcoming space for all!
With gratitude,
The Green Team
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Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC)
The PNC is happy to report that the committee has been hard at work conducting our first round of Zoom interviews. It is truly sacred work to meet each candidate and share our love for this community and our hopes for its future.
Thank you for your prayers, support, and patience as we continue through this important and thoughtful process. We trust that God is present in this season of discernment, guiding our conversations and helping us listen for the movement of the Holy Spirit among us.
We are grateful for the opportunity to do this work on behalf of the congregation and appreciate your continued prayers as we move forward together.
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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. |
Summer Worship Schedule Worship time will be 10AM throughout the Summer. |
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 Brooklyn Heights Community Fridge has moved!!! It is just across the street at 125 Henry Street (in front of the Lutheran Church) Please continue to support it in its new home. |
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 June 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, July 9th, our pantry served 82 clients with the help of 20 volunteers, 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. 
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Congregation and Community News |
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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Men's Fellowship 
The Men’s Breakfast Group will continue meeting through the month of July (7/1, 8, 15, 22, and 29.)
In addition to discussing current events we invite you to join us on Wednesday mornings at 8:00am at Grand Canyon Restaurant on Montague Street.
We will review Timothy Snyder’s book: “On Tyranny.” We look forward to you joining us.
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Next July 19th 
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Kundalini Yoga 
Saturday Yoga is on hiatus until the Fall. Please join us when we return. Enjoy your Summer. Thank you, Blessings. |
Women's Potluck is on Summer Hiatus See you in the Fall! |
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 |
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 Dianne Hutchinson. 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. |
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