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I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.
(Philemon 1:7) JOY- a Fruit of the Spirit I love this little letter from Apostle Paul to Philemon. Philemon’s home is host to one of the first Christian churches anywhere and Paul, his friend, commends him for his faith and his love for the people of the church. Be advised that Paul has a very special request of his friend Philemon. You can read it here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philemon&version=NRSVUE
(The whole letter is only 24 verses long.) The topic of this letter always brings a tear to my eye, but what strikes me is Paul’s compliment to Philemon—that Philemon brings him joy. Have you ever told someone they bring you joy? The joy of their friendship. The joy of their faith testimony. The joy of their good works. The joy of their love and grace and mercy… Paul was in prison as he wrote this letter. Paul had every reason to be less than joyful as he waited for what he must have known would be an ignominious end. Yet, he was joyful in the face of it and shared it with his friend. May you find joy today, even in the unlikely places, and take a minute to share it with someone who has brought it into your life. |
Guest Preacher Information - Sunday August 23rd  Elder Chris Slowik and his wife, elder Peggy Swisher Slowik, first came to FPC shortly after they started dating in 2006. They were married here in 2007, and baptized their daughter, Cassie, here in 2010. Peggy, Cassie, and Chris live in Brooklyn Heights, with their King Charles Cavalier, Blossom, and their rabbit, Lucie.
Chris is a graduate of Yale University and Brooklyn Law School, and practices law at Falcon, Rappaport & Berkman LLP in Manhattan. When not lawyering or attending FPC, Chris is a competitive backgammon player and enjoys woodworking, cycling, and playing soccer. As a family, Chris, Peggy, and Cassie passionately support their beloved Everton Football Club; they are shown here, three years ago, at Everton’s stadium in Liverpool, England. |
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
Elder Chris Slowik, preaching
Sermon Title:"Members of One Another"
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.
Food Pantry
For information, contact the church office
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Homeless Ministry
Meet in the Peace Garden
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Summer Worship Schedule Worship time will be 10:00 AM throughout the Summer, up to and including Labor Day weekend, September 6th. Returning to 11:00 AM Worship on September 13th. |
MTA Subway - Clark Street Station is scheduled to be OPEN this weekend! Check https://www.mta.info/alerts for any planned service changes that may impact you getting to Church. |
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 thanks your for your continuing prayers, support, and patience as we continue through this important and thoughtful process we have been commissioned for on your behalf. 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. |
During Worship on August 16th 
Sandwich Making for CHiPS after worship on August 16th 
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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 Brooklyn Heights Community Fridge is now across Henry Street in front of Zion German Evangelical Lutheran Church. Please continue to support the Fridge 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 August 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, August 20th, our pantry served 90 clients with the help of 18 volunteers from 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 advance 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 Eastern Farm Workers Association recently held a reception celebrating its 54th year of service to under-represented seasonal workers on Eastern Long Island. Pictured here are Operations Manager Joel Biddle and EFWA’s new Operations Manager, Leslie Arenas. They hold a citation presented to them from the Social Action Committee of First Church, congratulating the Association’s more than half century of faithful service. 
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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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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. Look for a new video in time for this Autumn's Homecoming Weekend!
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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. |
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 LIVE at 10:00 AM Eastern time through September 6th, then each week at 11:00 AM starting September 13th. 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 and Dennis Barton |
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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