A weekly e-newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of
Main office (718) 624-3770 Email FPC124@aol.com
Watchnight Service scheduled for December 31 has been canceled.
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Greetings from Rev. Phelps!
On the point of my sending a New Year greeting to all of you,
came news of the birth of Grace
to Beth and David.
Grace indeed.
Little Grace, newest Grace,
has not three pounds in her tiny frame,
yet she comes down with a certain gravity
into a huge pillow of prayer
from all the wide church
and the circle of love surrounding her
and her mother and father and brother.
Grace and peace to you all, dear people of
—and especially to Beth and David—
as the new year opens
in the sure enigma of God's ever-opening promise.
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THIS SUNDAY, January 3, 2010: Holy Communion
Rev. Stephen H. Phelps, our Interim Pastor, will preach a sermon entitled: "The Resolutionary War" (You can find Rev. Phelps' recent sermons online at his Web site, www.shphelps.com, under the sermons link. Printed copies also are available in the Narthex.)
The nursery will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Christina and Patty are excited to welcome your kids.
Called Session Meeting - Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in the Thurman Room.
Other News:
ROOTS of OUR RELIGION
Have you sometimes thought the Old Testament —the Hebrew Bible —too strange to venture into on your own? Starting January 10, Rev. Phelps will lead an eight week introduction to the Hebrew Bible during the 10 O'clock Hour. Having taught this subject in colleges, universities, and churches throughout his ministry, Rev. Phelps is confident that everyone who attends will gain a strong sense of the terrain and never feel lost again. The eight sessions will take up the books of the Bible in this manner:
January 10 and 17: The Roller Coaster Method for learning the Bible; the theology and development of Genesis and the Pentateuch
January 24: Outlaws in the Desert: A People Takes Shape; Into
January 31: The Strange Secret of Deuteronomy
February 7: Kings and Confusion: Saul, David, Solomon and the Divided Monarchy
February 14: he Prophets of Israel and Judah
February 21: Can You Be Blessed When Broken? Wisdom Literature of Psalms, Job, et al.
February 28: Other Literature from the Late Great Break (400 BCE and later)
Meetings will be in the Thurman Room.
Session Meeting: January 11 at 7:00 p.m.,
Elders Positions: The Church-wide Nominating Committee is developing a slate of candidates to be elected by the congregation to serve as elders on the Session, the church's governing board. If you are interested in learning more about this responsibility, or if you would like to nominate someone, talk to one of the CWNC members: Nate Dudley, Marta Nelson, Bernice Adorno, Sam Murumba, Kimbirly Mack and Jon Abernethy, chair.
2010 Church-Wide Retreat: Sign up today for the Church-Wide Retreat Jan. 15, 16 and 17 over Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend at The Grail (
Mid Week Boost: will resume on January 13, 2010. For information about Mid-Week Boost, please contact Aris Peguero at drarisp@aol.com.
Job Bank: Do you have skills or know of employment? Contact Susan Schultz at Schultz.design@yahoo.com to list your ideas on the FPC Job Bank. If you are able to help others with writing resumes and cover letters, please also let us know.
Piano and Organ Lessons: Customized piano and organ lessons for kids and adults by FPC organist Wil Smith. Contact him at wmdanielsmith@gmail.com or 646-320-0606 for info.
On the calendar:
For more details about calendar events, click on this link. Click again
on the event on the calendar to read a description. http://www.fpcbrooklyn.org/phpEventCalendar/index.php
Wednesday, January 6:
Men's Breakfast at 7:30 a.m., at the Park Plaza Diner on
Thursday, January 7:
Food Pantry, 10 to 11 a.m. To volunteer, contact Jane Woland at janewoland@yahoo.com.
FPC Choir Thursday night rehearsals at 7 p.m. All are welcome. For more information about FPC Choir please contact our Music Director Amy Neuner at aneuner@verizon.net
Who/where to connect:
Online Donations: Set up a recurring gift to the church through a secure online account.
On the church website, http://www.fpcbrooklyn.org, go to the Site Credits/ Link tab.
If you are setting up your account, click on the "First Church Donation Account Setup" link. To edit an existing gift, choose the "First Church Donation Login" link