Welcoming Advent

A weekly e-newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn:

Main office (718) 624-3770               Email FPC124@aol.com 

 

 

THIS SUNDAY, Nov. 29:  ADVENT I

 

Rev. Stephen Phelps, our Interim Pastor, will preach a sermon entitled: "Eternal Return"

 

You can find Rev. Phelps' sermons online at his Web site, www.shphelps.com, under the sermons link. 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.

 

10 o' Clock Hour: Please join David Mullé in the Elliott Room for 10 o'clock hour as Bible study on Isaiah continues. Great discussions every week!

 

 

Other news:

 

Mid Week Boost: Discussions and reflections from Barbara Brown Taylor's book  An Altar in the World will resume on December 2 at 7:00 p.m. in the Elliot Room. This book focuses on how to get in touch with the divine in our daily lives. Join us as we discuss the Chapter entitled "The Practice of Encountering Others". Prior reading is not required. For information about Mid-Week Boost, please contact Aris Peguero at drarisp@aol.com .

Christmas Pageant Prep II: The second mandatory rehearsal will be on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 10:30 a.m. Pizza will be served after rehearsal. Parents are invited to a Parents Meeting with our new Sunday School Director, Elizabeth, during the children's rehearsal, where she will share her vision for our re-vamped Sunday school program.  We look forward to working with your children in the weeks to come! (The Christmas Pageant will be performed Dec. 6 during the Worship Service.)

 

Annual Cookie Decorating Party: Please join the annual cookie decorating party Saturday, Dec. 5th from 12 to 2 p.m. in the Elliot Room following the Christmas pageant rehearsal. If you would like to bring cookies for decorating or help with the event, please contact Jill Huguet at hughugj@aol.com. The cookies will be sold on Sunday after church Dec. 6th. This year we will also be bagging cookies for the food pantry. Please come and join the holiday fun.

 

Women's Ministry: The monthly women's potluck will now meet in the Elliott Room on the first Sunday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Join us on Dec. 6 as we plan our activities for 2010.

 

Living with Loss during the Holidays: During the holidays, losses we have experienced often resurface intensely.  Come, and allow healing to happen.  Attend all three sessions or any one: Tuesdays, Dec. 8, 15 and 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Thurman Room.  Call Rev. Charles Monaco at 718-510-6964 to confirm attendance.

 

Stewardship Campaign: Stewardship is the Christian's desire to give mindful attention to how we use all our resources. Through the upcoming weeks, consider how you and your family will make a financial, as well as a "Time and Talent" commitment to First Church in the new year. On Sunday, Dec.13th, your pledges will be received and dedicated during a special time in the worship celebration.

 

Sign up for teaching Sunday School: Elizabeth is in great need of December Sunday school teachers!  We have one teacher scheduled for December, but need two others.  Since we have the pageant on 12/6, we need a commitment for only three Sundays -- 12/13, 12/20, and 12/27. Contact Elizabeth de La Garza at Lizdelag@aol.com with questions or to volunteer.

 

Elders Positions: The Church-wide Nominating Committee is developing a slate of new 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.

Christmas Dinner for Food Pantry Guests:  The Food Pantry volunteers will prepare and serve Christmas dinner for our patrons on Monday December 21 at 2:00 pm in the Elliott Room.  Members of the Congregation are invited to participate by bringing a side dish or by volunteering a few hours to help set up, serve dinner and clean up (anytime between 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

 

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.

 

Apartment Hunting: If anyone or anyone you know has an apartment available for a short-term lease or sublet, please contact Frank Kools or Arie Vanduijn at fkools@nyc.rr.com.

 

 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, Dec. 2:

Men's Breakfast at 7:30 a.m., at the Park Plaza Diner on Cadman Plaza. Contact Jim Palmer at jwpalmer@aol.com.

Midweek Boost at 7 p.m. in the Elliott Room. Contact Aris Peguero at drarisp@aol.com or Edna Asknes at eja128@msn.com

 

Thursday, Dec. 3:

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!

 

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

Giving: Our Gratitude

A weekly e-newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn:

Main office (718) 624-3770 Email FPC124@aol.com

THIS SUNDAY, Nov. 22:

Rev. Stephen Phelps, our Interim Pastor, will preach a sermon entitled: "Incomes' Outcomes." This Sunday will mark the beginning of our 2010 Stewardship Campaign.

You can find Rev. Phelps' sermons online at his Web site, www.shphelps.com, under the sermons link. Copies also are available in the Narthex.

Christmas Pageant Prep: This Sunday is the first of two mandatory rehearsals, held right after church. Children will have the opportunity to sign up for parts during children's church. Parents, please pack a lunch bag for your child, and you are invited to attend a Parents Meeting with our new Sunday School Director, Elizabeth, during the children's rehearsal. (The Christmas Pageant will be performed Dec. 6 during the Worship Service.)

Fourth Annual Blanket Drive: Christina Adorno is holding her Fourth Annual Blanket Drive from now until Sunday, Nov. 22, collecting new and slightly used blankets for the homeless during the cold winter season. Money donations are also welcome. For more information, please e-mail Christina Adorno at c1491ashley@msn.com.

The nursery will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Christina and Patty are excited to welcome your kids.

10 o' Clock Hour: Please join David Mullé in the Elliott Room for 10 o'clock hour as Bible study on Isaiah continues. (Great discussions every week)!

Other news:

Called! Rev. Phelps was approved as our Interim Pastor by the Presbytery of New York last Tuesday evening. Our candidate under care, Meagan Manas, was also approved by the presbytery through CPM recommendation as ready to receive a call. Let us all celebrate!

Food Pantry will be closed on Thursday Nov. 26 in observance of Thanksgiving Day. Our weekly food distribution will be on Wednesday Nov. 25. We are currently planning our annual Christmas Luncheon for the food pantry patrons. Please consider contributing a dish or a few hours to help us set up, serve and/or clean up.

Elders Positions: The Church-wide Nominating Committee is developing a slate of new 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.

An Attitude of Gratitude: Join Midweek Boost as we give thanks for all that we have and all that we can be. Light refreshments will be served. Wednesday Nov 25 at 7p in the Elliott Room.

Stewardship Campaign: Stewardship is the Christian's desire to give mindful attention to how we use all our resources. Through the upcoming weeks, consider how you and your family will make a financial, as well as a "Time and Talent" commitment to First Church in the new year. On Sunday, Dec. 6th, your pledges will be received and dedicated during a special time in the worship celebration.

Christmas Pageant Prep II: The second mandatory rehearsal will be on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 10:30 a.m. Pizza will be served after rehearsal. Parents are invited to a Parents Meeting with our new Sunday School Director, Elizabeth, during the children's rehearsal, where she will share her vision for our re-vamped Sunday school program. We look forward to working with your children in the weeks to come!

Annual Cookie Decorating Party: Please join the annual cookie decorating party Saturday, Dec. 5th from 12 to 2 p.m. in the Elliot Room following the Christmas pageant rehearsal. If you would like to bring cookies for decorating or help with the event, please contact Jill Huguet at hughugj@aol.com. The cookies will be sold on Sunday after church Dec. 6th. This year we will also be bagging cookies for the food pantry. Please come and join the holiday fun.

Sign up for Sunday School: We need you! Please sign up to teach for a month.

Or if you'd rather learn, register with us. Please also consider teaching for five Sundays in our co-op program. Contact Elizabeth de La Garza at Lizdelag@aol.com

with questions or to volunteer.

Mission Review Report is complete. Copies will be available in the narthex. Or contact fpc124@aol.com for an electronic version.

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.

Apartment Hunting: If anyone or anyone you know has an apartment available for a short-term lease or sublet, please contact Frank Kools or Arie Vanduijn at fkools@nyc.rr.com.

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, Nov. 25:

Men's Breakfast at 7:30 a.m., at the Park Plaza Diner on Cadman Plaza. Contact Jim Palmer at jwpalmer@aol.com.

Midweek Boost at 7 p.m. in the Elliott Room. Contact Aris Peguero at drarisp@aol.com or Edna Asknes at eja128@msn.com

Food Pantry, 10 to 11 a.m. To volunteer, contact Jane Woland at janewoland@yahoo.com.

Thursday, Nov. 26:

Church Office will be closed

Friday, Nov. 27:

Church Office will be closed

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

"From Bondage to Blessings"

A weekly e-newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn:

Main office (718) 624-3770 Email FPC124@aol.com

THIS SATURDAY, November 14:

Budget Saturday: All Session members and Committee chairs should attend this gathering to prepare the 2010 Budget. We'll meet at the home of Richard and Diane Greene, 212 St. Johns Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217, from 8 to 11 a.m. (Breakfast will be provided.) Questions? Call Ken or Marcia at (718) 398-9307.

Membership Class: Are you interested in joining the Church? There will be a membership class at the church at 11 a.m. For more information, contact Peggy Slowik at peggyswisher@gmail.com, or Paul Austin at paustin19@yahoo.com.

THIS SUNDAY, November 15:

Rev. Stephen Phelps, our Interim Pastor, will preach a sermon entitled: "From Prison."

Rev. Phelps' sermons are available online at his website. Go to www.shphelps.com and click on the sermons link.

Touching Tiny Lives Donation Blessing: During worship service, Sunday School Children will present the gift they collected during Lent for Touching Tiny Lives. It will be a wonderful opportunity for the children to reflect on the good work they did for others. This year, with the help of the children, we will send a donation of $1,000 to Touching Tiny Lives Foundation.

The nursery will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Christina and Patty are excited to welcome your kids.

10 O' Clock Hour: Please join David Mullé in the Elliott Room for 10 o'clock hour as Bible study on Isaiah continues. (Great discussions every week)!

Other news:

Stewardship Campaign: Sunday, November 22nd, marks the beginning of our 2010 Stewardship Campaign:"Stewardship is the Christian´s desire to give mindful attention to how we use all our resources".
Through the upcoming weeks, consider how you and your family will make a financial as
well as a "Time and Talent" commitment to First Church in the new year.
On Sunday, December 6th, your pledges will be received and dedicated during a special
time in the worship celebration.

Christmas Pageant: The preparations for our Christmas Pageant have begun! Children will have the opportunity to sign up for parts during children's church. We will have two mandatory rehearsals. The first will be right after church on Sunday, November 22. Please pack a lunch bag for your child. The second will be on Saturday, December 5 at 10:30 a.m. Pizza Lunch will be served after rehearsal. Parents are invited to a Parent Meeting with our new Sunday School Director, Elizabeth, during the children's rehearsal. Elizabeth will share her vision for our re-vamped Sunday school program. Pageant is on December 6 during service. We look forward to working with your children in the weeks to come!

Annual Cookie Decorating: Please join the annual cookie decorating party Saturday Dec. 5th from 12 - 2:00 p.m. in the Elliot Room following the Christmas pageant rehearsal. If you would like to bring cookies for decorating or help with the event, please contact Jill Huguet at hughugj@aol.com. The cookies will be sold on Sunday after church Dec. 6th. This year we will also be bagging cookies for the food pantry. Please come and join the holiday fun.

Blanket Drive: Christina Adorno is holding her Four Annual Blanket Drive, new and slightly used blankets for the homeless during the cold winter season. Money donations are also welcome. The drive will continue until Sunday November 22^nd. For more information about Blanket Drive please email Christina Adorno at c1491ashley@msn.com.

Elders Positions: The Church-wide Nominating Committee is soliciting interest for several Elders positions. If you are interested in serving FPC in this way, 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 of CWNC).

Mid Week Boost: Louis Duplan will be leading reflections from the book An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor. This book focuses on how to get in touch with the divine in our daily lives. No prior reading is required. On Wednesday, at 7:00 p.m., Elliot Room. For information about Mid-Week Boost, please contact Aris Peguero at drarisp@aol.com or Edna Asknes at eja128@msn.com.

Food Pantry: We still need volunteers to receive food from the CSA on Wednesday evenings for next five weeks. Arrive about 7:30 p.m. and wait for CSA volunteers to bring produce. Place on tables in the Narthex for distribution to the Food Pantry clients on Thursday. See Linda Kolts or call her at 718-855-1206. Our guarantee: You will feel good about your participation in helping the Food Pantry.

Sign up for Sunday School: We need you! Please sign up to teach for a month.

Or if you'd rather learn, register with us. Please also consider teaching for five Sundays in our co-op program. Contact Elizabeth de La Garza at Lizdelag@aol.com

with questions.

To volunteer to teach Sunday School, please contact Elizabeth at lizdelag@aol.com

Mission Review Report is complete. Copies will be available in the narthex. Or contact fpc124@aol.com for an electronic version.

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.

Apartment Hunting: If anyone or anyone you know has an apartment available for a short-term lease or sublet, please contact Frank Kools or Arie Vanduijn at fkools@nyc.rr.com.

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, November 18:

Men's Breakfast at 7:30 a.m., at the Park Plaza Diner on Cadman Plaza. Contact Jim Palmer at jwpalmer@aol.com.

Midweek Boost at 7 p.m. in the Elliott Room. Contact Aris Peguero at drarisp@aol.com or Edna Asknes at eja128@msn.com

Thursday, November 19:

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!

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

AT FPC: Soup's On! Plus Rev. Phelps on "If God Does Not Exist"

A weekly e-newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn:

Main office (718) 624-3770               Email FPC124@aol.com 

 

 

THIS SUNDAY, November 8:

 

Rev. Stephen Phelps, our Interim Pastor will preach a sermon titled: "If God Does Not Exist." And, after the Worship Service, stick around for …

 

Many Mansions: "Getting to know you, getting to know all about you. Getting to like you, hoping that you like me." Join us Sunday, Nov. 8, after worship for an hour of "Soup and Sacred Conversations". Rev. Phelps will be sharing the soup and the conversation -- so we can begin to get to know him, and also continue to get to know each other.

 

 

The nursery will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Christina and Patty are excited to welcome your kids.

 

10 o' Clock Hour. Please join David Mullé in the Thurman Room for 10 o'Clock Hour as Bible study on Isaiah continues. (Great discussions every week.)

 

Christmas Pageant preparations begin this Sunday, Nov. 8. Amy Neuner will be working with the kids in Sunday School this week to assign parts based on a script written for us by member Gwynne Watkins.  Please contact aneuner@verizon.net or lizdelag@aol.com for more information about parts and practices.  Look for more updates in the e-news and bulletins.

 

 

Other news:

 

Our Multicultural Journey: First Church is a 2009 contestant for the Multicultural Church Story Contest on the PCUSA website.  (The First Church story and entry is attached as a PDF.) Special thanks to Emily Thomas, who wrote a beautiful essay, and all those who helped tweak, expand, and ready it for the contest, including Rev. Beth, Edna Asknes, James Johnson, Marcia Smith, Taylor Margis-Noguera, and Barbara Palmer.

  
How is Rev. Beth? Associate Pastor Update: Rev. Beth wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and encouragement.   She has especially enjoyed the congregation's gift of FreshDirect meals and flowers as they have respectively eased the domestic strain of her bed rest and brightened her bedroom.  "My experience reminds me that every day of every life is a gift.  I feel blessed to be a part of a community in which each individual honors the gift of life by giving of themselves.  I cannot thank each of you enough for all the large and small ways you have blessed me with your gifts during a difficult time."

 

Tuesday Tea is always served the second Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m. in the Elliott Room.  Hope to see you on Nov.10 for our next "tea with talk."  For more information, contact Linda Kolts at 718-855-1206

Mid Week Boost: Seminary graduate Diana Bell will be leading reflections from the book An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor. This book focuses on how to get in touch with the divine in our daily lives. No prior reading is required. On Wednesday, at 7 p.m., Elliot Room.  For information about Mid-Week Boost, please contact Aris Peguero at drarisp@aol.com or Edna Asknes at eja128@msn.com

Budget Saturday, Nov. 14. All Session members and Committee chairs should attend this gathering to prepare the 2010 Budget. We'll meet at the home of Richard and Diane Greene,  212 St. Johns Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217,  from 8 to 11 a.m. (Breakfast will be provided.) All budget requests from the committee need to be e-mailed to Treasurer Ken Andrichik by Sunday Nov. 8, at at ken.andrichik@finra.org.  Questions? Call Ken or Marcia at (718) 398-9307.

 

Membership:  Are you interested in joining the Church? There will be a membership class on Nov. 14  at the church at 11 a.m. For more information, contact Peggy Slowik at

peggyswisher@gmail.com, or Paul Austin at paustin19@yahoo.com

 

Food Pantry: We still need volunteers to receive food from the CSA on Wednesday evenings for next five weeks.  Arrive about 7:30 p.m. and wait for CSA volunteers to bring produce.   Place on tables in the Narthex for distribution to the Food Pantry clients on Thursday.  See Linda Kolts or call her at 718-855-1206.  Our guarantee:  You will feel good about your participation in helping the Food Pantry. 

 

Sign up for Sunday School:  We need you!  Please sign up to teach for a month.

Or if you'd rather learn, register with us. Please also consider teaching for five Sundays in our co-op program.  Contact Elizabeth de La Garza at Lizdelag@aol.com

with questions. 

 

To volunteer to teach Sunday School, please contact Elizabeth at lizdelag@aol.com

 

Mission Review Report is complete.  Copies will be available in the narthex. Or contact fpc124@aol.com for an electronic version.

 

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.

 

Jami Jackson, FPC Choir Member, R&B Singer & songwriter will have her first solo show at the Broadway Baby Bistro Piano Bar.   It will be an intimate performance featuring a talented pianist named David Berry.  She will sing R&B covers, her original music, as well as a couple of jazz songs.  The show will be on Nov 10 at 7 p.m. Admission $10 with 2 drink minimum. This is a show you won't want to miss!

 

Apartment Hunting: If anyone or anyone you know has an apartment available for a short-term lease or sublet, please contact Frank Kools or Arie Vanduijn at fkools@nyc.rr.com.

 

VILLAGE PLAYBACK THEATRE WILL PERFORM STORIES ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS On Friday, November 13^th at 7:00 p.m. Elliott Room.

Your stories linked to the theme of Human Rights will be transformed into theater pieces as part of an international project in which Playback companies in 26 countries are going to participate.  Playback is a participatory, improvisational theater form in which performers enact experiences told by members of the audience without script or rehearsal and create an event that is unique and magical.  $12 suggested Contribution will be most appreciated.

 

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, November 11:

Men's Breakfast at 7:30 a.m., at the Park Plaza Diner on Cadman Plaza. Contact Jim Palmer at jwpalmer@aol.com.

Midweek Boost at 7 p.m. in the Elliott Room. Contact Aris Peguero at drarisp@aol.com or Edna Asknes at eja128@msn.com

 

Thursday, November 12:

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!

 

Saturday, November 14:

New Members Class, 11 am, Sanctuary

 

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.