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