At FPC: Ring in the New Year -- New Series Starting

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

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

 

 

Updates on Reverend Beth Waltemath and Grace: Go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bethwaltemath

 

THIS SUNDAY, January 10, 2010:  The Sacrament of Baptism

 

This Sunday, First Church gladly celebrates the sacrament of baptism for Wilder Stephen Cheston, son of Terra Lynch and Aric Cheston.  Rev. Stephen H. Phelps, our Interim Pastor, will preach a sermon entitled: "Many Rivers to (the) Cross" (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.

 

Sunday School Topic: Abraham and Sarah

 

ROOTS of OUR RELIGION: Starting this Sunday, Rev. Phelps will lead an eight week introduction to the Hebrew Bible during the 10 O'clock Hour in the Thurman Room. The first Session is entitled: The Roller Coaster Method for learning the Bible; the theology and development of Genesis and the Pentateuch.

 

Notice of Death of Jon Abernethy's Father: We grieve with Elder Jonathan Abernethy and family in the death of his father William Beaven Abernethy, from Parkinson's disease for 27 years.  He died in his sleep, mercifully, after years of struggling with a tough illness. The Memorial Service and Graveside Service are happening this weekend in Massachusetts.  First Church Congregation sends sincere condolences to Jon and his family during this difficult time.

 

Other News:

 

2010 Offering Envelopes are available in the Narthex.  If you would like to request or unsubscribe Offering Envelopes for this year or next year please call the Church office at 718-624-3770 or email Annie Solages at fpc124@aol.com.

 

Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation: Sunday, January 31 immediately following Worship Service in the Elliott Room. The entire congregation, whether you have joined the church or not is encouraged to come. Food will be served.

 

Men's Breakfast: This month we're going to be examining the Book of Job.  The attached link can be downloaded from PC USA & is provided as a framework for our discussion of Job, "The Story of a Man Confronting Adversity."  Job has also been described as the story of an "Innocent Sufferer who at last meets God." Please Join Us for fellowship & good conversation:

 www.pcusa.org/men/biblestudy/job.pdf

Jan 6.....Session 1....Job 1-2

Jan 13....Session 2...Job 3-10

Jan 20...Session 3....Job 11-19

Jan 27...Session 4....Job 20-31

 

Elders Positions: An Opportunity to Serve. 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 (Cornwall on Hudson, New York).  Activities, fellowship and spiritual nurture for all ages organized by the Many Mansions Team (Hopefully, snow and sledding too).  For further information call Emily Thomas at 347-262-6466 or email the Church at fpc124@aol.com  to reserve your space. 

 

NYU ENRICHMENT LECTURE: EVOLVING FAITH IN A SECULAR WORLD

 

Please join Professor Derrick Bell and the Choir of First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, Amy Neuner, Director at Tishman Auditorium, NYU Law School on Thursday, January 21, 2010.  This annual program will offer a selection of Spirituals and gospel music that will warm the hearts and lift the spirits for all in attendance.  The lyrics of these songs reflect the literalist beliefs of those who wrote and sang them, but they have a quality, likely attributable to their painful origins, that broadens the sights of those who have moved beyond traditional religious doctrine and seek spiritual support for values in keeping with the challenges of our contemporary world.

 

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 24: Outlaws in the Desert: A People Takes Shape; Into Canaan Land

January 31: The Strange Secret of Deuteronomy

February 7: Kings and Confusion: Saul, David, Solomon and the Divided Monarchy

February 14: The 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.

 

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:

 

Sunday, January 10

Church Wide Nominating Committee Meeting: 12:30 p.m. Thurman Room

 

Monday, January 11

Session Meeting: 7:00 p.m., Rose Room.

 

Tuesday, January 12

Tuesday Tea: 4:00 p.m., Rose Room.

 

Wednesday, January 13:

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

 

Thursday, January 14:

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