Friday, February 12, 2010

AT FPC: Cuban Dinner and Fat Tuesday Pancake Dinner

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

Main office (718) 624-3770               Email info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org

 

THIS SUNDAY, February 14, 2010: 

 

Rev. Stephen H. Phelps, our Interim Pastor, will preach a sermon titled: "Speechless." (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., with Christina and Patty.

 

Sunday School Topic: Isaac and Rebekah continue

 

ROOTS of OUR RELIGION: Rev. Phelps continues with an introduction to the Old Testament. Sunday's session will explore the stories of Saul and David.   The class meets in the Rose Room at the far end of the second floor of the church.

 

White Rose Ministry to host Cuban Dinner: the volunteers who coordinate the congregation's work with our sister church in La Fernanda, Cuba will host a fundraising dinner this coming Sunday following worship service in the Elliott Room.  The meal will feature Ms. Emily's world-famous Cuban Chicken and Pork dish along with black beans & rice, flan and a fun slide presentation highlighting the ministry's Nov 2009 trip to Cuba.  Proceeds will go to benefit the senior meals program run by our sister church for their members who are living on limited means.  Donations of any amount are warmly accepted.

 

 

Other News:

 

The Church office will be closed on Monday February 15 in observance of Presidents' Day!

 

Updates on Margaret Grace: Go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bethwaltemath

Consider signing a petition to help St. Vincent's Hospital (where Margaret Grace is a patient) stay open, so that New York state officials and those involved in its financial future understand it is important to many people: http://council.nyc.gov/html/action_center/stvincents.shtml

 

2010 Pancake Supper: Please join us in the Elliott Room on Tuesday February 16, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. for our 5th Annual Pancake Supper. RSVP to Jill Huguet Elsenheimer at hughugj@aol.com if you want to help, set up, and cook.  Suggested donations are $5/person $10/Family.  Donation benefits Haiti Relief and Touching Tiny Lives in Lesotho, Africa.

 

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE:  On February 17 at 7:00 p.m., First Church will begin Lent with a service that will include the imposition of ashes, for those who desire it.  The ashes symbolize the Christian's seriousness about life and death, able to accept our creature nature with wisdom and peace and attention, by the grace of God.  In the Sanctuary.

 

NEW CONCERT SERIES AT FIRST CHURCH!
Please come out and celebrate the very first performance of an exciting new concert series taking place at FPC on Friday, February 19 at 7:30p.m.: MUSIC AT FIRST!  The series is being curated by organist/pianist Wil Smith, and features some of our area's most talented new music ensembles and performers.  In order to introduce our congregation to the music, each performer or ensemble will perform a work on the Sunday morning service of the same week of the concert. Each concert will last between an hour and a hour and a half, and there is a $10 suggested admission per person which will be collected at the door.

The first concert features THREEFIFTY DUO (www.threefiftyduo.com), a classical guitar duo who seamlessly weave their contemporary rock sensibilities within the rich fabric of the classical guitar.  The duo played last summer at our outdoor summer music series to high acclaim among both FPC members and community members alike.  THREEFIFTY DUO will also play during the Sunday Morning service on February 14.

Please help us make this series a success—your attendance and support ensures that more concerts of all types take place at FPC in the future.  For more information, check out our website designed by FPC member Susan Schultz:
www.musicatfirstsite.com

 

Annual Police Appreciation Day: Please join us for our Annual Police Appreciation Day with the 84th Precinct, during our Worship celebration on Sunday February 28 at 11:00 a.m.

 

Women's Ministry: At the next Women's Potluck on March 7th, there will be great food, fabulous conversation and Women of the Bible Trivia.  Look forward to seeing you there.

 

Lenten Practice Encouragement:  Please join the confirmation class and mentors in their spiritual practice for Lent.  See the attached letter from Rev. Beth about the meaning of Lent and its ability to make us appreciate the fullness of life. Choose a way to fast or a practice to take on then send in one reflection about how the experience of Lent made you appreciate the Fullness of life.  If you want to receive reflections from others, send your email to Rev. Beth at bwaltemath@firstchurchbrooklyn.org

 

Wednesday Evening Lenten Service:  Every Wednesday during Lent, we will hold a simple service in the Sanctuary at 7:00 p.m. including music, reflection, and other spiritual practices.

Midweek-Boost will resume after Easter.

 

Inquirers Class: Are you interested in learning more about First Church and Christian life patterns? An Inquirers Class will be held soon. For more information and to sign up, please contact Peggy Slowik at peggyswisher@gmail.com, (917) 400-6589, or Paul Austin at paustin19@yahoo.com

 

2009 FPC Annual Report: Copies are available in the Narthex.  If you would like to have the Annual Report mail to you please call the Church office at 718-624-3770 or email Annie Solages at info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org. Soft copy is also available.

 

2010 Offering Envelopes are available in the Narthex.  If you would like to request (or unsubscribe from receiving) offering envelopes for this year or next year please call the Church office at 718 624-3770 or email Annie Solages at info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org.

 

Needed: Dick Turmail is in need of three strong people to help bring a beautiful convertible leather couch from Pacific Street to the Thurman Room. Please call the church office at 718-624-3770 if you can help Dick.

 

ROOTS of OUR RELIGION

Rev. Phelps' introduction to the Old Testament continues during the 10 o' Clock Hour.  Aware that some people can only come once or twice during this season, Rev. Phelps endeavors to make each session make sense to a first-time attender. Remaining classes will look at the books of the Bible in this manner:

 

February 21: Kings in Confusion: Solomon, Schism and the Rise of the Prophet

February 28: The Major Prophets of Israel and Judah: Amos, Micah, Hosea and Isaiah

March 7:   Speaking in the Face of Disaster: Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Isaiah of Babylon

March 14: Can You Be Blessed When Broken? Wisdom Literature: Job

March 21: More Wisdom: Psalms and Ecclesiastes

March 28: Big Questions the Bible Only Asks, Never Answers (Literature of 400 BC and later)

 

Classes are held in the Rose Room at the far end of the second floor.

 

The Heights Interfaith Shelter needs volunteer cooks and sleepers as backups for members of the three host churches (Assumption – January; Grace – February; Plymouth - March).   If you wish to volunteer to cook meals for 12 (entree and dessert), or stay overnight in the shelter any Monday through Friday, your service is more than welcome.  This is an extremely important effort for our faith community.  If we did not have beds for these men, they would have to spend the night sitting upright on a chair.  Contact Kathy Reynolds (kbridgeview@aol.com) at Assumption, Mary Lou Wells (marylouwells@worldnet.att.net) at Plymouth and Vicky Schippers (vbschippers@aol.com) at Grace if you can help. If you have additional questions, contact Vicky Schippers (vbschippers@aol.com) or speak to Erik Brogger at First Church.

 

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. 

 

Haiti Disaster Relief Update:

First Church of Brooklyn has raised over $4,500 for Haiti's relief. Thank you so much for your generous donations. Please continue to support our Haitian brothers and Sisters.

 

How You Can Help?

 

Haitian Women for Haitian Refugee
1212 Ocean Ave #5A
Brooklyn, NY 11230

http://haitianwomen.wordpress.com/

 

MEDICC is a multiplier. Your donation will touch the lives of people in Haiti and across the globe through the work of thousands of talented young health professionals trained in Cuba in the spirit of public service. To donate by mail, send a check to: MEDICC, P.O. Box 361449, Decatur, GA 30036.
http://www.medicc.org/ns/index.php?s=105

 

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA)

To donate online:   http://www.pcusa.org/pda/

Contributions by cash, check, or money order may be sent to:

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

 

Partners in Health

To donate online:   http://www.pih.org/inforesources/news/Haiti_Earthquake.html

Contributions by check – note "Haiti Earthquake Relief" in the memo line – may be sent to:

Partners In Health
P.O. Box 845578
Boston, MA 02284
-5578

 

International Red Cross and Red Crescent

To donate online:   http://www.ifrc.org/docs/news/pr10/0110.asp

 

 

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On the calendar:

 

Sunday, February 14

Cuban Diner:  following service in the Elliott Room.

 

Monday, February 15   Church office closed

 

Tuesday, February 16

Living with Loss at 6:00 p.m. in the Thurman Room. Contact Rev. Charles Monaco at 718-647-5479 or email at imagepark@aol.com.

 

2010 Pancake Supper: Please join us at 6:30 p.m. in the Elliott Room.RSVP to Jill Huguet Elsenheimer at hughugj@aol.com

 

Wednesday, February 17

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

 

Ash Wednesday Service at 7 p.m. Sanctuary.

 

Thursday, February 18

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

 

Friday, February 19

MUSIC AT FIRST: Come celebrate our first concert, featuring guitarists Threefifty Duo 7:30 PM, in the FPC Sanctuary.  $10 suggested admission.

 

Who/where to connect:

Online Donations: Set up a recurring gift to the church through a secure online account.
On the church website,
www.firstchurchbrooklyn.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

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