Sunday, March 28, 2010

The Wholly Holy Week

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

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

 

THIS FRIDAY, March 26, 2010 – Pianist Kathleen Supové AT FIRST CHURCH!
Please come out and celebrate the second performance of an exciting new concert series taking place at First Church Sanctuary at 7:30p.m., featuring Kathleen Supové, pianist (www.kathleensupove.com). There is a suggested admission $10 per person which will be collected at the door.  Please help us make this series a success—your attendance and support ensures that more concerts of all types take place at First Church in the future.  For more information, check out our website designed by First Church member Susan Schultz: www.musicatfirstsite.com

 

THIS SUNDAY, March 28, 2010 – Palm Sunday Celebration:

Rev. Elizabeth Waltemath, Associate Pastor, will deliver the sermon "One Step Forward."

 

Recent sermons of our Interim Senior Pastor are available online at www.shphelps.com, and printed copies are available in the Narthex (Henry Street Foyer).

 

Easter Lilies: If you wish to provide a Lily in honor of or in memory of your loved ones, please fill out the Easter Lilies form available in the Narthex (Henry Street Foyer) or email at info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org, or call the church office at 718-624-3770. A list of names received no later than Palm Sunday will be published in the Easter Bulletin.

 

The nursery will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with Christina and Patty.

 

ROOTS of OUR RELIGION: Rev. Phelps continues with an introduction to the Old Testament with More Wisdom: Psalms and Ecclesiastes. The class meets in the Rose Room at the far end of the second floor of the church.

 

Other News:

 

White Rose Ministry Hosts Evening with Film-maker:  in preparation for the White Rose Ministry's delegation traveling to Cuba this May, organizers are hosting a viewing of the documentary "Butterflies on the Scaffold" and talk with producer/director Margaret Gilpin.  The 1-hr long film follows a handful of gay Cubans around for a couple weeks and video tapes their daily activities such as going to work, having meals with family members and making costumes for their drag shows.  The details:  Tuesday, March 30, 7:30 p.m. first floor gym.  This event is open to anyone interested, not just the delegation traveling to Cuba May 13-21.  Contact Patrick (347.880.1530) or Emily (347.262.6466) with any questions.

 

Inquirers Class: A group of FPC participants is gathering on Saturday April 3 at 10:00 a.m. in the Manse (128 Henry Street) to reflect together on the meaning of their faith and the life of First Church.  If you want to take part in these conversations, please contact Paul Austin at paustin19@yahoo.com.

 

 

 Holy Week Schedule

 

 

Thu. April 1, 7:00 pm              Maundy Thursday Seder, led by Rev. Beth Waltemath

Elliott Room

 

Fri. April 2, 7:00 pm               Good Friday-Tenebrae Service

 

Sun. April 4, 6:30 am              Easter Sunrise Service on the Promenade at Clark Street

 

Sun. April 4, 11:00 am            Easter Worship Service, Rev. Stephen H. Phelps, preaching

 

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

 

March of Dimes in Honor of Margaret Grace: Jill Huguet started a team for the March of Dimes, March for the Babies 2010 in honor of Margaret Grace. The walk is on Sunday April 25 at 9 a.m. and it is only 3 miles. If you or your family would like to walk or donate, please click on the link below.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/MargaretGracefpcb

 

Correspondent desired:  An inmate of Sing Sing Correctional Facility has written to First Church with a simple request. An excerpt: "I have no family or friends or anyone on the outside writing to me. . . I'm hoping that . . . someone within the church will write to me."  As one who works with groups at the prison, Rev. Phelps is prevented by state policy from corresponding with this man or any other individual at Sing Sing.  However, anyone in the church who would like to think through the possibility of taking up this ministry of compassion should feel free to speak with Rev. Phelps. He has the name and contact information for the particular inmate, and many years of experience in prison ministries.

 

First Church Staff Email Addresses:

To simplify communications with the web world, we are finally changing our e-addresses to standard business formats, using first initial + whole last name + church domain name. For example:

Rev. Phelps                 sphelps@firstchurchbrooklyn.org

Rev. Waltemath          bwaltemath@firstchurchbrooklyn.org

Victor Forde, sexton   vforde@firstchurchbrooklyn.org

Although emails will get through to our church administrator Anne Solages at asolages@firstchurchbrooklyn.org, Annie notes that it is best to use  info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org.  That is the address to begin using.  Please delete the old address, fpc124@aol.com.

 

Messages sent to Amy Neuner, Wil Smith, and Sunday School Director Elizabeth de la Garza Vargas with the new addresses will be forwarded to their personal addresses, which have not changed.

Amy Neuner               aneuner@firstchurchbrooklyn.org

Wil Smith                    wsmith@firstchurchbrooklyn.org

Elizabeth de la  Garza Vargas             edelagarza@firstchurchbrooklyn.org

 

New boxes can be created very easily.  Church projects—especially those aimed to serve or connect with people outside the church—can benefit when the public has a simple handle for them.  For example, an email for a children's Shakespeare theater program set for July here at First Church has been created at ssteps@firstchurchbrooklyn.org. If you think a box would help your church work, please call the church office to have one set up.

 

Don't worry about emails sent to the old AOL addresses.  We will maintain the old AOL account for the next few months so that nothing is missed and make sure you know when they are suspended.  But why not change your address book now, while it's on your mind?

 

Cuba Trip Planned with FPC White Rose Ministry

FPC White Rose Ministry has been invited to participate in several events in Cuba during the country's National Week against Homophobia May 13-21 (and stay longer for an additional program.  The FPC delegation will be involved in planned programs in Havana, Santa Clara and Veradero with religious and party officials.  Other social and cultural activities will also be scheduled.  Projected cost for participating is $1,800/person, which includes airfare, room, board and travel visas.  Contact either Emily Thomas (cell: 347.262.6466, email: thomas@igc.org ) or Patrick Dail (cell: 347.880.1530 or email: LPatrickDail@gmail.com) for more information.

 

2010 Offering Envelopes are available in the Narthex (Henry Street Foyer).  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.

 

ROOTS of OUR RELIGION

Rev. Phelps' "10 o' Clock Hour" introduction to the Old Testament will conclude on

April 4:  Big Questions the Bible Only Asks, Never Answers. The class will consider the many short books written after 400 BC, including Ruth, Jonah, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah and Chronicles.  The question of Israel's "vocation" or purpose is put in very different, even contradictory, ways by these books.  Come and take a look.

The class is held in the Rose Room at the far end of the second floor.

 

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 $4,550 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:

 

Tuesday, March 30

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.

 

White Rose Ministry – Hosts Evening with Film-maker at 7:30p.m. in the Gym. Contact either Emily Thomas (cell: 347.262.6466, email: thomas@igc.org ) or Patrick Dail (cell: 347.880.1530 or email: LPatrickDail@gmail.com) for more information.

 

Wednesday, March 31

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

 

Thursday, April 1

Food Pantry, 10 to 11 a.m. To volunteer, contact Jane Woland at jawol28@gmail.com

 

FPC Choir Rehearsal (usually on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m.) is canceled this week so that all may enjoy the . . .   

Maundy Thursday Seder, 7:00 p.m. Elliott Room

(Please contact Music Director Amy Neuner at aneuner@verizon.net for info about the choir.)

 

Friday, April 2

Good Friday-Tenebrae Service, 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary

 

Saturday, April 3

Inquirers Class at 10:00 a.m. in the Manse. (128 Henry Street is next door to the left of the church).  Contact Paul Austin at paustin19@yahoo.com for more information.

 

Sunday, April 4

      Easter Sunrise Service on the Promenade at Clark Street, 6:30 a.m.

      Ten O'Clock Hour: Conclusion of the Old Testament Introduction

      Easter Celebration 11:00 a.m.  Rev. Phelps will deliver the sermon, "At One At Last."

 

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, click the DONATE button at the lower left of the page.  To set up an 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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