"In the Cool of the Evening -- This Friday"

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

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

THIS FRIDAY July 9, 2010

Summer Garden Parties: Join us for the first Garden Party of the summer from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Peace Garden.  Light refreshments will be served.

THIS SUNDAY July 11, 2010

Our Worship Celebration begins at 10:00 a.m. and will continue at that hour throughout July and August.

Rev. Phelps will deliver the sermon "Don't Lose This Key."

Printed copies of Rev. Phelps' recent sermons are on the table in the Narthex (Henry Street Foyer) and are also posted on-line in text and audio formats at www.shphelps.com.

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

Kids Worship: Join our teacher Laura Koenig and kids ages 4 and up for faith, fun and talking vegetables. We will meet after the passing of the peace in the gym for a special Veggie Tales series about trusting God and discovering our inner gifts.

Baby Shower: Please join us after service on July 11 for a welcoming baby shower for Lynn Schnarr Mullé and David Mullé.  We will gather in the Elliot Room for a celebration of the upcoming birth of their first baby.  If you are interested in joining in the group gift please see Marcia or Edna!

The Personnel Committee will meet in the Thurman Room after worship on July 11.

Note that there will be no adult education hour preceding the worship celebration this summer.  The Ten O'Clock Hour will resume in September.

Other News:

Pastor Samir Selmanovic offered our sermon on July 4. He and his theme of open listening to people of all faiths were received especially warmly, and his book  It's Really All About God (Jossey-Bass, 2009) sold quite a number of copies.  He sent us this note:

What a congregation!  Much gratitude to my friend and mentor Rev. Phelps

for inviting me and to all of you for your hospitality and friendship last

week as we reflected on "God Our Stranger" and broke bread together.

See  www.itsreallyallaboutgod.com

We have 4 more blank copies for sale ($20.00) on a first come, first served basis.  Call the office to reserve one, or look for them on the refreshments table this Sunday.

From Social Action Committee: Thanks to everyone who participated in donating and selling books and flea items on 4 separate HOT weekends in June and July.  The Social Action Committee is happy to report that we collected nearly $700 from the effort.  And we talked to a lot of FPC neighbors in the process.  SAC agreed that Touching Tiny Lives, the Eastern Farmworkers, and the Peace Garden will all be beneficiaries of the funds.  Linda Kolts, Chairperson, SAC

A Phone Directory of First Church Members and Friends is now available.  This will be a very useful tool for strengthening our connections in work and in fellowship.  Get a copy in the foyer entrances directly after worship.  Or visit the office during the week.  Or call to have one sent to you.

Summer Music Series: Hymn Sing on the front steps of the church on Thursday, July 15 at 7 p.m.  Please join us for an evening of great music and fellowship to kick off our Summer series this year.  More details to follow.  Contact our Minister of Music Amy Neuner through the Church office at 718-624-3770.

Shakespeare on the Steps: This summer, from July 19-July 30, First Presbyterian Church and teacher Lauren Mancia will be offering a Shakespeare Summer Theater Camp for 7-12 year olds. Classes incorporating voice, movement, acting, and theater games will allow young actors to become acquainted with the exciting world of theater through the language of Shakespeare. $75/camper.  Registration open till, July 8, 2010.  To register contact Jill Huguet at ssteps@firstchurchbrooklyn.org or 718 624-3770.

Choir Rehearsals   Throughout the summer, choir members will join the Music Director at 9:00 am on Sunday for the one weekly rehearsal.  Rehearsals on Thursday evenings resume on Thursday, September 2.

Summer Garden Parties: FPC's Friday evening Garden Parties will be held throughout the summer from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Peace Garden.  Light refreshments will be served.  If you're interested in hosting, please contact Edna Asknes via the Church office.

 Kids Worship this summer: will run through August 22.  Join our teacher Laura Koenig and kids ages 4 and up for faith, fun, and talking vegetables. No Kids Worship on August 29 & September 5. Our regular Sunday School Year begins on September 12.

Communications Team: If you would like to contribute ideas and energy to web site development/enhancement and other strategies and designs for strengthening our community connections, send an email to Richard Greene (rtgreene2@aol.com) who is organizing volunteers for this work. 

Coping With Job Loss- "Beyond the Grief to Hitting the Pavement." Wednesday evenings from 5:00-6:15p.m. (June 23rd to July 28th) in the Thurman room.  For more information and details, see http://www.meetup.com/Coping-With-Job-Loss/ and/or contact group leader, Tonya Deniz, at cwjl@firstchurchbrooklyn.org.

Flower Donations. We welcome flower donations of $30 or more in memory or in honor of friends and loved ones. Call Annie Solages in the Church office at 718-624-3770 or see Barbara Cummings during fellowship hour on Sundays.

Mentoring Youth: If you are interested in mentoring our youth as they continue their faith journey contact Rev. Beth at bwaltemath@firstchurchbrooklyn.org.

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

Appointments with Ministry Staff

Call Rev. Phelps at the Church or, as needed, at home: 718 928-3797 or email: sphelps@firstchurchbrooklyn.org . Contact Rev. Waltemath at bwaltemath@firstchurchbrooklyn.org. The Church Office number is 718 624-3770.

Job Bank: Do you have skills or know of employment?  Contact Susan Schultz at Susanschultzdesign@gmail.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:

Tuesday, July 13

Living with Loss at 4:45-6:15 p.m. in the Thurman Room. Contact Rev. Charles Monaco at 718-647-5479 or email at imagepark@aol.com.

Wednesday, July 14

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

Coping with Job Loss at 5:00-6:15 p.m. in the Thurman  Room. For more information and details, contact Tonya Deniz at 646 289 0872 or cwjl@firstchurchbrooklyn.org

Thursday, July 15

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

Summer Music Series, 7:00 p.m. front steps of the Sanctuary.

     

Friday, July 16

Garden Parties, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Peace Garden.  If you're interested in hosting, please contact Edna Asknes via the Church office at info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org

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.