Thursday, September 2, 2010

"First News of the Fall"

A weekly e-newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn:
Main office (718) 624-3770               Email info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org

THIS SUNDAY September 5, 2010
The Worship Celebration begins at 11:00 a.m.  

Rev. Phelps will deliver the sermon "When Words Won't" and we will celebrate the Lord's Supper.

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: Children Ages 4 and up, are welcome to stay in service.  There will be no Kids Worship.  Sunday School Registration will begin on September 12th and classes on the 19th.

Other News:

Summer Garden Parties
Edna Asknes extends a very special "thank you" to all who participated in the Garden Parties during the summer. Whether you hosted, attended, helped with the set-up/clean-up, it wouldn't have been the same without you.  We had another great summer of community building and look forward to the Garden Parties of 2011!

The Church office will be closed on Monday September 6 in observance of Labor Day.

NEW SEASON FOR CONCERT SERIES AT FIRST CHURCH

Please come out and celebrate the opening of the second season of MUSIC AT FIRST, an exciting new concert series taking place at First Church on Friday, September 10 at 7:30p.m., featuring Dither Electric Guitar Quartet (www.ditherquartet.com) and Kyle Bobby Dunn with string ensemble (www.myspace.com/kbdunn).   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.  $10 admission.

Gifts of Spirit Meditation: Join us on Saturday September 11, 2010 in the Sanctuary from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. for Sound Healing and Toning and Guided Meditation.  Our intention is to reflect quietly in "deep listening" to your inner voice and feel balanced and centered.  (Free Admission)

Later on, come for an additional workshop in the Sanctuary from 1:00-2:30 p.m. on Creative Power Conversation: "Steps to find your Center" and Sound Healing Energy Readings. (Suggested Donation: $10)  - Harriette (LotusHawk) Mandeville, Facilitator.

Inquirers Class starting soon.
If you have been thinking about learning more about First Church, take part in the September Inquirers Class. We will be gathering three times at the Manse (128 Henry Street, beside the church) to reflect together on the meaning of faith and life and First Church.

This class will likely be the last opportunity to join before the congregation elects a new Senior Pastor some time this fall. (Only members of FPC are eligible to vote when the congregation calls a pastor.) The meetings will take place on the following Saturdays:
Sept. 11 @ 9 a.m., Sept. 18 @ 11 a.m., and Sept. 25 @ 9 a.m. Those from the class who decide to join the church will do so on October 3.

To take part, please contact Paul Austin at paustin19@yahoo.com or Peggy Slowik at peggyswisher@gmail.com or (917) 400-6589.

(Church members who want refreshment in matters of faith and church are also welcome. 
Please tell Paul, Peggy, or Rev. Phelps if you would like to attend the class.)

Sunday, September 12 marks HOMECOMING  SUNDAY at First Church.  Everyone is encouraged to invite friends and family for the day.  Consider calling a person you haven't seen at the church in a long while.  There will be two baptisms during worship and our Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Dr. Paul Smith, will be taking part.  After the service, another of First's feasts will be served by some of our great hosts and cooks.  Come home & drink deep from our spiritual fellowship.

Ten O'Clock Hour: On Sunday, September 12 at 10:00, the Ten O'Clock Hour resumes in the Thurman Room.  During September and October, we will explore some of the parables of Jesus.  Join us for an hour of fellowship, spiritual reflection, education, and thoughtful discussion.  No outside reading is required.  All are welcome.

A Note from Elder Larry Picard.    In May, I signed up for Team In Training, a fundraising arm of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. As a team, we are training to run a marathon (yes, a marathon) and individually we are committed to raising thousands of dollars for LLS. On October 2, I will be participating in the Hamptons Marathon. Right now, I am raising $3,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I'm happy to report that my fundraising has been successful so far. However, I need to continue my efforts in order to reach my goal and so am turning to my church community for support.  Below is a link to my fundraising page. In the link, click on the Donate Now button in the column on the right if you'd like to donate by credit card. I can also accept cash and checks (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society).  http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/hampton10/larrypicard

A Phone Directory of First Church members and friends is available. Ask for one at church, or contact the office to have one sent to you.

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.

Associate Pastor Rev. Beth Waltemath is on Family/Medical leave to care for her medically fragile daughter Margaret Grace as she transitions home. She will return to her normal pastoral duties on Friday, October 29th.  Rev. Beth wishes to thank the congregation for your support and prayers this year.

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 .  The Church Office number is 718 624-3770.

A reading performance of the libretto for a new opera, written by Terry Quinn is in the works.  The Mark of Cain will be read by an all-First Church cast on Saturday, October 23 at 2:00 p.m. in the Elliott Room of the church.  The program will include additional offerings, too.  The public is invited. 

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.

On the calendar:

Tuesday, September 7
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.

Wednesday, September 8
Men's Breakfast at 7:30 a.m., at the Park Plaza Diner on Cadman Plaza. Contact Jim Palmer at jwpalmer@aol.com

Thursday, September 9
Food Pantry, 10 to 11 a.m. To volunteer, contact Jane Woland at jawol28@gmail.com
   
FPC Choir Rehearsal, Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. Please contact Music Director Amy Neuner at aneuner@verizon.net for info about the choir.

Friday, September 10
MUSIC AT FIRST CONCERT, at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary; Contact Wil Smith at wmdanielsmith@gmail.com or call the church office at 718-624-3770.

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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