Thursday, August 19, 2010

FPC Welcomes Food Pantry Client Choice!

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

THIS FRIDAY August 20, 2010
Summer Garden Party: Join us for our Garden Party from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Peace Garden. This week's Garden party will be hosted by Green Team & Coping with Job Loss. Light refreshments will be served.  

THIS SUNDAY August 22, 2010
The Worship Celebration begins at 10:00 a.m. throughout August.
Paul Mowry will deliver the sermon "Eight Days A Week". Paul joined the church three years ago and is active in our youth and confirmation program.  A graduate of Union Theological Seminary and  a board member of Presbyterian Welcome, Paul has received awards for preaching and promise in pastoral ministry.

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. After the passing of the peace, the children meet in the gym for a special Veggie Tales series about trusting God and discovering their inner gifts.

Food Pantry: After Service this Sunday, we welcome visitors to the Food Pantry. Our client choice kick-off will be on Thursday August 26. If you wish to volunteer in the Food Pantry see Jane woland on Sunday.

Other News:

Rev. Phelps will begin a two-week vacation on Monday, August 16th.  In his absence, emergency pastoral care needs will be provided through the church.  Please call the church office for help with a pastoral care need.

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

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.

Inquirers Class starting in September!      
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 a meeting.)

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, the parables of Jesus will be discussed.  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

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: Join us for our last Garden Party of the Summer Friday August 27 from 6-7:30 p.m. This week Garden Party will be co-hosted by the Membership Committee and Edna Asknes, Clerk of Session.

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 the team for this work. 

A Phone Directory of First Church Members and Friends is available---a useful tool for strengthening our connections in work and fellowship. 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.

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

Appointments with Ministry Staff
During Rev. Phelps' vacation, call the Church Office at 718 624-3770.

Some church regulars gathered recently to rehearse a reading of the libretto for a new opera, written by Terry Quinn.  A public reading (not a performance) is contemplated for the fall at First Church.  Stay tuned.

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, August 24
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, August 25
Men's Breakfast at 7:30 a.m., at the Park Plaza Diner on Cadman Plaza. Contact Jim Palmer at jwpalmer@aol.com

Thursday, August 26
Food Pantry, 10 to 11 a.m. To volunteer, contact Jane Woland at jawol28@gmail.com
     
Friday, August 27
Garden Party: the last Garden Party of the summer, 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Peace Garden.


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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