It's Fall --- Let's Rise!

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

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

THIS SATURDAY September 18, 2010

Inquirers Class: at 11:00 a.m. in the Manse (128 Henry St.).  If you want to take part in this conversation, please contact Paul Austin at paustin19@yahoo.com or Peggy Slowik at peggyswisher@gmail.com  or (917) 400-6589. (Church members are also welcome. Please tell Paul, Peggy, or Rev. Phelps if you would like to attend a meeting.)

THIS SUNDAY September 19, 2010

The Worship Celebration begins at 11:00 a.m.

Rev. Phelps will deliver the sermon "Power Made Perfect in Weakness"

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

Ten O'Clock Hour: Throughout September and October, we will continue to explore 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.

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

Kids Worship: Sunday school continues with whole-group community-building games.  Join us right after service for our Family pizza party -- pick up your FPC t-shirt ($20) and tie-dye it! Tie Dye supplies will be provided.  Please note that youth leaders will assist the children with tie dying while the parents meet.

Other News:

About our Associate Pastor Rev. Beth Waltemath

With a mixture of sadness and gladness, we announce that our associate pastor Rev. Beth Waltemath will soon leave her labors in the fellowship of her beloved First Church.  Beth and her husband David have been called as a clergy couple to serve the North Decatur Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Georgia, beginning October 1, 2010.

The Session has called a Special Congregational Meeting for Sunday, September 26, 2010, immediately following the worship celebration.  The main business of the meeting will be to act on Rev. Beth's request to dissolve the pastoral relationship with the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn.  A Luncheon will follow in the Elliott Room honoring Rev. Beth's time at FPC Brooklyn.

 Memory Catcher for Rev. Beth: There is a journal in the Narthex, placed there for us to write notes or tuck in photographs for Rev. Beth as we prepare for her departure.

 

Now there's a Baby Changing Table . . . in the MEN's Room.  Of course, we're not the first church to think of such an amenity.  But at last First's men can pamper their little people in peace.

Coping With Job Loss and Job Search now with two sessions on Saturdays, Sept 25th to Oct 30th - "Job Loss Grief" (9:45-11am) and "Beyond the Grief to Hitting the Pavement" (11am-12:15pm) 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.

  

On September 22, at Faith House in Manhattan, Rev. Phelps will lead the first "Living Room" of the fall season.   See http://www.faithhousemanhattan.org/faith_house/

He is going to tell the story of how a small town congregation he served in upstate New York developed into a spiritual community through ministry and fellowship with once-unseen and feared lesbian and gay members of the area.  He will then guide small-group  reflection on the experience of being "other," asking attenders to tether their visions of a horizon far beyond tolerance to action steps.

An all-First Church cast will offer a dramatic reading of the librettos for two new operas written by Terry Quinn.   You can hear the readings of The Mark of Cain and The Birthmark in the Elliott Room of the church on Saturday, October 23 at 2:00 p.m.  The readings take not very much time, when compared with a full opera.  As a consequence,  Larry Picard and Frank Longino will also sing an aria from the work.  The public is invited. 

September is National Preparedness MONTH: Make a Plan: Pick a Meeting Point...

It is much easier to stay calm during an emergency if you have a plan. Decide where your household will reunite after a disaster. Identify two places to meet: one right outside your home, and another outside your neighborhood, such as a library, community center, or place of worship - why not at First Church. Visit your meeting place with your family and discuss the alternative routes to reach it in case an emergency shuts down a piece of your neighborhood. Check out the following National Preparedness Month resources that can help you choose a meeting place:

• Use the Get Ready NYC: My Meeting Place application on OEM's Facebook page this week for a chance to win a Go Bag.

On September 18 and 19, visit a participating museum and present a completed Ready New York Emergency Reference Card to receive a discounted admission ticket. View the list of participating institutions

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.

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.

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 21

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 22

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 23

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 Minister Amy Neuner at aneuner@verizon.net for info about the choir.

Saturday, September 25

Inquirers Class at 9:00 a.m. in the Manse (128 Henry Street, beside the church). For more detail, please contact Paul Austin at paustin19@yahoo.com or Peggy Slowik at peggyswisher@gmail.com  or (917) 400-6589.

Coping with Job Loss and Job Search 9:45-12:15 p.m. in the Thurman Room. For more information and details, contact Tonya Deniz at 646 289 0872 or cwjl@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.