Friday, January 29, 2010

FPC Super Sunday: Congregational Meeting and Lunch

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

Main office (718) 624-3770 Email FPC124@aol.com

THIS SUNDAY, January 31, 2010:

Rev. Stephen H. Phelps, our Interim Pastor, will preach a sermon titled: "Local Universal Church." (Find Rev. Phelps' recent sermons online at his Web site, www.shphelps.com, under the sermons link. Printed copies also are available in the Narthex.)

Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation: Immediately following Worship Service in the Elliott Room, to elect new Session members and Corporation officers. Everyone in the congregation, whether you have joined the church or not, is invited and encouraged to come. Lunch will be served.

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

Sunday School Topic: Abraham and Sarah, continued.

ROOTS of OUR RELIGION: Rev. Phelps continues with an introduction to the Old Testament. Sunday's session will explore "Outlaws in the Desert: Moses Shapes a People Toward Promised Land." Please note: the class will take place in the Rose Room at the far end of the second floor of the church.

Other News:

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.

Haiti Disaster Relief Update:

First Church of Brooklyn has raised over $4,500 for Haiti's relief. Thank you so much for your generous donations.

How You Can Help?

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

Haitian Women for Haitian Refugee
1212 Ocean Ave #5A
Brooklyn, NY 11230

http://haitianwomen.wordpress.com/

***************************************

Inquirers Class: Are you interested in learning more about joining the Church? An Inquirers Class will be held soon. For more information and to sign up, please contact Peggy Slowik at peggyswisher@gmail.com, (917) 400-6589, or Paul Austin at paustin19@yahoo.com.

2010 Pancake Supper: Please join us in the Elliott Room on Tuesday February 16, 2010 for our 5th Annual Pancake Supper. RSVP to Jill Huguet Elsenheimer at hughugj@aol.com if you want to help, set up, and cook. Suggested donations are $5/person $10/Family. Donation benefits Haiti Relief and Touching Tiny Lives in Lesotho, Africa.

2010 Offering Envelopes are available in the Narthex. 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 fpc124@aol.com.

Needed: Dick Turmail is in need of three strong people to help bring a beautiful convertible leather couch from Pacific Street to the Thurman Room. Please call the church office at 718-624-3770 if you can help Dick.

ROOTS of OUR RELIGION

Rev. Phelps' introduction to the Old Testament continues during the 10 o' Clock Hour. Aware that some people can only come once or twice during this season, Rev. Phelps endeavors to make each session make sense to a first-time attender. Remaining classes will look at the books of the Bible in this manner:

February 7: The Strange Secret of Deuteronomy

February 14: Give us a King: Saul and David

February 21: Kings in Confusion: Solomon, Schism and the Rise of the Prophet

February 28: The Major Prophets of Israel and Judah: Amos, Micah, Hosea and Isaiah

March 7: Speaking in the Face of Disaster: Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Isaiah of Babylon

March 14: Can You Be Blessed When Broken? Wisdom Literature: Job

March 21: More Wisdom: Psalms and Ecclesiastes

March 28: Big Questions the Bible Only Asks, Never Answers (Literature of 400 BC and later)

Meetings will be in the Rose Room at the far end of the second floor.

The Heights Interfaith Shelter needs volunteer cooks and sleepers as backups for members of the three host churches (Assumption – January; Grace – February; Plymouth - March). If you wish to volunteer to cook meals for 12 (entree and dessert), or stay overnight in the shelter any Monday through Friday, your service is more than welcome. This is an extremely important effort for our faith community. If we did not have beds for these men, they would have to spend the night sitting upright on a chair. Contact Kathy Reynolds (kbridgeview@aol.com) at Assumption, Mary Lou Wells (marylouwells@worldnet.att.net) at Plymouth and Vicky Schippers (vbschippers@aol.com) at Grace if you can help. If you have additional questions, contact Vicky Schippers (vbschippers@aol.com) or speak to Erik Brogger at First Church.

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.

On the calendar:

Sunday, January 31,

Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation at 12:30 pm in the Elliott Room.

Tuesday, February 2

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, February 3:

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

Midweek Boost at 7 p.m. in the Elliott Room. Diana Bell will lead us on reflections from the book "An Altar in the World" by Barbara Brown Taylor. Contact Aris Peguero at drarisp@aol.com

Thursday, February 4:

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

FPC Choir Thursday night rehearsals at 7 p.m. All are welcome. For more information about FPC Choir please contact our Music Director Amy Neuner at aneuner@verizon.net

Who/where to connect:

Online Donations: Set up a recurring gift to the church through a secure online account.
On the church website,
http://www.fpcbrooklyn.org, go to the Site Credits/ Link tab.
If you are setting up your account, click on the "First Church Donation Account Setup" link. To edit an existing gift, choose the "First Church Donation Login" link

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Letter to Help Margaret Grace's Hospital

January 27, 2010

Dear Friends

We urgently need your help to fight against the immanent closure of St. Vincent's Hospital in Greenwich Village. St. Vincent's has been struggling with financial problems, and now the state is threatening to sell it to a private hospital corporation who would shut down the hospital's surgical and acute care services within 60 days.

This issue is personal for us. Our daughter, Margaret Grace, is a patient in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit--one of the units that would be closed. We will be seriously affected by this.

Why is St.Vincent's worth fighting for? When we experienced a sudden rupture of Beth's amniotic sac at 18 weeks, our doctor (affiliated with another NYC hospital) dropped us from care when we said we would not terminate the pregnancy. Doctors at St. Vincent's took us in and gave us the care and encouragement we needed. The doctors and nurses in the NICU have treated us--and Grace--like family. The NICU at St. Vincent's takes in dozens of children and parents whom other hospitals have given up on. Three of our NICU mates fall into this category and are thriving. One mother has been pregnant for the last 4 years always delivering days shy of 24 weeks. At the 2 other NYC hospitals she tried, they let her first 3 babies go because of hospital policy not to intervene. Tomorrow she takes home a healthy baby whom St Vincent's
was willing to treat despite being born at 23+weeks. For babies that won't make it, St Vincent's offers a Neonatal Hospice program with free counseling, free care by the chief neonatologist, extra support for single mothers, mahogany infant caskets, and free cemetery plots from the Sisters of Charity. As people of faith who believe in the right to choose, we were shocked to find ourselves and other parents who found they weren't given a choice at other hospitals. We wanted the opportunity to parent our child with integrity through our pregnancy and possibly short life. St Vincent's was the only place we found would do that.

Beyond our personal investment, St. Vincent's mission matters to this city. Founded on 13th Street in 1849, St. Vincent's was founded to provide care for our community's poorest residents. It's mission continues to affirm that ministry: Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers is committed to reflecting God's love by advancing Christ's healing ministry, with Respect, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence to all who come to us in need, especially the poor. In 2008 alone, St. Vincent's provided $46 million in medical care to the homeless and poor of our city. It serves 65,000 in its ER. It has one of the largest HIV/AIDS clinics.

What can you do?

Sign the Petition!
Help St Vincent's keep fighting to stay open by adding your name to the list of supporters 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

Forward this email to people who will join their voices to ours!

Show up in person:

Thursday, January 28th, 12 noon at St. Vincent's Hospital, corner of 7th Ave. and 12th Street for a rally with Borough President Stringer and Council Speaker Quinn

Thursday, January 28th, 5 – 7 PM at Our Lady of Pompeii Church, 25 Carmine St. in Greenwich Village, for a public forum on the hospital's threatened closure.

We thank you and Grace thanks you!
Revs. Beth Waltemath and David Lewicki

Friday, January 22, 2010

Welcome Back Rev. Beth!

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

Main office (718) 624-3770               Email FPC124@aol.com 

 

Haiti Disaster Relief Update:

Last Sunday First Church of Brooklyn raised $2,974.78 for the Haiti Relief Fund Effort.  All proceeds will be sent to Haiti through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Thank you so much for your generous donations. Our needs in Haiti will be a long term effort.  Haiti needs each of you to help rebuild the country. We need families for the orphans, food the hungry, clothing for the naked, shelter for the homeless, education, and much more. 

We wish one day you may be able to visit or go back if you visited Haiti before. 

It might not be in one year or even five years, but in the future Haiti will be better

and safe for all  friends and families from all over the world again. Please keep on praying and helping our country Haiti. Thank you so much,

Louis Duplan, Annie Solages and Bethy Victorin

 

How You Can Help?

 

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

 

Haitian Women for Haitian Refugee
1212 Ocean Ave #5A
Brooklyn, NY 11230

http://haitianwomen.wordpress.com/

 

***************************************

 

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

 

THIS SUNDAY, January 24, 2010: 

The whole church is full of thanks and joy to welcome Associate Pastor Rev. Beth Waltemath back to the celebration of worship after three months of attending especially carefully to the life of her newest child, Margaret Grace.    

 

Rev. Stephen H. Phelps, our Interim Pastor, will preach a sermon entitled: "Become Who You Are."

(You can find Rev. Phelps' recent sermons online at his Web site, www.shphelps.com, under the sermons link. Printed copies also are available in the Narthex.)

 

The nursery will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Christina and Patty are excited to welcome your kids.

 

Sunday School Topic: Continuing the story of Abraham and Sarah.  Also, we'll be collecting a special offering in Sunday School to send to the American Red Cross to help with the relief effort in Haiti.

 

ROOTS of OUR RELIGION: Rev. Phelps continues the introduction to the Old Testament. This Sunday's session will explore Outlaws in the Desert: A People Takes Shape; Into Canaan Land.

 

Please note: the class will take place in the Rose Room at the far end of the second floor of the church.

 

Other News:

 

Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation: Sunday, January 31 immediately following Worship Service in the Elliott Room. The entire congregation, whether you have joined the church or not, is encouraged to come. Lunch will be served.

 

PNC Committee Update: In October 2009 the committee was elected with strong support of the congregation. Since our election, we have proceeded to move in an expeditious and thoughtful manner with the duty we've been charged with.

Since October 2009 we have been able to accomplish the following:

·        Completed initial organizational responsibilities

·        Finalized Church Information Form

·        Posted Church Information Form online

·        Received over 40 applications

In the weeks ahead the committee will continue to review applications, advertise in various publications, and conduct outreach efforts. We believe this approach will expand the applicant pool and will ultimately identify the right nominee for our congregation. We look forward to keeping you updated and will make ourselves available should you have any questions. 

— David Mullé and Taylor Noguera, PNC Co-Chairs, Paul Austin, Erik Brogger, Lukus Hasenstab, Harriette Mandeville, Aris Peguero, Susan Schultz,  Emily Thomas

 

2010 Offering Envelopes are available in the Narthex.  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 fpc124@aol.com.

 

Elders Positions: An Opportunity to Serve. The Church-wide Nominating Committee is developing a slate of candidates to be elected by the congregation to serve as elders on the Session, the church's governing board. If you are interested in learning more about this responsibility, or if you would like to nominate someone, talk to one of the CWNC members: Nate Dudley, Marta Nelson, Bernice Adorno, Sam Murumba, Kimbirly Mack and Jon Abernethy, chair.

Men's Breakfast: This month we're examining the book of Job.  The attached link can be downloaded from PC USA and is provided as a framework for our discussion, "The Story of a Man Confronting Adversity."  Job has also been described as the story of an "innocent sufferer who at last meets God." Please join us for fellowship & good conversation:

(http://www.pcusa.org/men/biblestudy/job.pdf

Jan 27...Session 4....Job  20-31

 

ROOTS of OUR RELIGION

Rev. Phelps' introduction to the Old Testament continues during the 10 O'clock Hour.  Aware that some people can only come once or twice during this season, Rev. Phelps endeavors to make each session make sense to a first-time attender. Remaining classes will take up the books of the Bible in this manner:

 

January 31: The Strange Secret of Deuteronomy

February 7: Kings and Confusion: Saul, David, Solomon and the Divided Monarchy

February 14: The Prophets of Israel and Judah

February 21: Can You Be Blessed When Broken? Wisdom Literature of Psalms, Job, et al.

February 28:  Other Literature from the Late Great Break (400 BCE and later)

 

Meetings will be in the Rose Room at the far end of the second floor.

 

The Heights Interfaith Shelter needs volunteer cooks and sleepers as backups for members of the three host churches (Assumption - January Grace - February, Plymouth - March).   If you wish to volunteer to cook meals for 12, entree and dessert, or stay overnight in the shelter, any Monday through Friday, your service is more than welcome.  This is an extremely important effort for our faith community.  If we did not have beds for these men, they would have to spend the night sitting upright on a chair.  Contact Kathy Reynolds (kbridgeview@aol.com) at Assumption, Mary Lou Wells (marylouwells@worldnet.att.net) at Plymouth and Vicky Schippers (vbschippers@aol.com) at Grace if you can help. If you have additional questions, contact Vicky Schippers (vbschippers@aol.com) or speak to Erik Brogger at First Church.

 

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. 

 

On the calendar:

 

Sunday, January 24,

ChurchWide Nominating Committee at 12:30 pm in the Thurman Room

 

Tuesday, January 26

Life and Loss at 6:20 p.m. in the Thurman Room, contact Rev. Charles Monaco at 718-647-5479 or email at imagepark@aol.com.

 

Wednesday, January 27:

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

Midweek Boost at 7 p.m. in the Elliott Room. Diana Bell will lead us on reflections from the book "An Altar in the World" by Barbara Taylor Brown. Contact Aris Peguero at drarisp@aol.com

 

Thursday, January 28:

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

FPC Choir Thursday night rehearsals at 7 p.m.   All are welcome.  For more information about FPC Choir please contact our Music Director Amy Neuner at aneuner@verizon.net

 

Who/where to connect:

Online Donations: Set up a recurring gift to the church through a secure online account.
On the church website,
http://www.fpcbrooklyn.org, go to the Site Credits/ Link tab. 
If you are setting up your account, click on the "First Church Donation Account Setup" link. To edit an existing gift, choose the "First Church Donation Login" link


Thursday, January 14, 2010

Our Eyes Turn towards HAITI

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

Main office (718) 624-3770               Email FPC124@aol.com 

 

Haiti Disaster Relief:

 

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

 

***************************************

 

 

Updates on Reverend Beth Waltemath and Grace: Go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bethwaltemath

 

 

THIS SUNDAY, January 17, 2010: 

Rev. Nancy Talbot, will preach a sermon entitled: "The New Creation".   Nancy has been worshiping at FPC since October, 2008.  This past July she was ordained as a Presbyterian Minister of the Word and Sacrament to the position of Associate Director of Spirituality Programs at Bellevue Hospital.  In this capacity she leads inpatient and outpatient spirituality groups in which people explore how their faith and spirituality can help them face the challenges of health/mental health crises and chronic conditions.  Nancy has a lifelong commitment to racial justice.  While at Union Theological Seminary her primary focus was racial justice through an interdisciplinary lens.  Her thesis was titled "The Ethics of Justice and Love in the Writings of Martin Luther King, Jr."

 

The nursery will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Christina and Patty are excited to welcome your kids.

 

Sunday School: We will have an informal Sunday school program, encouraging fellowship in a structured free-play environment.  

 

ROOTS of OUR RELIGION: Rev. Phelps continues the eight week introduction

to the Old Testament. This Sunday's session will explore the theology and development of Genesis and the Pentateuch.

Please note: the class will take place in the Rose Room at the far end of the second floor of the church.

 

(You can find Rev. Phelps' recent sermons online at his Web site, www.shphelps.com, under the sermons link. Printed copies also are available in the Narthex.)

 

Other News:

The Church office will be closed on Monday January 18 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

 

2010 Offering Envelopes are available in the Narthex.  If you would like to request (or unsubscribe) Offering Envelopes for this year or next year please call the Church  office at 718-624-3770 or email Annie Solages at fpc124@aol.com.

 

Elders Positions: An Opportunity to Serve. The Church-wide Nominating Committee is developing a slate of candidates to be elected by the congregation to serve as elders on the Session, the church's governing board. If you are interested in learning more about this responsibility, or if you would like to nominate someone, talk to one of the CWNC members: Nate Dudley, Marta Nelson, Bernice Adorno, Sam Murumba, Kimbirly Mack and Jon Abernethy, chair.

Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation: Sunday, January 31 immediately following Worship Service in the Elliott Room. The entire congregation, whether you have joined the church or not is encouraged to come. Food will be served.

 

Life & Loss: Creating Strength from Grief: Tuesdays January 19 & 26 6:20 p.m. - 7:50 p.m., Thurman Room. For more information and details, contact Rev. Charles Monaco at 718-647-5479 or email at imagepark@aol.com.

 

Men's Breakfast: This month we're examining the book of Job.  The attached link can be downloaded from PC USA and is provided as a framework for our discussion, "The Story of a Man Confronting Adversity."  Job has also been described as the story of an "innocent sufferer who at last meets God." Please join us for fellowship & good conversation:

(http://www.pcusa.org/men/biblestudy/job.pdf

Jan 20...Session 3....Job  11-19

Jan 27...Session 4....Job  20-31

 

 NYU ENRICHMENT LECTURE: EVOLVING FAITH IN A SECULAR WORLD

 

Please join Professor Derrick Bell and the Choir of First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, Amy Neuner, Director at Tishman Auditorium, NYU Law School on Thursday, January 21, 2010.  This annual program will offer a selection of Spirituals and gospel music that will warm the hearts and lift the spirits for all in attendance.  The lyrics of these songs reflect the literalist beliefs of those who wrote and sang them, but they have a quality, likely attributable to their painful origins, that broadens the sights of those who have moved beyond traditional religious doctrine and seek spiritual support for values in keeping with the challenges of our contemporary world.

 

ROOTS of OUR RELIGION

Rev. Phelps' introduction to the Old Testament continues during the 10 O'clock Hour.  Aware that some people can only come once or twice during this season, Rev. Phelps endeavors to make each session make sense to a first-time attender. Remaining classes will take up the books of the Bible in this manner:

 

January 24: Outlaws in the Desert: A People Takes Shape; Into Canaan Land

January 31: The Strange Secret of Deuteronomy

February 7: Kings and Confusion: Saul, David, Solomon and the Divided Monarchy

February 14: The Prophets of Israel and Judah

February 21: Can You Be Blessed When Broken? Wisdom Literature of Psalms, Job, et al.

February 28:  Other Literature from the Late Great Break (400 BCE and later)

 

Meetings will be in the Rose Room at the far end of the second floor.

 

The Heights Interfaith Shelter needs volunteer cooks and sleepers as backups for members of the three host churches (Assumption - January Grace - February, Plymouth - March).   If you wish to volunteer to cook meals for 12, entree and dessert, or stay overnight in the shelter, any Monday through Friday, your service is more than welcome.  This is an extremely important effort for our faith community.  If we did not have beds for these men, they would have to spend the night sitting upright on a chair.  Contact Kathy Reynolds (kbridgeview@aol.com) at Assumption, Mary Lou Wells (marylouwells@worldnet.att.net) at Plymouth and Vicky Schippers (vbschippers@aol.com) at Grace if you can help. If you have additional questions, contact Vicky Schippers (vbschippers@aol.com) or speak to Erik Brogger at First Church.

 

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. 

 

On the calendar:

 

Monday, January 18

Church office will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

 

Tuesday, January 19

Life and Loss at 6:20 p.m. in the Thurman Room, contact Rev. Charles Monaco at 718-647-5479 or email at imagepark@aol.com.

 

Wednesday, January 20:

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

Midweek Boost at 7 p.m. in the Elliott Room. Contact Aris Peguero at drarisp@aol.com

 

Thursday, January 21:

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

 

Who/where to connect:

Online Donations: Set up a recurring gift to the church through a secure online account.
On the church website,
http://www.fpcbrooklyn.org, go to the Site Credits/ Link tab. 
If you are setting up your account, click on the "First Church Donation Account Setup" link. To edit an existing gift, choose the "First Church Donation Login" link

Thursday, January 7, 2010

At FPC: Ring in the New Year -- New Series Starting

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

Main office (718) 624-3770               Email FPC124@aol.com 

 

 

Updates on Reverend Beth Waltemath and Grace: Go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bethwaltemath

 

THIS SUNDAY, January 10, 2010:  The Sacrament of Baptism

 

This Sunday, First Church gladly celebrates the sacrament of baptism for Wilder Stephen Cheston, son of Terra Lynch and Aric Cheston.  Rev. Stephen H. Phelps, our Interim Pastor, will preach a sermon entitled: "Many Rivers to (the) Cross" (You can find Rev. Phelps' recent sermons online at his Web site, www.shphelps.com, under the sermons link. Printed copies also are available in the Narthex.)

 

The nursery will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Christina and Patty are excited to welcome your kids.

 

Sunday School Topic: Abraham and Sarah

 

ROOTS of OUR RELIGION: Starting this Sunday, Rev. Phelps will lead an eight week introduction to the Hebrew Bible during the 10 O'clock Hour in the Thurman Room. The first Session is entitled: The Roller Coaster Method for learning the Bible; the theology and development of Genesis and the Pentateuch.

 

Notice of Death of Jon Abernethy's Father: We grieve with Elder Jonathan Abernethy and family in the death of his father William Beaven Abernethy, from Parkinson's disease for 27 years.  He died in his sleep, mercifully, after years of struggling with a tough illness. The Memorial Service and Graveside Service are happening this weekend in MassachusettsFirst Church Congregation sends sincere condolences to Jon and his family during this difficult time.

 

Other News:

 

2010 Offering Envelopes are available in the Narthex.  If you would like to request or unsubscribe Offering Envelopes for this year or next year please call the Church office at 718-624-3770 or email Annie Solages at fpc124@aol.com.

 

Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation: Sunday, January 31 immediately following Worship Service in the Elliott Room. The entire congregation, whether you have joined the church or not is encouraged to come. Food will be served.

 

Men's Breakfast: This month we're going to be examining the Book of Job.  The attached link can be downloaded from PC USA & is provided as a framework for our discussion of Job, "The Story of a Man Confronting Adversity."  Job has also been described as the story of an "Innocent Sufferer who at last meets God." Please Join Us for fellowship & good conversation:

 www.pcusa.org/men/biblestudy/job.pdf

Jan 6.....Session 1....Job 1-2

Jan 13....Session 2...Job 3-10

Jan 20...Session 3....Job 11-19

Jan 27...Session 4....Job 20-31

 

Elders Positions: An Opportunity to Serve. The Church-wide Nominating Committee is developing a slate of candidates to be elected by the congregation to serve as elders on the Session, the church's governing board. If you are interested in learning more about this responsibility, or if you would like to nominate someone, talk to one of the CWNC members: Nate Dudley, Marta Nelson, Bernice Adorno, Sam Murumba, Kimbirly Mack and Jon Abernethy, chair.

2010 Church-Wide Retreat: Sign up today for the Church-Wide Retreat Jan. 15, 16 and 17 over Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend at The Grail (Cornwall on Hudson, New York).  Activities, fellowship and spiritual nurture for all ages organized by the Many Mansions Team (Hopefully, snow and sledding too).  For further information call Emily Thomas at 347-262-6466 or email the Church at fpc124@aol.com  to reserve your space. 

 

NYU ENRICHMENT LECTURE: EVOLVING FAITH IN A SECULAR WORLD

 

Please join Professor Derrick Bell and the Choir of First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, Amy Neuner, Director at Tishman Auditorium, NYU Law School on Thursday, January 21, 2010.  This annual program will offer a selection of Spirituals and gospel music that will warm the hearts and lift the spirits for all in attendance.  The lyrics of these songs reflect the literalist beliefs of those who wrote and sang them, but they have a quality, likely attributable to their painful origins, that broadens the sights of those who have moved beyond traditional religious doctrine and seek spiritual support for values in keeping with the challenges of our contemporary world.

 

ROOTS of OUR RELIGION

Have you sometimes thought the Old Testament —the Hebrew Bible —too strange to venture into on your own?  Starting January 10, Rev. Phelps will lead an eight week introduction to the Hebrew Bible during the 10 O'clock Hour. Having taught this subject in colleges, universities, and churches throughout his ministry, Rev. Phelps is confident that everyone who attends will gain a strong sense of the terrain and never feel lost again. The eight sessions will take up the books of the Bible in this manner:

 

January 24: Outlaws in the Desert: A People Takes Shape; Into Canaan Land

January 31: The Strange Secret of Deuteronomy

February 7: Kings and Confusion: Saul, David, Solomon and the Divided Monarchy

February 14: The Prophets of Israel and Judah

February 21: Can You Be Blessed When Broken? Wisdom Literature of Psalms, Job, et al.

February 28:  Other Literature from the Late Great Break (400 BCE and later)

 

Meetings will be in the Thurman Room.

 

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. 

 

On the calendar:

 

Sunday, January 10

Church Wide Nominating Committee Meeting: 12:30 p.m. Thurman Room

 

Monday, January 11

Session Meeting: 7:00 p.m., Rose Room.

 

Tuesday, January 12

Tuesday Tea: 4:00 p.m., Rose Room.

 

Wednesday, January 13:

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

Midweek Boost at 7 p.m. in the Elliott Room. Contact Aris Peguero at drarisp@aol.com

 

Thursday, January 14:

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

FPC Choir Thursday night rehearsals at 7 p.m.   All are welcome.  For more information about FPC Choir please contact our Music Director Amy Neuner at aneuner@verizon.net

 

Who/where to connect:

Online Donations: Set up a recurring gift to the church through a secure online account.
On the church website,
http://www.fpcbrooklyn.org, go to the Site Credits/ Link tab. 
If you are setting up your account, click on the "First Church Donation Account Setup" link. To edit an existing gift, choose the "First Church Donation Login" link