A weekly e-newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn:
Main office (718) 624-3770 Email info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org
THIS FRIDAY August 27, 2010
Summer Garden Party: Join us for our last Garden Party of the summer from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Peace Garden. This week’s Garden Party will celebrate our ever-growing community of faith. The Membership Committee and Edna Asknes, Clerk of Session will host.
THIS SUNDAY August 29, 2010
The Worship Celebration begins at 10:00 a.m.
Dr. Sam Murumba will deliver a sermon entitled: “About Time”
Sam is an Elder at FPC and a Professor of Law at Brooklyn Law School which he joined in 1992 after having taught law in Australia for many years. He is a member of the American Law Institute and an adviser on the Institute’s Project on Intellectual Property. Professor Murumba is actively involved in the mission of several human rights organizations. In 2009 the Human Rights Watch board of directors honored him for his years of service to the organization, including as a board member. He also serves on the advisory boards of its Women’s Rights and Africa Divisions.
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 on August 29 and September 5th. Sunday School Registration will begin on September 12th and classes on the 19th.
We grieve with Linton Stables and Greg Brown in the death of Linton's mom, Nancy L. Stables, passed away in VA, on Wednesday August 25, 2010 after a brief illness. She is survived by her four children, all of whom were with her in her final days and hours. Please keep Linton and Greg in your prayers.
Starting September 5 our worship celebration will be at 11:00 AM.
Living with Loss: There will be no meeting this week. Living with Loss will resume on Tuesday September 7 at 6:00 p.m. in the Thurman Room. Contact Rev. Charles Monaco at 718-647-5479 or email at imagepark@aol.com.
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.
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.
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.)
September is National Preparedness Month! Stop by the Borough Hall "preparedness station" to learn how to get ready for all types of emergencies.
Thursday September 2, 2010 from 9am-5pm outside Borough Hall
Get a kit ~ Make a plan ~ Be informed ~~ http://www.nyc.gov/oem
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
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.
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
During Rev. Phelps’ vacation, call the Church Office at 718 624-3770.
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
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:
Wednesday, September 1
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 2
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.
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.
