Read Sermons & Prayers For Freedom Christ Has Set Us Free Exodus 3:7-10, Galatians 5:1, 13-14 "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" — Micah 6:8b "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." — Galatians 5:1 In his letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul proclaims the gift of freedom that comes through Jesus Christ—a freedom hard won and not to be taken lightly. And throu Sermons & Prayers Rev. Dr. Thomas Evans Apr 17 6 min read Our Founding Values: The Pursuit of Happiness John 15:9-11, Matthew 28:1-8 "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" - Micah 6:8b “ So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat, drink, and be glad. ” - Ecclesiastes 8:15 Despite dealing with a tremendous number of weighty topics—such as sin, war, greed, and more—the Bible surprisingly has a great deal to say about a life of happiness. There a Sermons & Prayers Rev. Dr. Thomas Evans Apr 2 6 min read America at 250: Rights Bestowed by God: Liberty Exodus 6:5-7, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? - Micah 6:8b “There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free, if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending… we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us! Gentlemen may cry, ‘Peace! Peace!’ but Sermons & Prayers Rev. Dr. Thomas Evans Mar 26 7 min read America at 250: Rights Bestowed by God: Life Genesis 2:4b-9; Psalm 139:13-18 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? - Micah 6:8b Almost 4000 years ago, an ancient creation myth known as the Epic of Enuma Elish from ancient Babylon tells us the story of a cosmic battle between Marduk, Tiamat,and Kingu. Marduk is the victor, and out of Tiamat’s carcass he fashions the heavens and the Earth, and from Kingu’s blood humans spring forth to serve as slaves o Sermons & Prayers Rev. Dr. Thomas Evans Mar 19 6 min read America at 250: We the People Deuteronomy 1:9-17, I Peter 2:9-10 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? - Micah 6:8b The biblical notion of “we the people” began as Israel was journeying through the wilderness, making their way to the Promised Land. Moses was wary of bearing the burden of the people all by himself, so through God’s command and Moses’ instruction each tribe selected leaders from amongst them. This was on the governance sid Sermons & Prayers Rev. Dr. Thomas Evans Mar 13 6 min read Prayers of Thanksgiving, Intercession, and Petition Shared during Sunday Worship on March 8, 2026. God of all creation, your word declares how good and pleasant it is when kindred dwell together in unity. We feel the power of this truth every Sunday morning when we gather to sing hymns of praise, to bow our heads as one in prayer to you. May you give us keen eyes to see the holy in others and offer a word of thanksgiving to bridge the gap of separation. We now give thanks for the unity we know with one another. Though we Sermons & Prayers Rev. Dr. Thomas Evans Mar 9 2 min read A More Perfect Union The kind of unity that Scripture has just described to us is not an anything-goes, throw-up-your hands sort of tolerance. It’s not the sort of equivocation that pretends evil doesn’t exist – Paul is very clear on this – nor is it the sort of nihilism that claims truth can’t be known and personal opinion is all that matters. As our readings today tell us, unity requires justice, and it requires us not to match evil with evil. In a moment, the choir will sing Chichester Sermons & Prayers Dr. Raymond Nagem Mar 9 3 min read America at 250: All Are Created Equal Genesis 1:26-28, Romans 8:18-21 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? - Micah 6:8b We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. (Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776) It was about a year ago that I set out the list of Sermons & Prayers Rev. Dr. Thomas Evans Feb 22 6 min read America at 250: The Rule of Law Deuteronomy 5:6-21 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8b Just as the Constitution of this United States established our country under the rule of law, so did the 10 Commandments establish the descendants of Abraham as the nation of Israel. Before Abraham’s descendants moved to Egypt because of a famine, they were a small tribe of people. So, the only laws they knew were the ones the Pharaoh for Sermons & Prayers Rev. Dr. Thomas Evans Feb 14 6 min read 1 2 3 4 5 More Transcripts

Welcome to Brick Church Brick Church’s history is effected by the history of our country and in knowing our past we can better understand our present and more consciously shape who God wants us to become tomorrow; to shape a future in which we are more faithful to the call of Christ to love God with all our hearts and our neighbors as ourselves. Click here to read more about our new ministry theme, America at 250: Our Founding Values, Their Scriptural Roots, and the Challenge of Living Fully into “All Are Created Equal" from Senior Minister Thomas Evans. We are a community growing in love for God, one another, and the world. Please join us! SU N DAY Sunday Worship Service 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM The Sanctuary 1140 Park Avenue New York, NY 10128 30 APR Disney's Mary Poppins 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM Apr 30 at 6pm (Preview), May 1–2 at 6pm, May 2–3 at 2pm Watson Hall 62 East 92nd Street New York, NY 10128 03 MAY Confirmation Sunday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM The Sanctuary 1140 Park Avenue New York, NY 10128 09 MAY All Youth x Deacons Grassroots Grocery Produce Party 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM 1750 E Gun Hill Road, Bronx, New York, 10469 Announcements Strawberry Festival volunteers needed! Hull strawberries on May 15th, bake shortcakes on May 16th, and help with hot dogs, setup, serving, and kids' activities on May 17th for the All-Church Picnic and Strawberry Festival on 92nd Street! Join us for music, food, and community fun after worship. Save the date and join the excitement! Email info@brickchurch.org to volunteer! Apr 20 Helen Watson Buckner Scholarship - Submissions Due May 4th The Brick Church Women’s Association funds a scholarship program to assist Church members and Church staff, with financial help for an accredited degree granting program. The grants are “quality of life” scholarships, given to help with the cost of items such as books, fees and transportation. All applications will be considered, and information is confidential. Grants are not automatically renewed. If you have received a scholarship in the past, you must reapply by the deadl Mar 5 Register for Spring Musical Theater After-School! Registration is now open for Spring Musical Theater classes! Featuring artists from Brick Church Community Theater, these performing arts classes will help students increase their confidence, build self-esteem, and explore self-expression in a supportive environment. Feb 12 Purchase Easter Lilies for the Sanctuary Submit by Tuesday, March 31 The Women's Association is collecting donations ($30 suggested), to purchase Easter Lilies for the Sanctuary. Make your donation to be included in the Order of Worship on Easter Sunday. Feb 9 2025 Mission Review Update Summary This past fall, the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee undertook a mission review to help guide a search for two new full-time Associate Pastors. It sought in particular to assess the congregation’s current identity, needs, and direction since the last mission review, done in 2018-19, and who God is calling us to be now. The Committee’s process included administering a 98-question survey to the congregation administered by Holy Cow! Consulting which resulted in completed Feb 3 APNC Call for Pastor Nominations: Two Associate Pastor Roles The Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC) has worked prayerfully and thoughtfully to define two roles that reflect both the strengths of our church and the opportunities for where God is calling Brick to grow next. Children’s, youth, and family ministries stand as some of Brick’s strongest assets and most vital growth opportunities, and the Associate Pastor for Children and Youth will hold primary responsibility for building upon these programs to shape a vibrant, Feb 3 N.Y.C.P. Toiletry Drive Join us in making a difference! As part of our Annual Day of Discipleship, we are hosting a toiletry drive for the New York Common Pantry. Help us meet the needs of our community by donating travel-size antiperspirant/deodorant, hair combs, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and adult socks. Please note that if you prefer, you can also contribute non-perishable food items (no glass packaging, please). Donations can be dropped off at the church until the morning of the Day of Disciples Feb 2 Return of the Church Mouse Program The Church Mouse Program will be starting up at Brick again this year to support Brick members at boarding school and college. If you have a child who is at boarding school or college and would like them to receive a care package from the Brick community, please fill out this survey by February 10. Our goal is to send one round of packages before spring break, and another during exam period. We will be gathering in the Carnegie Room after church on Sunday, February 22 to as Jan 12 Confirmands’ Souper Bowl Sunday Please bring some extra cash to Sunday Worship on February 8th to donate and support our Confirmands' annual Souper Bowl Sunday. During this event, Confirmands research organizations that serve people in need and then have a debate on which organization(s) should receive the funds. Thank You! Jan 12 1 2 3 4 5 Brick Links Login Watch Calendar Join Give We can't wait to greet you! 1/7 Learn More

Brick Church Stories Brick Church Member: Debbie Seraphim Bible Study Play Video Play Video 05:30 Encountering Jesus at the Table Play Video Play Video 05:26 Words Matter Speaking with Wisdom in an Age of Outrage Play Video Play Video 04:19 Peter, One of the Chosen 12 Transformed by the Power of the Holy Spirit Play Video Play Video 05:24 Peter, One of the Chosen 12 Shaken By Jesus’s Rebuke Play Video Play Video 05:55 Peter, One of the Chosen 12 Shaken by Distraction Play Video Play Video 05:01 Peter, One of The Chosen 12 Shaken By The Power of Christ Stories & Studies Brick Church Member: Debbie Seraphim I came to faith much later in my life, and I came to faith by studying Scripture. I came to faith much later in my life, and I came to faith by studying Scripture, not by going to church. When I had really made a commitment to start following Christ in my life, I knew I needed a church community that could come alongside me on my spiritual journey. So I started church shopping, and I came to Brick Church, and I felt that this was the right place. This was the community that w Stories & Studies Debbie Seraphim Apr 16 4 min read Encountering Jesus at the Table Let Us Pray Our dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us ears to hear your Holy Word. We pray for the illumination of the Holy Spirit to make these ancient words of Scripture relevant and near to each of us this day. Shine your Holy light in our hearts so we may share it with others. In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen. There are many, many stories in the Gospels that feature Jesus at the table with others. I personally love this because it shows us that Jesus was a human Stories & Studies Debbie Seraphim Apr 16 3 min read Words Matter: Speaking with Wisdom in an Age of Outrage Let Us Pray Our dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us ears to hear your Holy Word. We pray for the illumination of the Holy Spirit to make these ancient words of Scripture relevant and near to each of us this day. Shine your Holy light in our hearts so we may share it with others. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen. From the Book of Proverbs 12:18 "Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” In this world of divisive rhetoric and fake n Stories & Studies Debbie Seraphim Apr 16 3 min read Peter, One of the Chosen 12: Transformed by the Power of the Holy Spirit Let Us Pray Our dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us ears to hear your Holy Word. We pray for the illumination of the Holy Spirit to make these ancient words of Scripture relevant and near to each of us this day. Shine your holy light in our hearts so we may share it with others.In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen. From the Book of Acts Chapter 3:1-10 Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar 3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock Stories & Studies Debbie Seraphim Apr 16 3 min read Peter, One of the Chosen 12: Shaken by Jesus’s Rebuke Let Us Pray Our dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us ears to hear your Holy Word. We pray for the illumination of the Holy Spirit to make these ancient words of Scripture relevant and near to each of us this day. Shine your holy light in our hearts so we may share it with others.In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen. From the Gospel of Matthew 16:13–23 Peter’s Declaration about Jesus 13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who Stories & Studies Debbie Seraphim Apr 16 3 min read Peter, One of the Chosen 12: Shaken by Distraction Let Us Pray Our dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us ears to hear your Holy Word. We pray for the illumination of the Holy Spirit to make these ancient words of Scripture relevant and near to each of us this day. Shine your holy light in our hearts so we may share it with others. In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen. From the Gospel of Matthew 14:22–33 Jesus Walks on the Water Immediately he made the disciples get into a boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dism Stories & Studies Debbie Seraphim Apr 16 4 min read Peter, One of The Chosen 12: Shaken By The Power of Christ Let Us Pray Our dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us ears to hear your Holy Word. We pray for the illumination of the Holy Spirit to make these ancient words of Scripture relevant and near to each of us this day. Shine your holy light in our hearts so we may share it with others.In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen. From the Gospel of Luke 5:1–11 Jesus Calls the First Disciples 5 Once while Jesus[a] was standing beside the Lake of Gennesaret and the crowd was pressing in o Stories & Studies Debbie Seraphim Apr 16 3 min read

I came to faith much later in my life, and I came to faith by studying Scripture. I came to faith much later in my life, and I came to faith by studying Scripture, not by going to church. When I had really made a commitment to start following Christ in my life, I knew I needed a church community that could come alongside me on my spiritual journey. So I started church shopping, and I came to Brick Church, and I felt that this was the right place. This was the community that was embarking on their spiritual journeys that could come alongside me on mine—and I’ve not left since. My First Sunday What I remember about my first Sunday at Brick Church was just the beauty of everything—the sanctuary, the people, the music, the way the Word was read and proclaimed. It just felt so right. I was seeking spiritually, looking for a place where I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. I wanted a place where I could keep learning, where my faith could keep maturing, and where I could work alongside other committed Christians and do the work I felt God was calling me to do. Discovering My Calling At first, I wasn’t exactly sure what that work was. But as I became involved in different activities, fellowship opportunities, and got to know the congregation and the community, I felt that I was on the path to finding what I needed to deepen and grow my faith. Over time, I began to feel that I was meant to be involved in teaching God’s Word to others. Coming into that calling and discovering it has been such a blessing for me. Faith Through Challenges My faith has definitely been tested over the years, as we all experience through personal challenges and difficult circumstances. There have been seasons when I felt I didn’t know how I would get through something. What has helped me is returning to Scripture—opening the Bible, studying it, spending time in prayer, and sitting in quiet with God. I’ve learned that I cannot do life on my own strength. I need to walk with God through every circumstance. Looking back, I can see how God’s grace carried me through those difficult times. I’m not sure I could have navigated the past 20-plus years without this community. A Place Called Home The Brick Church community has meant so much to me over the years. It’s been home. I have the home where I live, and I have this home as well. This is Jesus’ church. It’s about the light of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s about all of us coming together—working, studying, singing, worshiping, crying, and celebrating together. That has been such a foundation and support in my life. I’m not sure I could have navigated the past 20-plus years without this community. It’s exactly what I was looking for when I first began this journey—a community to walk with me and strengthen me along the way. The Power of Studying Scripture The ministry that has been most meaningful to me at Brick Church has been in the education space. I’m a firm believer that you have to open the Bible, read the story, and understand it. When I first started studying Scripture almost 30 years ago, I didn’t even understand what the chapter and verse numbers meant. But you just have to dive in, make yourself vulnerable, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide your understanding. Through women’s Bible studies, summer studies, and adult education classes, I’ve experienced what it means to learn in community. These are safe spaces where we can ask questions, grow together, and support one another, no matter where we are in our faith. I want everyone to experience that—to unlock the transforming power that already lives within them through the Holy Spirit. Witnessing Transformation For the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of leading the Women’s Bible Study at Brick Church. It’s one of the greatest privileges of my life. I’ve seen women come in with no understanding of Scripture and grow into people who speak with incredible spiritual maturity. Watching that transformation has been amazing. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. I want everyone to experience that—to unlock the transforming power that already lives within them through the Holy Spirit. Why Church Matters The church matters today because God is still sovereign, and God is still relevant. We need to be in community, walking alongside one another, growing in faith, and supporting each other. For me, that also includes daily prayer and quiet time—asking God how He can use me and how I can be a light in the world. A Word to Those Just Beginning If I could say one thing to someone just getting involved at Brick Church, it would be this: just do it. Get involved in as many things as you can until you find what really speaks to you. Each step leads to something else. You begin to see where your gifts fit, and how God is calling you to serve. This is a community where we all bring our gifts together for God’s purpose. A Guiding Scripture The Scripture that has guided my faith and leadership comes from Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not rely on your own understanding. In everything, acknowledge God, and he will set your path straight.” I say this to myself every day. It grounds me and reminds me that God is faithful. He gives us the wisdom and strength we need—but we have to call on Him and walk with Him. This has been my journey—one of seeking, growing, and being transformed through Scripture, community, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hull strawberries on May 15th, bake shortcakes on May 16th, and help with hot dogs, setup, serving, and kids' activities on May 17th for the All-Church Picnic and Strawberry Festival on 92nd Street! Join us for music, food, and community fun after worship. Save the date and join the excitement! Email info@brickchurch.org to volunteer!

Exodus 3:7-10, Galatians 5:1, 13-14  "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" —  Micah 6:8b    "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." — Galatians 5:1 In his letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul proclaims the gift of freedom that comes through Jesus Christ—a freedom hard won and not to be taken lightly. And throughout history, freedom has been a powerful force. Two hundred and fifty years ago, it became a defining idea that shaped our nation and continues to shape us today. Throughout the season of Lent, we explored how the concept of freedom took shape in the colonies 250 years ago. But freedom is not just an American concern—it is a human longing, a central hope across every time and place. This morning, I’d like to explore how that longing for freedom took shape in the Latin American context in the late 20th century, especially in Brazil. By understanding how freedom takes shape in different contexts, we gain a fuller vision of what God intends for all of humanity. As some of you may know, I was born in Brazil, where my parents were serving as missionaries. So, this story is not just history to me—it is personal. And perhaps one of the clearest cultural expressions of freedom in Brazil takes place each year during Carnaval. It is, in many ways, the equivalent of our Mardi Gras. But with its month-long, nationwide celebration, it makes Mardi Gras look more like afternoon tea than a raucous festival. The freedom of Carnaval is expressed in the beautiful, elaborate costumes—bright colors, intricate designs, and boundless creativity. It drew my father back to Brazil again and again. After he retired, each year he would go to Brazil for this month-long party, and he would always return filled with vitality and joy. If you’ve never seen it, I encourage you to look it up and witness the life and joy that pour out of it. At its heart is dance—a free expression of the human soul reveling in the joy of life. There is a deep and resilient joy in Brazilian culture—a love for celebrating life. But that is not the whole story. Beneath that joy, there are deep struggles—especially the suffocating effects of poverty. It was in response to this reality that a movement began to emerge in the 1950s and 60s, led by Catholic priests and theologians who saw the suffering of their people and asked what the Gospel demanded in the face of such injustice. This movement came to be known as Liberation Theology. And it resonated with Jesus’ own mission—to proclaim good news to the poor and freedom for the oppressed. It drew deeply from God’s paradigmatic act of freedom in the Old Testament: the Exodus. God looked upon the oppression of the Israelites and promised not only freedom from slavery, but a life of abundance—a land flowing with milk and honey, a land of promise. God acted powerfully in history, as Exodus tells us, with a  “mighty hand and an outstretched arm.” These theologians believed that to be faithful to the Word of God, the Church must not ignore the suffering of the poor. They challenged a Church they believed had become too focused on spiritual freedom while overlooking the realities of poverty and oppression. I began to hear this critique at a very young age. My parents shared with me stories of poverty, hunger, and injustice in Brazil. And my father fed me, in small but steady doses, not only the work of the Swiss theologian Karl Barth, but also the voices of liberation theologians such as José Miranda, Leonardo Boff, and Paulo Freire. José Miranda argued that God’s choice of Abraham and Sarah was not an isolated act, but the beginning of a larger purpose—one that would culminate in the liberation of the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt. But something surprising happened. A powerful photograph taken at the airport in Managua captures the moment. Father Ernesto Cardenal knelt before Pope John Paul II to kiss the papal ring. But instead of a blessing, the Pope wagged his finger and said, “ You must regularize your situation.” Later that year, Cardenal was suspended from the priesthood. Here we see two different understandings of freedom. The Pope, along with many theologians around the world, believed that liberation theology risked reducing the Gospel to an earthly vision of freedom alone. But Paul, when he tells us not to be burdened again by a yoke of slavery, points us to something deeper—not just external chains, but the internal bondage of sin. The Gospel’s power is at work no matter our circumstances. No earthly chains can bind a spirit rooted in the love of God in Jesus Christ. Paul demonstrated this in prison. Though confined behind iron bars, his spirit remained free. His hymns echoed through the prison, and even a guard, hearing them, experienced a kind of liberation of his own and in turn helped bring an earthly liberation for Paul. And even liberation theologians came to recognize that while poverty can oppress, it does not define the human person. One recalled a woman in deep poverty who, when told,  “It must be so hard to be so poor,”  replied, “ I am not poor, for I have hope.” Jesus died and was raised by the power of God’s mercy, forgiveness, and love. In that salvific act, we are set free—from every bondage and every fear. It is a freedom that transcends time and space, culture and language, race and ethnicity. One need only look at the global Church—its growth in Africa and Asia—to see that freedom alive and at work. So where does this leave us between earthly and spiritual liberation? My parents showed me the way. They served as missionaries in Chapecó, a town deep in the jungles of Brazil. When they arrived it was like the Wild West, complete with gun fights on the town square. As a man you couldn’t wear a hat because that meant you were looking for a fight. The main thrust of their ministry was to build a church, and what made this church unique in its setting was putting the Bible in the hands of the people so that they could see for themselves the free grace that God offers us in Jesus Christ. There is no need for any earthly mediator; you can go directly to God to find salvation. But at the same time they learned from the people the power of generosity. "Faça a conta que a casa é sua,"  a saying the people taught my parents. As my mother told me,  "’Make believe that the house is yours’" is often said when a visitor comes to stay overnight or longer at your home. It captures the essence of what it means to be a Brazilian. This meant in Chapecó, when the life expectancy was 50 years of age in the 1960s, and the poorest were eating out of garbage cans. No matter how humble the house, if there was one bed for 6 people, when you came to visit, the bed was yours. There was always a cafezinho offered, and even if you knew the water was full of parasites, you drank it anyway. As a result they generously shared what they had. In fact, for the rest of their lives they devoted themselves to giving others in deepest need a hand up. The people of Chapecó treated them with love and welcome—but not everyone. When the third child, the first daughter, Rachel, was born she was in immediate distress and she needed an incubator. The other local church had the only one and they said no—eventually a friend helped them procure it, but by then it was too late. So alas, being the fifth-born, I have never met my sister. It is not anything either of them have said about that instance that has shaped my life but rather what they haven’t said. I never heard my mother or my father voice a single moment of bitterness toward that church. I know that I would not have been so forgiving. In fact, I have only heard them speak about these brothers and sisters with affection, love, and respect, and I have learned that same appreciation for their spiritual strength. The effusion of earthly and spiritual liberation is most powerfully articulated by Paul in Galatians. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”  And at the end, he tells us how that freedom is to be lived:  “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” The Pope was right. There is more to freedom in Christ than earthly liberation. But so, too, were the liberation theologians. They remind us that God’s heart is with the poor, and that faith must be lived with courage. Some lost their positions. Some even lost their lives. Yet they stood firm for those dearest to the heart of Jesus. So let us stand firm in the freedom Christ has given us and embrace the joy, make it to Carnaval and dance, dance, dance with the power of hope and the power of love. Amen.