Membership Register Here Christians believe that God created us for life together and that the Christian life is most faithfully and joyfully lived in the community of faith that is the church. This community sustains, nourishes and challenges us to greater and steadier faithfulness to Jesus Christ. To be a Christian is, for most of us, to be part of a community of Christians. If you wish to explore membership, you are cordially invited to attend one of our series of three New Member Meetings. You are welcome to participate in all our worship, fellowship, and educational activities prior to joining the church. Church services such as baptism, marriage, funerals or votes of the congregation require church membership. 1/6 Brick Church New Member Classes New Member Class Series #1 Sunday, September 27, 2026 | Class #1 | 9:30 - 10:30 AM Sunday, October 4, 2026 | Class #2 + Tour | 9:30 - 10:30 AM Sunday, October 18, 2026 | Class #3 + Introduction | 9:30 - 12:30 PM New Member Class Series #2 Sunday, February 7, 2027 | Class #1 | 9:30 - 10:30 AM Sunday, February 21, 2027 | Class #2 + Tour | 9:30 - 10:30 AM Sunday, February 28, 2027 | Class #3 + Introduction | 9:30 - 12:30 PM New Member Class Series #3 Sunday, April 25, 2027 | Class #1 | 9:30 - 10:30 AM Sunday, May 2, 2027 | Class #2 + Tour | 9:30 - 10:30 AM Sunday, May 16, 2027 | Class #3 + Introduction | 9:30 - 12:30 PM Reach out to Meagan Hooper (mhooper@brickchurch.org ) with any questions!

Read Sermons & Prayers Fame or Glory Isaiah 6:1-10, John 17:1-11 Over 10 years ago, an eleven-year-old yodeled in a Walmart. A month later, Mason Ramsey had a record deal with Atlantic and is now worth over one million dollars. A Scottish church volunteer sang the most beautiful rendition of I Dreamed a Dream, and in 2009 Susan Boyle became a global phenomenon, now worth over $40 million. An Austrian skydiver decided to take the sport to the next level, and rather than diving from the sky, he leapt from space a Sermons & Prayers Rev. Dr. Thomas Evans 3 hours ago 7 min read Prayers of Thanksgiving, Intercession, and Petition Shared during Sunday Worship on June 14, 2026. God of peace and purpose, guard those in the midst of war, especially civilians, as we continue to pray and work for peace in the Middle East, hope in Haiti, and healing in the Congo from Ebola. Be with all countries in conflict and we pray that You will bring to fruition the plan of peace for Iran. Bestow Your proverb like wisdom on all leaders with the burden of authority. Give them eyes of justice, hearts of compassion, and a Sermons & Prayers Rev. Dr. Thomas Evans 4 hours ago 2 min read Reverse Obsolescence: Admit the Need, Accept the Gift, Embrace the Path Psalms 51:14-17, Romans 3:21-24 Planned obsolescence—a wonderful phrase that encapsulates our extreme frustration with technology. One of my great joys twenty years ago was unboxing my very first iPhone. Suddenly, I had this device that could give me directions, pay my bills, text my friends, surf the internet, go shopping at virtually any store, and, by the way, I could even make phone calls with it! But there was something strange about this phone and all the ones that fol Sermons & Prayers Rev. Dr. Thomas Evans 6 days ago 6 min read The Mission Continues Matthew 28:16-20, Psalm 8:1-9 The CEO and president of the board of directors issued a set of simple instructions. They reflected the mission of this organization, and it became the most effective, powerful initiative ever launched in the history of humanity. It makes Apple look like a flash in the pan and Tesla look like a brief experiment. If indeed the church were a business, it would be the most successful one ever! Jesus’ instructions were simple and clear in Matthew’s g Sermons & Prayers Rev. Dr. Thomas Evans May 28 5 min read Prayers of Thanksgiving, Intercession, and Petition Shared during Sunday Worship on May 17, 2026. When the apostle Paul tells us the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us, we admit, dear Lord, this is hard for us to imagine. When we see war and violence devastating the people of this earth, we ache with the same anguish we know our dear Lord Jesus does. So, we ask Your Spirit’s power to bring that endless peace promised so long ago to the peoples of Sudan, Sermons & Prayers Rev. Dr. Thomas Evans May 17 2 min read 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 1 2 3 4 5 More Transcripts

Music Ministers Nicolas Kilhoffer Wilson Family Sacred Music Intern Born in 2002 in Saverne, eastern France, Nicolas Kilhoffer began studying piano at the age of seven before teaching himself the organ and serving as a church organist from the age of ten. He later studied organ performance and improvisation in Strasbourg with Daniel Maurer and Johann Vexo, who remains his principal teacher, and continued his training in Paris with Christophe Mantoux. He has also participated in masterclasses with Philippe Lefebvre, Vincent Dubois, Thierry Escaich, and Thomas Ospital. Nicolas regularly performs in recitals in France and abroad, with appearances in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Greece, Italy, Kenya, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Recent engagements have included performances at Grace Church in New York, Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria (British Columbia), Saint Paul’s Anglican Church in Athens, and All Saints’ Cathedral in Nairobi. He also regularly performs with the Trio du Levant, an ensemble for oboe, violin, and organ, touring throughout France, Belgium, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Beginning in Fall 2026, he will pursue a Master of Music degree at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, studying with James O’Donnell, Organist Emeritus of Westminster Abbey, London. Learn more at www.nicolaskilhoffer.com Dr. Raymond Nagem Minister of Music Raymond Nagem is Minister of Music at The Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City, and a member of the organ faculty at Manhattan School of Music, where he teaches organ literature, service playing, and improvisation. He completed his D.M.A. at The Juilliard School in 2016, where he was a student of Paul Jacobs. A native of Medford, Massachusetts, Ray attended the Boston Archdiocesan Choir School and began organ lessons there with John Dunn. He earned his B.A. from Yale University in 2009, studying the organ with Thomas Murray, and his M.A. in 2011 from Juilliard. Prior to his appointment at Brick, he served for eleven years at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, where he was Associate Director of Music and Organist. His album Divine Splendor, recorded on the Great Organ of St. John the Divine, is available on the Pro Organo label. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring of 2020, Ray started a weekly online recital series, “Tuesdays at 6,” featuring a diverse range of music spanning the entire organ repertoire. In his spare time, he enjoys running, cycling, and crossword puzzles. Liz Richter Director of Children’s Music Ministries Liz Richter is a musician and music educator who graduated with a Bachelor or Music from Westminster Choir College. She is the music teacher at the Brick Church School. She previously worked as the music teacher at multiple preschools on the Upper East Side. She is also the owner and director of Eastside Westside Music Together which is an early childhood music program on the Upper West Side. Liz grew up singing in church choir from an early age where her mother was the Music Director in Garrison, NY. She has sung professionally in choirs at Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, The Kimmel Center with Orchestras such as the Vienna Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra and The Berlin Philharmonic. Once moving to NYC in 2016, she joined the professional choir at Christ Church NYC where she sang under Steve Pilkington for several years. She also was the assistant director of the children's choir at Christ Church under Amanda Smith. Wilson Family Sacred Music Internship Thanks to the generosity of Don and Lynn Wilson and their steadfast devotion to music at Brick, Brick Church and the Yale University Institute of Sacred Music established the Wilson Family Sacred Music Internship in 2013. This internship provides an opportunity for a graduate student at the ISM to participate in our music ministry during the academic year. As part of an intensive, on-site learning experience, the intern shares in organ playing and choral conducting duties. The program also supports an undergraduate intern from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music in Ohio during their winter break in January.

We are delighted to welcome our new Wilson Family Sacred Music Intern, Nicolas Kilhoffer! Born in 2002 in Saverne, eastern France, Nicolas Kilhoffer began studying piano at the age of seven before teaching himself the organ and serving as a church organist from the age of ten. He later studied organ performance and improvisation in Strasbourg with Daniel Maurer and Johann Vexo, who remains his principal teacher, and continued his training in Paris with Christophe Mantoux. He has also participated in masterclasses with Philippe Lefebvre, Vincent Dubois, Thierry Escaich, and Thomas Ospital. ​ Nicolas regularly performs in recitals in France and abroad, with appearances in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Greece, Italy, Kenya, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Recent engagements have included performances at Grace Church in New York, Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria (British Columbia), Saint Paul’s Anglican Church in Athens, and All Saints’ Cathedral in Nairobi. He also regularly performs with the Trio du Levant, an ensemble for oboe, violin, and organ, touring throughout France, Belgium, Spain, and the United Kingdom. ​ Beginning in Fall 2026, he will pursue a Master of Music degree at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, studying with James O’Donnell, Organist Emeritus of Westminster Abbey, London. Learn more at www.nicolaskilhoffer.com

Isaiah 6:1-10, John 17:1-11 ​Over 10 years ago, an eleven-year-old yodeled in a Walmart. A month later, Mason Ramsey had a record deal with Atlantic and is now worth over one million dollars. A Scottish church volunteer sang the most beautiful rendition of I Dreamed a Dream, and in 2009 Susan Boyle became a global phenomenon, now worth over $40 million. An Austrian skydiver decided to take the sport to the next level, and rather than diving from the sky, he leapt from space at 128,000 feet. At that moment, Felix Baumgartner became a legend—the first person to break the sound barrier simply by falling. Millions of people post hundreds of millions of videos doing fantastically crazy stunts in the hope of gaining viral fame, to feel that moment of glory from adoring crowds. But long before the internet, a man had a chance to perform a spectacular act that would have become the most viral stunt in history. The stunt was simple: climb atop the Temple, leap off, and the crowd’s shock would turn to awe when, out of thin air, angels would catch him, leading the people to bow down and worship him. But Jesus spurned this temptation to viral fame because he knew this was not the type of renown God had for him. He was on the path to glory—but not the human version. In the eleventh chapter of John, Jesus recounts the prophet Isaiah’s frustration with the people. He refers to a time in Israel immediately following Uzziah’s successful reign as king. During his reign there was political stability, virtually zero unemployment, and prosperity across the land. Upon his death, a power vacuum led the nation into a spiral. Inequality, unemployment, and poverty exploded, while spiritual corruption was rife throughout the land. Most tragically, this greatly weakened the nation, leaving them vulnerable to the Assyrian Empire’s evil intentions, which eventually utterly destroyed the kingdom. Isaiah called them to turn back to God and to justice. Tragically, they refused to listen. And this is the critical part: not because they didn’t believe, but because they were afraid—afraid that if they followed Isaiah they would be expelled from acceptable society. They would not risk their financial and social positions to do the right thing. Jesus observed, “They loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God.” Fast forward to the Last Supper and our passage this morning, when Jesus reveals the center of his character: “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you.” The shock of this remarkable point of view has been dimmed by familiarity. To see why, we must understand the Old Testament view of crucifixion. Deuteronomy 21:22–23a says: “When someone is convicted of a crime punishable by death and is executed and you hang him on a tree... [he] is under God’s curse.” This is as bad as it gets. Cursed by God. This was people’s view in Jesus’ time. Internet fame is understandable; it’s nice to be adored. It makes us feel important and special. In contrast, Jesus refers to this public revilement—not as personal shame, even knowing the people would see him as cursed by God—but as his glory. And it turns out, eventually, he was right. And though he knew that he would be rejected by people, he did not judge them for it. Though it frustrated him, he sympathized with human weakness. Back in chapter 11 he said as much: “I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world but to save the world.” And this is why we glorify him. He was willing to experience the exact opposite of viral fame out of love for us. And remember, he had that opportunity to jump off the Temple and have angels catch him. People would have believed who he was without having to go through all ofthese awful things. But that was a trap—fame and glory for the wrong reasons. Unlike the people in Isaiah’s time, because Jesus loved God’s glory more than human glory, he now has both. As in Isaiah’s time, as in our time, as in all times in human history, we prefer fame over glory. Fame is the quick-hitting rush of adoration. In and of itself, fame is not bad, but we know that we are called to something more. Thankfully, we are not all meant to climb up on a cross, but we do share the charge from Jesus to seek God’s glory. Joyce Kilmer (1886–1918) offered us a simple and profound illustration: I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest Against the earth's sweet flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in Summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree. Her poem points not only to the beauty of poetry, not only to the wonder of a tree, but to the God who makes it all possible. And this is the point of Jesus’ mission. This is why he did everything. We think eternal life is heaven, but that’s a place. In verse three of our passage Jesus tells us, “This is eternal life, that they may know you.” To understand the true nature of glory is to understand God; to know more God—not just more about God, but more God. And in that moment we also know more about the glory of our own selves. I’m going to retell the story of Lynne Cox, who showed us courage, sacrifice, and a willingness to chase the wonders of creation. Every time I recount the story, I am left saying to myself, “God is so good.” This version is adapted from NPR’s This American Life. When Lynne Cox was 17 years old, she had already broken several world records for long-distance swimming. She had crossed the English Channel twice and was always training. One morning, she was swimming in the ocean off Seal Beach, California, before the sun was up. She loved swimming at this hour when no one and nothing was out there—just her, the darkness, and the water. But on this day, suddenly she sensed something beneath her. As she said: “I felt the water hollowing out around me and felt like something really big was swimming below. And so in my mind, I'm thinking, oh my gosh, is it a seal? And I'm like, no, it's too big for a seal. I was like, okay, is it a dolphin? No, it's not a dolphin. And then I thought, oh my God, could it be a shark?” She started swimming closer to shore, and this giant something continued to swim underneath her. “But there was an old man named Steve who worked in the bait shop on the pier, and he sort of watched over me and watched what was going on with the water. And I could see him standing under a light on the pier, waving toward me to come, to swim out to him. And at first I thought, ‘There's no way.’ And he yelled at me and said, ‘Lynne, come here. There's a baby whale swimming with you.’” In the midst of her shock, she was ready to go ashore. Lynne Cox explains: “But Steve told me that the baby whale would follow me and possibly run aground. And the weight of his lungs on the beach would kill him. But he also thought that maybe the baby whale would just swim off and be totally lost. So his idea was that you just need to stay with the baby whale.” In the thrill and privilege of the moment came a sense of responsibility for that whale. For the next five hours, Lynne Cox swam with the whale trying to find the baby’s mother. Truly risking her life, she swam farther from shore; and if she became too tired, she might not make it home. But she had been bonded to this whale’s fate with the belief and hope that only a seventeen-year-old can have. And fishermen were directing her, helping her find the mother. But the whale helped her too. Sensing she was not as strong, the whale swam right in front of her so that she was pulled forward in its wake. Finally, now at almost the seventh hour, they found the mother. “She came right next to me. And you know, when a mother whale comes next to you, it's like a bus pulling up beside you. And I backed away some because I was afraid. I mean, the animal's 40 feet long, 45 feet long. And to be in the water with something so huge is frightening. “So I saw them together, and it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my life, to see the mother and baby reunited. “I thought, ‘I'm going to touch her, too. I'm just going to do it, because I feel like a part of this whole thing.’ And I touched her, and I could feel that she felt my hand on her. And it was amazing, because she was so big. And how does that whale express happiness? But I felt that she was happy. “And then a few minutes later, they swam off.” Jesus set the standard. He showed us the power of glory over fame, and Lynne Cox showed us how, as mortals, we can follow. She took a risk. It wasn’t about a viral stunt. It all began on a morning swim in the darkness when she was alone. She kept swimming. She kept listening to the people around her and to her care for that whale. Through her courage, she showed us how we can focus on doing for others—even a whale—and so, in no small way, she showed us the power of the glory of God. Amen.

Shared during Sunday Worship on June 14, 2026. God of peace and purpose, guard those in the midst of war, especially civilians, as we continue to pray and work for peace in the Middle East, hope in Haiti, and healing in the Congo from Ebola. Be with all countries in conflict and we pray that You will bring to fruition the plan of peace for Iran. Bestow Your proverb like wisdom on all leaders with the burden of authority. Give them eyes of justice, hearts of compassion, and a will after the manner of our Lord, especially our mayor, the governor, and the president. Hear us, Lord, as we pray for healing of this world and of this land. [[Silence] Lord, Your word tells us to weep with those who weep but also to rejoice with those who rejoice. We give thanks when rain breaks a long drought or when after 53 years game five brings the NBA championship back to New York! We celebrate those things that join us together as a city – the beauty of Central Park, the magnificence of the Brooklyn Bridge, the gardens of Brooklyn and the Bronx, the best bagels, pastrami, and pizza on the planet and the unparalleled arts through symphony and ballet, choirs and concerts, museums, theater and theatrics. You have made this city a cornucopia of all the best humanity has to offer in talent and the breadth of human culture. Lead us to live a life of thanksgiving, providing the privilege of access to these wonders to more and more people but most of all may we be grateful for the grace given by Jesus, the love of God, and the fellowship of Your spirit that binds us as one people. Hear us now, O God, as in silence we give You thanks for all that brings us joy. We give You thanks that You hear us, and we trust that You answer us. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are Yours, almighty God, now and forever. Amen.