Isaiah 24:4-6 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows forth his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1 ​Jared Diamond, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, wrote in his book  Collapse  about the fall of the Easter Island people: The overall picture for Easter is the most extreme example of forest destruction in the Pacific, and among the most extreme in the world: the whole forest gone, and all of its tree species extinct. Immediate consequences for the islanders were losses of raw materials, losses of wild-caught foods, and decreased crop yields.  — Jared Diamond,  Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed At one point, Easter Island had trees of sufficient girth and height that they could build boats allowing them to fish out at sea. But eventually, the last tree was cut down; they could no longer fish, and the society disappeared. Because they had no access to resources from other cultures, there was nowhere to turn. I imagine this was an unfortunate cascade of events. But other societies have been more intentional in their destruction. In the opening chapter of  Genesis , God commands us to have “ dominion over the Earth and to subdue it .” In a historical era when dominion was understood as the absolute God-given right of kings, we took this command as absolute license to develop the land with a rapacious energy that not only polluted the environment but made portions of it unusable for long stretches. Think about the condition of the Thames during the 18th and 19th centuries. Industrial waste, raw human sewage, dead animals, and more were dumped into the river to the extent that the stench was unbearable and portions of the river unnavigable. The fish population was decimated, and the river became a deadly source of disease. And, of course, as is true of every period in history, it was the poorest people who were forced to live in the most polluted and diseased areas. This interpretation of dominion also carried over to land ownership. America’s patterns of ownership conflicted with those of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, according to Bill May of the Kennedy Ethics Institute at Georgetown. W.H. Auden, in 1952, wrote: “ In Europe, nature is an animal to be tamed; in America, it is a dragon to be slain. ” Ownership conferred on the possessor the absolute right of development and disposition. But, as we know, the Scriptures tell us, “ The Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. ” It does not belong to us. Sadly, the fraught relationship between nature and humanity is nothing new. Isaiah proclaimed: The earth lies polluted under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt. Isaiah is implying that our moral behavior and our fidelity to God impact the health of creation. Fortunately, there are two notions that lead to a more faithful relationship with creation. First of all, if the Bible tells us to have dominion, we should not use earthly kings as an example. Rather, dominion is to reflect a godly understanding. More specifically, Jesus, known as the King of Kings, exercised dominion in a way that valued every life in creation. He told us to consider the birds of the air—not one of them falls to the ground without your Father knowing. Jesus is implying that God cares for all creatures, and therefore, when exercising dominion, we should too. The Lakota people reflect what we would consider to be the spirit of Christ in their approach to power and nature. The buffalo is a powerful, fast, and awesome beast. They see in the buffalo the power of sacrifice for others, whereas other cultures see sheer power as a means to dominate. In the second chapter of  Genesis , we are given a different word than dominion to describe our relationship to the Earth and its animals: “ protector, steward, or caretaker .” As a gardener takes care of their plot of land with passion and love, so too are we to be caretakers of the Earth. Since God declared creation good, we are to cultivate it with love and treat it with deep respect, even when we use it for our own benefit. God did command us to subdue nature. The most fantastic example of this occurred in a New York restaurant perhaps over a year ago. In a YouTube video, you see restaurant-goers scurrying, screaming, and running away from a table. And then this woman (it turns out she’s from Alaska) goes into the corner where everyone else is running away; she reaches her hand down and then stands up with her hand held high, holding an opossum by the scruff of its neck. Alaskans are tough! In order to thrive as a species, there are times when we need to subdue nature—whether it’s floods, plagues, or rat infestations! When at its best, the relationship is symbiotic and mutually beneficial. It leads to fantastic developments. Thousands of years ago, humans relied on hunting and gathering for their food supply. But at some point, some genius noticed a stalk of grass that was a little bit different from the others and found a way to breed this with others that were similar to it until eventually, we had wheat. Wheat that we could plant and multiply the food supply. This happened in the Americas with corn and in the East with rice. Jesus did tell us that God cares for the birds of the air, but He also told us that we are of more value than many sparrows. So, it is right for us to make use of them. But our approach should perhaps be more like the Lakota people. When they sacrifice a buffalo, they give thanks and honor it for all it does for the community. When we approach creation faithfully, it not only provides for us but enlightens us. This is the nature of Job’s insight in the 12th chapter, “ Ask the birds, and they will teach you .” When we develop land properly, when we are in a loving relationship with it, nature is the world’s greatest teacher. By treating it with respect, it responds by providing us shelter, food, and beauty—not only for us but for our descendants. Albert Schweitzer, 20th-century organ composer, humanitarian, Nobel Peace Prize recipient (and winner of the best mustache in history!), wrote: A man is ethical only when life, as such, is sacred to him, that of plants and animals as that of his fellow men, and when he devotes himself helpfully to all life that is in need of help…. Until he extends the circle of compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.  —Albert Schweitzer Think about what having a dog does for a child, especially if they are given a portion of responsibility. It teaches them faithfulness. You’ve got to take a dog out for a walk, or it is going to suffer. You take them to the doctor when they are sick. Children very quickly grow a strong attachment. And when that child sees the dog’s loyalty and love, they learn more about how to be responsible and giving of themselves. How should we approach nature? With reverence. Again, from Schweitzer, “ By having a reverence for life, we enter into a spiritual relation with the world. By practicing reverence for life, we become good, deep, and alive.” A reverent approach opens the world’s secrets. Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote, “ Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things. ” —The Brothers Karamazov

Job 38:4-7, 40:15-19 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows forth his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1   This exchange between God and Job is one of the most intriguing, not only in all the Bible but in all literature. It speaks to the core of human finitude and the immensity of God. Job is understandably broken by all of his suffering, and he questions God’s justice as a result. God counters with an extended argument by pointing out Job’s limitations. The primary example God uses to underscore the god-ness of God is creation. This was meant to awaken Job to his own temerity in questioning God. God then proceeds to lay out chapters’ worth of mysterious and awesome aspects of creation, for which Job has no context to understand and which the human brain lacks the capacity to grasp in its proportions. ‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! … ‘Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, so that a flood of waters may cover you? Can you send forth lightnings, so that they may go and say to you, “Here we are”?’ And then later, God describes this awesome creature, the Behemoth, with a tail like a cedar tree, its bones like bronze, and its limbs like bars of iron. Only God can tame this creature. The wild description of the Behemoth is meant to help Job understand that there are things that are not for him to know or comprehend—creatures that have nothing to do with humanity. There is a certain danger in Christian theology that leads us to think we know more than we do about God. This is understandable since Jesus, as God in the flesh, has revealed a great deal of God’s nature of love, grace, and forgiveness. But we must be reminded that God is eternal, and we are finite. This exchange with Job is really meant to remind all of us to have proper respect and humility before God. Job 36:26 says it plainly, “ God is greater than we can understand .” God enumerates all of these aspects of nature that Job can’t comprehend, and our modern minds might be tempted to believe this was simply the result of a superstitious age that didn’t realize the sun was a gaseous ball of fire and that gravity causes the Earth to circle around it. And to a certain extent, some of this is true. We know a tremendous amount more about the natural world than Job and his contemporaries could even imagine. However, modern science has discovered aspects of the natural world that are not only difficult to understand but that are inherently incomprehensible. Science can measure them, but it cannot explain them—or rather, the human mind is not sufficient to grasp them. By the way, these are not my thoughts but those of one of the greatest physicists of the last century, Richard Feynman: " I think I can safely say that nobody understands quantum mechanics ." And it is not simply a question of being able to understand the structure or rationality of a particular aspect of the natural world that confounds us; there is the existence of certain things that cause us to throw up our hands because they’re so crazy and wild. Dogs are man’s best friend. Dolphins are smart, powerful, sleek, and beautiful. Birds soar with grace and have dazzling plumage. But what about the naked mole rat! I’m sure some of you have been to zoos and have seen their underground habitats. They are blind, with huge front teeth that dig through the dirt. They’re strange and mind-boggling creatures. The platypus lays eggs like a reptile, has a bill like a duck, and webbed feet for swimming—not to mention the poisonous spurs on their hind legs! The honey badger is a rather unassuming-looking mammal, about two feet long and ten inches high. They have been known to fight off lions! They have such loose skin that when a lion grabs hold of them, they can twist free, and the honey badger is so fierce that it uses rather ungentlemanly fighting techniques, forcing the lion to protect his “heritage.” Perhaps the most awesome of all is the tardigrade, a microscopic creature that looks vaguely like a bear. It is so tough that it can survive the frozen ice of the Arctic, boiling water in natural springs, and even the vacuum of space! In the 1970s, there was a discovery in the biological world equivalent to Christopher Columbus and Europe suddenly realizing the world was twice as big as they had thought. Deep in the ocean off the Galápagos Islands, superheated water from deep within the Earth vents into the ocean. In 1977, the world suddenly realized that there are creatures on this planet that don’t rely on the power of the sun for life. Instead, these huge, red-tipped tube worms, ghostly fish, and shrimp with eyes on their backs thrive near these vents. It makes the Behemoth seem rather tame in comparison! So, God not only uses creation to teach us something of the divine but to remind us that there is more to God than we will ever know. John Calvin pointedly put us in our place: " Man, with all his shrewdness, is as stupid about understanding by himself the mysteries of God as an ass is incapable of understanding musical harmony ." But though we cannot understand it, we can be led to God by it. In 1927, Werner Heisenberg made what is perhaps the most straightforward discovery about the inherent unknowability of nature. Before Heisenberg, it was thought that nature was something like a billiard table—if we could know the position of everything at the beginning and measure the angles of the shots, we would know for certain which balls would fall into the pockets and be able to perfectly predict the final resting place of all of them. But Heisenberg discovered what is known as the Uncertainty Principle, which simply tells us that nature does not act like a billiard table but rather like a roulette wheel, in which you cannot know which number the ball will finally land on. Nature works on probabilities that cannot be perfectly predicted—something like the very nature of God. Heisenberg found a surprising source to help him grasp this discovery, " After the conversations about Indian philosophy, some of the ideas of quantum physics that had seemed so crazy suddenly made much more sense ." —W. Heisenberg The natural world is inscrutable, even to the most brilliant scientists the world has ever known. The size of the universe cannot be appreciated by the human mind. The beauty of certain creatures and the strangeness and otherworldliness of others all have something to teach Job—and us. And it is something fundamental to the human experience. Just as I said a few weeks ago that we need to be in nature in order to be mentally and spiritually healthy, to be refreshed and renewed by its peaceful and beautiful presence, there is another reason that we need nature: it points to an essential aspect of our relationship with God. ‘ Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God.’  To wonder is essential to being fully human. Paul wrote in Romans 11:33,  "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! " Paul swooned in wonder, and wonder opens our minds to be able to worship God more fully. Bill Brown, a Columbia Seminary professor in Atlanta, wrote persuasively of our need to restore wonder to our lives, " What constitutes a bona fide experience of wonder? Something that takes your breath away and at the same time compels you to cry out in joy: a mixture of fear and fascination. " Dr. Brown has pointed out that our myopic focus on our differences in this country has stripped wonder from society. We spend too much time debating and arguing, and as a result, we have forgotten how to wonder. As we grow wise, we grow more connected to each other. As we wonder over the majesty of God, we become more forgiving—not only of others’ sins but of our own. As we gaze out on the wonder of the world, we grow toward God, which leads us to our destiny, captured so well in the closing words of Charles Wesley’s hymn, "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," which concludes with the arresting phrase, "Lost in wonder, love, and praise." May all of us be lost in wonder, that we might grow in our love and praise. Amen.

Dear Members and Friends of Brick Church, As we continue to strengthen our community and deepen our shared mission to be a Beacon of Light in the community, I am pleased to share some updates on the life of our church and school. In the midst of our vital growth and the mission that we have launched, Session has approved the formation of an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC). This is a critical process for the future of our ministry, and we will need your nominations to help us discern the best leadership for this role. More details on how to participate in the nomination process will be shared soon. We are excited to welcome Dr. Kamauru Johnson as the new Director of Summer Steps! We are grateful to Lydia Spinelli for founding this program and serving many years as the director. We hope to integrate the children and families of Summer Steps more fully into the life of the church, and we look forward to the ways in which Dr. Johnson’s leadership will enrich both the program and our community. In our Day School, we celebrate that approximately 33% of our students come from Brick member families – this number has almost doubled from where it was three years ago! This marks an encouraging trend of greater engagement between the church and school, strengthening the connection between faith and education within our community.  On Sunday evening, March 2nd, we enjoyed a transcendent musical service between Brick Church and Trinity Princeton. It was a meaningful and memorable experience, fostering fellowship and shared worship. The annual Day of Discipleship was another great success, with many volunteers coming together to serve and make a tangible impact. Thank you to Rev. Gorman and our Deacons for organizing the day, and to each of the volunteers who made breakfast, managed logistics, worked and served, and to each of you who donated toiletry contributions.   The Women’s Association’s spring fundraiser, Cocktails, Community, and Culinary Delights, was a joyful occasion, bringing our community together in celebration and raising significant funds to support our ten outreach partners. A heartfelt thank you to all who participated and contributed! Lastly, we are thrilled to announce that Liz Turner, current Music Teacher at the Day School, will start as Director of Children's Music Ministries at the Church in September of 2025! In this role, she will lead our Youth Choirs in worship on Sunday mornings as well as work with our Sunday School program in addition to her Day School Music Teacher role. We will miss Julianna Grabowski, current Director of Children’s Music Ministries, who will be leaving us in May to pursue her doctorate in choral conducting. We wish Julianna all the best as she goes on to do great things! I invite you to join us in a conversation after worship on Sunday, March 23rd, in the Session Room immediately following 11:00 a.m. worship. You are welcome to come and hear about the topics above and ask any questions. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our church’s mission and ministries. I look forward to continuing this journey together. Peace, Rev. Tom Evans Senior Minister    DECEMBER | The Session of the Brick Church held its annual Joint Officers’ Advent Meeting on December 10, 2024.  A Joint Meeting of the Session, Trustees, and Deacons was held as part of a Vesper Service in early December.  Advent Scriptures were read, and Advent Hymns were sung.  A meeting of Session took place afterwards.  Since long-serving Director of Summer Steps, Lydia Spinelli, will retire in July 2025, Session approved an amendment to the bylaws to lay out a process to select a new Director.  As part of Brick’s Transformative Ministries Program, two grants were approved.  One was for Grassroots Grocery and the other for Church of the Living Hope.  The Stewardship campaign is ahead of last year’s effort with 71% of the $2.0 million goal in hand.  Increases were recorded in 45%, and decreases were seen in 11% of the 224 households pledging thus far.  The 2025 Budget was approved after a thorough effort by JFC to reduce expenses.  Session discussed charts of the operating income and expenses for the last ten years, the sources of income, the nominal and inflation-adjusted donations and gifts for the last 20 years, and the expenses by category and percentage of total over the past ten years.  Plans were set in motion for several Elders to visit an upcoming Confirmands’ class.  Nominations for Officers were requested by the ACNC.  Finally, it was announced that the BCCT (Brick Church Community Theater) had selected The Wizard of Oz as the Spring Musical. JANUARY | The Session of the Brick Church held its monthly meeting on January 21, 2025.   A regular meeting of the Session was held on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.  Director of the Day School Fabian reported that admissions were going well and that full enrollment was expected for September.  Regular exmission notifications start on 6 for 40 of the 58 children applying out.  The other 18 were already accepted via early notification.  The routine 5-year renewal for Summer Steps was addressed; the vote will take place at the next meeting.  Most significantly, the search for Lydia Spinelli’s replacement has already started. Grants to Trinity Place Shelter, Church of the Gethsemane, Next Step Ministries, NYC Presbytery/YAV Program, and Columbia Harlem Homeless Medical Partnership were approved.  All grants for 2024 amount to $235,497 and equal the budget for the year.  Stewardship pledges are more than $100K ahead of last year.  A slightly different approach has generated an earlier response.  Moderator Evans reminded Session that there was a commitment to decide on a search for a second Associate Pastor at the next Session Meeting.  In his Minister’s Report, Rev. Evans highlighted all the responses he has seen at Brick to the “2033 Vision.”  He considers all the events, projects, and programs fit into five categories: Spiritual Home for All, Beacon in the Community, United as One, Nurturing Spiritual Development at Every Age, and Traditional with an Innovative Heart.  A full list was sent to Session and is available for those who might be interested.  FEBRUARY | The Session of the Brick Church held its monthly meeting on February 11, 2025.   The Session of The Brick Church met on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. Moderator Evans spoke about Brick’s Mission and 2033 Vision in light of the story of “The Samaritan Woman at the Well.” He suggested Brick could be a beacon of hope and a spiritual home for all by reflecting Jesus’ way of engagement with the Samaritan woman. Director Fabian reported that 21 of 24 boys were accepted at their first-choice school and 25 of 30 girls were accepted at their first-choice school, capping off an excellent Admissions and Exmissions cycle. Based on the signs of renewed strength and enthusiasm, the Personnel Committee recommended that Brick begin the process of calling a third pastor. The JFC reported on an approach to funding. The Session voted to move ahead provided the Trustees provide a backstop for a possible Stewardship shortfall. Grants totaling $42,000 were approved for Search and Care and the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center. The search for a new Director of Summer Steps has almost reached completion. Rev. Evans announced that the Trinity Church Princeton Choir will be visiting for a special joint service on Sunday, March 2nd.  Rehearsals have started for the BCCT’s performances of The Wizard of Oz . Rev. Gorman reported on the success of the recent Souper Bowl party.  He talked about plans for the Day of Discipleship, the upcoming Interfaith Mission Meeting, and the Brick Mission Trip in June. Rev. Evans described a new pastor-led initiative: a consideration of what our neighborhood cares about and a pathway forward, informed by the story of “The Samaritan Woman at the Well.” Lastly, Rev. Evans also reported that he would be starting a series in Lent every Sunday evening. Brick’s Vision Progress March 2025 Spiritual Home for All Fall sermon series Silent Night Service Sunday PM Service Communicated through print and digital materials inside the church fall 2024 and winter 2025 - Communications Hosted weekly Sunday Supper with church members, school families, neighborhood families Hosted weekly "Kids on Wheels" in Watson Hall for church members, school families, neighborhood families (40+) - New Members & Evangelism  Implemented spring Musical The Wizard of Oz with a cast and crew of approximately 70+ including church members, school families, neighborhood volunteers and diversity of background and faiths - Stewardship. On October 27, ACE welcomed Lo van der Valk as a guest speaker. Mr van der Valk is the President of Carnegie Hill Neighbors, a local organization dedicated to preserving the heritage and character of the Carnegie Hill community. He explained the architectural significance of various houses of worship in Carnegie Hill, and, in so doing, he helped congregants understand Brick’s place within the cultural and spiritual fabric of our community. This advanced Brick’s purpose by encouraging congregants to reflect on how Brick can better become a “spiritual home” that reflects the fabric of our city . Lenten series on the nature of faith, which welcomes people with varying beliefs to explore together the greatest questions of faith – such as faith and evil faith and society and faith and other religions. Beacon in the Community Howard Teich - UES Community Unity Initiative - Clergy and faith communities Joint caroling with Heavenly Rest Upcoming Wizard of Oz Recommitment to the East Harlem project Trinity / Princeton exchange Mission-focused Sunday with TNDP and Grassroots Grocery Partner with Princeton Theological Seminary on the Theologian in Residence Adam / Youth went to Park Ave Synagogue Released 2025 Stewardship Campaign theme is to be a "Beacon of Hope." - Stewardship Created an inspirational video sharing how Brick Church is a Beacon. - Stewardship Created and distributed print and digital materials with a visual story of how Brick Church is a Beacon of Hope. – Stewardship In late November, the Brick Church Community Theater partnered with the Daniel's Music Foundation, a non-profit that provides free music programs for people with disabilities, to put on a benefit concert for both organizations. It was a wonderful showcase that displayed the talents of a wide range of artists of all ages and abilities, proving that Brick Church truly can be a spiritual home to all. Recorded and distributed podcast of Rev. Evans sharing how Brick Church is a Beacon of Hope – Communications Hosted weekly "Kids on Wheels" in Watson Hall for church members, school families, neighborhood families (40+) - New Members & Evangelism  Rev. Evans led an ACE lesson on October 20 that explained Brick’s new Guiding Principles to the congregation. Rev. Evans’ talk focused on helping the congregation creatively imagine how we can   become a “Beacon of Hope” in our community and city .  Summer Steps is a Brick Church summer program offered to children of diverse economic backgrounds that ensures they can succeed at the best schools in the city. Brick is beginning an intentional initiative to more closely integrate Summer Steps children and families into the life of the church.  Hosting  United as One Day School involved in theater classes Day School involved in the play  Joint Blood Drive  Continuing staff birthday celebrations with all Brick staff Staff Christmas party Increased engagement by school families in Church programs, events, and even worship opportunities, which has led to a stronger, more integrated Brick community and to more families choosing both the school for their children and to be members of the Church. During the Sundays preceding and following the 2024 Presidential election, Dr. Guth co-taught a series of ACE lessons on the theme of love and toleration across significant differences with Dr. John R. Bowlin, Professor of Philosophy and Christian Ethics at Princeton Seminary. These lessons were well-attended and advanced Brick’s value of being “united as one” community,  as well as Brick’s commitment to “create a welcoming environment that holds respect for diverse perspectives.” Nurturing Spiritual Development at Every Age Emphasis on children Redeveloped the Sunday School curriculum, which has increased parents’ involvement and enthusiasm, which translates into a better experience for the children  In September, Rev. Gorman taught a two-part series of lessons on “ Faith Outside of Sunday: At Home and In the World. ” This series offered practical wisdom about how to grow in one’s faith and nurture the faith of children through family practices and when enjoying nature. The series thereby advanced Brick’s commitment to “nurture spiritual development at every age.” Bringing our Day School Music Teacher into a full-time role to serve both school and church, reaching for spiritual development through music across a broader audience.  Traditional with an Innovative Heart Producing spring musical The Wizard of Oz  with a message of love, hope, and home that is accessible for non-members and non-Christians to engage with on their faith journey at Brick Church - Stewardship, New Members, Communications  Provided After School Musical Theater classes for church members, school families, neighborhood families (40+) for community engagement and touch point with Director of Children's Ministries - New Members & Evangelism  Dr. Charles Guth taught a two-part series of lessons on the theme of “covenant and community.” This series explored the biblical and theological roots of Brick’s purpose to “share God’s love in Jesus Christ”  and advanced Brick’s value of being known for a “Generous Orthodoxy.”  Dr. Guth’s series also laid the groundwork for two adult education series he will teach in the spring. These series will help congregants reflect on Christian worship and the spiritual goal of sharing communion with God and will therefore advance Brick’s mission of “enabl[ing] the public worship of God in the Presbyterian tradition.” In November and December, Rob D’Alessandro, one of Brick Church’s Student Ministers, taught a three-part series exploring the biblical roots of the Advent theme that Jesus is God-with-us. These lessons advanced Brick’s value of being known for “Generous Orthodoxy.”

Genesis 1:26-31   “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows forth his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1 It was that amazing natural historian and broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough, the writer and host of the  Life  series on BBC who said, "It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living." In fact, nature is such a powerful source of connecting to God that even people who don’t believe in God use the language of faith to describe it.  E. O. Wilson, one of the foremost biologists of the 20th century who did groundbreaking work on all things fire ants, was a professed atheist but this is what he said! “ Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction .” This is what it means when the Psalmist tells us, “ The heavens declare the glory of God ”. God’s handprints are all over creation. And so, when you see the goodness of nature you too see the goodness of God. As you recall in the first chapter of Genesis, at the end of several days of creation the phrase “ God saw it and it was good .” is repeated to emphasize this goodness. The Hebrew word for good is  TOV.  It is a deep rich word. It speaks to beauty both within and without, such as a gorgeous sunset, or an exquisite piece of art, or a kind soul. It refers to those things in the world that are pleasing and beneficial to us such as healthy food and loving relationships. It describes actions that comport to God’s will and describes people who are upright, compassionate, trustworthy, and honest.  Creation is so exceedingly wonderful that simply calling it good wasn’t enough. So, at the end after God has finished the work, “ God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.” Because nature is so very, very good, when we are away from it for too long our spirits wither. Because we are not just spiritual beings or physical beings, we are body, mind, and spirit,and all of them are interrelated and feeding one aspect enriches the others, I’m starving one starves the others. What does that mean for city dwellers? Especially those who don’t have the financial or physical means to leave the city. If nature is daily inspiration for architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, if it is a place for creativity and professional development for E.O. Wilson, if it is a place simply to embrace our humanity – what does that do to us if we are without it? Mahatma Gandhi suggested that to be disconnected from nature is to be disconnected from our own selves. “ To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves .” Because of this over a century ago a man set out on a mission with an incredible vision. To build a park right smack dab in the middle of the city. Not just a quaint park. Not something tucked away but something central. Something geographically central yes, but also something central to the well-being of New York City and central to the people who call New York City home.   Frank Law Olmstead received the commission to design Central Park with a compelling vision. As reported from various sources: Once largely owned solely by the wealthy, public parks and civic spaces, Olmsted felt, were 'democratic spaces' that belonged to all Americans. "He believed that well-designed and maintained parks and landscapes have the power to unite and strengthen communities by providing a place of rest and rejuvenation for all, regardless of class, wealth or ethnicity," says Petri. "Long before science confirmed his views, he understood the power of parks to invigorate public health by restoring people's connection to nature.…at a time when cities were dirty, crowded and unhealthy, He called parks the 'lungs of the city' because they were designed to be healthful places for city residents. … in his day, doctors actually started prescribing walks in Central Park as therapy. This was exactly what the landscape architect ordered." * Central Park has so many incredible features. It was Wendy who pointed out to me that the transverse roads are hidden from view when you are in Central Park. This is so well done I didn’t even realize it!  Olmstead, even before cars were invented, saw the importance of keeping traffic away from a place of natural rest and respite. Imagine how diminished Central Park would be today if those transverse roads weren’t sunk below the line of sight and sound! One can walk through the ramble and not even know that you’re in the city. Whether you row on the Lake as you pass under the Bow Bridge, wander through Shakespeare’s Garden or make your way to the overlook from the Belvedere Castle as you look at the Turtle Pond, there are endless nooks and crannies, grassy fields, leafy trees and babbling brooks to connect God’s very good creation. This is why perhaps we need nature now as much as we ever have. As we embark on our Lenten journey toward the Cross, we find ourselves in a time of anxious change. And the extent and rapidity of this change across the country and across the globe can ironically lead us to a myopic view. To shrink our world. I recall in my own personal life when I was experiencing some challenging conflict that it often felt as if the entire world and my entire existence revolved around this one issue. It was very difficult to keep it in perspective to remember that I had my health, and my family, a house and food. Rarely were these problems truly significant in the scheme of things but yet they seemed insurmountable at the time. I was trapped in my own head. The people of God clearly throughout their history had truly devastating and historic warsand treachery, slavery, and exile. Yet they turned to a source of power that was not contingent upon humanity’s actions – for good or evil. This source of beauty, of peace and comfort is available to us at any time and of course is the handiwork of God; creation itself.   Psalm 19 would have been written during a time of tumult and though many psalms focus on despair and tragedy this one takes a different turn and includes a verse that C.S. Lewis called one of the greatest lyrics in the world, “ The heavens declare the glory of God .” To turn to nature is to turn to God. It reminds us where we came from; it is a source of exquisite beauty. Nature reminds us that whenever we are trapped that there is something amazing and wonderful right around the corner, right around the street, and whatever we are enduring we can know the presence of God when we take a stroll in the park. And it was Anne Frank, that young girl who we know went through one of the worst times in human history, while hiding in the Annex, she of course wrote her diary and came to a conclusion that seems so wise for one so young: “The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. … I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”  – Anne Frank When you are in need of knowing there is goodness in this world, that God still reigns supreme, that the world is still spinning no matter what external circumstances may indicate – take time stroll through the park, to wade in the water, to soar in the sky, to climb a mountain, to sit on a grassy field. Be still in the presence of God. Amen. *( https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/frederick-law-olmsted.htm )

The All-Church Nominating Committee (ACNC) is seeking your suggestions for candidates for the  Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC) . Please prayerfully consider recommending members of The Brick Church as candidates for this committee. Important criteria to consider include a commitment to the Church, regular attendance at Worship, time, and willingness to serve, and personal characteristics of dedication, good judgment, and the ability to work well with others. Self-nominations are also accepted. The deadline for recommendation submissions is April 3, 2025.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows forth his handiwork.” - Psalm 19:1 In the coming weeks, we will explore how, as the Psalms tell us, “the heavens declare the glory of God.” We will realize that not only does nature enable us to understand the nature of God, but also that understanding the nature of God has led to some of the greatest scientific insights into the nature of nature! Of course, anything that God blesses us with is not only a gift but also a responsibility, and we will see how Scripture commands us to be stewards of God’s earth. We will realize that there is a certain unfathomability to nature - there are some things we cannot fully understand the why or what - that will remind us there is more to God and God’s creation then what our human minds can grasp. All of these gifts of nature come down to one fact explained by Genesis: creation is good. Well, not just good, but very good. This series is about appreciating, enjoying, and delighting in God's creation. As the Psalms tell us, when we look upon creation, we can see the handprints of God and learn something about our amazing, wondrous Creator. When we witness the majesty of mountains, the beauty of the sky, or the astonishing design of creatures—like mountain goats that can balance on a rock the size of a quarter and scale vertical cliffs due to the intricate design of their hooves - we gain a deeper sense of awe. Learning about the wonders of nature enables us to marvel at and glorify God even more. There are times in our lives when the people of God have responded to challenges by seeking justice and working to reshape the world. But there are also times when we are called to be still - as the Psalm reminds us, "Be still and know that I am God." We hope this series will encourage us to cultivate, relish, and bask in the peacefulness of nature, reminding us of the beauty of life and the God who created it all. Prayer of Confession Lord, through giving us stewardship of the earth You have made us co-creators to preserve, magnify, and enjoy Your creation. But at times we have hoarded its resources and failed to preserve it. Give us wisdom that we might develop this world and its natural beauty so that all may enjoy its fruits.

Submit by April 15th 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.

It's time to spring forward on Sunday, March 9th! Don't forget to set your clocks forward one hour before bedtime Saturday evening. Spring a head and arrive at Church fresh and renewed.

Matthew 11:18-19, 25-30 “Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” - Ephesians 5:19 NKJV Today’s sermon is more of a story. It is 100% true, and it shows the power of music that God has used to great effect—not so much at times to teach us something, but so that we might encounter the eternal. Not simply to talk about peace and harmony, but to be struck, as by a meteor. The word that most accurately describes the event is  shalom.  It is a Hebrew word easily translated as  peace,  but it has many more layers. It encapsulates a universal harmony, the web of mutuality that Dr. King spoke of, the peace of all life that Isaiah dreamed about, the joy of human love shared without boundaries, and ultimately, our perfect union with God. There is a song this week, but rather than analyze it, we will make a journey. There are times when a song transcends the meaning of the lyrics and its author. At this moment, you see not only the hand of the writer and singer but the hand of God. I want to share with you just such a moment. But first, let’s set the stage through today’s text, which makes clear that Jesus spent a great deal of time with the so-called “sinners and tax collectors.” And in today’s lesson, He invites us as well,  "Come to me, all that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." But Jesus doesn’t leave it at that. It is not only physical. He levels it up,  "…rest to your souls." Jesus recognized that whether we are rich or poor, this world at times offers more than we can handle. Youth can become particularly susceptible to this vortex of purposelessness, as they are often forced to spend all their time in school on their own future. They become bored with such a self-centered life. But the mission work they do from churches around the country relieves the burdens of others, making them Christ’s hands and feet, giving others His rest and comfort. They have: Packed endless meals for the hungry. Brought together endless supplies for the homeless. Raised millions for disadvantaged children. Hammered untold nails to fix houses. They get it! Such work helps us believe—believe in goodness, believe in God. It helps us to feel we are a part of something greater than our own immediate problems. John Polkinghorne devoted his life to thinking about the place where science and religion meet. He wrote: "Despite the strangeness, bitterness, and incompleteness of this present life, human beings do not give way to despair. In the human heart, there is something that responds to the conviction expressed so powerfully by Julian of Norwich, that in the end, 'all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well.'” And 20 years ago, I felt the power of Julian of Norwich’s words more profoundly and clearly than I ever had before in my life. For a moment, the sense of God’s power and love and sovereignty was completely clear to me, without even a shadow of a doubt in my heart. New York City is such an enthralling place because it is such a juxtaposition of all of humanity—the most noble virtues, the worst vices. Some of the wealthiest and most famous, and some of the most impoverished, destitute, and disturbed. In 2003, I saw it all. Jesus’ mission always called for others to come alongside Him. And that week, He took me and a dozen youth on a mission trip from Buffalo to New York. For seven days, we had an absolutely clear purpose: to help Christ free the burdens of those on the streets, to give them rest. But our burden was lifted even higher. We stayed at the church of my childhood, Broadway Presbyterian Church. I had not been there for 25 years, but I remembered the fellowship hall that I raced my brothers in, the bell tower that I climbed to the top of (without my mother’s permission), and the pews I crawled under (while my mother was out of reach in the pulpit!). They had a shelter in the basement, and the youth sat down with these folk and just listened to their stories and endless opinions on politics. They willingly shared their deepest pain and sometimes shameful experiences with an honesty and openness rarely found in this world. As we were exiting the building, we ran into Jerry Seinfeld! "Cool shades,"  he said to two of our youth! They seized the opportunity and had their picture taken with him! It was a thrill, but ultimately, I think they were more captivated by Austin—a man formerly from the street. One night, we assisted in Midnight Run, a ministry that feeds the homeless. We were asked to make sandwiches to deliver on the streets and be ready at 10:30 p.m. to go out. After we assembled 130 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, we were picked up by Austin. Austin looked like he fell out of an overpacked suitcase and wielded an Irish shillelagh, which we mistakenly called a cane, but he spoke like a professor of American cultural idiosyncrasies. Now sleeping in a warm and cozy home, he devoted his life to helping those still on the streets. We drove by The Met just as a performance had ended and saw some of the most exquisite dresses ever made by human hands. Two blocks later, we opened the back of the vans and proceeded to hand out clothes and food to those hidden in the dark corners of that neighborhood. The juxtaposition of such wealth and such poverty right next door to each other was not lost on our youth, who were struck hard by it. Later, we stopped outside Central Park when, for a moment, we saw Christ’s dream come true. It was 1:30 in the morning, and it was by far the busiest stop of the night. In fact, one passerby called the police because he thought a fight had broken out from the rush of people. A score of police showed up on the scene in moments. But they quickly saw that nothing problematic was taking place. Rather than a fight, it was a conglomeration of my Buffalo youth and the homeless sharing a glass of lemonade, trading jokes, and enjoying the beauty of the night. But there was one woman who stood out. She hated the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and was dissatisfied with the selection of clothes—the only grumpy one in the bunch. But as we were getting ready to leave, she pulled us back and asked her friend on the street, John, to play us a song. He wore those round rainbow glasses, so he resembled John Lennon, and we expected a Beatles song. As he tuned his guitar, we began to wonder if he could really play, since he seemed to be using the tuning as a delay tactic. Soon, everyone nearby gathered to listen—there must have been about forty people. The pressure mounted, and it seemed his tuning wouldn’t stop. Then, he began to play. That’s when it happened. Suddenly, that woman was transformed. She wore an expression you mostly only see on the faces of children. It was the face of pure delight. I think she was crabby because she had been tired of always receiving, and she knew she could not give us anything material. But now, she smiled, knowing that they were giving us something special. As I recall the moment, it is the moon that I remember. It was dazzling, ancient, enthralling. Full and bright, it floated through the trees. A faint crispy rustling sound—leaves rubbing against each other as a gentle breeze billowed across branches. John treated us to a beautiful song with a beautiful message. Something happened to us, tied us together.  Shalom  is the only word that can capture it. The kingdom of God happened right there, on that street corner in New York City, when we experienced that soul rest Jesus promised. But it was a song by another Beatle—George Harrison—that John from the streets made his own that day.   Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) (George Harrison) Give me love. Give me love Give me peace on earth Give me light. Give me life Keep me free from birth Give me hope. Help me cope With this heavy load Trying to touch and reach you with Heart and soul O . . . my Lord . . . PLEASE take hold of my hand That I might understand you Won't you please? Oh, won't you…

Shared during Sunday Worship on February 16, 2024. God, our Mother and Father, through the newly baptised children we reaffirm Your sovereignty and acknowledge You as the source of the universe and everything in it. We extol You for the sound of children at Brick and for the families from which these children come. We also thank You, God, that through us all You are spreading Your love, a beacon of hope, in our midst and in the world outside. For deeming us worthy of Your good work, we praise today.  ​God of Love, using Brick’s children as a point of contact, we bring before You children in all places. Some of the world’s children live in hardship, deprivation, and instability, and for them, we seek Your delivering touch. You care for the sparrow and water the crops, hear our intercession and preserve the lives of children in want, pain, or peril.  ​All-powerful God, we acknowledge the role of good governance in protecting children and securing the peace of societies. So, we lift up governments across the globe before You, asking that You steer them towards godly and sustainable choices. Inspire them, God, to rule in absolute humility and with lives at heart. When they sidestep Your will, work through the world’s peoples to bring them back to the heart of Your purpose. Hear our prayer for Your rule on earth, O God.  ​Redeemer and Friend, we invite You to walk alongside all who are afraid, unwell, or lonely at this time. Help them remember that they, like all God’s children, are engraved in the palm of Your hand. As we thank You for today’s comforting word, we ask that You make us channels of comfort and healing for those despairing in our circles and communities today. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen!

Jeremiah 31:31-34  “Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” - Ephesians 5:19 NKJV   A little over a year after the Beatles broke up, Lennon recorded “Imagine” in a single session at his and Ono’s country estate….l ines  such as,  “Imagine all the people/ sharing all the world,”  embodied a radical utopian vision as well as the desire of Lennon and many others for an end to the Vietnam War and a return to the optimistic humanism that had defined much of the previous decade. (History Channel) Listening to John Lennon’s "Imagine" can be profoundly therapeutic. His gentle voice and simple vocals allow the words to play a very prominent role in this song.  Every  time I listen to it and I hear that word "imagine," I feel yearning inside for the kind of world he describes. There are particular phrases that especially stand out: "All the people living for today…" "All the people sharing all the world…" "All the people living life in peace…" "I hope you join us, and the world will be as one…" Some of this can be found right here in the city. If you wander through Strawberry Fields , that memorial to John Lennon in Central Park, you’ll come across one word: "Imagine." And it’s easy to imagine the world Lennon is singing about as being something real, because when you’re there in Central Park, it’s all coming true. You can see what Lennon is singing about. People living for today. They are enjoying picnics, they’re doing karate lessons, they’re playing basketball, they’re having family gatherings, and children are being entertained in a circle by folk singers. And people are running. In Central Park, the folks running are world-class athletes clicking off multiple six-mile laps like it’s a stroll in the park, as well as schmucks like me huffing and puffing with every step. And it doesn’t matter—it’s not a competition. Central Park is a remarkable place because, unlike other places in the city, I rarely hear people yelling! The sense of sharing the world and being one that Lennon sang about is truly happening there. But, of course, we don’t live in Central Park, and when we step outside of it, we can see some of the devastating, debilitating, and depressing problems that the world faces. What spurred Lennon to imagine a certain kind of world was the reality that, most of the time, the one in which we live is anything but what he sings about. “On December 5, 1980, John Lennon gave his final interview. Looking back on his seminal song, he said: “We’re not the first to say ‘Imagine no countries’ or ‘Give peace a chance,’ but we’re carrying that torch, like the Olympic torch, passing it hand to hand, to each other, to each country, to each generation… We should be talking about violence in society.”” And he is right. We should be talking about violence in society, especially followers of Jesus, since we know it is utterly antithetical to His will. According to the United Nations, 52 lives are violently taken every hour of every day—that means almost 500,000 lives were stolen last year. This doesn’t even count those lost in war. But it is so commonplace that we are inured to the horrific reality of just how far this planet is from what God envisioned when it was created. It was an Eden, a paradise. It is hard to think about. It is hard to watch the news. It is hard to keep our hearts open to those feeling the excruciating pain of those whose loved ones’ lives have tragically been cut short. Lennon’s song offers one solution: Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do  Nothing to kill or die for  And no religion, too.   As you can imagine, I take exception to these particular lines. Whereas Lennon expresses, poignantly and powerfully, a deep-seated hope, ultimately it is a naïve solution, perhaps one crafted by a child’s mind. Now, I don't believe that Lennon was naïve or childish, at least no more than the rest of us. He’s pointing out very real issues that arise from government and religion. They can become idols. And when they do, the results can be catastrophic. Over the course of history, sadly, there are far too many examples: the empire of Rome from so long ago and Nazi Germany just a few decades past. The ideal government is by the people and for the people. And the idea of religion is similar. Perhaps Jesus and Lennon would have agreed on some of the problems of religion. One of the primary reasons Jesus was crucified was because of His mission to rehabilitate the distortions that happened with the faithful people in His time. He fought back against the purity codes and the religious structures that enforced them. We see this most clearly when He healed somebody on the Sabbath, and He got in trouble from the religious authorities. His pointed retort is most illuminating:  “Was humanity made for the Sabbath or the Sabbath made for humanity?!” And the tragic truth is that both Jesus and Lennon were killed because of religion. Lennon’s hope for a world without religion made sense from his perspective.  His  killer, Mark Chapman, in part gunned him down in cold blood because he was  "angry at (Lennon) for saying (in the song 'God') that he didn't believe in God, that he just believed in him and Yoko, and that he didn't believe in the Beatles." (Source:  The Vibes ) On the next lyric,  “Nothing to kill or die for,”  Jesus would stand in greater opposition. At first, Lennon’s notion sounds appealing. It would mean no more murders, no more violent deaths. But it also means the abandonment of purpose. Certainly, Lennon’s tragic murder underscores his wisdom in wanting nothing to kill or die for, but for Jesus, it was his plan. It began with an utter commitment to achieving peace through peaceful means. Jesus, who not only preached peace but told Peter to put away the sword  at  His arrest.Jesus, who refused to return violence with violence.Jesus, who commanded us to turn the other cheek when struck. It is what sets Jesus apart. He didn’t simply imagine a better world; He gave his life for it. And it was His very willingness to die for this that has offered us all hope ever since. That ancient theologian Tertullian captured the power of Jesus’ sacrifice when he wrote, “ The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. ” And ever since, people’s willingness to give everything has given people hope that true peace will someday come. There is a remarkable tribute to modern martyrs above the entrance to Westminster Abbey at the Great West Door. On a trip, my son Matthew and I were captivated by the façade, into which are carved ten statues of those who gave their lives for the cause of Christ. Listen to a few: Wang Zhiming, Christian pastor and martyr to the Cultural Revolution in China. Wang Zhiming was executed on December 29, 1973, at a mass rally of more than 10,000 people. Between 1966 and 1976, the Cultural Revolution brought an onslaught against all that was ancient or venerated in Chinese life. The young Red Guards who led the campaign sought to break free of the past and to create a revolutionary society that was utterly new.  Religion must be destroyed.  Churches were closed, and Christians were forced to meet secretly. (Source:  Westminster Abbey ) An eerie echo to Lennon’s plan, and it shows the  naïveté  of just such a hope.  Imagining no religion very quickly and violently becomes  “Religion must be destroyed.” “There has never been a time in Christian history when someone, somewhere, has not died rather than compromise with the powers of oppression, tyranny, and unbelief,”  the Rev. Dr. Anthony Harvey, sub-dean of Westminster. Because Lennon didn’t believe in God, he didn’t believe in religion. But it is precisely because we believe in God that we need religion. Religion serves to offer us structure, connects us to people of the past, and places us in a community that both supports and challenges us. The religious community helps us confront our own biases and self-rationalizations. Religion reminds us that we are not the center of the world, that we’re not the wisest people on the planet, and that we need others to help us understand the truth. But most of all, ultimately ,  religion enables us to experience the presence of God more powerfully through being connected to other people. This is what Lennon missed—the goal isn’t religion; it is a means to connect to the source of all things. It isn’t so much about belief and doctrines but about encountering the Holy . New York Times columnist David Brooks discovered just that. At a younger age, as an agnostic, he thought religion was all about belief and so sought to determine whether or not certain religious claims were true. But later, certain transcendent moments lit up his soul. He wrote: "When faith finally tiptoed into my life, it didn’t come through information or persuasion but, at least at first, through numinous experiences. These are the scattered moments of awe and wonder that wash over most of us unexpectedly from time to time. Looking back over the decades, I remember rare transcendent moments—at the foot of a mountain in New England at dawn, at Chartres Cathedral in France, looking at images of the distant universe or of a baby in the womb. In those moments, you have a sense that you are in the presence of something overwhelming, mysterious. Time is suspended, or at least blurs. One is enveloped by an enormous bliss." It is for this that Jesus and Wang Zhiming died. Not only for us to imagine such bliss but for it to be our destiny. So, though I don’t agree with Lennon on everything, I do think he had tapped into something core to the human experience. It is the closing lines of Lennon’s song that I think are the most compelling: You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one. May we all dream, imagine, hope, and sacrifice when necessary to create a world of peace. Amen.     "Imagine: John Lennon Shot on His Doorstep 40 Years Ago."   The Vibes , December 8, 2020. Accessed February 5, 2025.  Westminster Abbey:  "Wang Zhiming."  Accessed February 5, 2025.

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 Discipleship. Together, let's extend a helping hand to those in need!