Prayer requests from worship on April 2:
- For the students and 3 adults who were killed in the Covenant school shooting in Nashville.
- For Kate Pruzek for her neuroma on her right foot.
- For church members recovering from surgery or illness.
- For Kristi Esquivel.
- For Alison's neighbor Nicole & family as they grieve her mother's death.
- For Dwight Smith who is in the hospital and has started physical therapy.
- For Galdys Crowder who has a few health issues.
- For Rachel Smith who has health issues.
- Continued prayers for baby Emilia in Buffalo who finally came home after a month long stay in the hospital.
- Continued prayers for Christy D'Ambrosio.
- For Meddy Jacques who is having continuing challenges with lupus.
- Celebration of the birth of Jemima 3rd daughter of Peter Sneeringer & Marisa Jones, born on Pete's birthday.
- For Dirk, Anders & Julie friends of Sue Sneeringer who are recovering from surgeries.
- Joyous celebration that Luke Eaton will be attending Columbia College of Chicago in September. Heartfelt thanksgiving for the numerous ways this congregation has lived into your baptismal Covenant with him from infancy to young adulthood as he prepares to walk out into the world. The nurture, encouragement, friendship & emotional support are such blessings.
- For Owen Gilbo's cousin Kim, who is recovering from treatment for lung cancer; his friends, Ron & Kelli, recovering from rotator cuff surgery; and for the transgender & gender-expansive community who is facing hate & continued attack on a daily basis.
- For Randy Walls, Harriet's niece's father-in-law who will receive a stem cell transplant for his leukemia and blessings on the 31 year old woman from Europe who is the stem cell donor.
- Continued prayers for John Minerbrook who continues to work on coping skills. Thanking God to be able to ring the bell and getting rid of the cold. Hopeful to see Patti on 4/15 through 4/24 to celebrate our birthdays together. For Patti's stepfather Lou to stay in good health and have a peaceful life in Florida. For Peg Schalit. Bruce will be back to church soon. Celebrating friends at NABA, FPC, & Bethany Reformed Church. Former neighbor's aunt Maureen to have peaceful & tranquil life. For neighbor Beatrice's new apartment in Colonie is safer. Shootings will come to an end. For Debbie & Rose.
Please send any prayer requests to Jamie so that we can include them in worship on Sunday.
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Join us at First Presbyterian
during Holy Week
for a time of spiritual renewal
Maundy Thursday Worship
Thursday, April 6, 7:30pm
A service marking the night of Jesus' arrest:
communion (all are welcome), storytelling,
music and prayers, ending in darkness.
(in the sanctuary and livestreamed on Facebook)
Good Friday Worship
Friday, April 7, 7:30pm
A service on the anniversary of Jesus' death:
storytelling, music, prayers and silence.
(in the sanctuary and livestreamed on Facebook)
Easter
Celebration of the Resurrection
Sunday, April 9
Sunrise FOCUS Service at 6:30am
Swan Street Stairs, west side of Capital Park
Please bring a lawn chair for your comfort (no seating will be provided).
9:15am Easter Breakfast
hosted by the Youth Group in Assembly Hall
Worship Service at 10:30am
in the sanctuary and livestreamed on Facebook
Fellowship Time
following the service in Assembly Hall
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Join Outlook Editor/Publisher Teri McDowell Ott in a conversation with Kendall Vanderslice, a professional baker and practical theologian.
In this webinar, participants will learn how to bake bread alongside Kendall. The resulting bread can be used at home or as communion for one of their Holy Week worship services (this workshop takes place on Tuesday of Holy Week). Participants will learn how to mix up a batch of dough together, then Kendall will walk everyone through the process of shaping and baking dough — they’ll be able to complete this process with their own dough by the next morning.
During this demonstration, Teri and Kendall will speak about the spirituality of baking — specifically baking bread — and Kendall will be available for questions. Register
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Easter Breakfast- April 9
9:15-10:15 am in the Fellowship Hall
Easter Breakfast hosted by the FPC Youth Group
This popular First Pres tradition and Youth Fundraiser is back!
Celebrate with family and friends before worship. Enjoy a delicious spread of warm breakfast casseroles, fresh fruit, and a chocolate fountain!
Your freewill donation supports FPC Youth Service Projects!
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Fresh Flowers for the sanctuary on Sundays may be donated in honor or in memory of a person or event. The cost is $80. A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board outside the main office. You may contact Jamie directly at 518-449-7332 or info@firstpresalbany.org.
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The Tuesday morning Bible Guys, who meet weekly on Zoom at 9 a.m., are looking for new members. If you are interested, please get in touch with Roger Green at rogerogreen@gmail.com.
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Got a Favorite Recipe?
A small group of members of First Pres Church and Walls Temple AME Zion Church have been meeting to form a friendship between our two congregations that we hope will produce a partnership to stand against racism together.
As part of this effort, our congregations will be gathering on Saturday,
May 20 to share food at a getting-to-know-you picnic potluck outside in the afternoon. We thought that a great way to do this would be to invite everyone to share a favorite recipe in two ways. One is bringing that dish to the picnic potluck and the second to send in the recipe to be included in a joint cookbook that we will hand out at the picnic.
We hope that you will find this as exciting as we do. Please send your recipe to Jamie by April 15, so it can be included in the book. More information will follow as we get closer to the date.
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2 Bookshelves: 3 to 4 feet long
& 3 to 4 feet high
1 Cabinet with shelves
and door – preferably
wooden
If you have these items and would like to donate them to FPC, please contact Pastor Miriam.
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Memo for Mission and Outreach
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On behalf of the Church, the Mission and Outreach Committee's budgeted Disaster Relief fund, sent a $500.00 donation to Presbyterian Disaster Relief to help address critical needs related to the Syria-Turkey earthquakes.
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Lenten Offering
Around the world, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) — Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People — all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope. Received during the season of Lent (February 22 – April 9), each gift to OGHS helps to improve the lives of people in these challenging situations. The Offering provides us a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need. In fact, OGHS is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world.
You are invited to contribute at any time during this season and we’ll formally dedicate this offering on Easter Sunday, April 9. You will find OGHS envelopes in the pews, and if donating by check, please put OGHS in the memo line of your check made out to First Presbyterian Church, Albany. You can also give online and select the One Great Hour of Sharing fund.
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The Outreach and Mission Committee is collecting needed articles for the Giffen Elementary School’s “Clothes Closet” which goes beyond just clothes. Articles may be left in the box in the Assembly Hall designated for this purpose. Items Needed: hoodies for little kids, 6-8, 10-12; small sneakers 8c, 9c, 10c, 11c and 12c; sweatpants for little kids, 4t, 5t, 5, 6, 8,. 10; hand sanitizers. Recently given out: 8 pairs of boys underwear and sweat pants; approx. same number of girl’s leggings; 6 pair of socks and 4 pair of boots.
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FOCUS Available Assistance & Volunteer Opportunities
FOCUS Breakfast Soup Kitchen: Hot egg sandwiches, coffee and more! Join us 7 AM - 8:30 AM every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 262 State Street. All are welcome! Local community organizations are here to serve our guests with information about housing, healthcare and job training.
The FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry: open five days a week (Mondays through Fridays) from 10 AM - 12:45 PM. It is located at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 275 State Street. To place an order, please call: 518-443-0460, ext. 1.
Want to volunteer? FOCUS Churches is seeking volunteers to help at our Breakfast Soup Kitchen (Tu, Wed, Th; 6:45am to 8:45am) and our Interfaith Food Pantry (Five days a week, M to F, 10am to 1pm). Can you help us one day a week? Join us as we offer lavish hospitality for our Food Pantry and Breakfast guests.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact FOCUS Volunteer Coordinator Belinda Quaye: belindaq@focuschurches.net or call: 518-443-0460, ext. 2.
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BROOKS BBQ! Tuesday, April 18th, 3 to 6pm
at Delmar Reformed Church parking lot
To pre-order your delicious "to-go" Chicken BBQ meals (and for more info), please go to:
https://www.focuschurches.net/brooks-bbq-fundraiser-2023.html
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Walking a Sacred Path: Discovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool
First Presbyterian Church is launching its Labyrinth Ministry with our new Chartres 36ft labyrinth! We will dedicate the labyrinth after worship on April 16.
Join us Saturday, April 15, 9:30-12:00 for a workshop to introduce people to the labyrinth and the spiritual practice of walking it. Pastor Miriam, a trained labyrinth facilitator, will facilitate. Come find out more about this ancient spiritual tool and have the opportunity to walk on the new First Pres canvas labyrinth.
We hope that you will carve out time for this workshop. Sign up with Jamie in the church office (449-7332 or info@firstpresalbany.org). If you have any questions, please contact Miriam at the church office (449-7332 or mleupold@firstpresalbany.org).
People around the world are rediscovering the ancient practice of walking the labyrinth. Unlike a maze which has many paths, a labyrinth has only one path which leads to the center. While a maze is meant to trick and confuse you so you will lose your way, a labyrinth helps you find your way. Labyrinths have been found around the world with the most famous one found in the floor of the nave of Chartres Cathedral in France. First Pres’ new labyrinth is this pattern. Through the years people have used the labyrinth as a spiritual tool—a path of prayer, a walking meditation.
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Save the Date - Monday, April 17 - We'll be delivering a Faith Leader letter calling on the legislature to End Medical Debt! Plans for the day are coming together, but will likely include a lunch and gathering after the delivery. Stay tuned for more details.
Thursday, April 20 6:30pm - Our next Capital Region organizing meeting! We'll continue getting ready for May Day! The meeting will be in-person and on zoom, register here.
Sunday, April 30 -The NYSPPC Van Tour will be arriving in the Capitol Region that Sunday afternoon, and we'll likely have a dinner and art build to get ready for May Day. Stay tuned for details!
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Upcoming Events:
Sunday, April 9 (Easter)
Easter Breakfast hosted by Youth Group
8:15-10:15 am - First Shift
8:45-10:45 am - Second Shift
Sunday, April 16
10:10 am -Youth Usher for Worship
Sunday, April 23
12:00-2:00 pm- Lunch & Program in Youth Room* note this is the 4th Sunday, instead of our usual 3rd Sun mtg.
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Summer Service & Reflection Trip
Washington, D.C. July 30-Aug 5
Total Cost: $850 per student ($283 3way-split between Family/Church/Fundraising)*
Ages: completed 6th -12th grade
On this trip, we will stay blocks away from our Nation's Capitol at Washington Seminar Center at Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church. Youth will serve alongside a local agency addressing food insecurity or homelessness. We will also visit our NY State Representative’s offices on Capitol Hill and visit the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Participants will help design the itinerary. We will prepare our own meals and bring our own bedding, & towels.
To register your 6th-12th grader for this trip, please contact Molly.
A $50 deposit will secure your spot on the trip.
*additional financial assistance is available
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Upcoming Events at First Pres
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Upcoming Events at First Pres
April 9 – 9:15 Easter Breakfast
April 16 – Labyrinth Dedication
April 23 – Earth Day Celebration
April 30 – Sundae Sunday
May 7 – CROP Walk
May 21 – Confirmation
June 4 – More Light Sunday
June 11 – Pride Parade
June 18 – 9:30 summer worship time begins
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Tuesday, 4/4 9:00am Men's Bible Study via Zoom
1:15pm Staff Meeting
Wednes., 4/5 2:00pm Labyrinth Ministry Team
6:30pm Choir Rehearsal
Thurs., 4/6 7:00am Men's Bible Study
6:30pm Choir Call Time
7:30pm Maundy Thursday Service in the Sanctuary and livestream on Facebook
Friday, 4/7 6:30pm Choir Call Time
7:30pm Good Friday Service in the Sanctuary and livestream on Facebook
Saturday, 4/8 1:00pm Brass Rehearsal
Sunday, 4/9 6:30am Easter Sunrise Service
9:15am Easter Breakfast
9:30am Soloist/Choir Rehearsal
10:30am Worship Service in the sanctuary and livestreaming on Facebook
11:45am Fellowship Time
Monday, 4/10 Office Closed
1:00pm Covenant Group
Tuesday, 4/11 9:00am Men's Bible Study via Zoom
12:00pm Endowment Subcommittee Meeting
6:30pm Anti Racism Task Force
Wednes., 4/12 7:00pm Dads' Small Group
Thurs., 4/13 7:00am Men's Bible Study
6:30pm WPNA Meeting
7:00pm Soloist/ Choir Rehearsal
Saturday, 4/15 9:30am Labyrinth Workshop
Sunday, 4/16 9:15am Preschool Education
9:15am Children’s Education
9:15am Adult Education
9:30am Soloist/Choir Rehearsal
10:30am Worship Service in the sanctuary and livestreaming on Facebook
11:45am Labyrinth Dedication during Fellowship Time
Tuesday, 4/17 9:00am Men's Bible Study via Zoom
7:00pm Session Meeting
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Harry (Skip) Meislahn Gail Scott
4/5 4/24
Ronald Pettis David Chapin
4/6 4/25
Fred Forba Ekong Takor
4/6 4/25
Elizabeth Leupold Robin Dowell Baum
4/7 4/26
John Minerbrook John Knutson
4/17 4/27
Sarah John John Abunaw
4/17 4/27
Eli Rice Ani Dowell Baum
4/17 4/30
Joyce Bascom
4/20
If your birthday is this month and it's not listed, please let Jamie know so we can update our records.
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