Prayer requests from worship on April 23:
- For Raymond Mack who was in a car accident, friend of Robert Distelcamp.
- For Kirby Lawrence Hill, Miriam and Glenn's brother-in-law, who had hip replacement surgery 4/11. He fell on Sunday and is going back into surgery today (4/25) to repair damage from the fall.
- For Dwight Smith recovering from second knee surgery.
- For Nancy Frank receiving treatments for leukemia.
- For Ginger Meislahn who is under hospice care.
- For Meddy Jacques with many medical issues including; ocular rosacea, lupus, & Fibromyalgia.
- For Gladys Crowder who was in the hospital and is now home- prayers for her strength.
- For Jeff Jacques' former students at N. Rose-Wolcott high school who are struggling.
- For Marian & Luke Eaton and Donna Elia upon the death of Donna Elia's 95 year old mom.
- For Sue Haney's friends Sharon, JoAnne & Betsy.
- For Michael Davis' health concerns.
- For Sarah Hinman Ryan's mother-in-law and mother of Geoff, Margaret Ryan, who is 90 years old, fell 4 weeks ago and is in rehab facility.
- For the transgender & gender- expansive community who are under constant attack and hateful misinformation, leading to greater physical, emotional, and social harm.
Please send any prayer requests to Jamie so that we can include them in worship on Sunday.
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Labyrinth Dedication – April 16, 2023
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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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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, at 1:00pm to share food at a getting-to-know-you picnic potluck outside in the afternoon. All are invited to come to the picnic and bring a dish to share. In addition, we are hoping to compile a cookbook of favorite recipes from both congregations. Please submit one to be included in the the book to Jamie by April 30th. We are very excited about this endeavor and look forward to receiving a lot of recipes for the book.
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Memo for Mission and Outreach
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CROP Hunger Walk 2023
We have one goal: building a world where there is enough for all
WHAT IS THE CROP HUNGER WALK?
Hunger is one of the greatest injustices facing our world, but it does not have to be this way. Ending hunger is possible in our lifetime. You can help make it happen.
One way we help end hunger is join with our neighbors here in the Albany Area, to participate in the CWS Albany CROP Hunger WALK. CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by local congregations or groups to raise funds to help end hunger in our communities and around the world.
ALBANY CROP HUNGER WALK
The Albany CROP Hunger Walk 2023, one of the largest in the United States, has set a goal to raise $100,000 to help end hunger and poverty and contribute to long-term sustainable approaches to reduce or eliminate hunger. As in years past, 25% of the funds we raise in the Albany CROPWALK will go to local food pantries.
Last year the Albany CROP WALK raised funds for twenty-six food pantry agencies in the area to help feed our neighbors suffering food insecurity.
On May 7th we want to stand with neighbors in our community and around the world, who rely on food assistance programs. This year more than ever, it is so important to support our neighbors struggling in the face of poverty, food insecurity and create opportunities to open new doors.
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE
The John U. Miller Memorial CROP Hunger Walk in Albany, named after the former director, will be a “live” and virtual event. The Walk will take place on Sunday, May 7th, starting and ending at First Lutheran Church, 181 Western Ave. in Albany.
In-person registration begins at 12:30pm, with opening ceremonies at 1:15 (also on Zoom) and begin at 1:30pm.
You can choose a 1-mile or 3-mile loop with the in person WALK on May 7th; walk as a small group in your neighborhood on the day of the WALK; or “walk” virtually in your own neighborhood any time during the month of May.
JOINING THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN’S TEAM
At First Presbyterian Church we are committed to stamping out hunger and want to do our part to help end hunger one step at a time. We want to ensure that the work of the CWS and our local food pantries will continue to be there for those who need assistance, in good and tough times. We have registered a team for First Pres.to participate in CROP WALK 2023.
Our team is “Albany First Presbyterian Church,” and our goal is $2,000 this year but I know we can do more!
To join our team, please go to the Albany CROP Hunger Walk Web Page to register.
The First Presbyterian Church web page is
https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2023/team/first-pres-3
Go to “Join or Start a Team” and select,
Visit http://www.crophungerwalk.org/albanyny to register and set up your team. We also encourage you to invite others to join with us on May 7th to demonstrate our commitment to helping our neighbors.
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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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Wednesday, April 26, 6:30pm - Final planning call for our May Day action! Register for the call here.
Sunday, April 30 - The NYSPPC Van Tour will be arriving in the Capitol Region that Sunday afternoon, and we'll have a historical walking tour of the extraordinary story of Harriet Tubman's freeing of Charles Nalle in 1860, dinner together, and art build to get ready for May Day. Register here.
Monday, May 1st 10am - Strike Poverty! We'll be delivering our Poor People's State of the State Petition to the Governor on May Day, you can register for the day here. We will need volunteers for various roles throughout the day, including setup and take down, marshals, transportation support, and lunch preparation.
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Bring Breakfast items!!Sun April 30
Hospitality for Poor People’s Campaign
May Day Action
We are asking Youth Group families to bring breakfast items to church on Sunday, April 30th.
Egg casseroles, fruit, breads or pastries, and juice. Easter Sunday was the perfect prep for this!! Though this breakfast is a smaller event.
The morning of May 1, we will help host breakfast for NYS Poor Peoples Campaign members from around the state arriving early for Strike Poverty! May Day Poor People’s State of the State Delivery.
Monday, May 1st is celebrated around the world as International Worker’s Day. First Pres will join the NY State Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival and several other local social justice organizations and local labor unions to celebrate the labor of workers!
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Crop Walk - May 7
Register Here to walk as part of our team
(First Lutheran Church, 181 Western Ave)
Youth will again walk as part of the First Pres team! It’s easy to raise money online. Get started raising money to fight hunger in the Capital District and worldwide by registering on First Pres’s team. It’s super easy to share out on social media from the Crop walk webpage, or youth may get a donations envelope to ask friends and family and neighbors to support ending hunger.
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2023 Summer Service & Reflection Trip
Click for FULL info sheet
Washington, D.C. July 30-Aug 5
To register your 6th-12th grader for this trip, please contact Molly.
A $50 deposit will secure your spot on the trip.
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Upcoming Events:
Sunday, May 7 - Crop Walk
12:00-2:00pm - Lunch & Crop Walk
Sunday, May 21 - Confirmation Sunday
10:30am - Confirmation during worship
please come support & celebrate with your fellow youth!
Sunday, June 4 - More Light Sunday
10:10 am - Youth Usher in worship
12:00-2:00 pm - Lunch & Program in Youth Room
Sunday, June 11 - Pride Parade
9:15am - Decorate our vehicle with pride!!
11:45 am - Pride Parade
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Upcoming Events at First Pres
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Upcoming Events at First Pres
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, 4/25 9:00am Men's Bible Study via Zoom
6:00pm Finance Committee Meeting
6:30pm FOCUS Board Meeting
Wednes., 4/26 7:00pm Dads' Small Group
Thurs., 4/27 7:00am Men's Bible Study
7:00pm Soloist/ Choir Rehearsal
Friday, 4/28 9:30am Synod Commission Meeting
Saturday, 4/29 8:00am Synod Commission Meeting
Sunday, 4/30 9:15am Preschool Education
9:15am Children’s Education
9:15am Adult Education
9:15am Confirmation Class
9:30am Soloist/Choir Rehearsal
10:30am Worship Service in the sanctuary and livestreaming on Facebook
11:45am Sundae Sunday during Fellowship Time
Tuesday, 5/2 9:00am Men's Bible Study via Zoom
1:15pm Staff Meeting
5:30pm Property Committee Meeting
7:30pm Christian Education Committee Meeting
Thurs., 5/4 7:00am Men's Bible Study
7:00pm Soloist/ Choir Rehearsal
Friday, 5/5 5:30pm First Friday Gallery Opens
6:00pm First Friday Concert
Sunday, 5/7 9:15am Preschool Education
9:15am Children’s Education
9:15am Adult Education
9:15am Confirmation Class
9:30am Soloist/Choir Rehearsal
10:30am Worship Service in the sanctuary and livestreaming on Facebook
11:45am Fellowship Time
12:00pm Youth Group
1:15pm CROP Walk
Monday, 5/8 1:00pm Covenant Group
Tuesday, 5/9 9:00am Men's Bible Study via Zoom
6:30pm Anti-Racism Task Force
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David Chapin John Knutson
4/25 4/27
Ekong Takor John Abunaw
4/25 4/27
Robin Dowell Baum Ani Dowell Baum
4/26 4/30
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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Earlier that day the children from The Upper Rooms (Kindergarten – Grade 5) learned about the labyrinth from Pastor Miriam during their Sunday School class and walked the labyrinth a few times.
