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Events This Weekend

Join us on Sunday, October 25

Adult Education at 8:45am.
Join us as we explore the gospel of Luke.
All are welcome! Join us via zoom at 8:45!

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Sunday School for Children at 9:15am
Pre-K through 5^th Graders:
Join for singing, Bible story, conversation and prayer.
Join us via zoom at 9:15!

If you would like to join any of our zoom meetings please contact
Miriam or Glenn.

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Worship Service at 10am.
We will be live streaming on Facebook
Click here to connect on Sunday.
(additional information below, if needed)
Sunday is Consecration Sunday!

“Sing to God a new song,
for God has done marvelous things.
Let the floods clap their hands;
let the hills sing together for joy.”

-Psalm 98

During the service you are invited to fill out a financial pledge card for 2021.
These were mailed to members in early October with a stamped return envelope.
If you didn’t receive one OR cannot find your card,
click here for one you can fill out on Sunday and send
via email or surface mail to the address listed.
You will find the bulletin for Sunday here.
Communion is being celebrated. You are invited to bring something
to eat and something to drink when you join us for on-line worship.
Using elements familiar to them,
Jesus used bread and wine for his Last Supper with his disciples.
If you’re unable to have juice and bread,
bring something familiar to you.

Offering of Our Gifts
You can mail offering to: FPC, 362 State St, Albany, NY 12210
Or go on line to donate (www.firstpresalbany.org/donate/)
Thank you for your continued support of FPC ministries.

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Virtual Youth Group- 6th graders-12th graders - at 11am/after worship

During this time of Spiritual Formation we may:

play games
build relationship with each other
reflect on the worship service
try different spiritual practices/types of prayer
make meaning of the world around us
explore and tell our individual stories
co-create service projects
develop youth leadership

Join us via Zoom (invite below and by email) at 11:00!
Email info@firstpresalbany.org to be added to the YG list or YG parent list.

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Our recorded worship services and bulletins are also available on our website.

Please send any prayer requests to Glenn so that we can include them in worship on Sunday.

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INSTRUCTIONS Facebook Live Streaming: we’ll normally start broadcasting about 3 to 5 minutes before the service (so 9:55–9:57) with Trevor’s prelude. Any time after that go the main Facebook page for First Presbyterian Church of Albany. Very close to the top (or maybe just by scrolling down slightly) you’ll see the video with the words “Live now” or something similar. Click on the video and it will open into a larger window and play. So just stay on the First Pres home page, no need to go into Events or any other sub-page.
HELPFUL TIP: if you don’t see the livestream on the home page, refresh / reload your browser screen. Don’t hesitate to call Dwight Cheu at 518.469.1544 if you have any problems.

Hilarious. From the Greek word hilaros. When things are out of control funny, they are hilarious.

It’s probably not a word that most folks would equate with faith. The Jesus way of life is filled with sacrifice and dying to self, with confession and repentance, right? We Presbyterians probably can’t even spell the word, with our penchant for doing things decently and in order. Faith is more comfortable in rooms filled with chanting and candles, or folks with arms lifted high enraptured by the goodness of God. Sacred. Holy. These are words that don’t hang out with hilarious. Hilarious belongs down in the pub, lubricated by a pint, joking around with friends.

In all of scripture the word is used only once. Just one time. Where? Where does hilarious show up? Is hilarious is at the wedding in Cana once Jesus adds more wine for the party? Or was hilarious soaking wet with Peter when he tried to walk on water? Certainly, hilarious had to be holding her stomach, when a follower in Ephesus fell asleep during a sermon and fell out of the window. Nope, that’s not where we find hilarious.

There is only one use of that word in the Bible. Hilarious shows up only once. Not that finding it is very easy. Translators tame it down a lot. They make it dignified, pleasant, respectable, no snorting, or ROTFLing (rolling on the floor laughing) Hilarious is hiding under the comfortable, under-control word ‘Cheerful’ in 2 Corinthians 9:7.

Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Cheerful? The word just is not strong enough. Hilarious is better, joy-filled, pressed down, overflowing, out-of-control. It’s not merely cheerful, it’s more like Scrooge asking a boy to go and buy the large “prize turkey” on Christmas morning. God loves hilarious giving.

Make yourself laugh at how generous God knows you can be.

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Be a witness of support to the Black Lives Matter movement
every Tuesday from noon to 1:00pm.
Join others on State S.t in front of Westminster Presbyterian Church
with your mask (not-optional) and a sign (optional).
This effort is being spear-headed by Elizabeth McMillan at WPC.

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Looking for some fellowship time?
Join other First Pres members at a safe gathering!
Below are some opportunities.
Each gathering is outside*.
All participants agree to wear a mask.
Chairs are provided.
Numbers limited to groups of 6 to 8.
Reservations required.
Enjoy!

Porch time at David Hinchen’s in Albany
Monday, October 26 at 5:00pm
Beverages provided.
RSVP to David via email or 518-489-1854

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Deck time at Harriet Seeley’s in Slingerlands
Thursday, October 29 at 2:30pm
Bring your own beverage.
RSVP to Harriet at 518-621-7172

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Patio time at Miriam and Glenn’s in Delmar
Friday, October 30 at 3:00pm
Bring your own beverage.
RSVP via church office

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* in case of inclement weather, the host will determine
if the event will be cancelled or postponed

If you're interested in hosting a safe outside gathering, please contact Jamie in the church office to let her know the details.

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Labyrinth FPC invites you to join us for an online Finger Labyrinth Walk and Meditation Thursday, October 29 at 12:30pm! The session will be led by Pastor Miriam, Certified Advanced Labyrinth Facilitator. This time is open to all, whether you’ve walked a labyrinth in the past or not. We ask that you register for each event. Please have a Finger Labyrinth available - you can download a paper version if you don't have your own or Jamie in the church office. Join us!

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Thursday, 10/22 7:00am Men's Bible Study
12:30pm Finger Labyrinth Walk and Meditation

Sunday, 10/25   8:45am Adult Education
9:15am Children’s Education
10:00am Consecration Sunday Worship Service
via Facebook
   11:00am Virtual Youth Group

Monday, 10/26   1:00pm Covenant Group
6:00pm Soloist Rehearsal

Tuesday, 10/27   9:00am Men's Bible Study
6:30pm Special Session Meeting
  6:30pm FOCUS Board

Wednes., 10/28 1:00pm Creation Care Class
6:30pm Women's Small Group
7:30pm Dad's Small Group

Thurs., 10/29   7:00am Men's Bible Study
12:30pm Finger Labyrinth Walk and Meditation
7:30pm Chancel Choir Virtual Meeting

Sunday, 11/1 8:45am Adult Education
9:15am Children’s Education
10:00am Worship Service via Facebook
   11:00am Virtual Youth Group

Tuesday, 11/3 6:00am Election Polls
  9:00am Men's Bible Study

Wednes., 11/4  11:00am Staff Meeting
1:00pm Creation Care Class
5:00pm Finance Committee Meeting

Thursday, 11/5 7:00am Men's Bible Study
12:30pm Finger Labyrinth Walk and Meditation
4:30pm Anti-Racism Task Force

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A Message from the Stewardship Team

Calendar