During Lent help to create APRIL SHOWERS
of welcome and appreciation
each Sunday in Assembly Hall.
Create a card of welcome and love
that will be given in APRIL to guests at
the FOCUS Breakfast program.
Create a card of thanks and appreciation
for a healthcare worker,
which we’ll deliver in APRIL to area hospitals.
You can create these cards at home as well
and drop them off at the church.
We’re hoping for lots of showers!
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Join us online each Wednesday during Lent,
March 30 and April 6,
for Taizé worship at 6:00 p.m.
We will livestream the service on Facebook.
Here is the Facebook link and here is the bulletin.
Our traditional Taizé services include simple, meditative songs,
scripture, prayer and silence. The liturgy for these services originated
with the Taizé community founded in France in 1940.
This community is an ecumenical, intentional community
with a twofold purpose: to seek communion with God
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Finger Labyrinth Walks and Meditations occur each Thursday through April at 12:30pm via Zoom. Pastor Miriam, Certified Advanced Labyrinth Facilitator, leads each session, and our time together is 30 minutes. This time is open to all, whether you’ve walked a labyrinth in the past or not. Register here for Thursday, March 31, to receive the zoom link. 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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Cleaning and Building Management
With the departure of our custodian earlier this month, the Administration Committee along with representatives from the Property Committee and the Finance Committee discussed how best to manage custodial duties and building maintenance in the future. The group decided to investigate hiring a Cleaning Service and a Facility Management company, and Session gave approval to proceed.
First Pres issued two Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to area companies last week. After proposals are submitted, the First Pres committee representatives will review the responses, check references, and if the results are satisfactory (both in the firms’ capabilities and their price quotes) we will engage the highest-rated firm in each category for a one-year trial period.
There will be ways that we as a congregation will be called on to step up and serve one another. We’ll be responsible for setting up for events and making coffee on Sunday mornings. While this may mean some growing pains, we are grateful for the opportunity to step up for these responsibilities.
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FOCUS EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE ON SUNDAY, APRIL 17
Easter Sunday (April 17, 2022) at 6:30am
Swan Street Stairs, west side of Capital Park
This 30-minute outdoor worship service will be followed with light refreshments
(baked goods, Easter eggs, coffee, tea and juice),
offered via "tailgate" for all who wish to safely gather socially.
Please bring a lawn chair for your comfort (no seating will be provided).
This fundraiser will enable us to continue our outreach through our Interfaith Food Pantry, Breakfast Club, Outreach & Community Gardening Projects.
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Brooks "To- Go" Chicken BBQ Fundraiser for FOCUS
Brooks "To- Go" Chicken BBQ Fundraiser for FOCUS
Tuesday, April 19th, 3 to 6pm
at Delmar Reformed Church
$15 for each to-go meal.
People can place their orders:
- by going to our website ( focuschurches.net )
or
- by using the QR scan, found on the flyer
or
- by calling FOCUS: 518-443-0460 ext. 1
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Interested in finding out more about First Pres? Have you been worshiping with us and are interested in learning about becoming a member? If so, please contact Pastor Miriam (mleupold@firstpresalbany.org or 518-449-7332). She will be zooming/meeting with interested people, exploring their hopes and dreams for where you can serve God.
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Please fill out your Time and Talent card
and return to the church.
Surface mail to FPC, 362 State St. Albany, NY 12210
Take a photo of this sheet or scan and send to
Jamie in the Church Office
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The Youth are updating their space on the 2nd floor! Help us out with skills or donations! Do you have building or design skills? Do you sew? (hoping to make pillows out of youth musical T-shirts!!) Please contact Molly via email or text/call if you can help.
Donations of gently used items requested:
Area rugs
Plants
Hanging contraptions for plants
Individual seating (bean bags, gaming chairs, comfortable armchairs)
Old throw pillows to upcycle
Floor cushions
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First Pres, through the Social Justice and Peacemaking Committee, has been
working with the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. Here are opportunities for education and advocacy
It’s Movement Time: An Introduction to the Poor People’s Campaign.
What is the Poor People’s Campaign? What is the movement we are building? And why is this movement time? Join us as we discuss the history of the Poor People’s Campaign from 1968 to today, the strategies and structure of the campaign and their importance, and our local and statewide efforts. We will engage in conversation to identify ways we are all affected by the interlocking evils and explore ways we can work together to further our fight against these systems oppression and lift from the bottom. Whether you don’t know much about the Poor People’s Campaign or have been with us for a while, join us for this important conversation to move forward together.
Register Here
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Update: Transitions in youth ministries - No longer meeting Sun evenings. Next Youth event is youth ushering Sunday morning April 3 which will be followed by a lunch and program for all youth 6-12 grades.
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Sign up for Text Reminders
All youth and parents, if you haven't already, please sign up for text alerts!
Text @mdowellb to 81010
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Harriet Seeley Katharine Myers
3/2 3/13
Roger Green Barbara Woodruff
3/7 3/19
Andrew Banin Kirsten Pruzek
3/8 3/23
Dawn Knutson Cynthia Winter
3/9 3/24
Alan Northrup Lydia Green
3/10 3/26
Amy Jenal Benjamin April
3/13 3/27
Paige Fitzgerald
3/31
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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Tuesday, 3/29 9:00am Men's Bible Study via Zoom
6:00pm Finance Committee Meeting
Wednes., 3/30 6:00pm Taizé service Livestreaming on Facebook
Thurs., 3/31 7:00am Men's Bible Study (Rose Room)
12:30pm Finger Labyrinth Walk and Meditation
7:00pm Soloist/Choir Rehearsal
Sunday, 4/3 9:15am Adult Education
9:15am Children’s Education
9:30am Soloist/Choir Rehearsal
10:30am Worship Service In-Person/Livestream on
Facebook
11:30am Fellowship Time
12:00pm Choir Rehearsal
Tuesday, 4/5 9:00am Men's Bible Study via Zoom
12:30pm Staff Meeting
Wednes., 4/6 6:00pm Taizé service Livestreaming on Facebook
Thurs., 4/7 7:00am Men's Bible Study (Rose Room)
12:30pm Finger Labyrinth Walk and Meditation
6:00pm Anti-Racism Task Force
7:00pm Soloist/Choir Rehearsal
Sunday, 4/10 9:15am Adult Education
9:15am Children’s Education
9:30am Soloist/Choir Rehearsal
10:30am Worship Service In-Person/Livestream on
Facebook
11:30am Fellowship Time
Monday, 4/11 1:00pm Covenant Group Meeting
Tuesday, 4/12 9:00am Men's Bible Study via Zoom
11:30am Clergy Meeting
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