EVERY MONTH IS SPECIAL
Every year, time seems to pass more quickly, testing our memories, as
we race between church and greeting card shop - keeping pace with
secular and religious holidays.
A lot can happen between Christmas and Easter, so we put together a multi-year
review of our comings and goings. Just click on each underlined
reference for details of what happened in the past.
In 2007, FPC's inimitable Dick Gascoyne commenced editing FPC's
monthly newsletter, with photo coverage of current events. Click
here to go to our Newsletter menu, and check out what happened
in 2007, and what is happening in 2008!
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Click here for a report of First
Presbyterian's Advent activities. |
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Then click here for an
in-depth look at our reredos carvings. |
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September 2006 - we returned from Summer vacations, rested and re-energized.
This year, our September 10 service (at 9:30) was more than a
prelude to our annual Homecoming Picnic.
Click here for photo coverage of
this annual delight. |
The Sept. 10 service also featured guests from the Presbytery of
Ohio, and leaders of Albany Presbytery, as we installed our new co-pastors.Click
here for details about the Leupolds. |
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First Pres had an excellent vantage point. Click
here to see our own contribution to this annual community event. |
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Click here for technicolor details.
Love that rainbow! |
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April 2006 - Such a month! Sometimes everything happens at once. This
year, Easter and Passover synchronized with historical accuracy,
giving Christians and Jews a time for reflection on what really
matters - like family, freedom and forgiveness. For First
Presbyterian, the time from Palm Sunday until the Sunday AFTER Easter
was hectic and fruitful. |
"In the beauty of the lily, Christ was borne across the sea."
- Julia Ward Howe |
Our Maundy Thursday potluck, Good Friday Vespers (with Choir and
Orchestra), Holy Saturday Vigil, then Easter Sunday breakfast between
two packed services.
As if that were not enough, First Presbyterian observed a second
"resurrection" of sorts the week after Easter (when our
Eastern Rite brothers and sisters observed the Resurrection). The
night before called for another fabulous feast as we met the
finalists recommended by our Pastor Nominating Committee. Then Sunday
morning came with the Reverends Glenn
Leupold and Miriam Lawrence Leupold
preaching at our 8:30 and 10:45 services. Following a question and
answer period, the clergy couple retired to the Rose Room while the
congregation deliberated. Our decision: a unanimous vote in their
favor. Our long search is over. Our new co-pastors should be joining
us in August. Click here for details.
It was a bittersweet moment for our Interim Minister, Rev. Joseph
Shook, who can be rightfully proud of the leadership he provided,
that brought us to this moment. He and wife Claudia (a stellar
soprano) will be part of our family forever, having earned our
undying friendship and respect. We will continue to tap their
bottomless energies in the months ahead, as we transition to a new
staffing model at First Presbyterian: co-pastors!
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March 2006 - A progress report from our Pastor Nominating Committee
came not on paper, or via lecture, but on DVD!
Click here for the highlights.
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February 2006 - Has always been Black History Month at First
Presbyterian. See our weekly Church Bulletin or the February
Newsletter for details on activities and observances. Click
here for details about our guest preacher Elaine Rose Penn
and luncheon (on February 12). This year, February is also Youth
Involvement Month, as our younger members involve themselves in
a trio of fund-raising (and fun-raising) activities to benefit our community.
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January 2006 - The Mission Committee and Christian Education
Committee join in a three week program exploring the tragic subject
of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. Guest speakers told ys more than we
wanted to know, but all that we needed to know about this
soul-crunching reality. Click here
for details. Then click here to find
out how your tired, old cell phone can be recycled as a 911 emergency
phone to serve as a lifeline for a family who are victimized by
domestic violence.
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December 2005 - Advents comes early this year, and so does our Advent
Vespers. This year we offer A Ceremony of Carols by
Benjamin Britten (with harp accompaniment), plus two pieces crafted
by our composer in residence, Dr. Victor Klimash. Yes, there is a
doctor in our house.
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October 2005 - It seems like we've had too many disasters lately.
Katrina and the flooding of New Orleans and the Gulf; Then the
devastating earthquake in Kashmir. If you haven't done so, drop by www.pcusa.org
for a direct line to donations targeted to these tragedies. Then click
here for information about our Health Care Advisory Committee's
sessions regarding planning for life's eventualities (starting Sunday
October 30).
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Summer 2005 - Yes, you did hear banjos, dulcimers, mandolins, fiddles
and electric guitars in Church on Sunday mornings. No photos or audio
files for you audiophiles - just promises that more is in store for
you in the months ahead. Primary music schemer: Fiona Lewis, aided
and abetted by The Usual Suspects (not the name of the group, just
who they are).
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June 2005 - With Summer on the horizon, we gathered together for
feast and frolic. Click here for details
of our annual Strawberry Festival, Pride Parade and Chapel Choir's
riveting rendition of Rescue in the Night.
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May 2005 - The visual highpoint of our Pentecost service was
undoubtedly our Liturgical Dancers. Click here
for photos of their moving contribution to worship.
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March 2005 - Join us on Good Friday, March 25 at 7:30 pm for our
annual Lenten Vespers, featuring the Fauré REQUIEM. Click
here for details of this annual offering from our Chancel Choir
and Orchestra.
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February 2005 - Black History Month returns to First Pres, with
special music, special programs, and special food. Then our
Lenten Supper and Study runs for six weeks, with Thursday evening
catered meals, followed by thought provoking reflections based on the
Psalms and William Sloane Coffin's A Passion for the Possible.
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January 2005 - Time for Three Kings, an indoor picnic, and the Youth
Group's Midnight Run to New York City - bringing warm clothing to the
homeless. Yes, Albany has homeless people too. First Pres supports
the Council of Churches' Overflow Shelter (preparing meals one day a
week). Watch for photos. The month isn't over yet!
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December 2004 - Advent Vespers
came on December 19, with Liturgical Dancers and Instrumental
Ensemble. Of course the Choir was there too! Then there was the Youth
Group's 21st Century update of a classic Christmas
tale. Hundreds of candles were blazing on Christmas Eve for our
annual candlelight service.
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November 2004 - Wendell Wilkie and
the Old Testament. Rev. Dr. Hugh Nevin tied the two together in a
post-election reflection, with an assist from Haggai.
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October 2004 - Liturgical Dance at
Offertory, and Stewardship Luncheon (we ate lasagna while the Elders
talked turkey).
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Click here for a special look at Albany's
Dutch History (our October Potluck program).
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September 2004 - Homecoming
Sunday, September 12. Combined service at 9:30. Church School open
house, and gala picnic in Washington Park at 11:15.
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August 2004 - Lamb window repair
begun. Youth Group invades Atlantic City. Summer is a time for
changing gears, and tapping creative juices.
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July 2004 - 200th Anniversary of
the Aaron Burr - Alexander Hamilton Duel, and the First Presbyterian
sermon that turned the tide against dueling in America.
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June 2004 - On the last day of
Spring, we loosened our belts one notch for the annual Strawberry Social.
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May 2004 - the CROP WALK returned
in full strength. Then Auburn Seminary's President Barbara Wheeler
visited our pulpit May 2.
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April 2004 - Holy Week, Good
Friday Vespers, Easter Sunday
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March 2004 - Lenten Bible Study
"The Seven Last Words"
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February 2004 - African American
History Month
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Vision 2004 - Large and small group
meetings progress, setting the stage for our Pastoral Search
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Youth Group Rummage Sale
- supporting Habitat for Humanity, 25 cents at a time
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More Light Committee - adult
education sessions coming in April and May.
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Youth Group Feeding the Hungry - in
addition to rehearsals for Once Upon a Parable - Part II
(their much-awaited April 4th dramatic presentation) find out what's
cooking (literally) at First Presbyterian.
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241 years in the making!
A cookbook that reflects the international cultural heritage of First Presbyterian!
Some of these recipes are hard to spell, but all are hard to beat.
We've come a long way from macaroni and cheese.
Note: This is a
limited edition - get your copy today!
Not available in stores. |
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