Vision

A newsletter of the First United Presbyterian Church

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
April 2010

Worship Schedule
Date Scripture
April 11 Second Sunday of Easter Psalm 150
Communion Acts 5: 27 - 32

April 18 Third Sunday of Easter Acts 9: 1 - 6 (7 - 20)

Communion

April 25 Fourth Sunday of Easter Psalm 148

Earth Day theme Acts 9: 36 - 43
Communion

May 2 Fifth Sunday of Easter John 13: 31 - 35

Communion
sanctuary “spill-out” **

** On Sunday, May 2, after worship and communion in our sanctuary,

we will “spill out” of the building in the spirit of John 13:34 ~

“ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another ”

~ to participate in a variety of service projects throughout the city of Troy. You will be
able to sign up for the project of your choice during the month of April: things like
helping with a neighborhood clean-up, making May baskets with residents at the Eddy
Geriatric Center, gathering pledges and walking in the CROP Walk, washing police
cars, painting a mural, and more. This day of service is a wonderful opportunity to put
our faith into action. Stay tuned for details of all the possibilities available.
A Pastoral Note salve their wounds. The world values and cele-
brates ‘winners’ and denigrates ‘losers’.
from Alexandra But our Easter faith lifts up an entirely different
value. It proclaims the strength of the weak and
I’m not a big basketball fan but really enjoy
the power of the powerless. It speaks of finding
watching a well-played game in any sport and
abundance in circumstances of apparent scarcity
was one among many who saw at least a
and saving one’s life by losing it. It says that the
portion of the NCAA semi-final between Duke
last shall be first and the first, last. And it affirms
and West Virginia. I knew very little about the
that God scatters the proud, brings down the
relative power of the two teams but quickly
powerful, lifts up the lowly, fills the hungry with
became aware of the strength and size of the
good things, and sends the rich away empty.
Duke squad. Both teams played with unrelenting
So how are we called to ‘play the game’?
intensity, giving everything they had, resulting
at one point in a hard collision between two of
them, one who while driving the ball toward the
basket came directly into the path of a formidable
defender sustained an extremely painful and
debilitating injury. After the injured player was
Easter blessings.
helped from the court, the West Virginia team’s
spirit seemed to flag. Their energy changed.
The joy had gone out of them. Duke won the
game by nearly 20 points. Their size, strength,
and aggressive style of play carried the day.
But it seemed like a hollow victory. The portion
Session Notes
of the game that I saw left even me feeling from Chandlee Gill
somehow beaten up, battered, and defeated Clerk of Session
though I was just a spectator. I wondered how
the West Virginia players felt. At the Stated Meeting on March 22, 2010, the
Overpowering an opponent in an athletic session took the following actions:
competition is hailed by media commentators
and by many sports enthusiasts as ‘awesome’. Called a special meeting for 6:30 p.m., April 5
Athletes are sought out not just to be the best – to discuss recommendations from a task force
(with representatives from Faith Education,
but the biggest, the fastest, the strongest. The
Personnel, and Finance committees) about
use of performance enhancing drugs is one
staffing to included but not limited to the
symptom of sport’s obsession with power,
building/admin. assistant position and the
strength, and the capacity to win, win, win.
search for a faith education coordinator.
I think what is happening in athletics provides
a window into who we are. As I see a big, Agreed to host a photographic exhibition on
strong team overpower another, I am reminded Hiroshima on the weekend of April 30-May 2.
of all the ways in which the powerful prevail
daily over those who are not so powerful or Accepted an invitation to Oakwood Avenue
strong. The world lives by the axiom that might Presbyterian Church for a Pentecost celebration
rules. The strong control the playing field – on May 23.
economically, politically, culturally, environmen-
Agreed to resume the practice so sending a
tally, financially, globally - while those who are
welcome letter to new More Light congregations.
not as strong are left to pick up the pieces and
Ministry of Music News
from Maury Castro
Why do I believe that hymns will continue
to remain the staple of church music? For
the simple reason that, as one of my choir
members just put it, “the words say things
that I feel but could never put into words,
or at least not adequately.” The presence
of hymns in the church (we should not take
them for granted) is a precious gift to us,
representing some of the deepest Christian
thought and emotion. Did you know that
the committee that is assembling the new
Presbyterian Hymnal is considering over
10,000 hymns for inclusion?!! The words
of quality hymns move us and live on
through centuries because they speak
timeless truths to our human predicament.
There is no such thing as an old hymn.
An appeal :
Troy Music Day Camp is around the cor-
ner, and the camp steering committee
invites anyone who strongly supports
this program to support it financially.
Your support helps to provide scholar-
ships for families in need, and helps to
underwrite a program that we hope will
impact kids for a lifetime.
A Troy Night Out Event:
Maury A. Castro, Organ Concert
Friday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m.
Enjoy a 60-minute concert including Widor's
Symphony No. 9 (Gothique), Sanders' Wohl
Denen, die da Wandeln, Utterback's jazzy
Talk About a Child that Do Love Jesus, and
Bull's thrilling Rondo in G. Also featuring a
guest performance by our own Katelyn
Steele, junior voice major at The College of
St. Rose. Admission is free with a reception
to follow.
A Troy Night Out Event:
Under the Mushroom Cloud:
A Hiroshima/Nagasaki Exhibit
Friday, April 30 from 5 to 9 pm.
View a display of fifteen posters produced
by the Hiroshima Peace Museum in
Hiroshima, Japan. This exhibit coincides
with the major review of the United Nations
Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (1970),
taking place on May 1 in New York City.
Informational materials will be available.
Exhibit will take place in the Rose Room.
Sponsored by Upper Hudson Peace Action
and First United Presbyterian Church.

Upcoming Events
Music Together at First United:
We are pleased to begin hosting early child-
hood music and movement classes at First
United, begin in April. This is a highly
acclaimed enrichment program for infants,
toddlers, preschoolers, big kids, and their
parents/caregivers. The classes are taught
for an hour, on a weekly basis. If you are
interested in enrolling your child, contact
Carol Jurs, coordinator, at 393.9580, pick
up a brochure in the church office lobby, or
go to www.musicboxarts.com.
continued on next page
continued from previous page

2nd Annual Summer Troy Music Day Camp

Do you want to introduce your child to the world of music in a fun-filled environment? Or
perhaps you want to strengthen your child’s already-developed musical foundation? Troy
Music Day Camp is for you! This camp, which runs at First United from June 28 – July 2,
will give your child a variety of fun-filled learning experiences associated with music such
as singing, dancing, introductions to a variety of instruments and composers, field trips,
guest musicians, and more. The camp is open to children entering grades 1-6. The program
day runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with extensions to 7:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. If you are
interested in registering, please pick up a registration brochure at church or go to
www.unitedprestroy.org to find a downloadable form there.

Faith Education News
Spring Workshop Rotations
April and May workshop rotations for the children
of First United will focus on the story of the resur-
rection in John 20:1 – 18. Workshop leaders include
Courtney Savaria, Meredith Best, and Martha Juenger.
afternoon of discussion and learning about our faith.
The confirmation candidates continue working on
their statements of faith, Biblical character sketches,
interviews with elders, deacons, long-term and new
members. They will visit the stated meeting of
Albany Presbytery at the Waterford church on
Tuesday, April 13.

Confirmation 2010 Ecumenical

The four members of the 2010 confirmation class
met with their covenant partners on Sunday after-
noon, March 28. Each of them had read the Gospel
of Mark and made a list of 10 things Jesus said or
did that they think are especially important. They
then worked with their covenant partners to develop
a mutually agreed-on list of 5 important things Jesus
said or did and shared their lists and the rationale for
them with each other. It was a lively and interesting
Vacation Bible School
On March 23, representatives from First United,
Christ Church United Methodist, Cornerstone
Community, and St. John’s Episcopal churches met
at St. John’s to begin planning for the summer of 2010.
There was enthusiasm for last year’s experience and
excitement about working together again. Discus-
sions are ongoing about date, time of day, and location.
The group will meet again on Tuesday, April 13.
Prayers of the People
April Birthdays
Prayers of comfort, care and support
4 Pat Carlson
… for Bonnie, Rachel, and Kylie Kerr and the
extended families following the death March 10 7 Julia Rivers,
of Bob Kerr after a long battle with esophageal Kate Maguire’s granddaughter
cancer
10 Courtney Savaria
… for Keren Castro’s mother following the
death of one of her college students 13 Bill Jaffarian
Charlie Welcome
Healing prayers 17 Maury Castro
… for longtime friend of the church Ida Blair, 19 Stephanie Thach Miracle
recovering from a broken hip
25 Alyssa Jaffarian
26 Zoe Krumanocker
Prayers of joy & thanksgiving to God
… that Victor Zewou is much improved, is
Garrett Hamlin
receiving physical therapy, and expects to be 30 Rachel Kerr
able to return to work after several more weeks
of recovery from a broken ankle sustained
January 3 A very happy birthday to you all.
… that Alice Kirstein’s health is improved after a
recent cardiac procedure

… that Shirley Bowes was uninjured in a

weather-related auto accident in Florida
Prayers for God’s world
… for so many public school districts in the area
that are facing drastic cuts
… for the people of Chile following a major
earthquake there
… for the people of Haiti, continuing their
recovery from a major earthquake as the rainy
season begins
To Our First United Family,
Your remembrance of Bob and
loving support is greatly appreciated.
Your outpouring of support (cards,
meals, calls, hugs, encouragement,
wisdom, strength) have been such a
comfort to us.
We have been blessed with wonderful
friends.

Love, Bonnie Kerr

 April 2010
Sunday Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3
Maundy Good AA Group
Thursday Friday
6:15 10 to 12
Light supper 7:00 Easter
& service Tenebrae Rehearsal
Chancel Choir Service
after service

4 Easter 5
MMC
6 7 8 9 10
9:00 Brunch AA Group
9:45 Egg Hunt
5:30
10:00 Festival 6:30 More Light
Worship Special Ministry
6 to 8
Session Team
NA Group WRAP

11 12 13 14 15 16 17
10:00 Worship MMC 10:00 1:00 9:30
Worship Mtg TLP Staff AA Group
11:00 Vacation
Refreshments Bible School 10 to 2
Mtg/St. John’s 3:00
11:30 Faith Ed Staff Mtg 6:00 Music Labyrinth
7:00 3 to 5 Sub Comm.
Personnel Children’s
Choir 6 to 8 7 to 8:30
NA Group WRAP Chancel Choir
18 19 20 21 22 4:00 23 24
10:00 Worship MMC Newsletter 2:00 Eddy FaFinStew
11:00 Deadline Worship Mtg AA Group
Communion
Birthday 7:15 7 to 8
Faith Ed Mtg 6:30 TLP Chancel Choir
Refreshments Cornerstone
11:30 Faith Ed 5:45 8 to 9
NEST Mtg 3 to 5
Children’s 6 to 8 Fedak Celeb.
Choir WRAP Rehearsal Boy Scout Lock-In
NA Group
26 26 27 28 29 30
10:00 Worship MMC 6:00 Troy Night out
TAUM
11:00
Spring Organ recital by
Refreshments Assembly Maury A. Castro
11:30 Faith Ed
6:30 3 to 5 Hiroshima photo
Session Children’s 6 to 8 7 to 8:30
Chancel Choir Exhibit
Choir WRAP
NA Group Thru Sunday
Open Minds, Open Hearts, Open Doors:
Where People with Differences Unite in Christ

First United Presbyterian Church

1915 Fifth Avenue
Troy, New York 12180
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

In this issue: Eastertide worship schedule

Ministry of Music news
Hiroshima / Nagasaki Exhibit
TAUM Spring Assembly and more . . .

First United Presbyterian Church Officers for 2009 Vision Newsletter is published 11 times a year by

The Session First United Presbyterian Church, Troy, New York

Moderator - The Reverend Alexandra Lusak Member of the Troy Larger Parish
Class of 2010: Karen Harpe, Bonnie McCaig, Peggy Savchik, Alexandra S. Lusak Pastor
Robin Wheeler
Class of 2011: Don Bowes, Debbie Brown, Jim Corsaro, Maury A. Castro Minister of Music
Sue Steele Carlie D’Annunzio Financial Analyst
Class of 2012: John Buckley, Pat Carlson, Peg Drew, Joani Jameson Administrative Assistant
Chandlee Gill
Lynne Stevens Housekeeper
The Board of Deacons
Class of 2010: Betsy Belle Eadie, Kathleen Roe, Dan Rogers, To Contact Us: you may call 518-272-2771
Shirley Street
Class of 2011: Martha Juenger, Don Lutz,
you may write to us at
Marsha Mintz-Botsford, Pat Rudebush
1915 Fifth Avenue Troy, New York 12180
Class 2012: Bob Harrington, Bonnie Kerr, Courtney Savaria,
Claudia Schwendeman or you may email us at info@unitedprestroy.org