Vision
A newsletter of the First United Presbyterian Church
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
If the weather outside is frightful ~ Check the website or TV for worship cancelation
Special Thanks to Leslie
Kelly, our Director of Faith
Education for the wonder-
ful ideas she had for the
Spontaneous Pageant on
December 19th and the
meaningful Christmas Eve
Service
To Maury and all of the
music people, thank you
for all of your extra effort
and great talent during the
Advent and Christmas sea-
son.
January 2011
Committee Reports Due
All committees please get your Annual Report into
the office no later than January 14. Please submit it
in a Word format to facilitate the production of the
Annual Report for the Annual Congregational
Meeting on January 23 after worship.
New Bible Study
Beginning Wednesday, January 12 there will be a
weekly Bible Study. Jackie will lead the group in
studying the scripture texts for the next Sunday’s
worship service. Mark your calendar. Bring your
Bible. See you there!
Albany Presbytery Policy
When a pastor or a member of the Presbytery's
professional staff resigns from a pastorate, retires
from service, or becomes Pastor Emeritus, that per-
son must cease to perform official functions, such
as weddings, baptisms, funerals, hospital visitation
or counseling for people in the community. The
bonds of friendship need not be broken, but the
OFFICIAL relationship must be terminated to al-
low for the successor to truly become the pastor of
the congregation, or Presbytery administrator. It is
inappropriate to request the former pastor or ad-
ministrator to perform such pastoral duties. If re-
quested, he or she must tactfully decline.
 A Pastoral Note
from Jacquelyn Pinkowski

People ask me frequently if I enjoy moving. The an-

swer is Yes and No. No, I don’t like the boxes, the
inevitable problems with movers, the learning new
telephone numbers and addresses, etc. Yes, I love be-
ing able to get to know a new congregation, the minis-
tries they participate in and all of the possibilities that
begin to unfold each time I move to another congre-
gation.

One of the things that I claim I do, is go through my

files and try to recycle anything that I am not using or
don’t think I will be using in the near future. That
means that I discover all kinds of ―gems‖ that I have
filed away and forgotten. I would like to share one of
those ―gems‖ with you this month. I don’t remember Sermons for the Upcoming Month of
where I got this, but thought it was very interesting.
January
―The Five Signs of Life‖ January 9, 2011— Baptism of the Lord Sunday
Dusty Shoes – Living a Relevant Life ―When the Heavens Open‖
Worn-Out Knees – Living a Yielded Life
Scriptures: Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Mat-
Rolled-Up Sleeves – Living an Authentic Life
thew 3:13-17
Open Hands – Living a Generous Life
Out-Stretched Arms – Living a Compassionate Life
January 16, 2011— Sunday in Ordinary Time
Perhaps this may help you as you make New Year’s
―Coming and Going‖
resolution. Is there one that will help you grow deeper
in your spiritual life? Try it. Scriptures: Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians
1:1-9; John 1:29-42
Blessings,
January 23, 2011— Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jackie
―Immediately‖
Scriptures: Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27; 1 Corinthians 1:1-18;
Matthew 4:12-23

January 30, 2011— Sunday in Ordinary Time

―Blessed are You‖
Scriptures: Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31;
Matthew 5:1-12
 Ministry of Music News
from Maury Castro

Allow me to share with you one of the richest texts I

have come across in the recent past:

Catch the bird of heaven,

Lock him in a cage of gold;
Look again tomorrow,
And he will be gone.

Chorus
Ah! the bird of heaven! Broadway Musical Sing-Along
Follow where the bird has gone; Friday, January 28 at 6:30 p.m.
Ah! the bird of heaven! Tell your friends about this fun 2nd annual mid-winter
Keep on travelling on. escape to all of your favorite Broadway Musicals, in-
cluding Oklahoma, Annie, The Sound of Music,
Lock him in religion, Grease, Lion King, Fiddler on the Roof, and so many
Gold and frankincense and myrrh more! Also featuring two young soloists from the
Carry to his prison, studio of Lisa Franklin. This is a Troy Night Out
But he will be gone. Event, and admission is free.
Chorus
Temple made of marble, February Bell Choir
Beak and feather made of gold. If you’re interested in ringing on Sunday, February
All the bells are ringing, 13, with rehearsals Thursdays, January 20, 27, Febru-
But the bird has gone. ary 3, and 10, please contact Maury at the church at
Chorus xt. 14, or maury@unitedprestroy.org. Rehearsals are
from 6-6:55 pm in the Bell Room.
Bell and book and candle
Cannot hold him any more, Dedicate an Anthem
For the bird is flying The Session has approved a new initiative to bring
As he did before. fresh, new music to our choral library and to our ser-
Chorus vices. Congregants are invited to donate $25 toward
the purchase of new choral music, and the church
Sydney Carter (b 1915) will match that $25 in order to purchase a new an-
© 1969 Stainer & Bell Ltd them (Each anthem in our library costs about $50).
The donor may dedicate the anthem to the person(s)
or event of their choice, and when that anthem is
sung in church, this will be recognized. To participate
in this ongoing program, please contact Maury A.
Castro.
Faith Education News
from Leslie Kelly
The Session has approved trying out church school
during worship for the month of January, beginning
January 9. Children will stay in worship until after the
children’s message and then will be dismissed to church
school. The workshop rotation curriculum –―Road to
Emmaus‖ will be used for January 9, 16, and 23. The
Drama, Music and Audiovisual workshops will be cov-
ered during this time. The children will remain in the
worship service on Jan. 30.
Congregational Meeting
Notes of October 24th, 2010
from Don Drew
We gather in God’s name:
The meeting was called to order at 10:52 AM with prayer
by the Reverend Kenneth Applegate, Moderator. The
meeting was properly called, and a quorum was present.
Donald Drew was appointed Clerk pro tem.
The report of the Nominating Committee was presented by
Elder Donald Drew.

The approximate times to begin and end will be 10:15
until 11:15, when the children may join everyone during
fellowship time for a snack. If parents will be staying
for Adult Ed, the children may bring a book to read,
homework or play a game in a supervised area.
Karen Harpe was nominated from the floor for the office
of Elder to fill a one year term. Shirley Street was nomi-
nated from the floor for the office of Deacon (three year
term).

The following were elected to the Board of Deacons:

Carol Harrington (2 yr. term)
Shirley Bowes (3 yr. term)
Steven Bowes II (3 yr. term)
Dana Crobok (3 yr. term)
Shirley Street (3 yr. term)

The following were elected as Elders, to serve on Session:

Karen Harpe (1 yr. term)
Courtney Savaria (1 yr. term)
David Lanoue (3 yr. term)
Bonnie McCaig (3 yr. term)
Dan Rogers (3 yr. term)
Trudi Wybourn (3 yr. term)

The Meeting was adjourned with prayer at 10:59 AM.

Respectfully submitted, Attested:
Donald Drew Kenneth Applegate
Clerk pre tem Moderator
Prayers of the People
Prayers of healing
January Birthdays
… for Philip’s surgery; Martha Juenger’s friend 1 Hope Zewou
Diane; Betsy Belle’s test outcome to be a posi-
3 Christina Eadie
tive one
Elaine Savaria

Prayers of comfort and support 5 Kate Maguire

Sara & Nicole Scavone
… for Judy Moyer’s brother, Burt; Alison; Kathe-
rine; Peggy Drew’s friend, Gail; that everyone 6 Emily Holcomb
find employment; for Shirley Street’s father, 7 Jacquelyn Pinkowski
mother, and brother; Jackie’s son-in-law, Tom 8 Bonnie Kerr
Kirk; Judy; for Garrett Hamlin and the extended 10 Robin Krumanocker
family on the death of his sister
Lauren Eadie
Prayers of joy and thanksgiving 11 Tracy Husson
… that we are a part of this wonderful church; 13 Rebecca Linzner
that Jackie’s daughter’s biopsy was negative; 21 Debbie Brown
the passing of “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” Joani Jameson
22 Joan Rogers
Prayers for God’s world
24 Florie Parmelee
… that the next decade will be better than the
25 Rebecca Rector
one just concluded.
29 Joseph Warman
… that our society can come together and work
together with respect and civility.

… for all of those serving in the military and for

their families.

Happy Birthday to
you all!
 January 2011
Sunday Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
10 AM AA Group

2 3 4 5 6 7 8
10:00 Worship OFFICE CLOSED
3:45 Troy 10 AM AA Group
11:00 Refreshments Children’s 5:30 Personnel
11:30 Faith Ed Chorus Meeting / Copy 6:30 PM
Room Chancel Choir @
7:30 NA Group 7:15 Faith Ed. Boyscouts Over-
Maury Castro’s night stay at First
Meeting / McCarty home United

9 10 11 12 13 14 15
10:00 Worship / Chil-
dren’s Church Trial 3:45 Troy 10 AM AA Group
Children’s
Run Chorus 9 - 3 Labyrinth
11:00 Refreshments 6 PM Music Sub-
11:30 Faith Ed 5:30 MLMT 6:30 Bible Study Committee
6:30 Officers’ 7 PM Chancel
7:30 NA Group Training Choir

16 10:00 Worship / 17 18 19 20 21 22
OFFICE CLOSED
Children’s Church 3:45 Troy 10 AM AA Group
Trial Run Children’s
11:00 Refreshments Chorus
11:30 Faith Ed
12:30 Sessions Meet- 6:30 Bible Study 7 PM Chancel
ing Choir
4:00 Interfaith Worship
Bethel Baptist Church
7:30 NA Group

23 10:00 Worship - 24 25 26 27 28 29
Installation of Officers/
Children’s Church 3:45 Troy 10 AM AA Group
Children’s
Trial Run Chorus
ANNUAL MEETING
11:00 Refreshments 6:30 Bible Study 6:30 Broadway
7 PM Chancel Musical Sing-a-
11:30 Faith Ed Choir long
7:30 NA Group

30 31
10:00 Worship
11:00 Refreshments
11:30 Faith Ed
7:30 NA Group
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: January Worship in the Sanctuary

Children’s Church Trial Run
Annual Meeting
Notes from Jackie, Maury, and Leslie
Congressional Meeting Notes from Oct. 24th, 2010

Vision Newsletter is published 11 times a year by

First United Presbyterian Church Officers for 2010 &
2011
First United Presbyterian Church, Troy, New York
Member of the Troy Larger Parish
The Session
Moderator - The Reverend Jacquelyn Pinkowski Jacquelyn Pinkowski Pastor
Class of 2010: Karen Harpe, Peggy Savchik, Maury A. Castro Minister of Music
Robin Wheeler Carlie D’Annunzio Financial Analyst
Class of 2011: Don Bowes, Debbie Brown, Jim Corsaro,
Sue Steele, Carla Fisk Administrative Assistant
Youth Elder: Patience Zewou 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
Youth Deacon: Zoe Krumanocker
or you may email us at info@unitedprestroy.org