First United Presbyterian Church

December 26, 2010

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

(*Please stand in body or in spirit)

We Gather In God’s Name

Prelude Tableaux de Noel Gordon Young

Words of Welcome

*Hymn – 36 In the Bleak Midwinter CRANHAM

Prayer of Confession (unison)

You shower gifts on your people, O God, and forgive our faults. We keep accounts and settle
old scores. You make peace, sending Christ as a sign of reconciliation and hope. We make war
and call it peacekeeping. You give us a source of confidence as your Spirit is sent into our
midst. We cause others to be restless, in our anxiety and self-concern.
Have mercy upon us! Forgive us, we pray, and free us, that we may be renewed to serve your
people with grace and energy, with gladness and hope. This we ask in the name of the child of
Bethlehem, the Lord of our lives, even Jesus our Christ. AMEN.

*Response O, holy Child of Bethlehem descend to us, we pray;

Cast out our sin and enter in, Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O Come to us, abide in us, our Lord Emmanuel.

*Peace Glory to God in the highest; peace and goodwill to all.

The peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.

(Worshippers are invited to greet one another with the words,
“The peace of Christ be with you.”)
Announcements

We Proclaim God’s Word

Time with the Children and Their Friends
Children may pick up clipboards at the front of the sanctuary after the time with the children. Please
return the clipboards to their boxes after the service.
The Prayer for Understanding

God’s Word to Us in Scripture

First Scripture Reading Luke 1:46-55 N.T. page 57

Second Scripture Reading Luke 2:15-20 N.T. page 58

Sermon “My Sister, Mary”

*Hymn - 53 What Child Is This GREENSLEEVES

We Respond to God’s Word

Sharing Joys and Concerns of the Congregation

Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer (debts) page 16

(The Presbyterian Hymnal)

There is a prayer journal at the back of the sanctuary where you may record prayer requests to be
included during the prayers of the people.

Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts

Offertory

*Response To God all glorious heav’nly Light

To Christ revealed in earthly night,
To God the Spirit now we raise
Our joyful songs of thankful praise.

*Prayer of Dedication

We Go In God’s Name
*Hymn – 30 Born in the Night, Mary’s Child MARY’S CHILD  

*Charge and Benediction

*Postlude In Dulci Jubilo Arr. Joseph Utterback

You may quietly exit during the postlude or you may remain seated for the playing of the postlude.
All are invited to the Social Hall for a time of fellowship and refreshment.

Special Thanks to Reverend Cass Shaw for this morning’s service and to Todd Sisley for
assisting on the piano.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE - December 19, 2010

Phillip’s Surgery
Jackie’s daughter’s recovery from surgery and praying for a good pathology report.
Joy at the passage changing, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
From Shirley Street: Please keep my father, mother, and brother in your prayers for support and
respite. My father is failing, my mother is having increasingly more difficulty caring for him and my
brother is trying to keep them in their home and hold down a full time job.

Pray for everyone at church and beyond who are facing the holidays without a loved one.
From Martha Juenger: Pray for my friend Diane, facing surgery for a blocked artery to her kidneys.
She also has had two aneurysms in that artery.
From Maury Castro: Pray for Joy and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Judy
Pray for Betsy Belle Eadie for a healthy outcome from recent tests.
Prayers for Tom Kirk, Jackie’s Son-in-law

ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 26, 2010
Welcome To First United! It is a joy that you have chosen to enrich this worshipping community with
your presence this morning. We hope you find a spiritual home here, a place of love, support and
service. Following worship, you are cordially invited to gather with the community for a time of
refreshment and conversation in Fellowship Hall.
Wear A Name Tag as a sign of warm welcome for newcomers. If you do not have one, or need a
replacement, please make a note on one of the bright orange flyers at the rear of the sanctuary.
The Deacons thank those who are contributing $1 each week to the work of the Deacons. It is greatly
appreciated as we work to help others. You can either use the gold & white envelope in the pew rack
or make a special designation in your pledge envelope for this important Deacons fund.
Deacons remind you of the Care Notes in the rack at the back of the Sanctuary. Care Notes are
pamphlets dealing with topics including grief, illness, anger management and concerns with teens and
children. We encourage you to use them for yourself, your family, friends, or other individuals who
might derive some benefit from them.
Parking for Worship is available in the large lot behind the Gurley Building at the corner of Sixth
Avenue and Fulton Street or in the small lot on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Fulton Street and also
along Fifth Avenue. Please note: The parking spaces in the alley on the Grand Street side of the
sanctuary are private parking spaces that belong to Franklin Plaza. Please do not park there.
For families with children: Childcare during worship for children through age 4 is available in the
nursery located between the sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall. The Respite Room, at the rear of the
sanctuary on the south side, is available for parents or caregivers of infants and toddlers who may
need a brief time away of worship.
A reminder that there is always a basket for food donations for the Troy Larger Parish Food Pantry
on your way into church. And if you would rather, cash buys more food from the Regional Food
bank. Empty your change into the jars at either sanctuary door.
Joseph’s House, a homeless shelter, has some guests stay overnight at local churches, etc, in the
colder months – called “Inn From the Cold”. There is a need for volunteers to assist the staff for
these overnights. If you want to hear more about this program, let our church office know or call John
Husson 233-0847. (FUPC will host the IFC in February)

Coffee Hour Hosts for January are:

Jan. 2 Margaret Stoner
Jan. 9 Trudi Wybourn
Jan. 16 Laura and Dan Rogers
Jan. 23 Karen Harpe
Monday, January the 10th – Officer’s Training at 6:30 PM
Sunday, January 16th – An Interfaith Worship Service will be held at 4 PM at Bethel Baptist Church,
2165 Fifth Avenue, Troy.
Sunday, January 23rd – Installation of Officers during the service and the Annual meeting directly after
the service.
Reminder: All announcements for the bulletin should be submitted to the church office by 9 AM
Wednesday each week. Announcements will be highlighted by the lector in worship, but there will not
be time for individuals to make announcements during worship. If an announcement does not make it
into the bulletin, please speak to the lector before worship so that he or she may include it in the oral
announcements for that day.

FAITH EDUCATION NOTES

December 26th – No Classes
January 2nd – No Classes

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 covered during this time. The children
will remain in the worship service on Jan. 30.

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.

Volunteers Needed: As you may know, because of health reasons, both Dotty and Donna had to
retire as our child care workers. Her daughter Donna had volunteered to be the 2nd person in the room.
We will be needing volunteers from the congregation to work alongside Donna during the worship
service. If you would be willing to help out with the children for one hour of a particular week, please
contact Leslie Kelly or Bonnie McCaig.

YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT ACTIVITIES:

January 14-16, 2011- The Gospel According to Harry Potter @ Christ the King Center, Greenwich, NY.
For details check the Albany Presbytery website.

July 9-19, 2011 –educational and fun trip with a spiritual side to Taize, France( with 2 days in Paris).
This trip is for youth and young adults who will be 17 or older in 2011. Details on the Albany Presbytery
website http://albanypresbytery.org Deposit of $250 is due by December 27, 2010 to hold your spot.
Oakwood Church Closing At the November 16 stated meeting of Albany Presbytery, the closing of
the church was delayed until June 30, 2011 to permit the congregation to seek alternate uses of the
building for the benefit of the neighborhood. The Food Pantry will continue through this time, so
please continue to bring in your food items or cash to support the pantry.

CALENDAR for December 26 – January 2nd, 2010

Sunday, December 26
10:00 AM Worship Sanctuary
11:00 AM Refreshments Fellowship Hall
7:30 PM NA Group Meeting Rose Room

Monday, December 27
Offices Closed

Friday, December 31
Offices Closed

Saturday, January 1
10:00 AM AA Meeting 2nd Floor

Sunday, January 2
10:00 AM Worship – 12 Days of Christmas Sanctuary
11:00 AM Refreshments Fellowship Hall
7:30 PM NA Group Meeting Rose Room
 The First United Presbyterian Church of Troy
1915 Fifth Avenue, Troy, New York 12180
Phone: (518) 272-2771
Fax: (518) 266-9483 E-mail: info@unitedprestroy.org www.unitedprestroy.org
Where People with Differences Unite in Christ
Our Mission Statement
Together, we worship God through Christ and explore all dimensions of life in the Spirit;
To demonstrate God’s inclusive love, we seek to heal wounds and care for God’s creation;
To serve God in the world, we work for peace and justice.

Our Statement of inclusive ministry

We invite all people of every background, condition, and orientation
into the full fellowship, ministry and mission of God’s Good News in Jesus Christ.
All who join the church are extended the full privileges of membership,
are challenged to lead lives of Christian discipleship,
and are eligible to be considered for church office.
Pastor: Jacquelyn Pinkowski
Minister of Music: Maury A. Castro
Troy Children’s Chorus Accompanist Intern: Maria Elmer
Coordinator of Educational Ministries: Leslie M. Kelly
Financial Analyst: Carlie D’Annunzio
Administrative Assistant: Carla Fisk
(Office hours 9 AM to 1 PM)
Housekeeper: Lynne Stevens

First United Presbyterian Church is a member of the Troy Larger Parish

The purpose of the Troy Larger Parish is to serve Jesus Christ, and partner together as one Christian family, loving one
another and serving the people in Troy, NY and beyond. We seek to join with each other in mission and ministry,
specifically:
• through the coordination of worship and pastoral care in our congregations
• through the provision of training, and equipping of our lay people for local and global mission
• through the redevelopment and revitalization of our congregations; and
• through intentional joint mission, fellowship, and visioning as we seek
God’s blessings and purpose for all the people of Troy