Homebound
Visitors
During the year our shut-ins are visited and phoned by seven caring
people within our congregation.
Food Pantry Collections
The second Sunday of each month is known as "Food Pantry Sunday".
The food collected is given to the St. Patrick's/OLA/St. John's/St.
Casmir's Food Pantry, now known as Center City Parish Social Ministry
located at Our Lady of Angels Church (OLA). The food pantry is open
on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 am - 1 pm. This pantry serves
many homeless and unfortunate people. Thanks to the continuing support
from our congregation.
Regional
Food Bank
The outings to the Regional Food Bank located at 965 Albany-Shaker
Road are in conjunction with "Food Pantry Sunday". We have
a designated time from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. throughout the year
excluding the summer months of July and August. We do everything'
from repacking, sealing, marking and weighing canned or frozen foods
to dry goods. This is a fun and rewarding experience.
Youth Outreach
The first Sunday of each month the youth of our church gather to
do an outreach project. The purpose is to teach the children that
their efforts are valuable in helping to reach others and thereby
they are sharing God's work.
Albany
Lutheran Cluster Outreach
First Lutheran, St. John's, Holy Spirit and Good Shepherd Churches
are happily working together to provide greater help to a chosen organization.
Each church has chosen one organization during an eight-month cycle
and gathered items from all the churches for two-month intervals.
Christmas Adoptions
Fifty residents at Albany County Nursing Home received gifts from
the congregation during the holiday season. These gifts were graciously
received at the nursing home. We also adopted a special FLC family.
Senior
Luncheon/Church Communion Service
The senior luncheon/communion service is hosted in June specifically
for the elderly, shut-in and nursing home residents of our congregation
and the congregations of the other Albany Lutheran Cluster churches.
It is hosted at a different church each year.
Prayer Chain
One of the most powerful tools of our daily life is prayer. A prayer
chain was established mid-May 2000. There are currently about 20
members of our congregation actively praying for the prayer chain.
Navajo
Evangelical Lutheran Mission
In October 1999 we asked the congregation to start saving "Campbell's
Soup Labels for Education" and other proofs of purchase. By collecting
1,095,000 labels or other proof of purchases, Campbell's will provide
the Mission with a van. The mission offers schooling, food distribution,
a thrift shop, transportation to church and activities and other programs.
This is an ongoing mission.
First Friends
Every Monday from 10 am to noon you will find First Friends meeting
in Hartwick Lounge. You are welcome to stop by, have a cup of coffee,
to chat and work them. They This make quilts, preemie caps, walker
bags, decorative pillows, nursing home bibs and tote bags. These
items are delivered to the Capital City Mission, Good Samaritan
Home and Albany Medical Center. These projects offer us an opportunity
to participate in community outreach. At Christmas, First Friends
deliver cookies and poinsettias to the shut-ins and bring them beautiful
blooming plants at Easter.
