First Lutheran Church

Albany, New York

These are just some of the Happenings around First Lutheran Church......

Homebound Visitors
During the year our shut-ins are visited and phoned by seven caring people within our congregation.

Food Pantry Collections
Every Sunday of each month is known as "Food Pantry Sunday". The food collected is given to Center City Parish Social Ministry Food Pantry. This pantry is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 am - 1 pm. The food 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.

Albany Lutheran Cluster Outreach
First Lutheran, St. John's, Holy Spirit, Good Shepherd and St. Paul's Lutheran 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.

Senior Luncheon/Church Communion Service
The senior luncheon/communion service is hosted in the early summer is 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.