December 1, 2023 First Friday Celebration with the Ballston Spa High School Orchestra performing in the Sanctuary at 5 pm.
You are the Ballston Spa United Methodist Church! We are the Church together!
Office Hours W – Th - Fr 10 am to 2 pm Office Phone # 518-885-6886
Office Email: bsumc@albany.twcbc.com December 3, 2023
On the first Sunday of Advent, Christians light the first candle on the Advent wreath, which is often purple or blue in color. This candle is called the "Hope" or "Prophet's Candle," symbolizing the anticipation of the coming Messiah and the hope that He brings to the world. The Scripture readings and prayers during this week often focus on the prophecies in the Old Testament about the promised Savior and the expectation of His arrival.
In addition to lighting the Advent wreath candles and engaging in specific Scripture readings and prayers, many use this time to begin their Advent devotions and preparations, both spiritually and practically, for the Christmas season. It's a time of waiting with hope and faith for the coming of Christ, not only in remembrance of His historical birth but also in anticipation of His coming again in glory.
Advent is Here!
Thank you to all who stayed after our service last Sunday to decorate our church for Christmas. Many hands made light work, and the result is beautiful.
Be a part of our Christmas Eve Day skit, “Jesus is Born!”
Characters needed…Narrator, Mary (pregnant), Joseph, innkeepers (non-speaking), midwife (non-speaking), a crowd of shepherds (two have speaking parts), Gabriel, angels.
See Linda Sheeran and her sign-up sheet if God is calling you to be a part of telling the story of God’s presence among us this Christmas Eve!
Food Pantry News
We have exciting news! Ballston Spa United Methodist Church Food Pantry has been selected by the Store Leadership Team at Hannaford to benefit from a SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY in December to impact hunger in your local community in TWO WAYS:
Ballston Spa United Methodist Church Food Pantry will receive $1 from every $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger Bag sold during the month of December at the Hannaford location below.
Plus, Ballston Spa United Methodist Church Food Pantry will receive $0.25 from every Hannaford Snack Pals Plate sold at the same location during December. You will find these 2/$5 plates in special displays at the store.
Two different opportunities! You benefit from either purchase at this Hannaford location:
Hannaford
43 Round Lake Road, Ballston Lake NY
11 Trieble Avenue, Ballston Spa NY
Our Giving Tree
The gifts for our Giving Tree are due today. Thank you for giving our adopted family a nice Christmas.
Poinsettias For the Altar
Poinsettias will be ordered from the Briarwood Florist to decorate our altar. You may purchase a 6” flower for $15. If you would like to have it in memory or in honor of someone, please complete the form (in the bulletin or located in the back of the sanctuary) and return it to the office with payment by December 17. Checks should be made out to the Briarwood Florist. Your wishes will be included in the bulletin for the December 24 service and Christmas Eve service.
Pastoral Gifts
For the next 3 Sundays we will be including an envelope in the bulletin asking for contributions for giving each of our Pastoral Team a Christmas gift. If you wish to contribute, please use the envelope, and place it in the offering plate. Checks must be made out to "cash" since it will be easier to manage. You may also send a donation to the Church. Please make it to the attention of Joyce Garlock. Thank you in advance.
Pledge Update
The Finance Committee would like to thank everyone who has already returned their pledge cards so far. It is still not too late to turn your pledge in for next year. So far, we have a total of $53,000 promised toward next year’s budget. Cherrie Santmire, Financial Secretary
Celebration Potluck Dinner
We will be having our Celebration Potluck Dinner on December 14 at 6 pm in the café to celebrate all the birthdays and anniversaries of the last three months and to celebrate in anticipation of the next three months. You don’t have to have had a birthday (or have one coming up) to join in the fun. Come share in a great meal and enjoy the camaraderie! There will be a sign-up sheet in the café to coordinate the menu. We will try to follow our mothers’ advice and not have too many desserts!
Fair Trade
We have recently restocked our coffee and dark chocolate bars as well as hot cocoa and green tea. Thank you to those who expressed interest in the hot cocoa and Panama Extra Dark chocolate bars. We now have regular Breakfast Blend, Hazelnut and Decaffeinated Coffee; Panama extra dark, sea salt with caramel, and almond with sea salt chocolate bars; dark hot cocoa; and green, peppermint, and chai teas. Many thanks to those who continue to support our Fair Trade Ministry.
Unfortunately, Equal Exchange has recently announced price increases on all their coffee products. So, once our inventory of prior purchases is depleted, the price of each bag of coffee will increase by either $1.00 or $1.50. Chocolate bars and tea prices have so far remained the same.
Epiphany Get Together and Calendar Creation
At the last Church Council meeting, we set a date for the "BSUMC Calendaring Event" for January 7, 2024, following worship service. A light lunch of soup and bread will be provided. Everyone and every group in this church is encouraged to bring their meeting and event dates to this gathering to make a master calendar for our congregation life for 2024. Be creative, plan ahead, and envision our activities for 2024. Linda Sheeran will be organizing the creation of the calendar. Pastor Heather will be providing the light lunch.
Prayer Requests
Please join our prayer group. This is an on-line way of praying for each other and praising God for what is happening in our lives. If you would be interested in being involved, please contact the office to be set up.
• A joy - our own Cherrie Santmire is being recognized at a special luncheon for outstanding work at her job. Prayers of thanksgiving that her talents and hard work are being recognized.
• Ruth Persons asks for prayers for her sister. She has to have a PET scan in December and start radiation. She has at least two spots of cancer and one spot they are not sure what it is.
• Ilah Sisson Walser thanks God for her son-in-law Ron coming home from after 3 weeks in the hospital.
Celebrations
Melody Babcock and Riley Sheeran will be celebrating their birthdays on December 6. Michael Conley will be celebrating his birthday on December 7. Happy birthday to all of you!
Ministry Assistants for December 10, 2023
Pastor Betsye Mowry
Sound Riley Schmidt
Liturgist Dolores Wilson
Ushers Melody Babcock and George Mallette
Coffee Hour The Schmidt Family
We have blanks in our volunteers. Can you help?
Our Calendar
December 3 Advent begins – Hope
December 5 Trustee meeting
December 10 Advent - Peace
December 12 Church Council
December 14 Celebration Potluck 6 pm
December 17 Advent - Joy
December 17 Poinsettia order forms due
December 24 Advent - Love
December 24 Christmas Eve service – 7 pm
December 25 Christmas Day
News on Our Mission Work
It is my pleasure to announce I will be taking over the mission of collecting and delivering those pull tabs for the Ronald McDonald House in Albany. My family spent 10 months at the Ronald McDonald House a few years ago and it is my pleasure to take on this mission. So, I would like to thank everyone in advance for all your help in continuing this wonderful mission.
Cherrie Santmire
The pill bottle collection that we have also been doing for the ministry called Matthew 25 in Ohio will have a delivery made very soon. There were eight garbage bags full of bottles that were taken to collection by Diane and Ron Solotruck.
Thank you all for the commitment you have made to these very worthwhile missions.
Thank You!
The Upper New York Conference would like to thank you for faithfully giving 100% of the Ministry Shares Covenant in 2022. Excellent job!
Fellowship Dinner
On Thursday we had our last Fellowship Dinner of the year at Abeel’s Restaurant. There were 28 people in attendance and enjoyed a delicious meal together. We had lots of conversation and plenty of laughs. Our next dinner will be January 25, the location to be decided. Please put it on your calendars to join us!
Saratoga Springs Youth Group
There will be a Confirmation interest meeting for Youth and their caregivers after worship (about 11 am) on December 10th in the Fellowship Hall. Confirmation at SSUMC is open to youth in 8th grade and up and it is offered every other year. Confirmation is a time that focuses largely on personal faith formation and development, exploring our Methodist history and beliefs, mentorship, and peer-to-peer relationship-building.
At our interest meeting, we’ll talk through the structure of the class, put tentative dates for day and overnight retreats on our calendar, and answer questions. If you cannot attend the meeting and know you would like to sign up for Confirmation, please send me a separate email so that I can be sure to have you on my email list. At the end of our Confirmation journey together, youth will be given the opportunity to become official members of SSUMC (or their respective churches if participating from Ballston Spa or Trinity UMC).
Sincerely, Pastor Alisyn
Saratoga Springs Blue Christmas Service
On December 21, the Saratoga Springs UMC will be holding a Blue Christmas service. A Blue Christmas Service is offered especially for those hurting during the holidays and is often offered on the longest night of the year.
Some people come because they are mourning the death of a loved one or are far from home. Some suffer from illness, addiction, or estrangement. Some are lonely, struggling financially, or in conflict with another. Some hurt because of the great pain, need, and violence in our nation and world. The reasons for coming are many. We gather in the midst of suffering to remember God is good. God is strong. God is near. We are not alone, and we have every reason to hold on to hope.
On Sunday December 3 at noon at the Christ Episcopal Church parish hall, Fr Roy will be having a Blessing of the Animals. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa invites you to their annual Christmas Celebration on December 10 at 6:30 pm. The choir, under the direction of Mr. Darryl Drew, will present the Christmas production of “A New and Glorious Morn!”, a Christmas worship experience created and arranged by Lloyd Larson.
You may make an appointment to speak with one of the Pastoral Team by contacting them directly.
Pastor Heather Williams pastorheather@saratogaumc.org
Pastor Alisyn Klock pastoralisyn@saratogaumc.org
Sam Smith sam@saratogaumc.org
Pastor Betsye Mowry revmowry@aol.com
Did you hear about the man who stole an Advent calendar?
He got 25 days.
Why is it getting harder to buy Advent calendars?
Their days are numbered.
What do you call a search engine that sings the best Christmas songs?
Michael Googlé.
Have a blessed week!
You are the Ballston Spa United Methodist Church! We are the Church together!
Office Hours W – Th - Fr 10 am to 2 pm Office Phone # 518-885-6886
Office Email: bsumc@albany.twcbc.com December 3, 2023
On the first Sunday of Advent, Christians light the first candle on the Advent wreath, which is often purple or blue in color. This candle is called the "Hope" or "Prophet's Candle," symbolizing the anticipation of the coming Messiah and the hope that He brings to the world. The Scripture readings and prayers during this week often focus on the prophecies in the Old Testament about the promised Savior and the expectation of His arrival.
In addition to lighting the Advent wreath candles and engaging in specific Scripture readings and prayers, many use this time to begin their Advent devotions and preparations, both spiritually and practically, for the Christmas season. It's a time of waiting with hope and faith for the coming of Christ, not only in remembrance of His historical birth but also in anticipation of His coming again in glory.
Advent is Here!
Thank you to all who stayed after our service last Sunday to decorate our church for Christmas. Many hands made light work, and the result is beautiful.
Be a part of our Christmas Eve Day skit, “Jesus is Born!”
Characters needed…Narrator, Mary (pregnant), Joseph, innkeepers (non-speaking), midwife (non-speaking), a crowd of shepherds (two have speaking parts), Gabriel, angels.
See Linda Sheeran and her sign-up sheet if God is calling you to be a part of telling the story of God’s presence among us this Christmas Eve!
Food Pantry News
We have exciting news! Ballston Spa United Methodist Church Food Pantry has been selected by the Store Leadership Team at Hannaford to benefit from a SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY in December to impact hunger in your local community in TWO WAYS:
Ballston Spa United Methodist Church Food Pantry will receive $1 from every $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger Bag sold during the month of December at the Hannaford location below.
Plus, Ballston Spa United Methodist Church Food Pantry will receive $0.25 from every Hannaford Snack Pals Plate sold at the same location during December. You will find these 2/$5 plates in special displays at the store.
Two different opportunities! You benefit from either purchase at this Hannaford location:
Hannaford
43 Round Lake Road, Ballston Lake NY
11 Trieble Avenue, Ballston Spa NY
Our Giving Tree
The gifts for our Giving Tree are due today. Thank you for giving our adopted family a nice Christmas.
Poinsettias For the Altar
Poinsettias will be ordered from the Briarwood Florist to decorate our altar. You may purchase a 6” flower for $15. If you would like to have it in memory or in honor of someone, please complete the form (in the bulletin or located in the back of the sanctuary) and return it to the office with payment by December 17. Checks should be made out to the Briarwood Florist. Your wishes will be included in the bulletin for the December 24 service and Christmas Eve service.
Pastoral Gifts
For the next 3 Sundays we will be including an envelope in the bulletin asking for contributions for giving each of our Pastoral Team a Christmas gift. If you wish to contribute, please use the envelope, and place it in the offering plate. Checks must be made out to "cash" since it will be easier to manage. You may also send a donation to the Church. Please make it to the attention of Joyce Garlock. Thank you in advance.
Pledge Update
The Finance Committee would like to thank everyone who has already returned their pledge cards so far. It is still not too late to turn your pledge in for next year. So far, we have a total of $53,000 promised toward next year’s budget. Cherrie Santmire, Financial Secretary
Celebration Potluck Dinner
We will be having our Celebration Potluck Dinner on December 14 at 6 pm in the café to celebrate all the birthdays and anniversaries of the last three months and to celebrate in anticipation of the next three months. You don’t have to have had a birthday (or have one coming up) to join in the fun. Come share in a great meal and enjoy the camaraderie! There will be a sign-up sheet in the café to coordinate the menu. We will try to follow our mothers’ advice and not have too many desserts!
Fair Trade
We have recently restocked our coffee and dark chocolate bars as well as hot cocoa and green tea. Thank you to those who expressed interest in the hot cocoa and Panama Extra Dark chocolate bars. We now have regular Breakfast Blend, Hazelnut and Decaffeinated Coffee; Panama extra dark, sea salt with caramel, and almond with sea salt chocolate bars; dark hot cocoa; and green, peppermint, and chai teas. Many thanks to those who continue to support our Fair Trade Ministry.
Unfortunately, Equal Exchange has recently announced price increases on all their coffee products. So, once our inventory of prior purchases is depleted, the price of each bag of coffee will increase by either $1.00 or $1.50. Chocolate bars and tea prices have so far remained the same.
Epiphany Get Together and Calendar Creation
At the last Church Council meeting, we set a date for the "BSUMC Calendaring Event" for January 7, 2024, following worship service. A light lunch of soup and bread will be provided. Everyone and every group in this church is encouraged to bring their meeting and event dates to this gathering to make a master calendar for our congregation life for 2024. Be creative, plan ahead, and envision our activities for 2024. Linda Sheeran will be organizing the creation of the calendar. Pastor Heather will be providing the light lunch.
Prayer Requests
Please join our prayer group. This is an on-line way of praying for each other and praising God for what is happening in our lives. If you would be interested in being involved, please contact the office to be set up.
• A joy - our own Cherrie Santmire is being recognized at a special luncheon for outstanding work at her job. Prayers of thanksgiving that her talents and hard work are being recognized.
• Ruth Persons asks for prayers for her sister. She has to have a PET scan in December and start radiation. She has at least two spots of cancer and one spot they are not sure what it is.
• Ilah Sisson Walser thanks God for her son-in-law Ron coming home from after 3 weeks in the hospital.
Celebrations
Melody Babcock and Riley Sheeran will be celebrating their birthdays on December 6. Michael Conley will be celebrating his birthday on December 7. Happy birthday to all of you!
Ministry Assistants for December 10, 2023
Pastor Betsye Mowry
Sound Riley Schmidt
Liturgist Dolores Wilson
Ushers Melody Babcock and George Mallette
Coffee Hour The Schmidt Family
We have blanks in our volunteers. Can you help?
Our Calendar
December 3 Advent begins – Hope
December 5 Trustee meeting
December 10 Advent - Peace
December 12 Church Council
December 14 Celebration Potluck 6 pm
December 17 Advent - Joy
December 17 Poinsettia order forms due
December 24 Advent - Love
December 24 Christmas Eve service – 7 pm
December 25 Christmas Day
News on Our Mission Work
It is my pleasure to announce I will be taking over the mission of collecting and delivering those pull tabs for the Ronald McDonald House in Albany. My family spent 10 months at the Ronald McDonald House a few years ago and it is my pleasure to take on this mission. So, I would like to thank everyone in advance for all your help in continuing this wonderful mission.
Cherrie Santmire
The pill bottle collection that we have also been doing for the ministry called Matthew 25 in Ohio will have a delivery made very soon. There were eight garbage bags full of bottles that were taken to collection by Diane and Ron Solotruck.
Thank you all for the commitment you have made to these very worthwhile missions.
Thank You!
The Upper New York Conference would like to thank you for faithfully giving 100% of the Ministry Shares Covenant in 2022. Excellent job!
Fellowship Dinner
On Thursday we had our last Fellowship Dinner of the year at Abeel’s Restaurant. There were 28 people in attendance and enjoyed a delicious meal together. We had lots of conversation and plenty of laughs. Our next dinner will be January 25, the location to be decided. Please put it on your calendars to join us!
Saratoga Springs Youth Group
There will be a Confirmation interest meeting for Youth and their caregivers after worship (about 11 am) on December 10th in the Fellowship Hall. Confirmation at SSUMC is open to youth in 8th grade and up and it is offered every other year. Confirmation is a time that focuses largely on personal faith formation and development, exploring our Methodist history and beliefs, mentorship, and peer-to-peer relationship-building.
At our interest meeting, we’ll talk through the structure of the class, put tentative dates for day and overnight retreats on our calendar, and answer questions. If you cannot attend the meeting and know you would like to sign up for Confirmation, please send me a separate email so that I can be sure to have you on my email list. At the end of our Confirmation journey together, youth will be given the opportunity to become official members of SSUMC (or their respective churches if participating from Ballston Spa or Trinity UMC).
Sincerely, Pastor Alisyn
Saratoga Springs Blue Christmas Service
On December 21, the Saratoga Springs UMC will be holding a Blue Christmas service. A Blue Christmas Service is offered especially for those hurting during the holidays and is often offered on the longest night of the year.
Some people come because they are mourning the death of a loved one or are far from home. Some suffer from illness, addiction, or estrangement. Some are lonely, struggling financially, or in conflict with another. Some hurt because of the great pain, need, and violence in our nation and world. The reasons for coming are many. We gather in the midst of suffering to remember God is good. God is strong. God is near. We are not alone, and we have every reason to hold on to hope.
On Sunday December 3 at noon at the Christ Episcopal Church parish hall, Fr Roy will be having a Blessing of the Animals. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa invites you to their annual Christmas Celebration on December 10 at 6:30 pm. The choir, under the direction of Mr. Darryl Drew, will present the Christmas production of “A New and Glorious Morn!”, a Christmas worship experience created and arranged by Lloyd Larson.
You may make an appointment to speak with one of the Pastoral Team by contacting them directly.
Pastor Heather Williams pastorheather@saratogaumc.org
Pastor Alisyn Klock pastoralisyn@saratogaumc.org
Sam Smith sam@saratogaumc.org
Pastor Betsye Mowry revmowry@aol.com
Did you hear about the man who stole an Advent calendar?
He got 25 days.
Why is it getting harder to buy Advent calendars?
Their days are numbered.
What do you call a search engine that sings the best Christmas songs?
Michael Googlé.
Have a blessed week!