Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Easter Sunday was a day of great joy. The 61 people in worship heard the triumphant hymns, listened to the account from John 20 about Jesus’ resurrection and got to see a surprising Children’s Time about “Making (and keeping) a Promise”. It was exciting to see one another face to face, to have lovely bulb flowers on our altar and to celebrate Holy Communion. We were all appreciative of the privilege of being together again - COVID had kept us confined to our homes the year before. Many thanks to those who placed Easter flowers on the altar, and all the servants that helped make the day so beautiful.
Welcome Back!
We have opened our doors for in-person worship! Masks are required while in the building; seating will be at least 6 feet apart. Please enter by the south (ramp) door. You will be guided to a seat, and at the end of the service you will be dismissed via the north door by an usher. We will continue not singing as a congregation.
For anyone wishing to remain at home we will continue posting worship services on Facebook and our website.
Change in Pastor Kelly’s Availability
The Staff Parish Committee wants to share that Pastor Kelly began serving half-time at the church on April 1st. She has been at 3/4 time for just over 3 years now. Here are some details on what 1/2 time will mean for our Church and its ministries:
11:30 a.m. Sunday Coffee Hour is on ZOOM or by Phone
Join us for a virtual coffee fellowship via Zoom (either by computer/iPad or phone). Bring your own refreshment and enjoy seeing each other via Zoom. This is the link through May at 11:30 AM Eastern Time (note the new time as of March 14):
In the Zoom app, you can use Meeting ID: 963 0143 0502 / Passcode: 956579
Or simply click here to join Zoom Meeting
You are also welcome to dial in via phone at 929-205-6099 using Meeting ID: 963 0143 0502 / Passcode: 956579
Add the invitation to your electronic calendar by clicking here.
Prayer Group
Please consider joining our prayer group. This is an on-line way of praying for each other’s needs and praising God for what is happening in each other’s lives. If you would be interested in being involved, please either call or email the office and you can be set up.
This week's prayer concerns:
Equalization Member Applications
The Upper New York Annual Conference will be held virtually this year from Thursday, June 17th to Saturday, June 19th. If you would like to be an Equalization Member, you may contact Carrie in the District office at 518-480-4866 or adirondackdistrict@unyumc.org for an application. Equalization members are laypersons from local churches who serve as delegates to Annual Conference in order to maintain an equal number of lay & clergy voting delegates. Applications must be completed and received at the district office by April 15th.
Fair Trade
Panama Extra Dark, Orange, Sea Salt with Almonds, and Caramel Crunch with Sea Salt varieties of Fair Trade chocolate are available for purchase (Sea Salt w/Almonds are $3.50, the others are $3.00). Organic Regular Coffee, Decaf Coffee, and various organic teas are also available. Please contact Stan Lockwood at 518.885.1552 or stosh964@gmail.com to arrange for delivery or pick-up.
A Directory is Being Planned
There will be a directory coming out soon but there are people whose pictures are missing. Emails will be sent to those people. If you would like a newer picture than what was taken three years ago, please feel free to send it in. You can email your picture to the office at bsumc@albany.twcbc.com for inclusion.
Musical Offerings
Do you sing or play an instrument? Would you be willing to provide some music for our Sunday Services?
If so, please contact Cathy King at cathys.notes@gmail.com or 518-538-4523. She will be happy to work with you and schedule a date for your musical offering to be included in a worship service.
Celebrations!
We have 6 birthdays to celebrate this week:
If there is a birthday or anniversary that you would like shared, please send it to the church office by email. Happy celebrations are always a blessing!
Have a blessed week
Easter Sunday was a day of great joy. The 61 people in worship heard the triumphant hymns, listened to the account from John 20 about Jesus’ resurrection and got to see a surprising Children’s Time about “Making (and keeping) a Promise”. It was exciting to see one another face to face, to have lovely bulb flowers on our altar and to celebrate Holy Communion. We were all appreciative of the privilege of being together again - COVID had kept us confined to our homes the year before. Many thanks to those who placed Easter flowers on the altar, and all the servants that helped make the day so beautiful.
Welcome Back!
We have opened our doors for in-person worship! Masks are required while in the building; seating will be at least 6 feet apart. Please enter by the south (ramp) door. You will be guided to a seat, and at the end of the service you will be dismissed via the north door by an usher. We will continue not singing as a congregation.
For anyone wishing to remain at home we will continue posting worship services on Facebook and our website.
Change in Pastor Kelly’s Availability
The Staff Parish Committee wants to share that Pastor Kelly began serving half-time at the church on April 1st. She has been at 3/4 time for just over 3 years now. Here are some details on what 1/2 time will mean for our Church and its ministries:
- Her primary ministry hours will be full days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and until 2 p.m. on Thursdays
- She will lead weekly worship and have some limited time on Sundays for wedding/baptism counseling and meetings
- She will continue to perform weddings and funerals for members of the church
- She will continue to lead the Nominations team, and attend Church Council, Finance, and Staff-Parish Relations meetings. She will consult with key leaders of other ministry teams, attend their meetings if needed, and read their meeting minutes.
- Typically she will be at the church office on Wednesdays from noon to 2 p.m., primarily to work with the Office Manager Sue Cramer. All requests or questions for the pastor that are not urgent should be sent to Sue Cramer. She will share those with the pastor on Tuesday morning.
- Prayer requests need to be sent to the office; they will be posted to our Prayer Chain as soon as possible. Please remember that the office is open Tuesday-Thursday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
- Whenever possible she will be present for our church’s fundraising efforts, fellowship events, mission activities, and youth group happenings.
11:30 a.m. Sunday Coffee Hour is on ZOOM or by Phone
Join us for a virtual coffee fellowship via Zoom (either by computer/iPad or phone). Bring your own refreshment and enjoy seeing each other via Zoom. This is the link through May at 11:30 AM Eastern Time (note the new time as of March 14):
In the Zoom app, you can use Meeting ID: 963 0143 0502 / Passcode: 956579
Or simply click here to join Zoom Meeting
You are also welcome to dial in via phone at 929-205-6099 using Meeting ID: 963 0143 0502 / Passcode: 956579
Add the invitation to your electronic calendar by clicking here.
Prayer Group
Please consider joining our prayer group. This is an on-line way of praying for each other’s needs and praising God for what is happening in each other’s lives. If you would be interested in being involved, please either call or email the office and you can be set up.
This week's prayer concerns:
- We rejoice that Lou Cook and his daughter Sheila were able to be in worship on Easter morning! Lou is now able to visit Joyce in the hospice unit each day. They are grateful for their time together.
- Please pray for the son of one of Bonnie Keehan’s relatives. Last Friday he died from an overdose and the grief his loved ones are feeling is profound.
- Please pray for Jamie Winters who has COVID. She is Pastor Kelly’s sister and lives in Plattsburgh.
- Melody Babcock asks for prayers for a friend's 14 year old grandson, Gavin, who underwent spinal surgery in Boston on 4/6.
- Sue Cramer asks for prayers for their granddaughter Megan who has a serious heart issue.
- Ilah asks for prayers for Garner who was born 9 weeks early and weighed in at just over 3 pounds. We pray for his continued gains and hold on life.
- Pat Jones asks for prayers for Russ, a family friend in his 80s with cancer.
- Prayers for Bill Haege’s health and adjustment to using his wheelchair. And prayers for Katie, his caregiver, who is struggling with her grandmother's death.
- Please pray for Amy in her early pregnancy.
- Prayers for Gary Persons as he continues to improve.
- Melissa Taylor is praising God for helping her through her treatments and appreciates our prayers.
- Keep Bob Elbertson in your prayers.
- Ilah Sisson Walser asks: Heartfelt concern and prayers for those suffering from COVID 19 and their families. Give people strength to continue to safeguard against exposure and contacting the virus.
Equalization Member Applications
The Upper New York Annual Conference will be held virtually this year from Thursday, June 17th to Saturday, June 19th. If you would like to be an Equalization Member, you may contact Carrie in the District office at 518-480-4866 or adirondackdistrict@unyumc.org for an application. Equalization members are laypersons from local churches who serve as delegates to Annual Conference in order to maintain an equal number of lay & clergy voting delegates. Applications must be completed and received at the district office by April 15th.
Fair Trade
Panama Extra Dark, Orange, Sea Salt with Almonds, and Caramel Crunch with Sea Salt varieties of Fair Trade chocolate are available for purchase (Sea Salt w/Almonds are $3.50, the others are $3.00). Organic Regular Coffee, Decaf Coffee, and various organic teas are also available. Please contact Stan Lockwood at 518.885.1552 or stosh964@gmail.com to arrange for delivery or pick-up.
A Directory is Being Planned
There will be a directory coming out soon but there are people whose pictures are missing. Emails will be sent to those people. If you would like a newer picture than what was taken three years ago, please feel free to send it in. You can email your picture to the office at bsumc@albany.twcbc.com for inclusion.
Musical Offerings
Do you sing or play an instrument? Would you be willing to provide some music for our Sunday Services?
If so, please contact Cathy King at cathys.notes@gmail.com or 518-538-4523. She will be happy to work with you and schedule a date for your musical offering to be included in a worship service.
Celebrations!
We have 6 birthdays to celebrate this week:
- Wayne Harrison (4/12)
- Paul MacMillin, Jennifer Sutherland (4/14)
- David Staulters, Shelli Wolsey (4/16)
- Eric Thompson (4/17)
- Sheri & Jerry Litchfield (4/11)
- Melody & Richard Babcock (4/14)
- Peggy & Dick Traver – married 55 years! (4/16)
If there is a birthday or anniversary that you would like shared, please send it to the church office by email. Happy celebrations are always a blessing!
Have a blessed week