​Ballston Spa United Methodist Church
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  • How We Serve
    • Food Pantry
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                      Office Hours Tu/W/Th 10-2     Phone 518-885-6886    Pastor's Phone 518-309-3737​     

Welcome as we worship online and in person.  Share a warm welcome with others.  Coffee hour is held in the Connections Café following the service.  Coloring sheets, offering envelopes, and mission baskets are located near both entrances to the church. 

Applebee’s Fundraiser
     The Applebee’s gift cards are here!  Through your generous support, we have raised $70 for our church.  Please connect with Sue Cramer to pick up your order.  Thank you to all who participated and enjoy your meal.  
 
Support for our Food Pantry
     In these times of financial insecurity our Food Pantry has been serving more people.  The government has cut back on the amount of aid available, so people are turning to us for help.  Chunky peanut butter, brown sugar, baking supplies, snacks, spices, and gluten free items are requested as well as personal care items such as toothbrushes, shave cream, razors, lotion, handwipes, and monthly feminine products.  Other items requested are kitchen utensils and puzzles.  Your donations may be left in the baskets at the back of the sanctuary.  If you would like to donate your time, please see Melody Babcock.
 
Coins for Lent
     Lent is a good time to commit to giving money to a project that helps those in need.  One way to be involved is to collect coins during the season of Lent and then on Easter, donate the money.  Follow our Coins for Lent Giving Calendar as a guide.  All money donated will go to our Food Pantry.  We do ask that you change your coins into a check or paper currency and send it directly to the Food Pantry.

Fair Trade Coffee or Chocolate
     Easter is coming and Fair Trade products are available!  Chocolate bars (Extra Dark Panama, Sea Salt with Caramel Crunch and Sea Salt with Almonds), and coffees (Regular breakfast blend, Hazelnut, and Decaf) can be purchased by contacting Stan Lockwood at 518-885-1552 or at stosh964@gmail.com. Enjoy some soon!

Help for People Affected by Earthquakes
     Initial grants to United Methodist Committee On Relief partner International Blue Crescent, which is headquartered in Turkey, and Forum for Development, Culture and Dialogue in Syria, are helping to provide tents, heaters, blankets, warm clothes, ready to eat meals and first aid kits to people affected by the devastating earthquakes.  Please join the cause by donating and writing UMCOR International Blue Crescent on your check.

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 are interested in being involved, please contact the office to be set up.
  • Mary Drake asks: My Nephew's cancer is progressing and has now moved to his liver, as well as his lungs. The Doctor said the treatment he is receiving isn't working, and they are going to try a different treatment, if this new treatment doesn't work, then the next option is Hospice, and usually if the treatment doesn't work, we're looking at up to six months left.  Please pray for Charlie, he's so young (46) for this to happen. 
  • Derek Costanzo asks for prayers for his brother Dillon, for good health and the Lord’s guidance.
  • The Mallettes thank God for Bob Elbertson’s 97th birthday!
  • Ilah Sisson Walser asks for continued prayers for Ron, Kim, and Abby.  Ron has been dealing with serious health issues.
  • AnnMarie Williams asks for prayers for her daughter for pain relief and an unsaid prayer.
  • Ruth Persons asks for prayers for her mom and husband Gary who need prayers for their health.  

Thrift Shop and Food Pantry
     The Thrift Shop is open Tuesdays from 9:30 till noon; the Food Pantry is open on Wednesdays -- now in its new location in the Fellowship Hall of the church -- also from 9:30 till noon.
     Thank you to the people who donate their time and effort to make all of these offerings possible.  There are many clients and they appreciate your help.

BSUMC's Online Presence
     Our services are posted to Facebook and on our website.  If you Like it on Facebook and share it, it will reach many more people than if it is just on our Facebook page.  You can also direct anyone to the This Week's Service page of this site, on the Videos tab (https://www.ballstonspaumchurch.org/this-weeks-service.html), where the service is posted weekly. 

Upcoming Events
April 7 - Good Friday service, 7 pm
April 9 - Easter Sunday
April 11 - Church Council,  7 pm via Zoom 
April 16 - Last Sunday for Terri and Kathy here
April 19 - Trustees, 6:30 pm
April 20 - Dinner (no movie) at Biscossi's Pizza Time, 6 pm
April 28 - Game Time in Connections Cafe, 1-4 pm

Celebrations!
     We have three birthdays this week:
  • Gayle Lawrence (3/28) 
  • Bob Elbertson (3/29)
  • Brennan Coffey (3/30)
  • Donna Conley (3/30)
  • Dick Traver (3/30) 
  • Bob Lawrence (4/1)
Happy birthday to all of you! There are no anniversaries this week.

If you have a birthday, anniversary, or graduation to celebrate, please send it to the office.  We love to celebrate!

From your Staff Parish Committee
     Do you know what our Staff Parish Committee does?  One of their responsibilities is to serve as a liaison between the congregation and the pastor.  They offer counsel to a minister but aren’t their supervisor.  They help a pastor discern how best to use their time and gifts to effectively serve the congregation.  This team is also responsible for supporting the pastor and their family, ensuring vacations are scheduled and all is well cared for at the parsonage.  They evaluate the pastor’s effectiveness annually.
     This team is also in charge of writing job descriptions for church staff, then hiring, evaluating and terminating their job if necessary.  They recommend salaries and benefits for all staff.  If you have questions, compliments, or concerns to share about any of the church staff or the pastor please communicate with our team.  Nothing sent anonymously will be reviewed.  The goal is to listen, understand and discern whether or not some action or recommendation might be needed.  The team (listed below) will be back in touch and communicate what is done, or has been decided. 
  • Dolores Wilson - dolwil64@gmail.com
  • Pam Hannan - mrsh279@gmail.com 
  • Marion Coton - mcoton1@nycap.rr.com
  • Ruth Persons - rpersons@outlook.com
  • Joyce Garlock - ​joyce.garlock@coldwellbankerprime.com
​
Volunteers for Next Sunday
Sound                 Riley Schmidt
Projection          Katie Warner
Liturgist             Derek Costanzo
Ushers                 Melody Babcock & George Mallette
Coffee Hour       
Music                  Kathy Fisher

Community news
     Gateway House of Peace will be holding a Dinner for a Cause at 6 pm on March 24 at the Principessa Elena Society, 10 Oak Street in Saratoga Springs.  Tickets are $20 presale or $25 at the door.  Tickets may be ordered at WWW.GATEWAYHOUSEOFPEACE.ORG/EVENTSGHP.
 
     The Simpson United Methodist Church at 1089 Rock City Road in Rock City Falls will be having their first annual Easter pie and bake sale.  9” pies are $12 each (choose from apple, blueberry, cherry and peach).  You may also choose between baked or frozen.  Please order by April 3 by calling 518-885-4794 and leaving your name, phone number and order information.  The pick-up dates will be Friday, April 7 from 4 to 7 and Saturday, April 8 from 9 to 2.  The bake sale will be on Saturday.

​​​​Have a blessed week     

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