​Ballston Spa United Methodist Church
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Supporting Our Church Together
     Quarterly financial statements and a letter from Pastor Kelly were sent out last month.   We always use that opportunity to sincerely thank every person who gives to the Ballston Spa United Methodist Church.  In this mailing we also asked for additional funds to help us meet our ministry needs and your response was generous.  Your faithfulness is making a difference!  
     However, there is still a gap between our income versus the bills we must pay.  Churches everywhere are finding that decreased worship attendance has meant lower giving; that has been our reality as well.  Our  largest Sunday worship attendance since June 28th was 20 people.  (We continue to urge caution due to COVID, so stay home to stay safe if that is best for you).  Your Finance Team wants you to know we are doing what we can to bridge that gap, and we will keep you up to date.  Committees, teams, and staff are spending only on essentials, and we are decreasing costs wherever possible.  We have an ongoing fundraiser for Hoffman Car washes and hope you will support that.  One of the most important things we need is consistent givers.  If you are already using VANCO to regularly send your gifts to the church, we are grateful.   
     There is another option we’d encourage you to explore.  Most local banks offer a “BillPay” option at no cost.  You can designate that a certain amount of money be sent to us by mail.  They will write a check (typically at no cost to you) as part of their customer service, then send it out.  If you do choose to start using “BillPay” someone else remembers to write the check, plus they will send it out on time and pay for the postage!  All it takes is to contact your bank.  And if you need the church’s mailing address, it is: 101 Milton Ave, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.
 
Weekly Sermons on Facebook & the Website
     We are aware that there have been sound quality issues with the recorded weekly sermons on our Facebook site.  Attempts to improve the quality of the recordings are being made.  Our goal is to record worship services as a whole, but our immediate priority is to make sure we first master recording the sermon with as high a quality as possible.  The sermon can be found in print (as well as video) on our church website at https://www.ballstonspaumchurch.org/recent-posts.  If you do not have access to that a print copy can be mailed to you from our church office.  Please let the office (518-885-6886) know if you would like it mailed to you and are not currently receiving it that way.  Thank you for your  patience and understanding.
 
The Worship Schedule for August
August 23
Scripture: Luke 15:3-7
Sermon: “Lost Ones are Jesus’ Priority”
Theme: Jesus seeks and saves the lost

August 30
Scripture: Hebrews 11:37-40
Sermon: “Wanting Immunity in the Tribe”
Theme: Being a Christian doesn’t guarantee a trouble-free life

 Laity Sunday
     The Worship Team is looking for a someone interested in doing Laity Sunday on October 18, 2020.  Laity Sunday is a day where we, the Laity, give the pastor a day off.  It gives us a chance to share the word of God.
     The Bible readings are: Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 99 [UM Hymnal 819], 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 or Matthew 22:15-22.
     Do not be afraid of trying it at least once!  We will be able to help guide you.  If you are interested, please contact the worship team by August 31, 2020.
Your Worship Team
Pat Brewster brew2@nycap.rr.com
Mary Drake mandbdrake@yahoo.com
Kathy Haege kathyhaege@yahoo.com
Cathy King cathys.notes@gmail.com
Linda Sheeran, Lay Delegate to Annual Conference lsheeran6@gmail.com
Pastor Kelly Warner  bsumcpastor@yahoo.com  
Ruth Persons, Worship Chair  rpersons@outlook.com
 
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.
 - Please keep Bob Elbertson in your prayers as he continues his recuperation.  You may send cards to him at 91 Church Ave. Apt. 211, Ballston Spa, New York, 12020.
 
Music for Services
     Do you play an instrument?  Would anyone in your family be willing to play for us?  We are looking for ways to enhance the music portion of our Sunday service.  At present, we are not permitted to sing hymns as a congregation, so we would like to feature instrumentalists as much as possible. 
     Please contact Cathy at 518 584-2865 or cathys.notes@gmail.com if you can help.  She would need a few dates that work for you so she can schedule things appropriately. 
     Many thanks for helping us through this most challenging time!
 
Falling Leaves 5K Run for 2020
     The Falling Leaves 5K Run for 2020 has been cancelled, but we expect to hold our next Falling Leaves 5K on October 9, 2021.  All sponsors and participants of our prior year 5K's have been notified via letter and email, respectively.  We also put an article in the BSBPA newsletter and, hopefully, will soon have information on the BSUMC website about the cancellation.
     5K Thank You Dinners/Lunches will most likely not be held again until, at least, January 2021.
 
Fair Trade
     Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are still available from Stan Lockwood.  If interested, please contact him at 518-885-1552 or via email at  sdlock2008@hotmail.com.
 
Ballston Spa United Methodist Church + Hoffman Car Wash
Buy car wash tickets and our church receives 50% of the sale!!
WIN – WIN - WIN!!!  Clean Car, support a local business, and money for the ministries at BSUMC!
Purchase on-line and print out your car wash coupons immediately @ :  BSUMC 2020 Car Wash
<https://www.hoffmanhelpinghands.com/fundraiser.cfm?id=21482>
Exterior only:  $12 -  Your vehicle enters a modern car wash bay where it receives a soft-cloth wash followed by touch-free air drying.
Full Service Car wash:  To be more detailed and sanitizing in cleaning.  Starting July 1st, the Full Service car wash will cost $42, which means your organization receives $21 for the 50% earnings.
Full service tickets may be used at:  1672 Route 9, Clifton Park, 1757 Central Avenue, Colonie, and 753 New Loudon Road, Latham (Cannot be used at the exit 15 location).  Order forms and an explanation of services will be on your fundraising page from the ‘Print Order Form’ link.
Any Questions??  Call or email Lynne Blake at 518 885 9821 or LBlake@nycap.rr.com 
 
Take a Daycation at one of UNY’s Camp & Retreat Centers
     We are happy to announce that the Upper New York Camp & Retreat Centers are welcoming families to enjoy the beauty and splendor of their sites with Daycations.  Come explore each site-the daycations include games, activities, sports, and craft stations.  Call or email to register to attend the site(s) you are interested in.
     Sky Lake’s daycation will be August 30.  Call 607-467-2750 or email info@skylakecenter.org.
     Each Daycation is $15 per person and no more than $60 per family.
     Also, don’t forget that Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center is offering “Play for the Day” on August 22 and 29.  Call 315-364-8756 or email info@casowasco.org.
  
Have a blessed week

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