​Ballston Spa United Methodist Church
  • Home
  • The Latest
    • Recent posts
    • June 18 Scripture
    • May 28 message
    • May 21 message
    • May 14 message
    • April 23 message
    • April 16 message
    • April 9 (Easter) message
    • March 26 message
    • March 19 message
    • March 12 message
    • March 5 message
    • February 26 message >
      • February 26 handout
    • February 19 message
    • February 12 message
    • February 5 message
    • January 29 message
    • January 22 message
    • January 15 message
    • January 8 message
    • January 1 message
    • December 18 message
    • December 11 message
    • November 27 message
    • November 20 message
    • October 30 message
    • October 23 message
    • October 16 message
    • October 2 message
    • September 25 message
    • September 11 message
    • September 4 message
    • August 28 message
    • August 14 message
    • August 7 message
    • July 31 message
    • July 24 message
    • July 17 message
    • July 10 message
    • July 3 message
    • June 5 message
    • May 22 message
    • May 15 message
    • May 8 message
    • May 1 message
    • April 24 message
    • April 17 message
    • April 3 message
    • March 27 message
    • March 20 message
    • March 13 message
    • March 6 message
    • February 27 message
    • February 20 message
    • February 13 message
    • February 6 message
    • January 30 message
    • January 23 message
    • January 16 message
    • January 2 message
    • December 19 message
    • December 5 message
    • November 28 message
    • November 14 message
    • November 7 message
    • October 31 message
    • October 17 message
    • October 10 message
    • October 3 message
    • September 26 message
    • September 19 message
    • September 12 message
    • January 17 message
    • September 5 message
    • August 29 message
    • August 22 message
    • August 8 message
    • August 1 message
    • July 25 message
    • July 18 message
    • July 11 message
    • July 11 Scripture
    • June 27 message
    • June 13 message
    • June 6 message
    • May 9 message
    • May 2 message
    • April 25 message
    • April 18 message
    • April 11 message
    • April 4 message
    • March 21 message
    • March 14 message
    • March 7 message
    • February 28 message
    • February 21 message
    • February 14 message
    • January 31 message
    • January 24 message
    • January 10 message
    • January 3 message
    • December 13 message
    • December 6 message
    • November 29 message
    • November 15 message
    • November 1 message
    • October 11 message
    • Sept 13 message
    • Sept 6 message
    • Aug 30 message
    • Aug 23 message
    • Aug 16 message
    • July 26 message
    • July 12 Message
    • July 5 message
    • June 28 message
    • May 24 message
  • Videos
    • This week's service
    • Worship videos 2023
    • Worship videos 2022
    • Worship videos 2021
  • About Us
    • Church Staff
    • Church Directions
    • How to reach us
    • History
  • Ministry Matters
    • Announcements >
      • Ministry Matters June 11
      • Ministry Matters June 4
      • Ministry Matters May 28
      • Ministry Matters May 21
      • Ministry Matters May 14
      • Ministry Matters May 7
      • Ministry Matters April 23
      • Ministry Matters April 16
      • Ministry Matters April 9
      • Ministry Matters April 2
      • Ministry Matters March 26
      • Ministry Matters March 19
      • Ministry Matters March 12
      • Ministry Matters March 5
      • Ministry Matters February 26
      • Ministry Matters February 19
      • Ministry Matters February 12
      • Ministry Matters February 5
      • Ministry Matters January 29
      • Ministry Matters January 22
      • Ministry Matters January 15
      • Ministry Matters January 8
      • Ministry Matters January 1
      • Ministry Matters December 18
      • Ministry Matters December 11
      • Ministry Matters November 27
      • Ministry Matters November 20
      • Ministry Matters November 6
      • Ministry Matters October 23
      • Ministry Matters October 9
      • Ministry Matters October 2
      • Ministry Matters September 25
      • Ministry Matters September 11
      • Ministry Matters September 4
      • Ministry Matters August 28
      • Ministry Matters August 21
      • Ministry Matters August 14
      • Ministry Matters July 31
      • Ministry Matters July 24
      • Ministry Matters July 17
      • Ministry Matters July 3
      • Ministry Matters June 26
      • Ministry Matters June 19
      • Ministry Matters June 12
      • Ministry Matters June 5
      • Ministry Matters May 29
      • Ministry Matters May 22
      • Ministry Matters May 15
      • Ministry Matters May 8
      • Ministry Matters May 1
      • Ministry Matters April 24
      • Ministry Matters April 17
      • Ministry Matters April 10
      • Ministry Matters April 3
      • Ministry Matters March 27
      • Ministry Matters March 20
      • Ministry Matters March 13
      • Ministry Matters March 6
      • Ministry Matters February 27
      • Ministry Matters February 20
      • Ministry Matters February 13
      • Ministry Matters February 6
      • Ministry Matters January 30
      • Ministry Matters January 23
      • Ministry Matters January 16
      • Ministry Matters January 9
      • Ministry Matters January 2
      • Ministry Matters December 12
      • Ministry Matters December 5
      • Ministry Matters November 28
      • Ministry Matters November 21
      • Ministry Matters November 14
      • Ministry Matters November 7
      • Ministry Matters October 31
      • Ministry Matters October 17
      • Ministry Matters October 10
      • Ministry Matters October 3
      • Ministry Matters September 26 >
        • Understanding the UMC Budget
      • Ministry Matters September 19
      • Ministry Matters September 12
      • Ministry Matters September 5
      • Ministry Matters August 29
      • Ministry Matters August 22
      • Ministry Matters August 1
      • Ministry Matters July 25
      • Ministry Matters July 18
      • Ministry Matters July 11
      • Ministry Matters June 27
      • Ministry Matters June 13
      • Ministry Matters June 6
      • Ministry Matters May 30
      • Ministry Matters May 23
      • Ministry Matters May 9
      • Ministry Matters May 2
      • Ministry Matters April 25
      • Ministry Matters April 18
      • Ministry Matters April 11
      • Ministry Matters April 4
      • Ministry Matters March 28
      • Ministry Matters March 21
      • Ministry Matters March 14
      • Ministry Matters March 7
      • Ministry Matters February 28
      • Ministry Matters February 21
      • Ministry Matters February 14
      • Ministry Matters February 7
      • Ministry Matters January 31
      • Ministry Matters January 24
      • Ministry Matters January 17
      • Ministry Matters January 10
      • Ministry Matters January 3
      • Ministry Matters December 20
      • Ministry Matters December 13
      • Ministry Matters December 6
      • Ministry Matters November 29
      • Ministry Matters November 22
      • Ministry Matters November 15
      • Ministry Matters November 8
      • Ministry Matters November 1
      • Ministry Matters October 25
      • Ministry Matters October 18
      • Ministry Matters October 11
      • Ministry Matters October 4
      • Ministry Matters September 27
      • Ministry Matters September 20
      • Ministry Matters September 13
      • Ministry Matters August 16
      • Ministry Matters July 12
      • Ministry Matters July 5
      • Ministry Matters June 29
      • Ministry Matters May 31
      • Ministry Matters May 24
      • Ministry Matters May 16
      • Ministry Matters May 7
      • Ministry Matters April 30
      • Ministry Matters 4/23/20
  • How We Serve
    • Food Pantry
    • Clothing Thrift Shop
    • Prayer Shawl Ministry
    • Outreach Mission Ministries
    • Fair Trade Coffee
    • Regional Food Bank Trip
    • Falling Leaves 5K Run
    • 2019 Falling Leaves 5K Run
    • Bright Red Book Shelf
    • Summer Lunch Program
  • Giving
    • Online giving
    • Sign up for automatic giving
    • Through On-line Purchasing
  • Resources
    • Safe Sanctuary Policy
    • Links
    • Forms
    • Photos & Videos
Picture
     Welcome as we worship online and in person.  Share a warm welcome to 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.  We ask that you maintain social distancing to keep everyone safe. 
 
August 21 service
     Thank you to Barbara Hurley from Round Lake UMC for leading us in worship on Sunday.  Welcome back!  

Bishop's Retirement Announcement
Dear Friends,
     Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
     After a season of prayer and discernment, I have made the decision to retire from the active episcopacy on Dec. 31, 2022. On Sunday, I submitted my request for retirement to the Northeastern Jurisdiction and the Council of Bishops.
     I have not made this decision lightly and it is the right one for personal and spiritual reasons. The divide within the United Methodist Church has lessened my joy for this role and changed my sense of whether my gifts, convictions, and leadership as a residential Bishop are best for the United Methodist Church in the future. The writer of Ecclesiastes says: “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” 
     Jodi and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to serve with and among the people of Upper New York over these last 10 years. We look forward to returning to Pennsylvania to be closer to our children and other family.
     Over the next few months, I will continue to offer all I can to assist leaders and congregations of Upper New York in preparing for days of ministry ahead that will honor God, boldly share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and increase God’s kingdom. The mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” continues.
     Thank you for praying for us and be assured of our ongoing prayers for each of you.
With gratitude and love, 
Mark J. Webb

Church Building Restoration Fund
     We are still collecting to help defray the costs of the restoration project on the church building.  We have not yet met our financial needs; any help you may give will be greatly appreciated.    You can give online by clicking here (use the pull down menu to give to the Restoration Fund) OR give with cash or check through the weekly offering, or mail your contribution to the church at 101 Milton Ave.  Please clearly identify that the money is to be used for the Church Building Restoration Fund.  Thank you for your support.

Our Food Pantry Needs Your Help
     Due to higher food costs, stocking our Food Pantry has become more difficult.  Monthly donations that were received in the past are no longer available.  With about 19 families each week using our services, this is a serious issue.  If you are able to help, donations may be brought to the Food Pantry during office hours or placed in the box in the back of the sanctuary on Sunday morning.  Some suggestions of needed items are peanut butter, cereal, ketchup, macaroni and cheese, vegetable oil, salad dressing, juice, crackers, spaghetti sauce, and elbow macaroni.  Monetary donations are always accepted and may be sent to the church with “Food Pantry” on the subject line of the check.  Your help is greatly appreciated.

Music Ministries
     John Wesley encouraged the early Methodists to "sing lustily and with good courage", an instruction that became a characteristic of Methodism.  If you would like to help enhance and expand our music ministries, see Cathy King after church or email her at [email protected].

Active Missions
     We are collecting empty prescription bottles for reuse.  The labels need to be removed, the bottles washed out and dried, and packed into large zip lock bags.  We are also collecting the pull-tabs from cans for the Ronald McDonald House Charities.  There’s a collection container in the Connections Café for each of these.  Thank you for the great response! 

Fall Mission
     In September, we will start collecting for the Red Bird Mission Collection.  This is something we did last year with great success.  Shoeboxes will be filled with hygiene supplies and small gifts to send to the Red Bird Mission.  You may donate supplies or fill a box on your own…the choice is yours.  For more information, please contact Ilah Sisson Walser, 518-885-1275.

And Flowers Too!
     Also coming in September, Hannaford has selected the BSUMC Food Pantry as the recipient of their Bloomin’ 4 Good Program.  The Food Pantry will receive $1 from every Bloomin’ 4 Good bouquet sold during September at the Hannaford located at 43 Round Lake Road in Ballston Lake.  Each bouquet must display the Bloomin’ 4 Good label.  Please consider buying that special someone some flowers…and help the Food Pantry too!

UMCOR Thanks You
     Thank you!  Through your financial support, you are serving within a vital network of interactive relationships as UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) responds to increasingly-frequent and destructive catastrophes – sharing 100% of donated funds with those in need.  Together, may we continue to reveal the love of God for all people and to demonstrate genuine love for our neighbors.                                                                                                                          
Roland Fernandes, General Secretary

Fair Trade
     We still have Breakfast Blend and Hazelnut Coffee, Decaf Coffee, tea and hot cocoa for sale.  If interested, please contact Stan Lockwood (518.885.1552 0r [email protected]) .  The dark chocolate bars are gone but will return in the fall. Thank you to those who support this ministry at BSUMC.
 
​Did You Know?
     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 (https://www.ballstonspaumchurch.org/this-weeks-service.html), which is where the service is posted weekly. This would be spreading the Word of God, as we are told to do in the Bible.  

Virtual Coffee Hour 
We are pausing our virtual Coffee Hour during the summer months.

Thrift Shop and Food Pantry
     The Thrift Shop is open Tuesdays from 9:30 till noon; the Food Pantry is open on Wednesdays, 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.

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:
  • Melody Babcock asks for prayers for good results of her brain scan.
  • Please continue to pray for Pat Brewster and her family as they grieve the loss of her daughter, Sherrie.  They are grateful for our prayers and loving support.   
  • Prayers for people in transition – in their homes, jobs or lives.
  • Prayers for Ann Marie Williams to return to health and continued prayers of healing for her daughter following her serious car accident.
  • Prayers for Beverly Clark who had a serious heart attack.
  • Bob Mundell died on August 5.  Prayers for his wife Suzanne and son Scott.
  • Please continue to keep Bob Elbertson, Bill Haege, Marilynn Peterson, and Pat Jones in your prayers.

Please reach out to people who are alone during this time.  A card or phone call will let them know they are not alone or forgotten.

Supporting the humanitarian response in Ukraine
     The General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church is deeply troubled by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the ominous implications it has for escalating tensions between Russia and Western nations.  They join many Christian leaders and organizations worldwide in deploring the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, and they ardently pray for a redirection of military action toward diplomatic measures to resolve grievances.
     The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the humanitarian relief arm of Global Ministries, is in communication with partners in the region and actively exploring the coordination of humanitarian response in Ukraine.  You can support UMCOR’s international disaster response efforts by writing a check with either Advance#982450/Ukraine or UMCOR/Ukraine written in the memo line, or by visiting UMCOR's disaster response webpage.
 
Purchase Hoffman Car Wash Tickets to Help Ukraine
     The Helping Hands/Hoffman car wash site is active if you would like to purchase car wash tickets!  BSUMC + Hoffman Car Wash + UMCOR Ukraine.  Buy car wash tickets and our church receives 50% of the sale!!  100% of the money BSUMC receives will go to UMCOR Ukraine.  WIN - WIN!!!  Clean Car and money to help the people of Ukraine.  These car wash tickets never expire!!  Purchase for teachers, babysitters, newspaper deliverers, gifts, etc.  
    Click here to purchase on-line and print out your car wash coupons immediately. Make sure the UPC code is showing BEFORE printing.
  • Exterior only:  $13 - 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:  $43 - Your vehicle first receives an Exterior Car Wash.  Car care attendants then vacuum the carpets, seats and ashtrays and wipe the interior windows, dashboard and doorjambs.  Finally, they add an air freshener of your choice, and the exterior of your vehicle is hand dried. 
Full service tickets cannot be used at the exit 15 location but may be used at:
  • 1672 Route 9, Clifton Park
  • 1757 Central Avenue, Colonie
  • 753 New Loudon Road, Latham 
Any Questions?  Call/email Lynne Blake at 518-885-9821 or [email protected].  

Upcoming Events
​
August 24 - Trustee meeting, 6:30 pm 
August 19-25 - Pastor Kelly on vacation
October 3 - Church Conference at Malta Ridge UMC, 6 pm

Celebrations!
     If you have a birthday, anniversary, or graduation to celebrate, please send it to the office.  We love to celebrate!
Only one birthday this week: John Cummings (8/22). Happy birthday to you!
​
     And two anniversaries:
  • Sherry & Kevin Grentzer (8/24)
  • Linda & John Sheeran (8/25)
Happy anniversary to all of you!

Next week in worship:
Sound                         
Mark Warner
Projection                 AJ Schmidt
Liturgist                    George Wilson
Ushers                        Mary Drake & George Mallette
Music                          Cathy King
Coffee Hour             Cherrie Sanders & Bill Santmire

If you would like to volunteer to help with Sunday services or Coffee Hour, please contact Ruth Persons after church. 

​​​Have a blessed week

Like us on Facebook:

Visit our Facebook Page:

© 2023 Ballston Spa United Methodist Church. 101 Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa, NY 12020
E-Mail: