In-Person Service is Cancelled for Dec. 6
Due to the current rate of positive COVID-19 tests of 3.9% in Saratoga County and 4.1% in the Capital Region, the decision has been made to close the church for in-person worship this week. We will regularly update you about future worship services by email, on our webpage, and by Facebook.
All Sunday services will continue to be posted on Facebook and on our website. Stay tuned for news about a YouTube channel as well.
The safety of our people and the community as a whole is our most important consideration; we don’t take this decision lightly. If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Pastor Kelly at 309-3737 or via email at [email protected].
Thank You
Thank you to the people who did such a beautiful job decorating the sanctuary for the Advent season. The angel mobile is beautiful, the greenery and lights, the Advent wreath and the crèche are all helping us all feel happy anticipation. Our journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Christ has begun. Just imagine how inviting it will look on the internet!
Advent Devotional Booklets
Advent Devotional booklets were given out last Sunday, the first week in Advent. People may call the office to be sent one by mail.
Pastor Kelly’s Christmas Gift
Up until Christmas, in lieu of collecting for a gift for Pastor Kelly, it is requested that a donation be made to BACA in her honor. Checks can be made out payable to our Church with the notation in the memo line that it is for BACA.
Invitation to Discuss Social Justice Issues
This is the final week for our Bible study and discussion time. The topic and time will be Thursday, December 10 at 7 pm, Seeing Justice Through God’s Eyes.
Contact Pastor Kelly (518) 309-3737 or the church office (518) 885-6886 if you wish to be sent a Zoom invitation.
Sunday School News
Many Advent surprise packages were given out to our children and youth last Sunday and others were delivered in person. Each package contained a daily devotions book, coloring pages, an Advent game, an Advent calendar, and a craft. We will be posting pictures online of what was included in each packet, plus pictures of the varieties of devotionals given to the various families based on kids’ ages. We encourage families to post pictures to our church’s Facebook of what you make (and are doing) in your countdown to Christmas.
Weekly Services and Sermons on Facebook
The service is posted weekly on our Facebook page and on the Recent Posts page of this site. The sermon manuscript is also posted on this site under the Blog heading. If you do not have access to any of those resources, 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.
Worship Schedule for Advent
December 13 - Third Sunday in Advent
Scripture: Luke 2:26-38
Sermon: “Joy Unspeakable”
Theme: Joy
Music:
December 20 - Fourth Sunday in Advent
Scripture: Luke 2:1-7, Isaiah 61:1-4
Sermon: “Love for All this Christmas”
Theme: Love
December 24 - Christmas Eve (7 pm)
Lessons and Carols
December 27 - First Sunday of Christmas
Christmas Songs
Find Daily Devotions On-line
Devotional resources are one of the needs identified by pastors and other local church leaders in recent research conducted by United Methodist Communications.
The Upper Room and the National Council of Churches are among the United Methodist and ecumenical agencies producing daily devotions online.
The Upper Room: Morning prayer on Facebook, daily, 11 am CDT; Daily Devotionals from The Upper Room Magazine.
National Council of Churches: Prayer and scripture posted daily throughout the pandemic.
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.
Special Request Received – Irv LaDucer
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Our Dad/Pa is at Wesley and is basically locked down. He needs to remain in his room with the door closed 24/7 as someone tested positive for COVID-19 on his floor. Needless to say, he is going stir crazy! We have a favor: if you send out Christmas cards, would you add him to your list? Getting cards would certainly give him something to look forward to and could really help lift his spirits! Even if you don’t know him personally, the idea that someone took the time to send him a card would mean so much! Or, if you have a child at home who loves to draw or color pictures, he would LOVE that, too! Thanks so much for your support. We really appreciate it!
His address is:
Irv LaDucer
C/O Wesley Healthcare Center
3 Springs, Room 303
131 Lawrence Street
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
The Food Pantry Needs Your Help
Food insecurity is very real during this time. If you are someone who is in this situation, please feel free to come to the Church House on Wednesday between 9:30 and 11:30 to receive food. If you are able to help, please consider giving either a monetary donation or something from the below list. If you are able to donate your time, please give the office a call and give your availability. Thank you for your help and giving.
Pantry Items Needed
Fair Trade
We had a great response to our request for orders of coffee, tea, cocoa, and Dark Chocolate Bars during November. Sales were $245 and there are still some Panama Extra Dark and Orange Bars left if folks are still interested in some before Christmas. Of course, we still have regular coffee, tea (regular, green, and decaf), and hot cocoa for sale, as well. Please contact Stan Lockwood at 518-885-1552 if you are interested. Many thanks to all who have supported this ministry through purchases of Fair Trade items.
Falling Leaves 5K
On November 17th, Stan Lockwood presented a check for $2,200 to Leigha Rosenberger of the Veterans and Community Housing Coalition for their veterans’ homes in Ballston Spa (Vet House for men and Guardian House for women). She was very appreciative of BSUMCs continued support of their programs. We received a thank you letter from Cheryl Hage-Perez the following week. Stan sent thank you letters to each of our four sponsors that generously supported our charity of choice even though our run was cancelled this year.
The Navajo People Thank You
Ilah Sisson Walser shares that she received a thank you card from the Navajo people. It reads:
Thank you so very much for the box of hand-knitted caps.
As soon as the box arrived, we had folks come into our office looking for caps to keep their heads warm. We know the weather will only get colder here, so we were excited to be able to hand out the caps.
With your lovely caps we will touch many lives and make a difference. Many folks will truly be warm this winter especially with the caps on their heads.
Thank you for touching lives and making a difference in the name of Jesus, our Grace and Peace.
Rev. Tweedy Navarrete, Executive Director
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
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 the fundraising page from the ‘Print Order Form’ link.
Any Questions?? Call or email Lynne Blake at 518-885-9821 or [email protected]
Office News
At last month’s Church Council meeting it was approved to purchase a copier for the office and this has been done. The previous copier was a rental, and our contract has expired. The new copier should prove to be more economical, due to there being no monthly rental fees or usage limitations. It should meet our needs nicely.
Reports Due
Committee chairpersons: the end-of-year report for your committee is due to the office by January 15, 2021. Reports will be gladly accepted before that time.
Music for Services
At present, we are not permitted to sing hymns as a congregation, so we would like to feature instrumentalists as much as possible. If you are interested in playing during the service, please contact Cathy King at 518 584-2865 or [email protected] with your availability. She would need a few dates that work for you so she can schedule things appropriately.
Many thanks for sharing your gifts of music!
Have a blessed week
Due to the current rate of positive COVID-19 tests of 3.9% in Saratoga County and 4.1% in the Capital Region, the decision has been made to close the church for in-person worship this week. We will regularly update you about future worship services by email, on our webpage, and by Facebook.
All Sunday services will continue to be posted on Facebook and on our website. Stay tuned for news about a YouTube channel as well.
The safety of our people and the community as a whole is our most important consideration; we don’t take this decision lightly. If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Pastor Kelly at 309-3737 or via email at [email protected].
Thank You
Thank you to the people who did such a beautiful job decorating the sanctuary for the Advent season. The angel mobile is beautiful, the greenery and lights, the Advent wreath and the crèche are all helping us all feel happy anticipation. Our journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Christ has begun. Just imagine how inviting it will look on the internet!
Advent Devotional Booklets
Advent Devotional booklets were given out last Sunday, the first week in Advent. People may call the office to be sent one by mail.
Pastor Kelly’s Christmas Gift
Up until Christmas, in lieu of collecting for a gift for Pastor Kelly, it is requested that a donation be made to BACA in her honor. Checks can be made out payable to our Church with the notation in the memo line that it is for BACA.
Invitation to Discuss Social Justice Issues
This is the final week for our Bible study and discussion time. The topic and time will be Thursday, December 10 at 7 pm, Seeing Justice Through God’s Eyes.
Contact Pastor Kelly (518) 309-3737 or the church office (518) 885-6886 if you wish to be sent a Zoom invitation.
Sunday School News
Many Advent surprise packages were given out to our children and youth last Sunday and others were delivered in person. Each package contained a daily devotions book, coloring pages, an Advent game, an Advent calendar, and a craft. We will be posting pictures online of what was included in each packet, plus pictures of the varieties of devotionals given to the various families based on kids’ ages. We encourage families to post pictures to our church’s Facebook of what you make (and are doing) in your countdown to Christmas.
Weekly Services and Sermons on Facebook
The service is posted weekly on our Facebook page and on the Recent Posts page of this site. The sermon manuscript is also posted on this site under the Blog heading. If you do not have access to any of those resources, 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.
Worship Schedule for Advent
December 13 - Third Sunday in Advent
Scripture: Luke 2:26-38
Sermon: “Joy Unspeakable”
Theme: Joy
Music:
- “All Is Well” - Dorothy Collins
- “Angels Sing” - Kelly Schmidt & Mark Warner
December 20 - Fourth Sunday in Advent
Scripture: Luke 2:1-7, Isaiah 61:1-4
Sermon: “Love for All this Christmas”
Theme: Love
December 24 - Christmas Eve (7 pm)
Lessons and Carols
December 27 - First Sunday of Christmas
Christmas Songs
Find Daily Devotions On-line
Devotional resources are one of the needs identified by pastors and other local church leaders in recent research conducted by United Methodist Communications.
The Upper Room and the National Council of Churches are among the United Methodist and ecumenical agencies producing daily devotions online.
The Upper Room: Morning prayer on Facebook, daily, 11 am CDT; Daily Devotionals from The Upper Room Magazine.
National Council of Churches: Prayer and scripture posted daily throughout the pandemic.
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.
- Prayers are requested for Dorothy Collins who has some health concerns.
- Walter Thiem had successful surgery for a small brain tumor Thursday; biopsy results are expected early next week. Please pray for a healthy recovery.
- Another joy is that Walter’s father Al arrived home over the weekend, rejoining his family after a long absence related to his military service. That safe homecoming is another answered prayer.
- Cherrie Sanders asks, “Please pray for my friend Marcia’s aunt. She has some very serious medical issues.”
- Ilah Sisson Walser asks: “I have a young friend who is a teacher in New Hampshire who has COVID. Prayers for her as well as all teachers who are working through this pandemic. Prayers for health and strength. Lord, hear our prayer.”
- Please pray for Kathy Haege who remains hospitalized with leukemia. She is out of ICU and recently had her first chemo treatment. She expects to remain in the hospital for a few more weeks. Also prayers for her husband Bill during this difficult time.
- Prayers are needed for Pat Jones who had pneumonia.
- Please pray for Melissa who is experiencing medical issues.
- Keep Bob Elbertson in your prayers.
- Gary DiLallo, who served this congregation as a Lay Pastor a few years ago, passed away on November 21st. Please keep his wife Carol, his family, and his friends in your prayers.
Special Request Received – Irv LaDucer
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Our Dad/Pa is at Wesley and is basically locked down. He needs to remain in his room with the door closed 24/7 as someone tested positive for COVID-19 on his floor. Needless to say, he is going stir crazy! We have a favor: if you send out Christmas cards, would you add him to your list? Getting cards would certainly give him something to look forward to and could really help lift his spirits! Even if you don’t know him personally, the idea that someone took the time to send him a card would mean so much! Or, if you have a child at home who loves to draw or color pictures, he would LOVE that, too! Thanks so much for your support. We really appreciate it!
His address is:
Irv LaDucer
C/O Wesley Healthcare Center
3 Springs, Room 303
131 Lawrence Street
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
The Food Pantry Needs Your Help
Food insecurity is very real during this time. If you are someone who is in this situation, please feel free to come to the Church House on Wednesday between 9:30 and 11:30 to receive food. If you are able to help, please consider giving either a monetary donation or something from the below list. If you are able to donate your time, please give the office a call and give your availability. Thank you for your help and giving.
Pantry Items Needed
- Green canned vegetables
- Macaroni and cheese
- Tuna
- Pasta (box, bag, and side dishes)
- Jelly
- Juice
- Chicken Breast (canned)
- Syrup
- Rice (box, bag, and side dishes)
- Cookies
- Condiments
- Crackers
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Personal hygiene items, including feminine products
Fair Trade
We had a great response to our request for orders of coffee, tea, cocoa, and Dark Chocolate Bars during November. Sales were $245 and there are still some Panama Extra Dark and Orange Bars left if folks are still interested in some before Christmas. Of course, we still have regular coffee, tea (regular, green, and decaf), and hot cocoa for sale, as well. Please contact Stan Lockwood at 518-885-1552 if you are interested. Many thanks to all who have supported this ministry through purchases of Fair Trade items.
Falling Leaves 5K
On November 17th, Stan Lockwood presented a check for $2,200 to Leigha Rosenberger of the Veterans and Community Housing Coalition for their veterans’ homes in Ballston Spa (Vet House for men and Guardian House for women). She was very appreciative of BSUMCs continued support of their programs. We received a thank you letter from Cheryl Hage-Perez the following week. Stan sent thank you letters to each of our four sponsors that generously supported our charity of choice even though our run was cancelled this year.
The Navajo People Thank You
Ilah Sisson Walser shares that she received a thank you card from the Navajo people. It reads:
Thank you so very much for the box of hand-knitted caps.
As soon as the box arrived, we had folks come into our office looking for caps to keep their heads warm. We know the weather will only get colder here, so we were excited to be able to hand out the caps.
With your lovely caps we will touch many lives and make a difference. Many folks will truly be warm this winter especially with the caps on their heads.
Thank you for touching lives and making a difference in the name of Jesus, our Grace and Peace.
Rev. Tweedy Navarrete, Executive Director
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
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 the fundraising page from the ‘Print Order Form’ link.
Any Questions?? Call or email Lynne Blake at 518-885-9821 or [email protected]
Office News
At last month’s Church Council meeting it was approved to purchase a copier for the office and this has been done. The previous copier was a rental, and our contract has expired. The new copier should prove to be more economical, due to there being no monthly rental fees or usage limitations. It should meet our needs nicely.
Reports Due
Committee chairpersons: the end-of-year report for your committee is due to the office by January 15, 2021. Reports will be gladly accepted before that time.
Music for Services
At present, we are not permitted to sing hymns as a congregation, so we would like to feature instrumentalists as much as possible. If you are interested in playing during the service, please contact Cathy King at 518 584-2865 or [email protected] with your availability. She would need a few dates that work for you so she can schedule things appropriately.
Many thanks for sharing your gifts of music!
Have a blessed week