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Picture
     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. 
​
Food Pantry Dedication
      On Sunday, February 26, we dedicated & celebrated our new Food Pantry facility with coffee hour downstairs.  We appreciate all who came and all who brought a food item to donate.  We continue to welcome donations; the need is great, and the shelves are emptied more frequently.

February Mission
     Dental Health Month, when we collected dental health items for the Food Pantry, is wrapping up.  Thanks to all who contributed during this month of special focus.  Even though the mission project has completed, you're welcome to donate items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash in the white wicker basket at the back of the sanctuary.
     Thank you for your caring and generosity.

Applebee’s Fundraiser
     We are taking orders for Applebee’s gift cards.   The cards are for $15, $25 or $50, and you may order as many cards as you would like.  In return, we will receive 10% back to the church.  This is not limited to church members.  Your friends and family may also participate.  As an extra incentive, if we sell $5,000 or more in gift cards, we will receive a $500 catering credit!  Please contact Sue Cramer to place your orders with payment at 518-598-4544 or bsumc@albany.twcbc.com.  This offer will end on March 29. 
 
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.

Bishop Hector Welcomes You
     As of January 1, Bishop Hector Burgos, who prefers to be addressed as Bishop Hector, is the new bishop of the Upper New York Conference.  Click here to read his welcome message.
     Bishop Hector is eager to meet laity and clergy throughout the Conference and has scheduled dates for regional meetings.  The remaining local meeting will be held on March 2 at Plattsburgh UMC. The clergy meetings will be from 1 – 3 pm.
The laity meetings will be from 7 – 8:30 pm.
 
Fair Trade Coffee or Chocolate
     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!
 
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.
  • Ruth Persons asks for prayers for her mom and husband Gary who need prayers for their health.  She celebrates the Tending the Soul retreat next weekend and prays for safe travels there and back.
  • Cherrie Sanders and Bill Santmire got engaged on Valentine’s Day.  Prayers of joy for them.
  • Prayers for the Carter family.
  • Prayers are requested for the families of people killed by the earthquake
  • Ilah Sisson Walser asks for continued prayers for the improvement of health and wellbeing for her son-in-law who is now home from the hospital.
  • Bill Santmire asks for prayers for a procedure he is having February 28.
  • Claire Williams asks for prayers for a friend’s mother who has stage 4 bone cancer.
  • Stan and Donna Lockwood ask for prayers for two of their neighbors:  one young man of 54 years who has inoperable cancer and another man who is receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments for brain cancer.
  • Mary Drake asks for continued prayers for her nephew Charlie as he continues his chemo and radiation treatments.  Grateful for today, because tomorrow is never promised!
  • Dorothy Collins asks for prayers for her friend Amy’s dad who is in the hospital having heart surgery.  Also, prayers for the family.
  • Dorothy Collins also asks for prayers for her friend Susan’s husband who is also in the hospital.

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.

Hannaford Helps Our Food Pantry
     Our Food Pantry has been selected again to receive $1 from every $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger Bag sold during the month of March 2023 at Hannaford at 11 Trieble Avenue, Ballston Spa.  Help us feed others.

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
March 14 - Church Council, 7 pm (via Zoom)

Celebrations!
Here are this week's birthdays:
  • Melanie Lotto (2/26)
  • Jonathan Blake (2/29)
  • Ava Barr (3/1)
  • Elana Lotto (3/1)
  • Katie Lovelass (3/4)
Happy birthday to you all! Melanie and David Lotto celebrate their anniversary on March 1.  Happy anniversary to you both! 

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

Volunteers for Next Sunday
Sound                    Riley Schmidt
Projection            Derek Costanzo
Liturgist                Ann Marie Williams
Ushers                    Mary Drake & Conrad Dorau
Coffee Hour         Kelly Schmidt & Carol Markley
Music                     Terri Knowlton

Community news
     The Malta Ridge UMC, 729 Malta Ave. Ext. Malta Ridge, will host a free soup and sandwich lunch from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm on Saturday, March 11.  All are welcome.  For additional information or directions please call the church at (518) 581-0210.


     The Saratoga Springs UMC, 175 Fifth Ave., will be hosting a Corned Beef dinner on Saturday, March 11 from 4:30 PM to 6 PM. Cost: Free-will donation. 
 
     The Burnt Hills United Methodist Church will be hosting a book study facilitated by Lisa Puckey on the book, The Savvy Ally: A Guide For Becoming A Skilled LGBTQ+ Advocate.  This will be offered in person and virtually.  A limited supply of books can be purchased through our church, or it can be purchased on your own.
    Anyone who is interested in this topic as related to their families, friends, and/or profession is welcome to join us.  It is relevant to any service provider who interacts with the public as well as educators and others!
 
     Initial grants to UMCOR 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.



​​​​Have a blessed week

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