Important Announcement
We ask that people continue to be masked as they enter or leave the church. If vaccinated, you may now be unmasked when seated and singing. Coloring sheets are available for children and are located on the table as you enter the church. Please maintain social distancing. Please help to keep everyone safe.
This Journey through Lent could change your life!
You’re invited (and encouraged) to watch the 8-episode television drama called “The Chosen”. It’s a television drama based on the life of Jesus; the richly detailed scenes and gifted actors bring to life key moments like Jesus’ first miracle at a wedding, the calling of his disciples, healing the sick, preaching about the kingdom of God, performing miracles, teaching the Lord’s Prayer, encounters with Jewish religious leaders, and sharing in a Passover meal.
If you’ve read and cherished the stories about Jesus for many years now, or if you’re just beginning to learn and explore who Jesus is and why He matters, you’ll likely be amazed by this series. It has received high praise from many viewers.
The videos will be shown in the sanctuary on Wednesdays starting February 23.This week only, the video will be presented after the 7 PM Ash Wednesday service, at approximately 7:30 PM.
This week we'll be viewing Episode 2, "Shabbat". The suggested readings for background before viewing are Deuteronomy 5:12-14 and Leviticus 23.
For more information about all the ways to watch and participate in this study, click here.
Thrift Shop and Food Pantry
Good news! The Thrift Shop has reopened on Tuesdays from 9:30 am until noon. There are lots of winter clothing available. Come shop and say hello to the ladies who make it all possible! As of March 1st join us for our March Madness Sale: everything you can fit in a bag for $1.
The Food Pantry has bagged offerings for our clientele to limit the threat of spreading Covid. We hope to return to the regular way of doing things in a few weeks.
Thank you to the people who donate their time and effort to make all of these offerings possible.Sunday School This Quarter
Upcoming dates for classes will be February 27 and March 13 and 27.
Church Building Restoration Fund
The next phase of our church restoration will start in the spring. Please contribute to help us pay the remaining $65,000 of the project. Although there are investments which were received through generous bequests, the cost of these repairs would significantly deplete church investments. 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. Please clearly identify that the money is to be used for the Church Building Restoration Fund. Thank you for your support.
February Mission
Last call for contributions to the February mission project! February is Dental Health month so we will be collecting toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, and toothbrushes during this month. Also during this month, we will be collecting monetary gifts to support our frontline medical professionals through FLAG (Front Line Appreciation Group), a group associated with the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce. Those monetary gifts may be made by check to the BSUMC noting clearly in the memo line for FLAG donation.
As always, we appreciate your generosity and caring by extending the love of Christ into the world.
Fair Trade
We have placed an order to restock our coffee and dark chocolate bars in advance of an upcoming price increase on most Fair Trade products in February. So please consider ordering some more dark chocolate bars for Valentine's Day. We also have regular and decaf coffee, teas, and dark hot cocoa. Just call or email Stan Lockwood to make arrangements (518.885.1552 0r stosh964@gmail.com) . 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 Recent Posts page of this site (https://www.ballstonspaumchurch.org/recent-posts), 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.
Sunday Coffee Hour is on ZOOM or by Phone
Join us for the 9:00 am Sunday Coffee Fellowship on Zoom. Please meet by computer or phone by connecting with the following information:
In the Zoom app or by phone at 929-205-6099, you can use Meeting ID: 963 0143 0502 / Passcode: 956579. Or simply click here to join Zoom Meeting.
A Note from Thelma
Thank you to my church family for the prayers, cards, and calls. Receiving this means so much.
– Thelma Armer
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:
Benjamin: Pants (boy's size) 12, Shirts: 12/14, Underwear: 12/14, Shoe Size: Men's 6
Elisabeth: Pants: Juniors small, Shirts: Women's Small / Medium, Underwear: Women's small, Bra: 34B
Thank you for anything that you are able to do.
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.
Upcoming Events
March 2 - Ash Wednesday service, 7 pm; "The Chosen", 7:30 pm
Wednesdays, March 9-April 13 - Lenten Study, “The Chosen” 7 pm
March 13 - Sunday School
March 27 - Sunday School
July 16 - Church Rummage Sale
Celebrations!
We have birthdays to celebrate!
There is also one anniversary: Melanie and David Lotto will be celebrating their anniversary on March 1st.
Next week in worship:
Sound Riley Schmidt
Projection AJ Schmidt
Liturgist Linda Sheeran
Children’s Time Sue Cramer
Ushers Melody Babcock & Conrad Dorau
Music Terri Knowlton
Food Pantry Mary & Patty
If you would like to volunteer to help with Sunday services, please contact Ruth Persons after church.
9th Annual Photo Show
Everyone is invited to participate in this year's Lenten Photo Show, sponsored by the First United Methodist Church in downtown Schenectady at 603 State Street! For five weeks during Lent, a different theme has been chosen. During each of these weeks, FUMC will be accepting one to three photos that the participant has taken that reflect the weekly themes, which are:
March 2-8: Not Understood
March 9-15: Weeping
March 16-22: Unknown
March 23-29: Teacher
March 30-Apr. 5: Seen
Anyone can participate in either or both of two ways:
1. Submit photos that you have taken to: fumcphotoshow@gmail.com with theme and a title/caption
2. View the show on the church's website, Facebook page, and as part of Easter Worship on April 17th.
For more information, visit our website at http://www.fumcschenectady.org, or our Facebook page. Or contact the office at 518-374-4403.
Community News
Financial Assistance Available
Rebuilding Together of Saratoga County has been enlisted by the state to let homeowners know about a grant that will provide them with financial assistance if they are behind in mortgage payments, property taxes, lot rent in mobile home parks, or utilities that put them in danger of foreclosure. If you need financial assistance, you may contact Melissa Murphy, Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator, at 518-587-3315 x102 or Melissa@RTSaratoga.org.
Care Links Volunteers Needed
Senior Citizens in your community are looking for assistance with grocery shopping, transportation appointments and a friendly face to visit them. Call 518-399-3262 to help in Clifton Park, Halfmoon, Ballston, Malta, Charlton and Mechanicville. You can make a difference with just an hour a week.
Captain Community Human Services
The Wellness Express Transportation Program offers transportation to medical appointments for area residents. They operate weekdays between 8 am and 4 pm. Appointments are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests should be made at least one week in advance and is limited to a 50-mile radius from the point of origin. To schedule a ride, call 518-399-3262. The Wellness Express is funded by the Saratoga County Office for the Aging and by the New York State Office for the Aging. Voluntary and confidential contributions are accepted. Services will not be affected because of the inability to contribute.
Have a blessed week
We ask that people continue to be masked as they enter or leave the church. If vaccinated, you may now be unmasked when seated and singing. Coloring sheets are available for children and are located on the table as you enter the church. Please maintain social distancing. Please help to keep everyone safe.
This Journey through Lent could change your life!
You’re invited (and encouraged) to watch the 8-episode television drama called “The Chosen”. It’s a television drama based on the life of Jesus; the richly detailed scenes and gifted actors bring to life key moments like Jesus’ first miracle at a wedding, the calling of his disciples, healing the sick, preaching about the kingdom of God, performing miracles, teaching the Lord’s Prayer, encounters with Jewish religious leaders, and sharing in a Passover meal.
If you’ve read and cherished the stories about Jesus for many years now, or if you’re just beginning to learn and explore who Jesus is and why He matters, you’ll likely be amazed by this series. It has received high praise from many viewers.
The videos will be shown in the sanctuary on Wednesdays starting February 23.This week only, the video will be presented after the 7 PM Ash Wednesday service, at approximately 7:30 PM.
This week we'll be viewing Episode 2, "Shabbat". The suggested readings for background before viewing are Deuteronomy 5:12-14 and Leviticus 23.
For more information about all the ways to watch and participate in this study, click here.
Thrift Shop and Food Pantry
Good news! The Thrift Shop has reopened on Tuesdays from 9:30 am until noon. There are lots of winter clothing available. Come shop and say hello to the ladies who make it all possible! As of March 1st join us for our March Madness Sale: everything you can fit in a bag for $1.
The Food Pantry has bagged offerings for our clientele to limit the threat of spreading Covid. We hope to return to the regular way of doing things in a few weeks.
Thank you to the people who donate their time and effort to make all of these offerings possible.Sunday School This Quarter
Upcoming dates for classes will be February 27 and March 13 and 27.
Church Building Restoration Fund
The next phase of our church restoration will start in the spring. Please contribute to help us pay the remaining $65,000 of the project. Although there are investments which were received through generous bequests, the cost of these repairs would significantly deplete church investments. 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. Please clearly identify that the money is to be used for the Church Building Restoration Fund. Thank you for your support.
February Mission
Last call for contributions to the February mission project! February is Dental Health month so we will be collecting toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, and toothbrushes during this month. Also during this month, we will be collecting monetary gifts to support our frontline medical professionals through FLAG (Front Line Appreciation Group), a group associated with the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce. Those monetary gifts may be made by check to the BSUMC noting clearly in the memo line for FLAG donation.
As always, we appreciate your generosity and caring by extending the love of Christ into the world.
Fair Trade
We have placed an order to restock our coffee and dark chocolate bars in advance of an upcoming price increase on most Fair Trade products in February. So please consider ordering some more dark chocolate bars for Valentine's Day. We also have regular and decaf coffee, teas, and dark hot cocoa. Just call or email Stan Lockwood to make arrangements (518.885.1552 0r stosh964@gmail.com) . 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 Recent Posts page of this site (https://www.ballstonspaumchurch.org/recent-posts), 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.
Sunday Coffee Hour is on ZOOM or by Phone
Join us for the 9:00 am Sunday Coffee Fellowship on Zoom. Please meet by computer or phone by connecting with the following information:
In the Zoom app or by phone at 929-205-6099, you can use Meeting ID: 963 0143 0502 / Passcode: 956579. Or simply click here to join Zoom Meeting.
A Note from Thelma
Thank you to my church family for the prayers, cards, and calls. Receiving this means so much.
– Thelma Armer
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:
- Mary Drake is asking for prayers for her 6-year-old grandson and her daughter's boyfriend who now have Covid.
- Mary Drake is asking for prayers for Paula Smith and her family, whose brother, Roger Smith, was 60 and perished in a house fire.
- Mark Warner writes” “I'm thankful for the latest news from my friend Louis. His doctors do not believe his memory issues are organic; he is making a number of lifestyle changes involving diet, sleep, and reducing stress.”
- Dorothy Collins asks for prayers for her Uncle Alan who was diagnosed with covid and is in the hospital. She would also like prayers for Barb King for medical concerns and to Barb's family as her support system.
- Dorothy Collins asks for prayers for a friend’s 2 ½-year-old who has had open-heart surgery in Albany Med. She also has a hole in her lung that they are waiting to heal before being discharged.
- Ruth Persons asks: Please pray for my friend Tina as she will be seeing an eye specialist/surgeon. She has waited 7 months to get into this doctor.
- Please continue to keep George Pinter & his family in your prayers as they navigate this difficult time. Their family home burned down. George has 3 children still living at home. Fortunately, they were able to get out with the very clothes on their backs. I have included a list of clothing sizes if anyone is able to donate clothing:
Benjamin: Pants (boy's size) 12, Shirts: 12/14, Underwear: 12/14, Shoe Size: Men's 6
Elisabeth: Pants: Juniors small, Shirts: Women's Small / Medium, Underwear: Women's small, Bra: 34B
Thank you for anything that you are able to do.
- Melissa Taylor asks us to pray for her good friend Stacey. She went through treatment the same time as she did and has just learned that her cancer has metastasized into her brain. She asks for lots of prayers.
- Mary Drake: Please pray for my sister Lou Ann Dring. She is having problems with one of her legs and may require major surgery which could result in the loss of her leg.
- Mary Drake asks for prayers for her Uncle Tom and the family in Indiana. He is 84 years old, and his kidneys are only functioning at 11%. He is declining dialysis due to his age. His wife Ann is suffering from dementia and doesn’t understand what is going on.
- Ilah Sisson Walser writes: As the numbers surge, we must remember each number in reports is a person who needs our prayers, and for their families. Our prayers go out to all those suffering loss and illness.
- Please include Carole DiLallo in your prayers. She is dealing with some health issues.
- Pat Jones is out of the hospital but is on oxygen, please continue to pray for her.
- Continue to keep Helen Senecal in your prayers as she continues to recuperate at home.
- Ilah Sisson Walser asks for continued prayers for a friend, Linda, who is going through another bout with cancer with specialized treatments at Sloan Kettering.
- Please keep Kelly Schmidt and her family in prayer. Kelly’s grandmother is now in rehab.
- Please pray for Dorothy’s friend Sharon that her doctors find the right treatments for her.
- Pat Jones would like prayers for her sister Doris Diamond who has health issues.
- Carrie Adserias requests prayers for Kyle’s Grandma Carleen who has been battling with spreading cancer and treatments for a while now and is suffering with complications.
- Please continue to keep Bill Haege, Marilynn Peterson, and Bob Elbertson 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.
Upcoming Events
March 2 - Ash Wednesday service, 7 pm; "The Chosen", 7:30 pm
Wednesdays, March 9-April 13 - Lenten Study, “The Chosen” 7 pm
March 13 - Sunday School
March 27 - Sunday School
July 16 - Church Rummage Sale
Celebrations!
We have birthdays to celebrate!
- Jonathan Blake (2/29)
- Elana Lotto (3/1)
- Ava Barr (3/1)
- Katie Lovelass (3/4)
- Troy Caswell (3/5)
There is also one anniversary: Melanie and David Lotto will be celebrating their anniversary on March 1st.
Next week in worship:
Sound Riley Schmidt
Projection AJ Schmidt
Liturgist Linda Sheeran
Children’s Time Sue Cramer
Ushers Melody Babcock & Conrad Dorau
Music Terri Knowlton
Food Pantry Mary & Patty
If you would like to volunteer to help with Sunday services, please contact Ruth Persons after church.
9th Annual Photo Show
Everyone is invited to participate in this year's Lenten Photo Show, sponsored by the First United Methodist Church in downtown Schenectady at 603 State Street! For five weeks during Lent, a different theme has been chosen. During each of these weeks, FUMC will be accepting one to three photos that the participant has taken that reflect the weekly themes, which are:
March 2-8: Not Understood
March 9-15: Weeping
March 16-22: Unknown
March 23-29: Teacher
March 30-Apr. 5: Seen
Anyone can participate in either or both of two ways:
1. Submit photos that you have taken to: fumcphotoshow@gmail.com with theme and a title/caption
2. View the show on the church's website, Facebook page, and as part of Easter Worship on April 17th.
For more information, visit our website at http://www.fumcschenectady.org, or our Facebook page. Or contact the office at 518-374-4403.
Community News
Financial Assistance Available
Rebuilding Together of Saratoga County has been enlisted by the state to let homeowners know about a grant that will provide them with financial assistance if they are behind in mortgage payments, property taxes, lot rent in mobile home parks, or utilities that put them in danger of foreclosure. If you need financial assistance, you may contact Melissa Murphy, Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator, at 518-587-3315 x102 or Melissa@RTSaratoga.org.
Care Links Volunteers Needed
Senior Citizens in your community are looking for assistance with grocery shopping, transportation appointments and a friendly face to visit them. Call 518-399-3262 to help in Clifton Park, Halfmoon, Ballston, Malta, Charlton and Mechanicville. You can make a difference with just an hour a week.
Captain Community Human Services
The Wellness Express Transportation Program offers transportation to medical appointments for area residents. They operate weekdays between 8 am and 4 pm. Appointments are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests should be made at least one week in advance and is limited to a 50-mile radius from the point of origin. To schedule a ride, call 518-399-3262. The Wellness Express is funded by the Saratoga County Office for the Aging and by the New York State Office for the Aging. Voluntary and confidential contributions are accepted. Services will not be affected because of the inability to contribute.
Have a blessed week