Mark your calendar for March 14th
Our church doors will be open for in-person worship on March 14th! The service time is at 10:00 a.m., masks are required, and seating will be at least 6 feet apart. For anyone wishing to remain at home, we will continue posting worship services on Facebook and our website.
11:00 a.m. Sunday Coffee Hour is on ZOOM and by Phone
Join us for a virtual coffee fellowship via Zoom (either by computer or iPad or phone). Bring your own refreshment and enjoy seeing each other via Zoom. This is the link through May at 11:00 AM Eastern Time:
In the Zoom app, you can use Meeting ID: 963 0143 0502 / Passcode: 956579
Or simply click here to join Zoom Meeting
You are also welcome to dial in via phone at 929-205-6099 using Meeting ID: 963 0143 0502 / Passcode: 956579
Add the invitation to your electronic calendar by clicking here.
An Invitation: CHANGE for Lent
The Board of Discipleship of our United Methodist Church has come up with a really interesting challenge for churches this year for Lent and Pastor Kelly is inviting us all to try this.
You will find calendar pages here naming specific things you have in your home or life. You’re challenged to count up how many you have of each item, then donate that many coins for the day. You can use whatever change you have on hand. When Easter Day arrives, we're planning to be gathered for worship. You're invited to join us, and bring along your joyful, jingling Easter offering!
A Message from Marilyn
Thank you so much for the Christmas “goodie” bag the pastor brought. I enjoyed all of it and thought of my happy experiences in the Ballston Spa Methodist Church. I do miss my church of at least 25 years, but I know you are enjoying your current pastor. She is great!
May God bless all of you.
– Marilyn Peterson
Finance Team Reports
The Finance Team reports that our receipts for January were $5,364.00 and our expenses were $10,355.59, for a current deficit of $4,991.59. You are invited to make a gift to the church by sending a check to the church at 101 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa NY 12020, or by clicking here to give securely online.
Life Lessons from 6 Women in the Old Testament
We will be having a new weekly Bible Study highlighting six women in the Old Testament each Wednesday from February 24 through March 31. It will be held between 7:30 and 8:30 pm via Zoom. The subject of each week’s study is below. You're welcome to join in any (or every) week! Contact the church office at 518-885-6886, or by email, to receive the link information.
February 24 - Keturah: A Wise Second Wife
Readings: Genesis 25:1-4; I Chronicles 1:32-33
Abraham married Keturah late in life; her example shows us how to counter jealousy, fear, and resentment in a blended family.
March 3 - Naaman’s Little Maid: A Teenager Who Believed in Miracles
Reading: 2 Kings 5
Despite trauma in her childhood a young girl grows up to become a devoted and compassionate servant. She convinces her Master, Namaan, that God has the power to heal him.
March 10 - Miriam: A Gifted and Beloved Leader
Readings: Exodus 2:1-11, 15:20-21; Numbers 12; Numbers 20:1; Micah 6:4
Moses’ courageous older sister was an important leader in the journey toward the Promised Land. Her tragic flaw was jealousy, but when God confronted her, she was remorseful.
March 17 - Rahab: From Shame to Fame
Reading: Joshua 2:1-24; 6:1-25
A prostitute becomes a heroine by helping two of God’s servants with a dramatic escape. She later becomes a believer and is listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
March 24 - Michal: A Critical Wife Loses Sight of What Matters Most
Readings: 1 Samuel 18:20-29, 19:1-17, 25:44; 2 Samuel 3:1,12-16; 2 Samuel 6: 5, 14-23
David’s wife was once very much in love with her husband. Her focus shifted away from what was most important and she became bitter.
Week 6 Abigail: How to Capably Deal with Difficult Men
Reading: I Samuel 25
She selflessly risked her life to save her husband Nabaal. She frequently handled tense situations with calmness and wise words.
A Message from the Parsonage
The Warners would like to thank the congregation for their thoughtfulness and caring in the aftermath of the recent passing of Mark’s mom. Your cards and gifts of food were a much-needed uplift in a sad season.
– Mark, Kelly, Katie, and Jonathan
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:
Fair Trade
Panama Extra Dark, Orange, Sea Salt with Almonds, and Caramel Crunch with Sea Salt varieties of Fair Trade chocolate are available for purchase (Sea Salt w/Almonds are $3.50, the others are $3.00). Organic Regular Coffee, Decaf Coffee and various organic teas are also available. Please contact Stan Lockwood at 518.885.1552 or stosh964@gmail.com to arrange for delivery or pick-up.
Musical Offerings
What is UMCOR?
Let’s celebrate and support the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) on UMCOR Sunday, March 14. This is held annually on the fourth Sunday of Lent.
UMCOR Responding to Severe Weather
The winter storm - unofficially named Winter Storm Uri - led to winter weather alerts for 170 million people. The state of Texas has been hit particularly hard, resulting in power blackouts, loss of heat and broken pipes. As the snow and ice melts, flooding will be a significant problem. United Methodist and other churches are serving as warming shelters and food banks.
Meanwhile, the same storm system spawned tornadoes in the Carolinas, destroying homes.
UMCOR, working with Conference Disaster Relief Coordinators, is providing immediate funding to assist annual conferences and will provide long-term support once the damage is fully assessed. Your help is needed. Please make a gift to UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response. You may send your check to the church but must include “UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response" on the memo line. It must be a separate check from your weekly pledge. Or you can visit the UMC Giving website.
Celebrations!
We have five birthdays this week. Happy Birthday t0:
If there is a birthday or anniversary that you would like shared, please send it to the church office by email. Happy celebrations are always a blessing!
Have a blessed week
Our church doors will be open for in-person worship on March 14th! The service time is at 10:00 a.m., masks are required, and seating will be at least 6 feet apart. For anyone wishing to remain at home, we will continue posting worship services on Facebook and our website.
11:00 a.m. Sunday Coffee Hour is on ZOOM and by Phone
Join us for a virtual coffee fellowship via Zoom (either by computer or iPad or phone). Bring your own refreshment and enjoy seeing each other via Zoom. This is the link through May at 11:00 AM Eastern Time:
In the Zoom app, you can use Meeting ID: 963 0143 0502 / Passcode: 956579
Or simply click here to join Zoom Meeting
You are also welcome to dial in via phone at 929-205-6099 using Meeting ID: 963 0143 0502 / Passcode: 956579
Add the invitation to your electronic calendar by clicking here.
An Invitation: CHANGE for Lent
The Board of Discipleship of our United Methodist Church has come up with a really interesting challenge for churches this year for Lent and Pastor Kelly is inviting us all to try this.
You will find calendar pages here naming specific things you have in your home or life. You’re challenged to count up how many you have of each item, then donate that many coins for the day. You can use whatever change you have on hand. When Easter Day arrives, we're planning to be gathered for worship. You're invited to join us, and bring along your joyful, jingling Easter offering!
A Message from Marilyn
Thank you so much for the Christmas “goodie” bag the pastor brought. I enjoyed all of it and thought of my happy experiences in the Ballston Spa Methodist Church. I do miss my church of at least 25 years, but I know you are enjoying your current pastor. She is great!
May God bless all of you.
– Marilyn Peterson
Finance Team Reports
The Finance Team reports that our receipts for January were $5,364.00 and our expenses were $10,355.59, for a current deficit of $4,991.59. You are invited to make a gift to the church by sending a check to the church at 101 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa NY 12020, or by clicking here to give securely online.
Life Lessons from 6 Women in the Old Testament
We will be having a new weekly Bible Study highlighting six women in the Old Testament each Wednesday from February 24 through March 31. It will be held between 7:30 and 8:30 pm via Zoom. The subject of each week’s study is below. You're welcome to join in any (or every) week! Contact the church office at 518-885-6886, or by email, to receive the link information.
February 24 - Keturah: A Wise Second Wife
Readings: Genesis 25:1-4; I Chronicles 1:32-33
Abraham married Keturah late in life; her example shows us how to counter jealousy, fear, and resentment in a blended family.
March 3 - Naaman’s Little Maid: A Teenager Who Believed in Miracles
Reading: 2 Kings 5
Despite trauma in her childhood a young girl grows up to become a devoted and compassionate servant. She convinces her Master, Namaan, that God has the power to heal him.
March 10 - Miriam: A Gifted and Beloved Leader
Readings: Exodus 2:1-11, 15:20-21; Numbers 12; Numbers 20:1; Micah 6:4
Moses’ courageous older sister was an important leader in the journey toward the Promised Land. Her tragic flaw was jealousy, but when God confronted her, she was remorseful.
March 17 - Rahab: From Shame to Fame
Reading: Joshua 2:1-24; 6:1-25
A prostitute becomes a heroine by helping two of God’s servants with a dramatic escape. She later becomes a believer and is listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
March 24 - Michal: A Critical Wife Loses Sight of What Matters Most
Readings: 1 Samuel 18:20-29, 19:1-17, 25:44; 2 Samuel 3:1,12-16; 2 Samuel 6: 5, 14-23
David’s wife was once very much in love with her husband. Her focus shifted away from what was most important and she became bitter.
Week 6 Abigail: How to Capably Deal with Difficult Men
Reading: I Samuel 25
She selflessly risked her life to save her husband Nabaal. She frequently handled tense situations with calmness and wise words.
A Message from the Parsonage
The Warners would like to thank the congregation for their thoughtfulness and caring in the aftermath of the recent passing of Mark’s mom. Your cards and gifts of food were a much-needed uplift in a sad season.
– Mark, Kelly, Katie, and Jonathan
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:
- Joyce Cook, already suffering with Parkinson's disease and dementia, fell Sunday (2/21/2021) evening. She had a severely dislocated right shoulder. Monday they re-evaluated her and determined that she should have a transfusion. She is currently in Saratoga Hospital. Although no visitors are allowed, all well wishes and prayers are appreciated.
- Kathy Haege has ended her journey with us and is now in God’s presence. Bill was able to spend time with her in her last days, although she was in a coma-like state. The immediate family celebrated her life on February 27. They anticipate offering something for the church family and others who knew her at a later date. Bill is receiving rehabilitation at Sunnyview.
- Melody Babcock sends this, “Praise and thank you Sweet Jesus! Niece Robin is in a rehab center, still on oxygen, but breathing on her own”.
- Requesting continued prayers for Walter Thiem, his wife Courtney, and parents Sue and Al Thiem. Walter will be continuing medication and treatments.
- Continued prayers for Gary Persons. His doctors say he shows improvements.
- Melissa Taylor is praising God for helping her through her recent treatments. She greatly appreciates our prayers and support.
- Keep Bob Elbertson in your prayers.
- Ilah Sisson Walser asks: Heartfelt concern and prayers for those suffering from COVID 19 and their families. Give people strength to continue to safeguard against exposure and contacting the virus.
Fair Trade
Panama Extra Dark, Orange, Sea Salt with Almonds, and Caramel Crunch with Sea Salt varieties of Fair Trade chocolate are available for purchase (Sea Salt w/Almonds are $3.50, the others are $3.00). Organic Regular Coffee, Decaf Coffee and various organic teas are also available. Please contact Stan Lockwood at 518.885.1552 or stosh964@gmail.com to arrange for delivery or pick-up.
Musical Offerings
- Do you sing or play an instrument?
- Are you able to record yourself while you sing or play? Or schedule a time to be recorded at the church?
- Would you be willing to provide some music for our Sunday Services?
What is UMCOR?
Let’s celebrate and support the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) on UMCOR Sunday, March 14. This is held annually on the fourth Sunday of Lent.
UMCOR Responding to Severe Weather
The winter storm - unofficially named Winter Storm Uri - led to winter weather alerts for 170 million people. The state of Texas has been hit particularly hard, resulting in power blackouts, loss of heat and broken pipes. As the snow and ice melts, flooding will be a significant problem. United Methodist and other churches are serving as warming shelters and food banks.
Meanwhile, the same storm system spawned tornadoes in the Carolinas, destroying homes.
UMCOR, working with Conference Disaster Relief Coordinators, is providing immediate funding to assist annual conferences and will provide long-term support once the damage is fully assessed. Your help is needed. Please make a gift to UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response. You may send your check to the church but must include “UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response" on the memo line. It must be a separate check from your weekly pledge. Or you can visit the UMC Giving website.
Celebrations!
We have five birthdays this week. Happy Birthday t0:
- Jonathan Blake (2/29)
- Elana Lotto (3/1)
- Troy Caswell (3/5)
- Haley Ann Parlapiano (3/6)
- Tom Forster (3/6)
If there is a birthday or anniversary that you would like shared, please send it to the church office by email. Happy celebrations are always a blessing!
Have a blessed week