Important Announcement
Due to the upswing in Covid numbers and the newest mandate from Governor Hochul, we are now required to wear masks when indoors. Please continue to enter through the south door (the ramp) and exit through the north door as you are able. And please maintain social distancing. Please help to keep everyone safe.
Welcome to our Music Program
Since Cathy King, our music director, is now a snowbird in sunny Florida, we welcome Terri Knowlton back to be one of our music providers. Joining Terri will be Kathy Fisher. Both ladies are music leaders in their own church and therefore very accomplished in this field. Welcome to you both!
Are You Called to Serve Communion?
After church services on January 9th, Pastor Kelly will be having a training session for anyone willing to volunteer to take communion to the members of our church who are in nursing homes or homebound. These people don’t have the opportunity to receive communion any other way, but you can help. Can you share your time for this worthwhile opportunity to bring comfort and joy to others?
Church Building Restoration Fund
The first part of the work to repair the church’s structural stability has been completed. The next phase will be done in the spring. Please consider contributing to help us work towards paying for this $71,500 project. Although there are investments which were received through generous bequests, the extent and cost of these repairs would significantly deplete church investments if not replenished. 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.
Winterwear Mission
The homeless have been forced to go to the shelters due to the freezing temperatures. Children are standing outside waiting for school buses. They need warmth. We can help by making hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves available to them. These items will be collected through January to be given to people locally and to the Over the Bridge Ministry. Your donations may be left in the marked basket in the sanctuary. Your gifts of warmth are greatly needed and genuinely appreciated.
Human Relations Day is January 16, 2022
Thank you for your generosity. The UMC gave $422,731 toward ministries funded by the Human Relations Day Sunday offering last year. This offering supports ministries of social justice and outreach like Community Developers, Volunteer Service and Youth Offender Rehabilitation Programs. This fund is run by the General Board of Global Ministries and the General Board of Church and Society.
Give to UMCOR US Disaster Response
UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is responding to the deadly tornadoes moving through several states. As the massive storm system continues to move across the country, we ask for your immediate response in prayer and financial support. Please be there for survivors by supporting UMCOR US Disaster Response with a gift today. You may give by clicking here and choosing UMCOR Disaster Support or by writing UMCOR US Disaster Response on your check in the subject line and sending it to the church.
Fair Trade
Fair Trade coffee and tea are still available for those who wish to purchase it. Just call or email Stan Lockwood to make arrangements (518.885.1552 or [email protected]) . Also, dark chocolate bars will be available before the holidays to keep all who are chocolate lovers happy!! Thank you to those who support this ministry at BSUMC.
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 x 102 or [email protected].
Consecration Sunday Update
The Finance Committee would like to thank those who have submitted their pledge cards for 2022. We have received 32 pledges so far. The total amount pledged so far is $79,860. We hope you will consider supporting our Church and our ministries for 2022 by sending in your pledge.
- Cherrie Sanders, Financial Secretary
Thrift Shop and Food Pantry
With COVID rates on the rise again, the Thrift Shop has closed for the time being. The Food Pantry remains open on Wednesdays from 9:30 till noon. Thank you to the people who continue to donate their time for both of these worthwhile missions.
A Note from Pastor Kelly
Thank you everyone for your prayers, the meals dropped off at our home, and offers of help. These have all blessed us and helped us make it through a challenging month.
- Pastor Kelly
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.
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:
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
January 9 - Communion Training after church
January 11 - Church Council 7 pm - Zoom
January 16 - Human Relations Day
January 16 - Boy Scout Eagle Court of Honor
Christmas Gifts
Pastor Kelly appreciates the generous collection for a Christmas gift for her each year but requests that any gifts to be contributed to BACA. She is grateful for your kindness and giving.
Boy Scouts
Following the special Church Council meeting, the Trustees met and vetoed the bankruptcy settlement. They have also approved the Eagle Court of Honor the Scouts will have on January 16th. This is possible due to the Church Council vote to extend the charter through March.
Girl Scouts Are Looking for You!
The Ballston Spa Girl Scouts has an opening for three girls in their Brownie troop. So if you are a girl in 2nd or 3rd grades, or if you know someone who is, please consider joining. You can reach Louie Nowak, the troop leader, at 518-309-3354.
Food Pantry
The Girl Scouts are having a Ballston Spa/Galway can event on January 15th. The various troops will be collecting food items and on January 15th, we will build something with the cans (girls can do event). Afterwards, some of the food will be donated to our food pantry, like they did last year.
Christmas Gifts
Pastor Kelly appreciates the generous collection for a Christmas gift for her each year but requests that any gifts to be contributed to BACA. She is grateful for your kindness and giving.
Next week in worship:
Sound George Wilson
Projection Katie Warner
Liturgist Melody Babcock
Children’s Time Linda Sheeran
Ushers Mary Drake & George Mallette
Have a blessed week
Due to the upswing in Covid numbers and the newest mandate from Governor Hochul, we are now required to wear masks when indoors. Please continue to enter through the south door (the ramp) and exit through the north door as you are able. And please maintain social distancing. Please help to keep everyone safe.
Welcome to our Music Program
Since Cathy King, our music director, is now a snowbird in sunny Florida, we welcome Terri Knowlton back to be one of our music providers. Joining Terri will be Kathy Fisher. Both ladies are music leaders in their own church and therefore very accomplished in this field. Welcome to you both!
Are You Called to Serve Communion?
After church services on January 9th, Pastor Kelly will be having a training session for anyone willing to volunteer to take communion to the members of our church who are in nursing homes or homebound. These people don’t have the opportunity to receive communion any other way, but you can help. Can you share your time for this worthwhile opportunity to bring comfort and joy to others?
Church Building Restoration Fund
The first part of the work to repair the church’s structural stability has been completed. The next phase will be done in the spring. Please consider contributing to help us work towards paying for this $71,500 project. Although there are investments which were received through generous bequests, the extent and cost of these repairs would significantly deplete church investments if not replenished. 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.
Winterwear Mission
The homeless have been forced to go to the shelters due to the freezing temperatures. Children are standing outside waiting for school buses. They need warmth. We can help by making hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves available to them. These items will be collected through January to be given to people locally and to the Over the Bridge Ministry. Your donations may be left in the marked basket in the sanctuary. Your gifts of warmth are greatly needed and genuinely appreciated.
Human Relations Day is January 16, 2022
Thank you for your generosity. The UMC gave $422,731 toward ministries funded by the Human Relations Day Sunday offering last year. This offering supports ministries of social justice and outreach like Community Developers, Volunteer Service and Youth Offender Rehabilitation Programs. This fund is run by the General Board of Global Ministries and the General Board of Church and Society.
Give to UMCOR US Disaster Response
UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is responding to the deadly tornadoes moving through several states. As the massive storm system continues to move across the country, we ask for your immediate response in prayer and financial support. Please be there for survivors by supporting UMCOR US Disaster Response with a gift today. You may give by clicking here and choosing UMCOR Disaster Support or by writing UMCOR US Disaster Response on your check in the subject line and sending it to the church.
Fair Trade
Fair Trade coffee and tea are still available for those who wish to purchase it. Just call or email Stan Lockwood to make arrangements (518.885.1552 or [email protected]) . Also, dark chocolate bars will be available before the holidays to keep all who are chocolate lovers happy!! Thank you to those who support this ministry at BSUMC.
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 x 102 or [email protected].
Consecration Sunday Update
The Finance Committee would like to thank those who have submitted their pledge cards for 2022. We have received 32 pledges so far. The total amount pledged so far is $79,860. We hope you will consider supporting our Church and our ministries for 2022 by sending in your pledge.
- Cherrie Sanders, Financial Secretary
Thrift Shop and Food Pantry
With COVID rates on the rise again, the Thrift Shop has closed for the time being. The Food Pantry remains open on Wednesdays from 9:30 till noon. Thank you to the people who continue to donate their time for both of these worthwhile missions.
A Note from Pastor Kelly
Thank you everyone for your prayers, the meals dropped off at our home, and offers of help. These have all blessed us and helped us make it through a challenging month.
- Pastor Kelly
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.
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:
- Thelma Armer has requested prayers for her health and medical procedures. Thelma has been undergoing many tests recently and will be facing cardiac procedure and surgery in the next few days. Surround her with good thoughts and many prayers.
- Please pray for Maddy Wilson, who has Covid. Please also pray for the entire Wilson family, as their Christmas plans have all been canceled.
- Prayers for safe travels for Cathy and Jerry King and Diane and Ron Solotruck in their journeys.
- Prayers have been answered. Linda Sheeran is feeling better now.
- 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.
- Lou Cook’s family is looking forward to him returning home from the hospital very soon. He is more than ready for that! Please call him or send cards if you can.
- Terri Knowlton asks for prayers for the family of Bobby Speers who has passed away from Covid. He was 53 years old and has 3 children, and leaves behind his girlfriend, Keri, and her 2 sons. Keri & her 2 sons will also need to find a place to live, as Bobby did not have a will in place.
- Pastor Kelly is healing; her exercises help, as does an ankle brace.
- Please pray for Marty Malone, Pastor Kelly’s dad, age 80. They have detected some areas of concern on his right lung.
- Ilah Sisson Walser asks for prayers for a friend, Linda, who is going through another bout with cancer with specialized treatments at Sloan Kettering. She would appreciate your continued prayers. She has received a Prayer Shawl made by Breta so our prayers can surround her.
- Mark Warner asks: Please pray for my good friend Louis who has been diagnosed with early-onset memory loss. He is being treated with anti-Alzheimer’s medication.
- Cherrie Sanders also asks for continued prayers for her friend John Hulbert who has started chemo treatments for his stage 4 cancer.
- 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.
- 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.
- Pat Jones asks for prayers of comfort for Jim, a local man of ninety-three, who is in ill health.
- 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
January 9 - Communion Training after church
January 11 - Church Council 7 pm - Zoom
January 16 - Human Relations Day
January 16 - Boy Scout Eagle Court of Honor
Christmas Gifts
Pastor Kelly appreciates the generous collection for a Christmas gift for her each year but requests that any gifts to be contributed to BACA. She is grateful for your kindness and giving.
Boy Scouts
Following the special Church Council meeting, the Trustees met and vetoed the bankruptcy settlement. They have also approved the Eagle Court of Honor the Scouts will have on January 16th. This is possible due to the Church Council vote to extend the charter through March.
Girl Scouts Are Looking for You!
The Ballston Spa Girl Scouts has an opening for three girls in their Brownie troop. So if you are a girl in 2nd or 3rd grades, or if you know someone who is, please consider joining. You can reach Louie Nowak, the troop leader, at 518-309-3354.
Food Pantry
The Girl Scouts are having a Ballston Spa/Galway can event on January 15th. The various troops will be collecting food items and on January 15th, we will build something with the cans (girls can do event). Afterwards, some of the food will be donated to our food pantry, like they did last year.
Christmas Gifts
Pastor Kelly appreciates the generous collection for a Christmas gift for her each year but requests that any gifts to be contributed to BACA. She is grateful for your kindness and giving.
Next week in worship:
Sound George Wilson
Projection Katie Warner
Liturgist Melody Babcock
Children’s Time Linda Sheeran
Ushers Mary Drake & George Mallette
Have a blessed week