No In-Person Services Through February
The Ballston Spa United Methodist Church has paused in-person worship at the church. It has been decided that the pause will be continued through February, at which time it will again be reviewed. Concern of the spread of the COVID virus and the very high positivity rates in Saratoga County were the benchmark criteria for the decision. The decision was made with a great deal of care and concern for our congregation and for the community at large.
We will be having worship each Sunday via Facebook, and on our website. While the building may not be open, we will continue to worship and share God's love. For the current time, the Food Pantry will continue to serve on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to Noon, using the rear entrance to the Church House off the parking lot.
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.
Worship Schedule for January
January 31 - Fourth Sunday of Epiphany
Scripture: Mark 1:21-28
Sermon: “Wounded World that Cries for Healing”
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:
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Garrett Evans for earning your Associate in Science degree from Adirondack Community College. Well done!
Direct Care Volunteers Needed
The Gateway House of Peace, an end of life home that provides hospice care and emotional support to families managing with the last few months of life, is in great need of licensed or retired health care volunteers capable of providing direct care.
Other volunteers are needed as well, for facility management and event planning support.
Please contact Executive Director, Bethany Gonyea at bgonyea@gatewayhouseofpeace.org for more information.
Giving Statements
Cherrie Sanders, our church Financial Secretary, has tested positive for COVID-19 along with members of her immediate family. For this reason she will be delayed in mailing the last quarter and year-end financial reports to individuals who have given money to the church in the year 2020. Please pray for Cherrie’s speedy recovery and know that your giving statements will be sent as soon as possible.
Fair Trade
We have now received the two dark chocolate bars ordered (Sea Salt with Almonds and Caramel Crunch with Sea Salt) so now have those plus the other two (Panama Extra Dark and Orange). Also available are coffee (regular and decaf), tea (chai, darjeeling, green and decaf items) and hot cocoa. Please contact Stan Lockwood at 518.885.1552 if you wish to purchase any of these items and he will arrange for delivery or pick up. Thank you to all who have supported this ministry through purchases of Fair Trade products.
The Food Pantry Needs Your Help
The Food Pantry has been busy. They have been serving about 15 families each week. The people working in the Food Pantry are always appreciative of any donations made.
Thrift Shop
Just a reminder that the Thrift Shop is closed; clothing donations are not being accepted at this time. Clothing you choose to donate may be given to Noah’s Attic or any of the donation bins around town.
Celebrations
We have seven birthdays this week. Happy Birthday t0:
Music for Services
If you are interested in recording vocal or instrumental music for worship services, please contact Mark Warner at 518 309-3737 or warners@roadrunner.com with your availability. He can schedule a time to record you. Many thanks to all for sharing your gifts of music!
Have a blessed week
The Ballston Spa United Methodist Church has paused in-person worship at the church. It has been decided that the pause will be continued through February, at which time it will again be reviewed. Concern of the spread of the COVID virus and the very high positivity rates in Saratoga County were the benchmark criteria for the decision. The decision was made with a great deal of care and concern for our congregation and for the community at large.
We will be having worship each Sunday via Facebook, and on our website. While the building may not be open, we will continue to worship and share God's love. For the current time, the Food Pantry will continue to serve on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to Noon, using the rear entrance to the Church House off the parking lot.
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.
Worship Schedule for January
January 31 - Fourth Sunday of Epiphany
Scripture: Mark 1:21-28
Sermon: “Wounded World that Cries for Healing”
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:
- It is with great sadness that I share with you that Ann Heffernan died on Friday afternoon, January 22nd. Her sons were grateful that they could be by her side. A family-only celebration of her life was held last Friday, but there are plans for a future gathering when many more family and friends can be present. Gifts in Ann’s memory can be sent to the Ballston Spa Church (or the Saratoga County Animal Shelter).
- On a happy note, Ann’s grandson Brad Heffernan graduated (Friday) from the Army’s Air Traffic Control program. Congratulations Brad!
- Rose Warner, Mark Warner’s 92 year old mom, has lapsed into a coma and her vital signs indicate she will soon leave this earth for her heavenly home. In recent days she’s been longing to be reunited with her Charlie (husband) and to be with God. No family can be with her since she is far away in Florida, but friends and nurses will lovingly care for her. Please pray for the heartache of those losing a tremendous woman of faith, a devoted parent and loving grandmother.
- Mark Warner is very thankful for his sister, who is on disability herself and lives hundreds of miles away but is expending all of her energy trying to help & manage Mom from afar.
- Please pray for healing and comfort for Robin, Melody Babcock’s niece. She is hospitalized with COVID and needed to be put on a vent Wednesday morning.
- Kathy Haege returned home Friday to be with her husband Bill and her niece. She needs complete bed rest and asks that everyone honor her request that there be NO PHONE CALLS (to her cell or home). She would love to still receive notes or cards in the mail, those have been a great blessing to her. Let us all thank God for the joy that comes with her return home and continue to hold her and her family in our prayers.
- Please also pray for Bill Haege and for their granddaughter, Katie, who has assumed the role of caregiver for them.
- Ruthanne Kilburn asks for prayers for her loved one John Castiglione. He has been admitted to Ellis Hospital for treatment related to COVID. Please pray for the medicines and care to bring healing to his body and pray for comfort and peace for his wife Carol.
- Please hold Cathy in your prayers, she is battling cancer and is now hospitalized for care. She is a co-worker of Carrie (Sheeran) Adserias.
- Thanksgiving for those people who have been able to get Covid vaccine shots.
- Requesting continued prayers for Walter Thiem, his wife Courtney, and parents Sue and Al Thiem. Walter will be continuing medication and treatments.
- Please pray for Dorothy Collins. She would appreciate prayers for a quick and full recovery.
- Please keep Janice Green in your prayers. Although she is not sick, she is in Wesley and staying well is becoming increasingly difficult. Cards would be appreciated.
- Please keep Richard Babcock in your prayers for continued healing. He is home from the hospital after receiving a stent for his heart.
- Please continue prayers for Gary Persons who has just begun a four week course of immune therapy.
- Please continue to pray for Pat Jones. She continues to struggle with the effects of pneumonia.
- Please pray for Melissa Taylor who is experiencing medical issues.
- 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. Lord, hear our prayers.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Garrett Evans for earning your Associate in Science degree from Adirondack Community College. Well done!
Direct Care Volunteers Needed
The Gateway House of Peace, an end of life home that provides hospice care and emotional support to families managing with the last few months of life, is in great need of licensed or retired health care volunteers capable of providing direct care.
Other volunteers are needed as well, for facility management and event planning support.
Please contact Executive Director, Bethany Gonyea at bgonyea@gatewayhouseofpeace.org for more information.
Giving Statements
Cherrie Sanders, our church Financial Secretary, has tested positive for COVID-19 along with members of her immediate family. For this reason she will be delayed in mailing the last quarter and year-end financial reports to individuals who have given money to the church in the year 2020. Please pray for Cherrie’s speedy recovery and know that your giving statements will be sent as soon as possible.
Fair Trade
We have now received the two dark chocolate bars ordered (Sea Salt with Almonds and Caramel Crunch with Sea Salt) so now have those plus the other two (Panama Extra Dark and Orange). Also available are coffee (regular and decaf), tea (chai, darjeeling, green and decaf items) and hot cocoa. Please contact Stan Lockwood at 518.885.1552 if you wish to purchase any of these items and he will arrange for delivery or pick up. Thank you to all who have supported this ministry through purchases of Fair Trade products.
The Food Pantry Needs Your Help
The Food Pantry has been busy. They have been serving about 15 families each week. The people working in the Food Pantry are always appreciative of any donations made.
Thrift Shop
Just a reminder that the Thrift Shop is closed; clothing donations are not being accepted at this time. Clothing you choose to donate may be given to Noah’s Attic or any of the donation bins around town.
Celebrations
We have seven birthdays this week. Happy Birthday t0:
- George Wilson Jr. (1/31)
- Maddy Wilson (2/1)
- Parker Caswell (2/3)
- AJ Schmidt (2/4)
- Garret Evans (2/4)
- Peggy Traver (2/6)
- Brian Simmons (2/6).
Music for Services
If you are interested in recording vocal or instrumental music for worship services, please contact Mark Warner at 518 309-3737 or warners@roadrunner.com with your availability. He can schedule a time to record you. Many thanks to all for sharing your gifts of music!
Have a blessed week