​Ballston Spa United Methodist Church
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Picture
 The Worship Schedule for July
July 12
What’s Different?      Guest worship leader is Rev. Steve Butler    Galatians 3:26-28
Rev. Butler will play his bass and sing three bluegrass gospel songs for special music.  

July 19
Lessons from a Potter:  Be Teachable     Jeremiah 18:1-6, Isaiah 64:8

July 26
Do the Unexpected:  Be Humble     Philippians 2:1-13

 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.  Prayers requested are:
  • Thanksgiving that Bob Elbertson has returned home from Sunnyview Rehabilitation Center.  Please pray for him as he recovers at home.
  • Mark Warner asks for prayers for his sister Nancy who fell last Sunday and needed hip replacement.
  • Sue Cramer asks for prayers for her brother who has returned to the hospital with several health issues.
 
What Happened This Week
     We rejoice that on June 26th we opened our doors for worship at 10:00 a.m.  We followed all of the protocols as we welcomed people back into the sanctuary.   We rejoiced to have our Music Director Cathy King back with us.   We appreciated hearing her talk about how music will be shared in our new worship format.  Many said they loved hearing Cathy play the piano, it has been so long since hearing “live music”.   
     We appreciated those volunteers who did new things like take temperatures and attendance.  We will be looking for anyone who wants to put flowers on the altar, either store-bought or from your garden.   If you are someone not yet returning to church, we could come your way to collect the flowers and they could be your gift for that Sunday.   We would like to have the Lay Leader or pastor give away the flowers after the service, if that is agreeable to those who donate the bouquets.
     We tried recording the service but had technical issues.  We used a camera and “zoomed in” but it was of poor quality.   We do not own high quality (expensive) recording equipment.  We will try recording once again with a camera on July 5, making some adjustments.   If it works, you will see it posted as usual on our website and there will be a link to it on our Facebook page.   If we cannot get an adequate quality video during worship, we will put that on hold for now.   We will send the sermon out electronically in our Ministry Matters mailing or through snail mail for anyone who cannot come to the Sunday service.
 
In Other News
     Congrats to Holly Barker- Flynn, whose RED (Read Every Day) Bookshelves program was recently recognized by the University at Albany.   She won the President’s award for Exemplary Public Engagement.  Many people from our church have donated gently used books for this over the years or helped sort and put labels on them.   We have two RED bookshelves we keep stocked, one in the church and another near our Thrift Shop at the church house.   For now, this ministry is suspended but we do look forward to when it can be active once more.   
     Thanks to Linda Sheeran for continuing to put messages on our church’s front sign.  There isn’t a week that goes by without us hearing how much they are enjoyed.  She also has planted some cheerful flowers by the sign and tends the landscaped area near the parking lot.   Thanks for your service, Linda.
     Many have noticed that our custodian Tom Chase has painted the wrought iron railings at the church’s entrances, plus painted trim at the entrances to the church and church house.  It has really freshened things up.    
     We are grateful for George Mallette mowing the church’s lawn and putting in the office’s air conditioners.   
     Our Food Pantry remains active each week.  Every Wednesday morning our wonderful volunteers hand out bags of canned food, meat, dairy, and often fresh fruit.   We may also have personal care items on hand, pet food, baby foods, or other limited offerings.   We invite clients to ask us just in case we do have something special they might need.  On Wednesdays we also welcome donations from the wider community.  There are some people who regularly stop by with a smile and groceries.  Every contribution helps!   We also count on those who help unload the Regional Food Bank’s truck each month and put the food away on shelves, or in our frig or freezer.  Well done, everyone!   
     Pastor Kelly and her family are on vacation as of Wednesday; she will return to work next Tuesday.  In her absence Glenn Harrison will be covering for emergency pastoral needs.  He can be reached at 518-461-1295.  Next Sunday, Rev. Stephen Butler will be leading worship and sharing his music with us.
     Susan Cramer will also be out of the office this week.  If you have a need to contact the office, please leave a message on the answering machine.  Messages and mail will be monitored.
 
 Fair Trade
     Although we will not have any-- in church-- Fair Trade Sales until September, Stan Lockwood is still willing to deliver coffee, tea, and dark chocolate bars (only a very few of these are left) to anyone interested over the summer.  Thank you to all who have supported this mission ministry even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Music for Services
     We are looking for ways to enhance the music portion of our Sunday service.  At present, we are not permitted to sing hymns as a congregation, and there are special requirements for any singing activity, so we would like to feature instrumentalists as much as possible for at least a few weeks.  We always like to feature our youth and now it would be especially welcome.
     Would anyone in your family be willing to play for us?  If so, would you please give Cathy King a few dates that work so she can schedule things appropriately?  Is there any support she can provide in terms of finding or arranging appropriate music?
     Please contact Cathy at 518 584-2865 or cathys.notes@gmail.com if you can help.
     Many thanks for helping us through this most challenging time!
 
Your Giving is Needed
     We also want to remind everyone that we count on your continued financial gifts and tithes during this time.  If your circumstances have changed and you cannot give as you had hoped, please know we understand.  If that is the case it would be helpful if you could contact our Financial Secretary Cherrie Sanders at umc1267@gmail.com or 518- 419-5091. 
​      If you wish to give electronically, you can do so here.
 
Quarterly Reports Coming Soon
     The quarterly reports of your financial giving will be coming soon.  Watch your mailbox!
    
Ballston Spa United Methodist Church + Hoffman Car Wash
Buy car wash tickets and our church receives 50% of the sale!!
WIN – WIN - WIN!!!  Clean Car, support a local business, and money for the ministries at BSUMC!
Purchase on-line and print out your car wash coupons immediately @ :  BSUMC 2020 Car Wash
<https://www.hoffmanhelpinghands.com/fundraiser.cfm?id=21482>
Exterior only:  $12 -  Your vehicle enters a modern car wash bay where it receives a soft-cloth wash followed by touch-free air drying.
Full Service Car wash:  To be more detailed and sanitizing in cleaning.  Starting July 1st, the Full Service car wash will cost $42, which means your organization receives $21 for the 50% earnings.
Full service tickets may be used at:  1672 Route 9, Clifton Park, 1757 Central Avenue, Colonie, and 753 New Loudon Road, Latham (Cannot be used at the exit 15 location).  Order forms and an explanation of services will be on your fundraising page from the ‘Print Order Form’ link.
Any Questions??  Call or email Lynne Blake at 518 885 9821 or LBlake@nycap.rr.com.
  
Access all the latest from the church online!
     If you are on Facebook, be sure to “like” the Ballston Spa United Methodist Church page, where the latest news, photos, and video messages from Pastor Kelly are posted. If you’re not on Facebook, but have Internet access, you can find the same content on our website at https://www.ballstonspaumchurch.org/recent-posts. Scroll down the page to see everything; be sure to leave a comment so we know you’re seeing us!

And finally...
Sign on a billboard: That “Love thy neighbor” thing.  I meant that.  God
 
Why did the unemployed man get excited while reading his Bible?
     He thought he saw a job.
 
If Mary had Jesus, and Jesus was a little lamb…Does that  mean Mary had a little lamb?
 
 Have a blessed week

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