​Ballston Spa United Methodist Church
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Office Hours Tu/W/Th 10-2     Phone 518-885-6886    Pastor's Phone 518-309-3737

​     Welcome as we worship online and in person.  Share a warm welcome with others.  Coffee hour is held in the Connections Café following the service.  Coloring sheets, offering envelopes, and mission baskets are located near both entrances to the church. 
​
Join Us for Dinner and a Movie
     It’s time again for our monthly Dinner and a Movie.  We will be having subs for dinner and watching a light-hearted movie at 6 pm on March 16th.  Sign up during coffee hour after church or contact Stan Lockwood at stosh964@gmail.com or 518-885-1552.  Come join us for good food, good viewing, and good company.  We’ll see you there!
     And don’t forget our Game Time from 1 to 4 pm on March 24!  Play a game or sit and chat, all are welcome.

UMCOR Sunday is March 19
     Humanitarian crises and natural disasters cause pain and devastation; followers of Jesus are called to be the hands and feet of Christ and bring hope and healing to a broken world.  The United Methodist Committee on Relief is dedicated to ensuring this work happens, and you can support this mission!  On Sunday, March 19 we will be taking up a collection to send to UMCOR to help people cope with these disasters.

Applebee’s Fundraiser
     We are taking orders for Applebee’s gift cards.   The cards are for $15, $25 or $50, and you may order as many cards as you would like.  In return, we will receive 10% back to the church.  This is not limited to church members.  Your friends and family may also participate.  As an extra incentive, if we sell $5,000 or more in gift cards, we will receive a $500 catering credit!  Please contact Sue Cramer to place your orders with payment at 518-598-4544 or bsumc@albany.twcbc.com.  This offer will end on March 29. 
 
Coins for Lent
     Lent is a good time to commit to giving money to a project that helps those in need.  One way to be involved is to collect coins during the season of Lent and then on Easter, donate the money.  Follow our Coins for Lent Giving Calendar as a guide.  All money donated will go to our Food Pantry.  We do ask that you change your coins into a check or paper currency and send it directly to the Food Pantry.

Trip to the Regional Food Bank
     We will be heading to Latham to sort the abundance of donations at the Regional Food Bank on April 2nd.  Dress comfortably and bring a bag lunch to church.  We will gather downstairs after Coffee hour to eat, and then carpool to leave by 12:30.  Afterwards we will stop for ice cream and fellowship.  All ages are strongly encouraged to help.  The sign-up sheet will be in the Connection Café.  Contact: Linda Sheeran at 518-885-1729, or lsheeran6@gmail.com.

Fair Trade Coffee or Chocolate
     Fair Trade products are available.  Chocolate bars (Extra Dark Panama, Sea Salt with Caramel Crunch and Sea Salt with Almonds), and coffees (Regular breakfast blend, Hazelnut, and Decaf) can be purchased by contacting Stan Lockwood at 518-885-1552 or at stosh964@gmail.com. Enjoy some soon!

Support for our Food Pantry
     In these times of financial insecurity our Food Pantry has been serving more people.  The government has cut back on the amount of aid available, so people are turning to us for help.  Chunky peanut butter, brown sugar, baking supplies, snacks, spices, and gluten free items are requested as well as personal care items such as toothbrushes, shave cream, razors, lotion, handwipes, and monthly feminine products.  Other items requested are kitchen utensils and puzzles.  Your donations may be left in the baskets at the back of the sanctuary.  If you would like to donate your time, please see Melody Babcock.
 
Help for People Affected by Earthquakes
     Initial grants to United Methodist Committee On Relief partner International Blue Crescent, which is headquartered in Turkey, and Forum for Development, Culture and Dialogue in Syria, are helping to provide tents, heaters, blankets, warm clothes, ready to eat meals and first aid kits to people affected by the devastating earthquakes.  Please join the cause by donating and writing UMCOR International Blue Crescent on your check.

Prayer Requests
     Please join our prayer group.  This is an on-line way of praying for each other and praising God for what is happening in our lives.  If you are interested in being involved, please contact the office to be set up.
  • Ilah Sisson Walser states that Ron is back in the Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.  They appreciate your continued prayers for Ron, Kim, and Abby.
  • Andrew Baker asks for prayers for not just the homeless but those who struggle to have housing.  He is thanking God for having things in his life to be thankful for.
  • Mary Drake asks that we keep her nephew Charlie in our prayers.  He is receiving extra assistance.
  • Jonathan Warner asks for prayers for his neighbor’s dad who has been in the hospital and for prayers for one of his staff whose dad fell.
  • Pat Jones asks for prayers of healing for her son-in-law’s mother Melissa who is in Ellis Hospital.
  • Ruth Persons asks for prayers for her mom and husband Gary who need prayers for their health. 
  • Prayers for the Carter family.
  • Bill Santmire asks for prayers of healing following a procedure.

Thrift Shop and Food Pantry
     The Thrift Shop is open Tuesdays from 9:30 till noon; the Food Pantry is open on Wednesdays -- now in its new location in the Fellowship Hall of the church -- also from 9:30 till noon.
     Thank you to the people who donate their time and effort to make all of these offerings possible.  There are many clients and they appreciate your help.

Hannaford Helps Our Food Pantry
     Our Food Pantry has been selected again to receive $1 from every $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger Bag sold during the month of March 2023 at Hannaford at 11 Trieble Avenue, Ballston Spa.  Help us feed others.

BSUMC's Online Presence
     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 This Week's Service page of this site, on the Videos tab (https://www.ballstonspaumchurch.org/this-weeks-service.html), where the service is posted weekly. 

BACA 2022 Annual Report
     The Ballston Area Clergy Association is an ecumenical ministry of six churches in Ballston Spa.  It was established in 2009 to pool our resources and to better serve families in times of financial crisis.  In 2022, $13,409.71 was received from churches and individuals.  $15,271.39 was disbursed.  As of February 21, the balance is just over $600.  You can help by donating and writing BACA on the subject line of the check, or by visiting our secure giving page and clicking Donate under the Ballston Area Clergy Association heading.

Upcoming Events
March 14 - Church Council, 7 pm (via Zoom)
March 16 - Dinner and a Movie, Connections Cafe, 6 pm
March 19 - UMCOR Sunday
March 22 - Trustee meeting, 6 pm
March 24 - Game Time, Connections Cafe, 1-4 pm
April 2 - Palm Sunday; Regional Food Bank Trip
April 6 - Maundy Thursday
April 7 - Good Friday
April 9 - Easter Sunday

Celebrations!
     We have three birthdays this week…all on the same day!  Maria Dickerson, Kim  Poleralski, and Bev Thompson will all be celebrating their birthdays on March 12.  Happy birthday to all of you!
     There are no anniversaries this week.

If you have a birthday, anniversary, or graduation to celebrate, please send it to the office.  We love to celebrate!

Volunteers for Next Sunday
Sound                  George Wilson
Projection          AJ Schmidt
Liturgist              Danielle Coffey
Ushers                  Mary Drake & Conrad Dorau
Coffee Hour        Janet & George Mallette
Music                    Terri Knowlton

Community news
     Gateway House of Peace will be holding a Dinner for a Cause at 6 pm on March 24 at the Principessa Elena Society, 10 Oak Street in Saratoga Springs.  Tickets are $20 presale or $25 at the door.  Tickets may be ordered at WWW.GATEWAYHOUSEOFPEACE.ORG/EVENTSGHP.
 
     The Simpson United Methodist Church at 1089 Rock City Road in Rock City Falls will be having their first annual Easter pie and bake sale.  9” pies are $12 each (choose from apple, blueberry, cherry and peach).  You may also choose between baked or frozen.  Please order by April 3 by calling 518-885-4794 and leaving your name, phone number and order information.  The pick-up dates will be Friday, April 7 from 4 to 7 and Saturday, April 8 from 9 to 2.  The bake sale will be on Saturday.

     Bikeatoga is a non-profit organization that offers free refurbished bicycles as well as new safety equipment (helmets, locks, lights, training wheels – as available) to anyone who comes, with no questions asked.  We also help anyone with bike repairs, and train anyone who wishes in bike repairs.  They are in the basement of St. Peter’s Church at 241 Broadway, rear basement entrance, in Saratoga Springs on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 pm, Thursdays from 5 to 8 pm, and Saturdays from 9 am to noon.   Volunteers are welcome to help – whether to work on bikes or help in the workshop with other tasks.  They may be contacted at 518-290-0746 or by email at info@bikeatoga.org.
 
​​​​Have a blessed week     

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