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Important Announcement
     We ask that people continue to be masked as they enter or leave the church.  If vaccinated, you may now be unmasked when seated and singing.  Coloring sheets are available for children and are located on the table as you enter the church.  Please maintain social distancing.  Please help to keep everyone safe.

From the Desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb
     As the world watches the Russian military aggression and invasion within Ukraine, we as United Methodist followers of Christ reaffirm the truth that “we deplore war and urge the peaceful settlement of all disputes among nations.”
     I invite you to join with me in offering prayers of protection, peace, and resolution.  Please pray for all individuals in this region of the world being impacted by these events, including our United Methodist brothers and sisters in Ukraine.
     Blessings, Mark J. Webb

Click here to read a message from the Bishop of the Nordic and Baltic Episcopal Area.

This Journey through Lent could change your life!
     You’re invited (and encouraged) to watch the 8-episode television drama called “The Chosen”.  It’s a television drama based on the life of Jesus; the richly detailed scenes and gifted actors bring to life key moments like Jesus’ first miracle at a wedding, the calling of his disciples, healing the sick, preaching about the kingdom of God, performing miracles, teaching the Lord’s Prayer, encounters with Jewish religious leaders, and sharing in a Passover meal. 
     If you’ve read and cherished the stories about Jesus for many years now, or if you’re just beginning to learn and explore who Jesus is and why He matters, you’ll likely be amazed by this series.  It has received high praise from many viewers.  
     The videos will be shown in the sanctuary on Wednesdays at 7 pm through Lent. 
      This week we'll be viewing Episode 3, "Let the Children Come to Me". The suggested readings for background before viewing are Luke 18:15, Mark 9:42, Luke 6:12, and Deuteronomy 6:4.

For more information about all the ways to watch and participate in this study, click here.

Thrift Shop and Food Pantry
     Good news!  The Thrift Shop has reopened on Tuesdays from 9:30 am until noon.  There are lots of winter clothing available.  Come shop and say hello to the ladies who make it all possible! As of March 1st join us for our March Madness Sale: everything you can fit in a bag for $1.
     The Food Pantry has returned to their pre-Covid way of doing things.  There will be more choices available.
     Thank you to the people who donate their time and effort to make all of these offerings possible.

Women’s History Month
     March is Women’s History Month, a time to lift up all the women who have made an impact on our collective history.  The Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society was formed in 1869 in Boston and has been on the forefront of developing leaders, fostering spiritual growth and advocating for justice.  Today the United Methodist Women continue to work for positive change and equip women around the world to become leaders of tomorrow.  During Women’s History Month, we honor not only the history of United Methodist Women, but all women.  After the recent name change, United Methodist Women are now known as United Women in Faith. You may read more about this at uwfaith.org.

Sunday School This Quarter
Upcoming dates for classes will be March 13 and 27.  

Church Building Restoration Fund
     The next phase of our church restoration will start in the spring.  Please contribute to help us pay the remaining $65,000 of the project.  Although there are investments which were received through generous bequests, the cost of these repairs would significantly deplete church investments.  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.
​
Fair Trade
     We now have chocolate bars!  We also have regular and decaf coffee, teas and dark hot cocoa.  Just call or email Stan Lockwood  (518.885.1552 0r stosh964@gmail.com) .  Thank you to those who support this ministry at BSUMC.
 
​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.

A Note from Thelma
     Thank you to my church family for the prayers, cards, and calls.  Receiving this means so much.
– Thelma Armer

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:
  • Dorothy Collins asks for prayers for Barb King for medical concerns and to Barb's family as her support system.  She also asks for prayers for a friend whose mom is in hospice.
  • Dorothy Collins states that the 2 ½-year-old who had open-heart surgery is home and improving daily.
  • Dorothy Collins asks for prayers for a friend whose family is in hiding in Ukraine.
  • Please continue to keep George Pinter & his family in your prayers following their house burning down.    George has 3 children still living at home and all managed to get out safely.  Included is a list of clothing sizes if anyone is able to donate clothing:
      Jakob: Pant size: 32x32, Shirt: Men's Medium, Underwear: Men's Medium, Shoe Size 10.5 or 11
      Benjamin: Pants (boy's size) 12, Shirts: 12/14, Underwear: 12/14, Shoe Size: Men's 6
      Elisabeth: Pants: Juniors small, Shirts: Women's Small / Medium, Underwear: Women's small, Bra: 34B
Thank you for anything that you are able to do. 
  • Melissa Taylor asks us to pray for the family of her friend Stacey who has passed.
  • Mary Drake: Please pray for my sister Lou Ann Dring.  She is having problems with one of her legs and may require major surgery which could result in the loss of her leg. 
  • Mary Drake asks for continued prayers for her Uncle Tom and the family in Indiana.  She just got word that he had taken a turn for the worse. 
  • Ilah Sisson Walser writes: As the numbers surge, we must remember each number in reports is a person who needs our prayers, and for their families.  Our prayers go out to all those suffering loss and illness.
  • Please include Carole DiLallo in your prayers.  She is dealing with some health issues. 
  • Ilah Sisson Walser asks for continued prayers for a friend, Linda, who is going through another bout with cancer with specialized treatments at Sloan Kettering. 
  • 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.
  • Please continue to keep Bill Haege, Marilynn Peterson, Pat Jones, Helen Senecal, 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
March 8 - Church Council (via Zoom)
Wednesdays, March 9-April 13 - Lenten Study, “The Chosen” 7 pm
March 13 - Sunday School
March 27 - Sunday School; UMCOR Sunday
July 16 - Church Rummage Sale
 
Celebrations!
 We have many birthdays to celebrate!
  • Haley Ann Parlapiano (3/6)
  • Tom Forster (3/6)
  • Sarah Behnke (3/8)
  • Carrie Adserias (3/9)
  • Anna Wilson (3/9)
  • Heather Staulters (3/11)
  • Beverly Thompson (3/12)
  • Kimberly Poteralski (3/12)
Happy birthday to all of you!
There is also one anniversary: Melissa and Dennis Taylor will be celebrating their anniversary on March 10.  
​
Next week in worship:
Sound                      
Mark Warner
Projection             Katie Warner
Liturgist                 George Wilson
Children’s Time  Pastor Kelly
Ushers                    Melody Babcock & George Mallette
Music                      Kathy Fisher

If you would like to volunteer to help with Sunday services, please contact Ruth Persons after church.

9th Annual Photo Show
     Everyone is invited to participate in this year's Lenten Photo Show, sponsored by the First United Methodist Church in downtown Schenectady at 603 State Street!  For five weeks during Lent, a different theme has been chosen.  During each of these weeks, FUMC will be accepting one to three photos that the participant has taken that reflect the weekly themes, which are: 
March 2-8: Not Understood
March 9-15:  Weeping
March 16-22:  Unknown
March 23-29:  Teacher
March 30-Apr. 5:  Seen
     Anyone can participate in either or both of two ways:
1. Submit photos that you have taken to: fumcphotoshow@gmail.com with theme and a title/caption
2. View the show on the church's website, Facebook page, and as part of Easter Worship on April 17th.
For more information, visit our website at http://www.fumcschenectady.org, or our Facebook page.  Or contact the office at 518-374-4403.

Community News
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 x102 or Melissa@RTSaratoga.org.

Care Links Volunteers Needed
     Senior Citizens in your community are looking for assistance with grocery shopping, transportation appointments and a friendly face to visit them.  Call 518-399-3262 to help in Clifton Park, Halfmoon, Ballston, Malta, Charlton and Mechanicville.  You can make a difference with just an hour a week.
 
Captain Community Human Services
    The Wellness Express Transportation Program offers transportation to medical appointments for area residents.  They operate weekdays between 8 am and 4 pm.  Appointments are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.  Requests should be made at least one week in advance and is limited to a 50-mile radius from the point of origin.  To schedule a ride, call 518-399-3262.  The Wellness Express is funded by the Saratoga County Office for the Aging and by the New York State Office for the Aging.  Voluntary and confidential contributions are accepted.  Services will not be affected because of the inability to contribute. 
 
​​Have a blessed week

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