Mark your calendar for March 14th
Our church doors will be open for in-person worship on March 14th! The service time is at 10:00 a.m., masks are required, and seating will be at least 6 feet apart. For anyone wishing to remain at home, we will continue posting worship services on Facebook and our website.
The Church Office is Now Open
Sue Cramer will be in the office Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 10 am and 2 pm. We ask that you continue to contact her via phone and email rather than coming into the office.
11:30 a.m. Sunday Coffee Hour is on ZOOM or by Phone
Join us for a virtual coffee fellowship via Zoom (either by computer/iPad or phone). Bring your own refreshment and enjoy seeing each other via Zoom. This is the link through May at 11:30 AM Eastern Time (note the new time as of March 14):
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.
Mark Your Calendar
We will be having a Souper Soup Supper fund-raiser on Saturday, April 10th from 4 to 7 pm. It will be strictly take-out. Hearty chicken noodle and broccoli cheese soups will be available.
We anticipate another fundraiser on May 8th and will need volunteers stepping forward for these events. Please let the church office know if you will be on the planning team or be a volunteer as soon as possible.
Memorials Committee
The Memorials Committee is seeking an additional member. It’s a three-person committee currently consisting of Diane Solotruck and Estella Simmons. If you would be interested and willing to be a part of this committee, please let Pastor Kelly know.
Finance Team Reports
The Finance Team reports that our financial receipts for February were approximately $6,300, and our expenses were $10,500, for a current deficit of over $9,000. This month we did have a significant cost for snow removal, $2,000. You are invited to make a gift to the church by sending a check to the church at 101 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa NY 12020, or by clicking here to give securely online.
Life Lessons from 6 Women in the Old Testament
We are holding a weekly Bible Study highlighting six women in the Old Testament each Wednesday from February 24 through March 31. It will be held between 7:30 and 8:30 pm via Zoom. The subject of each week’s study is below. You're welcome to join in any (or every) week! Contact the church office at 518-885-6886, or by email, to receive the link information.
March 10 - Miriam: A Gifted and Beloved Leader
Readings: Exodus 2:1-11, 15:20-21; Numbers 12; Numbers 20:1; Micah 6:4
Moses’ courageous older sister was an important leader in the journey toward the Promised Land. Her tragic flaw was jealousy, but when God confronted her, she was remorseful.
March 17 - Rahab: From Shame to Fame
Reading: Joshua 2:1-24; 6:1-25
A prostitute becomes a heroine by helping two of God’s servants with a dramatic escape. She later becomes a believer and is listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
March 24 - Michal: A Critical Wife Loses Sight of What Matters Most
Readings: 1 Samuel 18:20-29, 19:1-17, 25:44; 2 Samuel 3:1,12-16; 2 Samuel 6: 5, 14-23
David’s wife was once very much in love with her husband. Her focus shifted away from what was most important and she became bitter.
Week 6 Abigail: How to Capably Deal with Difficult Men
Reading: I Samuel 25
She selflessly risked her life to save her husband Nabaal. She frequently handled tense situations with calmness and wise words.
UMCOR Sunday is March 14
Let’s celebrate and support the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) on UMCOR Sunday. This is held annually on the fourth Sunday of Lent and pays the administration fees for the UMCOR responses. Please make your check payable to the Ballston Spa United Methodist Church with “UMCOR Sunday” on the memo line. You can also give directly at the UMCOR website.
UMCOR Responding to Severe Weather
The winter storm - unofficially named Winter Storm Uri - led to winter weather alerts for 170 million people. The state of Texas has been hit particularly hard, resulting in power blackouts, loss of heat and broken pipes. As the snow and ice melts, flooding will be a significant problem. United Methodist and other churches are serving as warming shelters and food banks.
Meanwhile, the same storm system spawned tornadoes in the Carolinas, destroying homes.
UMCOR, working with Conference Disaster Relief Coordinators, is providing immediate funding to assist annual conferences and will provide long-term support once the damage is fully assessed. Your help is needed. Please make a gift to UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response. You may send your check to the church but must include “UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response" on the memo line. It must be a separate check from your weekly pledge. Or you can visit the UMC Giving website.
Lent It Up Challenge
Our youth are doing a weekly challenge. The focus this week is to read the Bible. For any adults who want to try the same thing, here are some suggestions.
Bible Reading ideas:
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:
Fair Trade
Panama Extra Dark, Orange, Sea Salt with Almonds, and Caramel Crunch with Sea Salt varieties of Fair Trade chocolate are available for purchase (Sea Salt w/Almonds are $3.50, the others are $3.00). Organic Regular Coffee, Decaf Coffee, and various organic teas are also available. Please contact Stan Lockwood at 518.885.1552 or stosh964@gmail.com to arrange for delivery or pick-up.
Musical Offerings
Do you sing or play an instrument? Would you be willing to provide some music for our Sunday Services?
If so, please contact Cathy King at cathys.notes@gmail.com or 518-538-4523. She will be happy to work with you and schedule a date for your musical offering to be included in a worship service.
Celebrations!
We are celebrating five birthdays this week. Happy Birthday t0:
If there is a birthday or anniversary that you would like shared, please send it to the church office by email. Happy celebrations are always a blessing!
Have a blessed week
Our church doors will be open for in-person worship on March 14th! The service time is at 10:00 a.m., masks are required, and seating will be at least 6 feet apart. For anyone wishing to remain at home, we will continue posting worship services on Facebook and our website.
The Church Office is Now Open
Sue Cramer will be in the office Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 10 am and 2 pm. We ask that you continue to contact her via phone and email rather than coming into the office.
11:30 a.m. Sunday Coffee Hour is on ZOOM or by Phone
Join us for a virtual coffee fellowship via Zoom (either by computer/iPad or phone). Bring your own refreshment and enjoy seeing each other via Zoom. This is the link through May at 11:30 AM Eastern Time (note the new time as of March 14):
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.
Mark Your Calendar
We will be having a Souper Soup Supper fund-raiser on Saturday, April 10th from 4 to 7 pm. It will be strictly take-out. Hearty chicken noodle and broccoli cheese soups will be available.
We anticipate another fundraiser on May 8th and will need volunteers stepping forward for these events. Please let the church office know if you will be on the planning team or be a volunteer as soon as possible.
Memorials Committee
The Memorials Committee is seeking an additional member. It’s a three-person committee currently consisting of Diane Solotruck and Estella Simmons. If you would be interested and willing to be a part of this committee, please let Pastor Kelly know.
Finance Team Reports
The Finance Team reports that our financial receipts for February were approximately $6,300, and our expenses were $10,500, for a current deficit of over $9,000. This month we did have a significant cost for snow removal, $2,000. You are invited to make a gift to the church by sending a check to the church at 101 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa NY 12020, or by clicking here to give securely online.
Life Lessons from 6 Women in the Old Testament
We are holding a weekly Bible Study highlighting six women in the Old Testament each Wednesday from February 24 through March 31. It will be held between 7:30 and 8:30 pm via Zoom. The subject of each week’s study is below. You're welcome to join in any (or every) week! Contact the church office at 518-885-6886, or by email, to receive the link information.
March 10 - Miriam: A Gifted and Beloved Leader
Readings: Exodus 2:1-11, 15:20-21; Numbers 12; Numbers 20:1; Micah 6:4
Moses’ courageous older sister was an important leader in the journey toward the Promised Land. Her tragic flaw was jealousy, but when God confronted her, she was remorseful.
March 17 - Rahab: From Shame to Fame
Reading: Joshua 2:1-24; 6:1-25
A prostitute becomes a heroine by helping two of God’s servants with a dramatic escape. She later becomes a believer and is listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
March 24 - Michal: A Critical Wife Loses Sight of What Matters Most
Readings: 1 Samuel 18:20-29, 19:1-17, 25:44; 2 Samuel 3:1,12-16; 2 Samuel 6: 5, 14-23
David’s wife was once very much in love with her husband. Her focus shifted away from what was most important and she became bitter.
Week 6 Abigail: How to Capably Deal with Difficult Men
Reading: I Samuel 25
She selflessly risked her life to save her husband Nabaal. She frequently handled tense situations with calmness and wise words.
UMCOR Sunday is March 14
Let’s celebrate and support the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) on UMCOR Sunday. This is held annually on the fourth Sunday of Lent and pays the administration fees for the UMCOR responses. Please make your check payable to the Ballston Spa United Methodist Church with “UMCOR Sunday” on the memo line. You can also give directly at the UMCOR website.
UMCOR Responding to Severe Weather
The winter storm - unofficially named Winter Storm Uri - led to winter weather alerts for 170 million people. The state of Texas has been hit particularly hard, resulting in power blackouts, loss of heat and broken pipes. As the snow and ice melts, flooding will be a significant problem. United Methodist and other churches are serving as warming shelters and food banks.
Meanwhile, the same storm system spawned tornadoes in the Carolinas, destroying homes.
UMCOR, working with Conference Disaster Relief Coordinators, is providing immediate funding to assist annual conferences and will provide long-term support once the damage is fully assessed. Your help is needed. Please make a gift to UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response. You may send your check to the church but must include “UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response" on the memo line. It must be a separate check from your weekly pledge. Or you can visit the UMC Giving website.
Lent It Up Challenge
Our youth are doing a weekly challenge. The focus this week is to read the Bible. For any adults who want to try the same thing, here are some suggestions.
Bible Reading ideas:
- Read a gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John)
- Read some of Jesus’ parables
- Read some of the book of Acts, which describes the beginnings of the church
- Sarah (Genesis 17) - Mother of the nation Israel
- Miriam (Exodus 2, Numbers 12) - A gifted singer and leader
- Deborah (Judges 4-5) - First female judge, also a warrior and a poet
- Abigail (I Samuel 25) - A courageous wife in a time of crisis
- Ruth (Book of Ruth) - A widow who trusted God to help her start life over
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 pray for Cathy King following the passing of her mom.
- Please pray for the Warner family following the passing of Mark’s 102 year old Aunt Helen in Florida on February 27th.
- Prayers for Joyce Cook who is spending this week at Wesley for rehab. Cards can be sent to the Wesley Rehab Center, 121 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, 12866, Room 207. Also prayers for their oldest son Sean who had Covid-19 and is now residing at Warren Center for ongoing care related to a serious liver condition.
- Bill Haege is now home from Sunnyview.
- Melody Babcock says that her niece has now returned home with oxygen and physical therapy and is determined to return to work.
- Richard Babcock is improving thanks to some medicine changes.
- Please pray for Amy in her early pregnancy.
- Requesting continued prayers for Walter Thiem, his wife Courtney, and parents Sue and Al Thiem. Walter will be continuing medication and treatments.
- Continued prayers for Gary Persons. His doctors say he shows improvements.
- Melissa Taylor is praising God for helping her through her recent treatments. She greatly appreciates our prayers and support.
- 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.
Fair Trade
Panama Extra Dark, Orange, Sea Salt with Almonds, and Caramel Crunch with Sea Salt varieties of Fair Trade chocolate are available for purchase (Sea Salt w/Almonds are $3.50, the others are $3.00). Organic Regular Coffee, Decaf Coffee, and various organic teas are also available. Please contact Stan Lockwood at 518.885.1552 or stosh964@gmail.com to arrange for delivery or pick-up.
Musical Offerings
Do you sing or play an instrument? Would you be willing to provide some music for our Sunday Services?
If so, please contact Cathy King at cathys.notes@gmail.com or 518-538-4523. She will be happy to work with you and schedule a date for your musical offering to be included in a worship service.
Celebrations!
We are celebrating five birthdays this week. Happy Birthday t0:
- Sarah Vargas (3/8)
- Carrie Adserias (3/9)
- Anna Wilson (3/9)
- Beverly Thompson (3/12)
- and a belated happy birthday to Ava Barr (3/1)!
If there is a birthday or anniversary that you would like shared, please send it to the church office by email. Happy celebrations are always a blessing!
Have a blessed week