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Welcome Back!
     Our doors are open for in-person worship!  Masks are required at all times while in the building; seating will be at least 6 feet apart.  Please enter by the south (ramp) door. You will be guided to a seat, and at the end of the service you will be dismissed via the north door by an usher. We will continue not singing as a congregation.

For anyone wishing to remain at home we will continue posting worship services on Facebook and our website.  

Welcome and Thank You Reverend Dan McIntyre
     Welcome to Reverend Dan McIntyre and his wife Eileen who are visiting us this morning from Troy.  Thank you, Reverend McIntyre, for leading worship today.  

Sunday Fellowship After Church
     Lemonade on the Lawn is now being offered for fellowship after church.  Please join us!

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:
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.

Next Sunday - Peace with Justice Sunday
     Peace with Justice Sunday will be on May 30th. Please don’t forget this important giving opportunity – half of all money donated in our Conference stays right here to support the ministries we are starting!
     When you give on Peace with Justice Sunday, your gift makes possible our critical kingdom work in the world.  Because you give:
  • Methodists spearhead a peace ministry uniting Arizona border communities.
  • United Methodists in Liberia are being equipped to implement the denomination’s Social Principles to address social-justice issue.
  • Pennsylvania students are educating their community about sex-trafficking at home and abroad.
     These initiatives, and hundreds of other ones, are possible because you give.  Please write Peace with Justice on your check.

Upcoming Events
  • Pastor Kelly returns - May 25th
  • Peace with Justice Sunday - May 30th
  • Memorial Day - May 31st
  • Kathy Haege Memorial - May 31st
  • Finance Meeting - June 1st, 6:30 pm
  • Prayer Shawl Meeting - June 1st, 7 pm via Zoom
  • Church Council Meeting - June 8th, 7 pm via Zoom
​
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 continue to pray for Lou Cook and for his wife Joyce. Joyce remains at Wesley under hospice care, but family can visit her now that the facility's COVID lockdown has ended.  Lou has been on the mend after a fall and head injury, plus a procedure to implant a pacemaker.   He got the good news last Friday that he will be able to get rehab at Wesley.  They both are appreciating the cards being sent to them and thank everyone for their continuing prayers.  Cards may be sent to their home and family members will share them with Lou and Joyce.  Please pray that in the coming days they might find a way to see each other, that is what they both want more than anything else!
  • We thank God for the beautiful baby Levi Scott O’Connor who was born to Katie (Sheeran) and Kyle O’Connor on May 12th.  Levi has a big brother Aiden.
  • Pastor Kelly asks for prayers for her younger brother Peter who had rotator cuff surgery in Saranac Lake and anticipates 10 weeks recovery.  
  • Sue Cramer thanks God for the answered prayers for her granddaughter Megan who had a successful heart catheterization.  Megan is getting better every day. 
  • Ilah gives this update: Garner is a fighter and is improving each day.  He is up to six pounds.  He is still undergoing complex eating and breathing coordination.  They are hopeful he will be home soon.  His great grandmother and I went to school together (from kindergarten to graduating high school).  She has expressed hers and her family's gratitude for the prayers on Garner's and their behalf. 
  • Pat Jones asks for prayers for Russ, a family friend in his 80s with cancer.
  • Prayers for Bill Haege’s health and adjustment to using his wheelchair.  And prayers for Katie, his caregiver, who is struggling with her grandmother's death.           
  • Please pray for Amy in her early pregnancy.
  • Melissa Taylor is praising God for helping her through her treatments and appreciates our prayers.
  • 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.
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.

Prayer Shawls
     Prayer shawls are still being made by my sister and myself.  We are hopeful to send a bag of six to the Rock City Falls UMC this week when one of their members stops by.  During this time of pandemic and shutdown, we have distributed some virtual prayer shawls by notecard or email.  It comes with a suggestion to have the card visible to be able to see the symbolic prayer shawl and know that the prayers are surrounding the person.  Do you have a need for a prayer shawl?  Contact me for information.
- Ilah Sisson Walser 

Thank You for the Music
     Last week we enjoyed the music of Dorothy Collins, Anna Wilson, Jan Mallette, Mark Warner, and Cathy King.  Over the course of the pandemic, we have heard from Kelly Schmidt as well.  Thank you all for the beautiful gifts you have shared with us.  
     As we continue to offer both in person and online worship experiences, we are seeking ways to increase the variety of our musical offerings.  If you are interested in being part of this, here are some opportunities:
  • help lead worship by singing hymns.  If you would like to help with this, we rehearse on Thursday evenings between 6 and 7 in the sanctuary.  When you arrive at the south door of the church by the ramp, call Cathy King at 518-538-4523 and she will come unlock the door for you.
  • sing or play an instrument for special music.  If you don’t have a piece to play or sing, Cathy will help you find something.  You can come on Thursday evenings as described above or see Cathy to arrange a different time for rehearsal.
  • ring in a handbell quartet.  We can space ringers 6 feet or more apart and ring wearing masks to make this a safe activity.  Even if you have never tried ringing before, and you are in second grade or older, you are welcome to come and learn.  Please let Cathy know of your interest by seeing her at church, calling her at 518-538-4523 or emailing her at cathys.notes@gmail.com.

Boy Scout News

     The Boy Scouts have resumed their meetings by holding them in the parking lot.  They’re planning their summer activities of mini-golf on June 7th and a Court of Honor on June 14th.  They will be at Scout camp July 25-31.  Andrew Paster’s Eagle project, an emergency food pantry, will be completed over the summer. 

Summer 2021 is Coming, and Camp is Open!
     Swimming!  Hiking!  Boating! Cabins!  S'mores!  They are all back at Skye Farm!
     A wide variety of camp experiences for ages 3 - 18, starting July 7 - August 4, all with safety precautions and regulations in place!
Xperience 2021 (New!)                                    Xperience 2021: Outdoors (New!)     Campolodeon                      Campolodeon: H2O             
Campolodeon: Outpost (New!)                     Adirondack Odyssey(New!)                 Adirondack Odyssey: Backpackers (New!);                        Camplympics (New!)                                        Little Ones

     Check it all out and register at https://campsandretreats.org/summer-camp-2021/
     We recognize that Camp is not cheap, so we have Camperships available!  Contact Linda Sheeran at lsheeran6@gmail.com or 518-885-1729.

Hats Update
     Hats, hats, hats  -  everyday there are hats.  We are currently packing the hats in bags and storing them for the colder weather that will return in late Fall, when we will again distribute them locally, around the state, and across the country.  We are in communications with the Four Corners Native American Ministry in Shiprock, NM and have sent several there.  We may expand into other items as we hear needs out there.  The Navajo have been hit very severely with COVID-19 and its effects.  I will be in touch when we develop other avenues of donations for them.  Maybe including socks (not handknit but purchased ones)...  just a thought.  We are so fortunate in our lives and what a blessing it is to share and give freely to others.  Thank you for your continued support. 
- Ilah Sisson Walser

Fair Trade
    We have only three Dark Orange ($3) chocolate bars left.  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.

Paul and Shirley MacMillan Update
     On May 14th, there was a committal service for Shirley MacMillan at the Galway Cemetery.  Her husband Paul was there with close to 20 family members and a few friends.  There were some good memories shared, bringing smiles and plenty of laughter.  Many there agreed she was a remarkable woman, determined in every way, an amazing role model.  What Paul has said again and again is that she was his "partner” all through life.   
     Paul continues to stay in his home, managing quite well.  For those who have asked him whether he plans to plant a garden this year, he’s said he plans to get his fresh produce from the grocery store this year!  Many at the Ballston Spa UM Church fondly remember his past generous donations of fresh produce for our church suppers. 

Celebrations!
We have 1 birthday to celebrate this week: Bill Haege's on May 23rd.  Happy birthday Bill!
There are no anniversaries this week. 
​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

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