​Ballston Spa United Methodist Church
  • Home
  • The Latest
    • Recent posts
    • January 29 message
    • January 22 message
    • January 15 message
    • January 8 message
    • January 1 message
    • December 18 message
    • December 11 message
    • November 27 message
    • November 20 message
    • October 30 message
    • October 23 message
    • October 16 message
    • October 2 message
    • September 25 message
    • September 11 message
    • September 4 message
    • August 28 message
    • August 14 message
    • August 7 message
    • July 31 message
    • July 24 message
    • July 17 message
    • July 10 message
    • July 3 message
    • June 5 message
    • May 22 message
    • May 15 message
    • May 8 message
    • May 1 message
    • April 24 message
    • April 17 message
    • April 3 message
    • March 27 message
    • March 20 message
    • March 13 message
    • March 6 message
    • February 27 message
    • February 20 message
    • February 13 message
    • February 6 message
    • January 30 message
    • January 23 message
    • January 16 message
    • January 2 message
    • December 19 message
    • December 5 message
    • November 28 message
    • November 14 message
    • November 7 message
    • October 31 message
    • October 17 message
    • October 10 message
    • October 3 message
    • September 26 message
    • September 19 message
    • September 12 message
    • January 17 message
    • September 5 message
    • August 29 message
    • August 22 message
    • August 8 message
    • August 1 message
    • July 25 message
    • July 18 message
    • July 11 message
    • July 11 Scripture
    • June 27 message
    • June 13 message
    • June 6 message
    • May 9 message
    • May 2 message
    • April 25 message
    • April 18 message
    • April 11 message
    • April 4 message
    • March 21 message
    • March 14 message
    • March 7 message
    • February 28 message
    • February 21 message
    • February 14 message
    • January 31 message
    • January 24 message
    • January 10 message
    • January 3 message
    • December 13 message
    • December 6 message
    • November 29 message
    • November 15 message
    • November 1 message
    • October 11 message
    • Sept 13 message
    • Sept 6 message
    • Aug 30 message
    • Aug 23 message
    • Aug 16 message
    • July 26 message
    • July 12 Message
    • July 5 message
    • June 28 message
    • May 24 message
  • Videos
    • This week's service
    • Worship videos 2023
    • Worship videos 2022
    • Worship videos 2021
  • About Us
    • Church Staff
    • Church Directions
    • How to reach us
    • History
  • Ministry Matters
    • Announcements >
      • Ministry Matters January 29
      • Ministry Matters January 22
      • Ministry Matters January 15
      • Ministry Matters January 8
      • Ministry Matters January 1
      • Ministry Matters December 18
      • Ministry Matters December 11
      • Ministry Matters November 27
      • Ministry Matters November 20
      • Ministry Matters November 6
      • Ministry Matters October 23
      • Ministry Matters October 9
      • Ministry Matters October 2
      • Ministry Matters September 25
      • Ministry Matters September 11
      • Ministry Matters September 4
      • Ministry Matters August 28
      • Ministry Matters August 21
      • Ministry Matters August 14
      • Ministry Matters July 31
      • Ministry Matters July 24
      • Ministry Matters July 17
      • Ministry Matters July 3
      • Ministry Matters June 26
      • Ministry Matters June 19
      • Ministry Matters June 12
      • Ministry Matters June 5
      • Ministry Matters May 29
      • Ministry Matters May 22
      • Ministry Matters May 15
      • Ministry Matters May 8
      • Ministry Matters May 1
      • Ministry Matters April 24
      • Ministry Matters April 17
      • Ministry Matters April 10
      • Ministry Matters April 3
      • Ministry Matters March 27
      • Ministry Matters March 20
      • Ministry Matters March 13
      • Ministry Matters March 6
      • Ministry Matters February 27
      • Ministry Matters February 20
      • Ministry Matters February 13
      • Ministry Matters February 6
      • Ministry Matters January 30
      • Ministry Matters January 23
      • Ministry Matters January 16
      • Ministry Matters January 9
      • Ministry Matters January 2
      • Ministry Matters December 12
      • Ministry Matters December 5
      • Ministry Matters November 28
      • Ministry Matters November 21
      • Ministry Matters November 14
      • Ministry Matters November 7
      • Ministry Matters October 31
      • Ministry Matters October 17
      • Ministry Matters October 10
      • Ministry Matters October 3
      • Ministry Matters September 26 >
        • Understanding the UMC Budget
      • Ministry Matters September 19
      • Ministry Matters September 12
      • Ministry Matters September 5
      • Ministry Matters August 29
      • Ministry Matters August 22
      • Ministry Matters August 1
      • Ministry Matters July 25
      • Ministry Matters July 18
      • Ministry Matters July 11
      • Ministry Matters June 27
      • Ministry Matters June 13
      • Ministry Matters June 6
      • Ministry Matters May 30
      • Ministry Matters May 23
      • Ministry Matters May 9
      • Ministry Matters May 2
      • Ministry Matters April 25
      • Ministry Matters April 18
      • Ministry Matters April 11
      • Ministry Matters April 4
      • Ministry Matters March 28
      • Ministry Matters March 21
      • Ministry Matters March 14
      • Ministry Matters March 7
      • Ministry Matters February 28
      • Ministry Matters February 21
      • Ministry Matters February 14
      • Ministry Matters February 7
      • Ministry Matters January 31
      • Ministry Matters January 24
      • Ministry Matters January 17
      • Ministry Matters January 10
      • Ministry Matters January 3
      • Ministry Matters December 20
      • Ministry Matters December 13
      • Ministry Matters December 6
      • Ministry Matters November 29
      • Ministry Matters November 22
      • Ministry Matters November 15
      • Ministry Matters November 8
      • Ministry Matters November 1
      • Ministry Matters October 25
      • Ministry Matters October 18
      • Ministry Matters October 11
      • Ministry Matters October 4
      • Ministry Matters September 27
      • Ministry Matters September 20
      • Ministry Matters September 13
      • Ministry Matters August 16
      • Ministry Matters July 12
      • Ministry Matters July 5
      • Ministry Matters June 29
      • Ministry Matters May 31
      • Ministry Matters May 24
      • Ministry Matters May 16
      • Ministry Matters May 7
      • Ministry Matters April 30
      • Ministry Matters 4/23/20
  • How We Serve
    • Food Pantry
    • Clothing Thrift Shop
    • Prayer Shawl Ministry
    • UM Economic & Lakota Ministries
    • Fair Trade Coffee
    • Regional Food Bank Trip
    • 2020 Falling Leaves 5K Run
    • 2019 Falling Leaves 5K Run
    • Bright Red Book Shelf
    • Summer Lunch Program
  • Giving
    • Online giving
    • Sign up for automatic giving
    • Through On-line Purchasing
  • Resources
    • Safe Sanctuary Policy
    • Links
    • Forms
    • Photos & Videos
Picture
November 14 is Consecration Sunday
     Congregations that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view the money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills.  Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a way people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes.
      Thanks to Rev. Steve Butler, who grew up as part of this church, for serving as our guest preacher.

Important Announcement
     We ask that all people wear masks.  Please enter through the south door and exit through the north door.  Please maintain social distancing.  Once seated you may remove your masks if vaccinated.  We acknowledge that this continues to be a challenging time and appreciate everyone’s efforts and caring for one another.

Sunday School this week
     Join us for Sunday School!  We will meet as one group approximately two Sundays a month through the end of the year.  We have some fun projects and activities to share with the kids to make it exciting.  The dates we plan to have Sunday School are 11/21 and 12/12.
 
Church Building Restoration Fund
     Significant repairs that are required to maintain the church’s structural stability have been scheduled.  Please consider contributing to help us work towards paying for this $71,500 project.  Although there are investments which were received through generous bequests, the extent and cost of these repairs would significantly deplete church investments if not replenished.  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.

Adopt a Family for Christmas
     Each year we adopt a family for Christmas.  This year we have two children, a 12-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy.  Their wishes are on the tags of the Christmas tree located in the front of the sanctuary.  Please take a tag or two as you are able and return the unwrapped gifts with the tag attached to the church by December 5th.  There will be bins located in the back of the sanctuary in which to place your gifts.  You may contact Mary Drake (518-478-5804) or Marcy Wilson (518-885-7472) with any questions.
 
Winterwear Mission
     It is time to start our Winterwear Mission which will be held through January.  Hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves will be collected to be given to people through our Food Pantry and sent to the Navajo people and the Church Without Walls.  Your donations may be left in the marked basket in the sanctuary.  Your gifts of warmth are greatly needed and genuinely appreciated.

December's First Friday Parade is Back!
     On December 3rd, the Village of Ballston Spa will be having their First Friday Event: the Christmas Parade.  We will be having an Open House with music in the sanctuary and sharing cookies and cocoa outside.  If you are able to help in any way (baking, pouring cocoa, serving cookies, etc.) please contact the office (518-885-6886 or bsumc@albany.twcbc.com) to let us know how you can help.  This is a big event in town, and we would like to let the people know we are still here.

Fair Trade
Fair Trade coffee and tea are still available for those who wish to purchase it.  Just call or email Stan Lockwood to make arrangements (518.885.1552 or stosh964@gmail.com) .  Also, dark chocolate bars will be available before the holidays to keep all who are chocolate lovers happy!!  Thank you to those who support this ministry at BSUMC.
 
Thrift Shop and Food Pantry
     The Thrift Shop has reopened!  Come shop on Tuesdays from 9:30 till noon.  The Food Pantry remains open on Wednesdays from 9:30 till noon.  Thank you to the people who continue to donate their time for both of these worthwhile missions. 

United Methodist Student Day
     Thank you for your generosity in 2020.  United Methodists gave $236,828 towards the ministries funded by the United Methodist Student Day Sunday offering.  This offering helps provide for over 70 scholarships available for United Methodist students to further their education and enrich the life of the Church.  This year's collection, one of the UMC's six yearly Special Offerings, will be taken on November 28th.
 
Let’s Decorate!
     At 7 pm Friday, November 26th, all are invited to meet in the sanctuary to decorate the church for Christmas.  Wear your ugly Christmas sweater - you might win a prize!  Let’s start the holidays off right with music and decorating.  We look forward to seeing everyone there!  
 
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.

Thank You from Bishop Mark J. Webb
     Thank you for paying 100 % of your shared ministries in 2020.  This is a significant achievement, and I am very mindful you have accomplished this only through great effort and steadfast commitment.  In any normal year, paying 100% of your shared ministries request is noteworthy.  In 2020, it is amazing.  Thank you for this and for all the other ways you serve Christ through your church and in your community.

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:
  • Prayers for the family of Kathy McCann who passed away on November 6th.
  • Ruth Persons asks for prayer for her friend Tina who is having major dental issues. 
  • Please keep Eleanor in prayer.  She suffered a heart attack and had a stent put in.  
  • Prayers go out to Jean Keehan on the loss of her companion, Jim Daley.  
  • Please keep Kelly Schmidt and her family in prayer.  Kelly’s grandmother is not doing well.
  • Please also pray for Dorothy’s friend Sharon that her doctors find the right medications and treatments for her.
  • Prayers are requested for Cherrie Sander’s friend John Hulbert.  He found out he has pancreatic cancer and had a biopsy done.
  • Pat Jones would like prayers of comfort and healing for her sister Doris Diamond who has health issues.
  • Please continue prayers for Olivia.  She has been missing since June 20th.
  • Pat Jones asks for prayers of comfort for Jim, a local man of ninety-three, who is in ill health.
  • Carrie Adserias requests prayers for Kyle's Grandma Carleen who has been battling with spreading cancer and treatments for a while now and is currently suffering with complications. 
  • Ilah Sisson Walser asks for prayers for a family friend who is going through another bout with cancer with specialized treatments.  Please add her to your prayers.  Thank you.
  • Please continue to keep Bill Haege, Marilynn Peterson, 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.

Ballston Spa Ecumenical Thanksgiving Bag Ministry
     Once again, the First Presbyterian Church of Ballston Spa would like to invite you to participate in the Ballston Spa Ecumenical Thanksgiving Bag Ministry.  Last year over 100 dinners were provided to families in need.  You can help by filling a bag with items needed for a basic and healthy Thanksgiving meal and delivering the bag and turkey to the First Presbyterian Church this Sunday,  November 21, from 11:30 am – 2 pm.  The items to be included in the bag are:
  • $10 gift card to a local grocery store, OR an 8-14 pound frozen turkey
  • 2 boxes seasoned stuffing mix
  • 2 boxes instant mashed potatoes
  • 2 cans of gravy (no glass please)
  • 3-4 cans of vegetables
  • 1 can cranberry sauce
  • 1 boxed dessert mix
You can also volunteer to help on distribution Monday, November 22, from noon to 6 pm.
Thank you for your help as we seek to be a blessing to those in need this Thanksgiving.   
 
Let’s Change the World, One Bouquet at a Time!
     The Bloomin' 4 Good Program is a program from Hannaford that works to give back in our local communities.  For the month of December 2021, Ballston Spa United Methodist Church Food Pantry has been selected to receive a $1 donation for every $12.00 Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet with the red circle sticker sold at the store located at 43 Round Lake Road, Ballston Lake NY.
     The Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet is a grower's choice floral bouquet.  This means that the assortment of flowers within the bouquet will change.  Be sure to look for the bouquet with the red circle sticker on it to be sure the purchase will support our food pantry.

Upcoming Events
November 20 - Youth Group 6:30-8:30 pm
November 21 - Sunday School
November 21-27 - Pastor Kelly on vacation
November 25 - Thanksgiving
November 26 - Decorating the sanctuary
November 28 - 1st Sunday of Advent - The Sunday of Hope
November 28 - United Methodist Student Day (special offering)
December 3 - 1st Friday Open House
​
Celebrations!
This week's birthday: 
  • Dolores Wilson (11/17)
Happy birthday, Dolores!

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!

Next week in worship:
Sound                       
Riley Schmidt
Projection               Katie Warner
Liturgist                   Danielle Coffey
Children’s Time    Jason Behnke
Ushers                       Mary Drake

Community events
     Simpson United Methodist Church is having their famous steamed brown bread and bake sale.  Order your brown bread by November 15th by calling 518-885-4794.  The cost is $6.50 per loaf.  Pick-up dates are Friday, November 19th from 4 to 6 pm and Saturday, November 20th  from 9 am to 2 pm at the Simpson UMC in Rock City Falls.
​
​​Have a blessed week

Like us on Facebook:

Visit our Facebook Page:

© 2023 Ballston Spa United Methodist Church. 101 Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa, NY 12020
E-Mail: