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Consecration Sunday
     On Consecration Sunday, we received 32 pledges.  We had 11 people who increased their pledges from this year.  We received one new Vanco member and one new pledge for next year.  The total dollar amount for the pledges we received so far is $72,644.  I would like to thank everyone who has pledged and look forward to receiving those pledge cards yet to be received.  I will continue to update you as more pledges come in.
Cherrie Sanders, Financial Secretary

​
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Bags are Still Available
     Last year over 200 dinners were provided to families in need through our Ecumenical Thanksgiving bags.  The need is much greater this year.  More bags were dropped off last Sunday.  But here’s how you can help:
  • FILL A BAG with items needed for a basic and healthy Thanksgiving meal, and a $10 gift card to a local grocery store OR an 8-14 pound frozen turkey to go along with it.  A suggested list is attached to each bag along with other important instructions.  The bags to be filled may be picked up in the Food Pantry on Wednesday or you may contact our office or Pastor Kelly if you would like to pick one up at a different time.  Maybe your neighbors would like to help with this good cause. 
  • DELIVER the bag and turkey to the First Presbyterian Church on COLLECTION SUNDAY, November 22 from 11:30 am—2 pm.  Your donation is tax deductible if you save your receipts and attach them to a signed tax receipt that will be available on that day. 
  • VOLUNTEER to help at the First Presbyterian Church on DISTRIBUTION MONDAY, November 23 from 12—6 pm.  Contact the Presbyterian church to volunteer.
     THANK YOU for your help as we seek to be a blessing to those in need this Thanksgiving!  Questions can be directed to: First Presbyterian Church 22 West High St. Ballston Spa, NY 12020, 518-885-5583, or ballstonpres@gmail.com.
 
United Methodist Student Day Sunday, November 22
     This Special Sunday calls the church to support students as they prepare for life in uniting faith with knowledge.  The special offering provides scholarships for qualified United Methodist applicants.  When you give generously on United Methodist Student Day, you support students as they prepare for life in uniting faith with knowledge.
     The United Methodist Church believes that every person has the right to education and that the responsibility of educating young people rests with the family, faith communities, and the government.  On United Methodist Student Day, we have the opportunity to support scholarships and low-interest loans that help young leaders achieve their dreams and serve the world God loves.  Together we’re raising up gifted Christian leaders.  So although you can’t meet every need you’d like to, your giving allows members of Christ’s body, to do it in Jesus’ name.
 
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi
 
Social Justice Bible Study
What:  Bible study & discussion of social justice issues
                  Week 1  Seeing immigrants through God’s eyes
 When: Thursday, November 19 at 7 pm
 Where:  On Zoom, or at Connections Cafe
 Who:  Church members and any family or friends who may be interested
 How:  Anyone wishing to participate via Zoom may call the church office (518-885-6886) to enroll so they may receive an email invitation to join on Zoom.
     In preparation for the first discussion, the following Bible chapters are recommended reading with particular focus on the verses listed. In addition, the 7 P’s of Bible Study can be used as a resource guide as you begin your study. Come and join us as we discuss and learn together what God’s word is saying to us.
  • JEREMIAH 34, verses 8,9,10,17             
  • MICAH 6, verses 8,9,13,14            
  • MATTHEW 6, verses 2,3,4,14,15

Simpson UMC Brown Bread Sale
     Simpson United Methodist Church is having their famous steamed brown bread and bake sale.  Order your brown bread by November 16th by calling 518-885-4794.  The cost is $6.50 per loaf.  Pick-up dates are Friday, November 20th from 4 to 6 pm and Saturday, November 21st from 9 am to 2 pm at the Simpson UMC in Rock City Falls.
 
November is Native American Heritage Month
     During the month of November, United Methodists are called to learn  more about the history of Native/indigenous people.  America is a vast land of many cultures dating back thousands of years to the original inhabitants of the land.  History, heritage, or culture of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians are part of every national park and communities across the country today.  Every November during Native American Heritage Month and throughout the year, the National Park Service and our partners share history and the continuing culture of America’s indigenous peoples.
 
Weekly Services and Sermons on Facebook
     The service is posted weekly on our Facebook page and on the Recent Posts page of this site.  The sermon manuscript is also posted on this site under the Blog heading.   If you do not have access to any of those resources, a print copy can be mailed to you from our church office.  Please let the office (518-885-6886) know if you would like it mailed to you and are not currently receiving it that way. 

The Worship Schedule for November
November 22
Pastor on vacation – Lay Leader Ruth Persons leading worship

November 29 First Sunday in Advent
Scripture: Mark 13:28-37
Sermon: “Happy Anticipation”
Theme:  Hope (UM Student offering)
 
Zoom Links Available for Bishop Webb’s Laity Gatherings
     Bishop Webb is inviting all laity to join him in December for Regional gatherings on Zoom.  These gatherings will be a time of prayer and conversation around our ongoing commitment to the mission of the Church in these unprecedented days.
     Bishop Webb said, “I look forward to gathering with the laity of each region to join together in prayer, celebrate the ongoing ministry within each congregation, and keep our focus upon the common task we share in ‘making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.’”   
     The session for the Northeast Region (Northern Flow, Adirondack, Mohawk, and Albany Districts) will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 2 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
     To join the meeting:
  • Call 646-558-8656, or
  • Connect via Zoom using meeting ID 933 6043 0915 and passcode 068009.
 
Find Daily Devotions On-line
     Devotional resources are one of the needs identified by pastors and other local church leaders in recent research conducted by United Methodist Communications.
     The Upper Room and the National Council of Churches are among the United Methodist and ecumenical agencies producing daily devotions online. 
The Upper Room: Morning prayer on Facebook, daily, 11 am CDT; Daily Devotionals from The Upper Room Magazine.
National Council of Churches: Prayer and scripture posted daily throughout the pandemic.
 
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.
  • Please pray for the Cook (Lou and Joyce Cook) family.
  • Please pray for both Bill and Kathy Haege.  Bill is having foot surgery at Ellis Hospital.  Kathy needs prayers for strength and patience as a caregiver.
  • Prayers are needed for Pat Jones who had pneumonia.
  • Please pray for Melissa who is experiencing medical issues.
  • Keep Bob Elbertson in your prayers. 
  • Gary DiLallo, who served this congregation as a Lay Pastor a few years ago.  He needs prayers for comfort and is currently at the Glens Falls Hospital.  Please also keep his wife Carol in your prayers.
 
Vacations Coming Up
     Pastor Kelly and Glenn Harrison are both on vacation from November 21st through November 28th.  Although on vacation, Pastor Kelly will be in town and available for an emergency.  Pastor Kelly will be back to celebrate the first Sunday of Advent - the Sunday of Hope.
 
Fair Trade
     Please contact Stan Lockwood at 518-885-1552 or via email at  Stosh964@gmail.com  for coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.
 
Music for Services
     At present, we are not permitted to sing hymns as a congregation, so we would like to feature instrumentalists as much as possible.  If you are interested in playing during the service, please contact Cathy King at 518 584-2865 or cathys.notes@gmail.com with your availability.  She would need a few dates that work for you so she can schedule things appropriately. 
     Many thanks for sharing your gifts of music!
 
“The center of His will is the most peaceful place to be.” – Unknown

Have a blessed week

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