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Important Announcement
     Since the Covid average has risen, we ask that all people wear masks, not just the unvaccinated.  Singing is again not permitted, and in-person coffee hour has been suspended.  All entering the church will need to come in through the south door and exit through the north door.  Please maintain social distancing.  We acknowledge that this continues to be a challenging time and appreciate everyone’s efforts and caring for one another.

Today is Pastor Appreciation Sunday
     Pastor Appreciation Day started as “Clergy Appreciation Day”.  The idea of showing appreciation for your Clergy, Pastors, or Leaders is very Biblical and can be traced all the way back to Paul’s New Testament letters.  Paul mentions this idea in a number of different letters that he writes to the various churches.  Paul says this in his first letter to Timothy: “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” 1 Tim. 5:17 (ESV).  Paul highlights the fact that our Pastors should be considered worthy of double honor for assuming this role in His church and doing it well.  But, typically with double honor, you can expect double stress; this is why we need to make an even greater effort to celebrate and encourage those in leadership.  And to Pastor Kelly…We thank you.

Sunday School Starts Today!
     Kelly, Mary, and Marcy are excited to get Sunday School going again.  We will meet approximately two Sundays a month through the end of the year as one group upstairs after children’s time.  We have some fun projects and activities but would also like to hear from the kids to see what might make it exciting for them to come to Sunday School.  The dates we plan to have Sunday School are: 10/10, 10/24, 11/7, 11/21, and 12/12. 

Annual Conference
     It’s fall and that means it’s time for our annual church conference.  It will be held on Saturday, October 16th at 4:30 pm in the Round Lake UMC.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Reformation Sunday, October 31
     Reformation Sunday gives us a chance to tell our story – a chance to remember.  We all have a family story – how we got to this point in history.  Stories about parents and grandparents, about the things that have shaped our families over the years.  Reformation Sunday is a day when we remember and re-tell the family stories of our faith.  Stories about men and women who came before us and taught us about the faith.  Stories about people who risked everything so that we would be able to gather and worship in the manner that we do.
     We are asked to share the names of our loved ones that we wish to have remembered on Reformation Sunday.  You may do so by sending their names to the office; they will be listed in the bulletin on October 31st.  

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.
 
Red Bird Shoebox Ministry
     We have an opportunity to participate in the Red Bird Mission Christmas project.  We will be filling shoeboxes (plastic with locking lids) with suggested items for adult man or woman, children girl or boy.  This is a time-tested United Methodist mission in Beverly, Kentucky.  We will be collecting the boxes or items until October 17th.  Bring the shoeboxes to church or call Ilah Sisson Walser (518-885-1275) to drop them off to her.
Ways you can participate:
  1.  Fill a shoebox with items listed (noting some items have already been donated:  hats and mittens, toothbrushes, socks, shampoo, and bars of soap.
  2. Donate items as you are able.  Check with Ilah on those items to fill out shoeboxes.
  3. Donate money to be used to purchase items to complete boxes, and to support the distribution cost of getting the boxes to Beverly, Kentucky ($1 per box for the cost of van rental, gas, etc. for the trip from the Endwell UMC).  Those funds may be donated to our Church noting that the donation is for the Shoebox Ministry.
     A BSUMC volunteer will take the boxes to a local dropoff point, where they will be picked up by the volunteers from the Conference and taken to Endwell United Methodist Church.  From there all of the collected items and boxes will be transported in a rented van to Beverly, Kentucky for Christmas distribution.  Connectional church at its best.
     If you would like to fill a box (boxes available from Ilah), there is a list available.  If you feel like donating specific item(s), contact Ilah for an available listing.  Please note that the hats and mittens or gloves will be provided so you don’t have to purchase them for our boxes.  Also, we already have a supply of adult toothbrushes, socks, shampoo, and bars of soap for the boxes.  By working together, we can fill more boxes.

*Red Shoebox Note: All items should be FULL size and in their original containers, as purchased. To help items fit in the box, purchase flat bottles of shampoo, hand lotion, etc. & small round cans of shaving cream. Items listed below in italics have already been supplied.
Adult Shoebox: Comb and/or Hairbrush -Shampoo - Hand Lotion – Deodorant - Toothbrush and Toothpaste - Lip Balm - Bar of Soap -Washcloth - Disposable Razors -Shaving Cream - Nail Care Items - Socks - Work gloves or Mittens - Winter Stocking Hat or Scarf
Child Shoebox: Comb and/or Hairbrush - Shampoo - Hand Lotion - Child’s Toothbrush and Toothpaste - Chap Stick - Bar of Soap - Washcloth - Socks - Mittens - Winter Hat - Small Flashlight - 2 or 3 small toys - 2 or 3 school items - Christian bookmarks, wristbands, and other spiritual items are also appreciated.
Thank you for your generosity!

In 2021, United States Disaster Response Continues
     In the midst of a year full of disaster from coast to coast, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) continues to offer emergency response to conferences and help to communities developing resilient ways of facing disasters.  Disasters – natural and humanmade – have increased the world over, which means UMCOR’s work has increased as well.  UMCOR staff work diligently to resource and assist its partners nationally and internationally to reach people who wait for help, wherever they may be and whatever the cause of their distress.  Please give to help us help others.
   
Thrift Shop and Food Pantry

     Due to the Covid upswing, the Thrift Shop is again closed.  Stay tuned for the reopening date.  However, the Food Pantry remains open on Wednesdays from 9:30 till noon.  Thank you to the people who continue to donate their time for this worthwhile mission.
 
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.  

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:
  • Melody Babcock asks for prayers for Amy who is in her last month of a high-risk pregnancy.
  • Sue Cramer asks for prayers for several family members who have Covid.
  • 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 August 22nd.
  • 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.  Lord, hear our prayers.
  • 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 put Bill on our prayer list.  He is an Elk member who monthly delivers many bags of groceries to our Food Pantry.  He has cancer and will be going to Albany Med. for advice on treating it.
  • 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.

Thank You
     To my church family - Thank you for all your prayers and cards on the death of my brother.  He had leukemia and passed away very quickly.   Your love and support has meant so much to me and my family.
Blessings, Janet and George Mallette

UMC Budget, explained
Please click here to read more about how the United Methodist Church distributes the funds it receives from local churches and Annual Conferences.

Upcoming Events
October 12  - Church Council via Zoom at 7 pm
October 16 - Annual Church Conference in Round Lake UMC at 4:30 pm
October 24 - Red Bird shoeboxes due to church
October 24 - Laity Sunday
October 24-30 - Pastor Kelly on vacation
October 26–28 - Sue Cramer on vacation – office closed

Celebrations!
There are six birthdays this week! 
  • Gordon Willey (10/12)
  • Jonathan Warner (10/14)
  • Ruthanne Kilburn (10/14)
  • Gary Persons (10/14)
  • Ron Solotruck (10/15)
  • Mike Cramer (10/15)
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                         
AJ Schmidt
Projection                Riley Schmidt
Liturgist                    Jan Mallette
Children’s Time    Jason Behnke
Ushers                       Conrad Dorau & Mary Drake

​​Have a blessed week

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