Change Your Clocks!
On November 1st, the clocks change. Remember to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday night.
HELP SUPPORT FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY THIS THANKSGIVING!
First Presbyterian Church is once again organizing an Ecumenical Thanksgiving Bag Ministry and we invite you to be a part. Last year we provided over 200 dinners to families in need. Families sign up through our local food pantries: Baptist, Episcopal, Methodist. Here’s how you can help:
Bags may be picked up in church on Sunday or in the Food Pantry on Wednesday.
Consecration Sunday News
This week you will receive a letter from Pastor Kelly inviting you to make a commitment to the ministries of the church for 2021. Please prayerfully fill out a blue pledge card and mail it back to the office in the envelope provided. Or join us on November 8th at our 10 am worship service and bring your pledge card. We are grateful for your past support and are excited about what we will do together in 2021 as God’s church.
First Presbyterian Annual Election Day Chicken BBQ
The First Presbyterian Church of Ballston Spa (First Presbyterian Church, 22 West High St., Ballston Spa, www.ballstonpresby.org) will be holding its annual Election Day Brooks Chicken BBQ, Tuesday November 3, 2020, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.
Half Chicken, roll, coleslaw, potato, and dessert for only $13.25.
CARRY OUT ONLY THIS YEAR. PLEASE PREORDER TO MAKE THINGS GO SMOOTHLY. Call 518-885-5583 before 4:30 pm on Election Day to reserve your order. It goes fast!
Help us help the local community! All proceeds go to support families in the Ballston Spa area through the Ballston Area Clergy Association.
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.
Thrift Shop Request
As was reported in the Ministry Matters a few weeks ago, the Thrift Shop was closed, and will remain closed, due to Covid-19. The status of the Thrift Shop will be reviewed next April. Until the time that a decision has been made, there is to be nothing left for donations. Your generosity is greatly appreciated; however, without having the Thrift Shop open and functioning, the donations are piling up without benefit of use. So we have to ask that you do not bring donations to the Thrift Shop until the final status has been decided. At that time there will be an article in the Ministry Matters to that effect. Thank you for honoring this request.
A Message from the NYS Department of Health
What is COVID Alert NY?
COVID Alert NY is New York State’s official Exposure Notification App. This is a free smartphone app for anyone 18+ that lives and/or works in New York available for download in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store starting October 1st. The COVID Alert NY app notifies users if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Upon receiving an exposure notification, the app will encourage users to contact their physician or the State Health Department hotline (1-833-227-5045) to get more information about quarantining and testing.
Anyone who downloads the app does not have to worry about being tracked, identified, or having their personal information shared. The app is completely anonymous and does not track your location or movement. No personal data is collected. COVID Alert NY uses Bluetooth proximity-enabled exposure notification technology provided by Apple and Google which is safe and secure.
What can you do?
The more New Yorkers using the COVID Alert NY app, the more effective it will be as a tool to fight against COVID-19. We need your help to rally your community to download and use the app.
Supporting Our Church Together
We currently have a financial shortfall due to the decreased attendance at worship services. Cost cutting measures are being implemented wherever possible. We have an ongoing fundraiser for Hoffman Car washes that we hope you will support. However, what is most needed is consistent givers. If you are already using VANCO to send your gifts to the church, we are grateful; you can also give online securely on our website. You can also use a “BillPay” option from your bank at no cost. You can designate that a certain amount be sent to us by mail and they will write a check as part of their customer service. All it takes is to contact your bank. And if you need the church’s mailing address, it is 101 Milton Ave, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.
Thank you for your help in meeting our needs.
Weekly Sermons on Facebook
The sermon can be found in print (as well as video) on the Recent Posts page of this site. If you do not have access to that, 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 1 All Saints' Day
Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12
Sermon: “You Are My Hiding Place”
Theme: All Saints Day (Holy Communion)
November 8
Sermon: “Count Your Blessings”
Theme: Consecration Sunday
November 15
Pastor on vacation – more information to follow
November 22
Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46
Sermon: “Neighborly Love”
Theme: Christ the King Day – Prayer Shawl Ministry
November 29 First Sunday in Advent
Scripture: Mark 13:28-37
Sermon: “Happy Anticipation”
Theme: Hope (UM Student offering)
Fair Trade
Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are still available from Stan Lockwood. If interested, please contact him at 518-885-1552 or via email at sdlock2008@hotmail.com. Stan is requesting that anyone interested in purchasing any dark chocolate bars (and which kind) before the holidays to please pre-order. He would place the order by November 10th.
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 Food Pantry Needs Your Help
Food insecurity is very real during this time. If you are someone who is in this situation, please feel free to come to the Church House on Wednesday between 9:30 and 11:30 to receive food. If you are able to help, please consider giving either a monetary donation or something from the below list. If you are able to donate your time, please give the office a call and give your availability. Thank you for your help and giving.
Pantry Items Needed
Have a blessed week
On November 1st, the clocks change. Remember to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday night.
HELP SUPPORT FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY THIS THANKSGIVING!
First Presbyterian Church is once again organizing an Ecumenical Thanksgiving Bag Ministry and we invite you to be a part. Last year we provided over 200 dinners to families in need. Families sign up through our local food pantries: Baptist, Episcopal, Methodist. 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.
- 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.
Bags may be picked up in church on Sunday or in the Food Pantry on Wednesday.
Consecration Sunday News
This week you will receive a letter from Pastor Kelly inviting you to make a commitment to the ministries of the church for 2021. Please prayerfully fill out a blue pledge card and mail it back to the office in the envelope provided. Or join us on November 8th at our 10 am worship service and bring your pledge card. We are grateful for your past support and are excited about what we will do together in 2021 as God’s church.
First Presbyterian Annual Election Day Chicken BBQ
The First Presbyterian Church of Ballston Spa (First Presbyterian Church, 22 West High St., Ballston Spa, www.ballstonpresby.org) will be holding its annual Election Day Brooks Chicken BBQ, Tuesday November 3, 2020, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.
Half Chicken, roll, coleslaw, potato, and dessert for only $13.25.
CARRY OUT ONLY THIS YEAR. PLEASE PREORDER TO MAKE THINGS GO SMOOTHLY. Call 518-885-5583 before 4:30 pm on Election Day to reserve your order. It goes fast!
Help us help the local community! All proceeds go to support families in the Ballston Spa area through the Ballston Area Clergy Association.
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.
- Joyce Cook (53 Margaret Drive, Ballston Spa) and Bob Elbertson (91 Church Avenue, Apt. 211, Ballston Spa) are both home now. They would enjoy receiving your cards and short phone calls.
- Please pray for Cathy King, who is in quarantine following her trip to Denver to tend to her mom.
- Please pray for Melissa Taylor and her family as they undergo health issues and challenges.
Thrift Shop Request
As was reported in the Ministry Matters a few weeks ago, the Thrift Shop was closed, and will remain closed, due to Covid-19. The status of the Thrift Shop will be reviewed next April. Until the time that a decision has been made, there is to be nothing left for donations. Your generosity is greatly appreciated; however, without having the Thrift Shop open and functioning, the donations are piling up without benefit of use. So we have to ask that you do not bring donations to the Thrift Shop until the final status has been decided. At that time there will be an article in the Ministry Matters to that effect. Thank you for honoring this request.
A Message from the NYS Department of Health
What is COVID Alert NY?
COVID Alert NY is New York State’s official Exposure Notification App. This is a free smartphone app for anyone 18+ that lives and/or works in New York available for download in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store starting October 1st. The COVID Alert NY app notifies users if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Upon receiving an exposure notification, the app will encourage users to contact their physician or the State Health Department hotline (1-833-227-5045) to get more information about quarantining and testing.
Anyone who downloads the app does not have to worry about being tracked, identified, or having their personal information shared. The app is completely anonymous and does not track your location or movement. No personal data is collected. COVID Alert NY uses Bluetooth proximity-enabled exposure notification technology provided by Apple and Google which is safe and secure.
What can you do?
The more New Yorkers using the COVID Alert NY app, the more effective it will be as a tool to fight against COVID-19. We need your help to rally your community to download and use the app.
Supporting Our Church Together
We currently have a financial shortfall due to the decreased attendance at worship services. Cost cutting measures are being implemented wherever possible. We have an ongoing fundraiser for Hoffman Car washes that we hope you will support. However, what is most needed is consistent givers. If you are already using VANCO to send your gifts to the church, we are grateful; you can also give online securely on our website. You can also use a “BillPay” option from your bank at no cost. You can designate that a certain amount be sent to us by mail and they will write a check as part of their customer service. All it takes is to contact your bank. And if you need the church’s mailing address, it is 101 Milton Ave, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.
Thank you for your help in meeting our needs.
Weekly Sermons on Facebook
The sermon can be found in print (as well as video) on the Recent Posts page of this site. If you do not have access to that, 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 1 All Saints' Day
Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12
Sermon: “You Are My Hiding Place”
Theme: All Saints Day (Holy Communion)
November 8
Sermon: “Count Your Blessings”
Theme: Consecration Sunday
November 15
Pastor on vacation – more information to follow
November 22
Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46
Sermon: “Neighborly Love”
Theme: Christ the King Day – Prayer Shawl Ministry
November 29 First Sunday in Advent
Scripture: Mark 13:28-37
Sermon: “Happy Anticipation”
Theme: Hope (UM Student offering)
Fair Trade
Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are still available from Stan Lockwood. If interested, please contact him at 518-885-1552 or via email at sdlock2008@hotmail.com. Stan is requesting that anyone interested in purchasing any dark chocolate bars (and which kind) before the holidays to please pre-order. He would place the order by November 10th.
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 Food Pantry Needs Your Help
Food insecurity is very real during this time. If you are someone who is in this situation, please feel free to come to the Church House on Wednesday between 9:30 and 11:30 to receive food. If you are able to help, please consider giving either a monetary donation or something from the below list. If you are able to donate your time, please give the office a call and give your availability. Thank you for your help and giving.
Pantry Items Needed
- Green canned vegetables
- Macaroni and cheese
- Tuna
- Pasta (box, bag, and side dishes)
- Jelly
- Juice
- Chicken Breast (canned)
- Syrup
- Rice (box, bag, and side dishes)
- Cookies
- Condiments
- Crackers
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Personal hygiene items, including feminine products
Have a blessed week