(Service Hours:
Regular Service 10:15 am (September 9th through July 4th)
Summer Hours: 9:30 am (starting after July 4th weekend and ending the Sunday after Labor Day)
Regular Service 10:15 am (September 9th through July 4th)
Summer Hours: 9:30 am (starting after July 4th weekend and ending the Sunday after Labor Day)
1 Brookside Place, Alplaus, New York 12008
Special Services in December:
Blue Christmas – Sunday December 21 7pm
Despite its joys, Christmastime can evoke feelings of hurt for some individuals experiencing difficult life situations. Losing a loved one, especially on Christmas, being let go from a job or financial struggles in general, dealing with broken relationships, suffering from an illness or loneliness can cause depression during the holidays. There are many reasons why the “happiest time of the year” can be difficult. This service intends to be simple and hopefully moving and powerful. We will express and tend to some of our hurts while also offering Christian hope. Our friends from Scotia will be joining us too; all are welcome.
Christmas Eve – December 24 7:30pm
This year, our Christmas Eve service will be a mix of traditions. Yes, we will hear the expected scriptures. Yes, we will sing traditional Christmas carols. Yes, we will have lovely music from Janice and the Choir. Yes, we will have candles and sing Silent Night to candle light. Comfort, comfort, O my people of Alplaus UMC – we will have the long expected aspects of our traditional service!!!
Our new thing this year will include an aspect of “Las Posadas” (A Service of Shelter for the Holy Family). From the UM Book of Worship: In the Hispanic tradition of Latin American countries, especially in Mexico, one of the oldest celebrations is Las Posadas. It was created by the Augustinian Father Diego de Soria about 1587 to introduce Christianity to the New World, and now it is revised by United Methodists: Carols Avendamo, Raquel M. Martinez and Roberto Escamilla. It is a preparation for, and anticipation of, the birth of the Savior, commemorating the nine months when Mary carried the infant Jesus in her womb and emphasizing his coming again and the need of all persons for repentance and God’s mercy. Las Posadas is a Christian, biblical, and evangelistic service out of the Hispanic Culture.
Our adaptation of the Christmas Eve service of Las Posadas will include a dialogue between those on different sides. Each person in attendance will be assigned a group – “Inside” or “Outside”. Will you be “Inside” - hearing the pleas of those who need shelter and welcome? Or, will you be “Outside” – in desperate need of hospitality and compassion? SPOILER ALERT – “Inside” and “Outside” are figurative descriptions; everyone will literally be welcome and warm and within the sanctuary for the entire service!
Are you intrigued? Come and see what it is all about – bring your family, friends and neighbors!
The Alplaus United Methodist Church (the only church ever in Alplaus) was chartered in October 1913. Our current building was begun in 1915 with the basement level initially used for worship. The upper brick structure was built in 1930 and the education wing and kitchen in 1959. Stained glass windows were installed in 1930, 1978-9, and 1989. From its beginnings, the church has been a social as well as spiritual center for the community.
Celebrating over 100 Years
Our Mission
Our mission is to actively live our Christian faith through worship, prayer, and service, and to be God's love to our neighbors in all places.
Our Vision
Our vision for the AUMC is to be a viable, active, welcoming church that supports both individual members and the community through a loving, spiritual atmosphere.All Welcome Church members and non-members are welcome to attend all services and to have their religious ceremonies in our facility. Community groups and individuals may rent space at the church. For example, the boy scouts meet weekly in the Fellowship Hall. Please contact the church office for Rules for use of Church facilities, at (518)399-6000.
WE ARE A SAFE SANCTUARY CHURCH.
Sunday School News
Every other week the older students meet with the pastor for their confirmation class. During those times the younger students have been writing 2 puppet skits to hopefully perform on June 10th during Children’s Time, which will be their last day of classes for this school year. One skit is about Jonah and the Whale and the other is about Noah’s Ark. They were encouraged to put some humor in it, so the stories may not be exactly as you remember them.
On the weeks when everyone is together, we are discussing bullying as it applies to today’s youth and how to deal with it in a non- threatening way. We have had some interesting discussions. Then we relate it to some bullying/mistreatment that occurred in Bible times. Our latest reference was to the story of the Good Samaritan and how the injured man was ignored/mistreated by 2 people who passed by him before the Samaritan man stopped to assist him.