Prayer Group
I am excited about a new Thursday prayer group. Anyone who wishes may come and join together in prayer on Thursday afternoons – we will meet in the fellowship hall at 12:30 each Thursday (except for when UMW is meeting – the 3rd Thursday). There is no book to read, there is no homework – it is an opportunity to gather and share our joys and concerns and to lift them up in prayer. Sometimes folks don’t feel comfortable voicing their prayers in front of others – that’s ok, you don’t have to. Sometimes, folks want to discover and/or share prayer disciplines. On our first gathering, I will share a bit of my intentional prayer process (the part that isn’t me singing and praying while driving in my car!). We may – as the gathered group discerns interest - delve into learning various forms of spiritual disciplines.
While the style of praying may change from week to week – I am hoping that the constant will be a group of people lifting up our cares and concerns in prayer. We will intentionally hold our congregation, our community, our region, our world and each other in love, care and prayer. All are welcome to come and participate.
12:30 on Thursdays (not the 3rd if there is UMW) in the fellowship Hall.
Christmas Luminaries
About 35 years ago the Alplaus United Methodist Church introduced the hamlet of Alplaus to Christmas luminaries. Luminaries are small white bags with a burning candle inside that are placed outside along your property on Christmas Eve. They are an adaptation from the small bonfires that were built in front of each home in Mexico to welcome the Christ Child on Christmas Eve. People in New Mexico carried on this tradition for many years. However, one year in the early 20th century, one family had been unable to adequately prepare the traditional home bonfire because of illness in their family. As the holiday season drew near, the youngest child place a broken candle in a paper bag partially filled with sand, and placed it outside their home to keep the tradition and welcoming spirit alive. These “little lights” or “farolitos” have become a popular way to keep this welcome tradition alive. They are supposed to be placed along your property edge along the road and up your driveway or walkway. It is a beautiful sight to see streets lined with these lights. The more families that put out the luminaries, the more impressive the sight is. Luminaries will be available for purchase again this year. There will be some at the church starting Dec. 8, or you can contact Barb or Dan Trask at 399-6454 to place an order. They will cost $3.50 per dozen, which will include the bags and candles.
Janice's Retirement Party Postponed- It is with great sadness to convey that we have to postpone Janice's retirement celebration due to her husband, Bill Broland going to be with our Lord on Sunday, September 22nd. We will reschedule when Janice is ready. Condolences may be sent to Janice Mix at 1807 Nott Street, Schenectady, NY 12309.
Community Luncheon
The Community Luncheon will be held December 10th at Noon in the Fellowship Hall. We will be having our Christmas Party - hopefully it won't snow!! Please bring a dish to share if you can.
United Methodist Women
The UMW will meet December 12th at 12:30 at Applebees on Rt. 50. Note the change in date so ti won't be so close to Christmas. Mandy is in charge of the arrangements.
Confirmation Class - open to youth grade 6 and above - will start 9/8 at 9m. This class will be in place of regular Sunday School. Aiming for Confirmation on 5/31 (Pentecost). From umc.org: “Confirmation includes three aspects,” This Is Your Baptismal Liturgy summarizes. “a) God confirms the divine promise to those who were too young to grasp what God was doing in their baptism, b) they respond by professing their own acceptance of the grace they have received and their own faith in Christ, c) the Church, as represented by this congregation, confirms the commitments they make.” Confirmation is not a destination. It is more of a way station, a place where we renew our commitment to the journey we have been traveling under the care of others. “It is the first time that persons publicly declare their intention to live out the vows of the baptismal covenant,” Burton-Edwards teaches. “It is not intended to be the last time. It’s just that confirmation is the label we put on the first time.” It is also a time for a congregation to celebrate their young people’s commitment to “live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ,” and to renew their commitment to do the same.
Sunday School News
The format of our class has changed this year since the girls are now older. We have started to incorporate some of the format used during the regular church service. For example, we are lighting a candle at the beginning of class to emulate what we do during church and have discussed the symbolism of light in the Christian faith. We are also sharing our joys and concerns with one another, and sometimes they also share them during the church service. The girls continue to be our acolytes during the church service which we are very grateful for. During the first month of class we read about various miracles Jesus performed and compared them among the 4 Gospel books. We started to explore the miracles in the Old Testament.
Prayer Chain
The Prayer chain has been revised! There will still be two lists. One list will remain as a phone call list. The second list will be for anyone who would like to receive the prayer request by text message. To activate the prayer chain, please call Mary Herrick (518-399-2113) or call/text Carolyn Koch (518-248-8138). Please contact Pastor Kristi (518-469-7764 or revklvp@yahoo.com) if you have the need for private prayer. If you are not already part of the prayer chain and would like to be included, please let me know. Thanks, Carolyn
I am excited about a new Thursday prayer group. Anyone who wishes may come and join together in prayer on Thursday afternoons – we will meet in the fellowship hall at 12:30 each Thursday (except for when UMW is meeting – the 3rd Thursday). There is no book to read, there is no homework – it is an opportunity to gather and share our joys and concerns and to lift them up in prayer. Sometimes folks don’t feel comfortable voicing their prayers in front of others – that’s ok, you don’t have to. Sometimes, folks want to discover and/or share prayer disciplines. On our first gathering, I will share a bit of my intentional prayer process (the part that isn’t me singing and praying while driving in my car!). We may – as the gathered group discerns interest - delve into learning various forms of spiritual disciplines.
While the style of praying may change from week to week – I am hoping that the constant will be a group of people lifting up our cares and concerns in prayer. We will intentionally hold our congregation, our community, our region, our world and each other in love, care and prayer. All are welcome to come and participate.
12:30 on Thursdays (not the 3rd if there is UMW) in the fellowship Hall.
Christmas Luminaries
About 35 years ago the Alplaus United Methodist Church introduced the hamlet of Alplaus to Christmas luminaries. Luminaries are small white bags with a burning candle inside that are placed outside along your property on Christmas Eve. They are an adaptation from the small bonfires that were built in front of each home in Mexico to welcome the Christ Child on Christmas Eve. People in New Mexico carried on this tradition for many years. However, one year in the early 20th century, one family had been unable to adequately prepare the traditional home bonfire because of illness in their family. As the holiday season drew near, the youngest child place a broken candle in a paper bag partially filled with sand, and placed it outside their home to keep the tradition and welcoming spirit alive. These “little lights” or “farolitos” have become a popular way to keep this welcome tradition alive. They are supposed to be placed along your property edge along the road and up your driveway or walkway. It is a beautiful sight to see streets lined with these lights. The more families that put out the luminaries, the more impressive the sight is. Luminaries will be available for purchase again this year. There will be some at the church starting Dec. 8, or you can contact Barb or Dan Trask at 399-6454 to place an order. They will cost $3.50 per dozen, which will include the bags and candles.
Janice's Retirement Party Postponed- It is with great sadness to convey that we have to postpone Janice's retirement celebration due to her husband, Bill Broland going to be with our Lord on Sunday, September 22nd. We will reschedule when Janice is ready. Condolences may be sent to Janice Mix at 1807 Nott Street, Schenectady, NY 12309.
Community Luncheon
The Community Luncheon will be held December 10th at Noon in the Fellowship Hall. We will be having our Christmas Party - hopefully it won't snow!! Please bring a dish to share if you can.
United Methodist Women
The UMW will meet December 12th at 12:30 at Applebees on Rt. 50. Note the change in date so ti won't be so close to Christmas. Mandy is in charge of the arrangements.
Confirmation Class - open to youth grade 6 and above - will start 9/8 at 9m. This class will be in place of regular Sunday School. Aiming for Confirmation on 5/31 (Pentecost). From umc.org: “Confirmation includes three aspects,” This Is Your Baptismal Liturgy summarizes. “a) God confirms the divine promise to those who were too young to grasp what God was doing in their baptism, b) they respond by professing their own acceptance of the grace they have received and their own faith in Christ, c) the Church, as represented by this congregation, confirms the commitments they make.” Confirmation is not a destination. It is more of a way station, a place where we renew our commitment to the journey we have been traveling under the care of others. “It is the first time that persons publicly declare their intention to live out the vows of the baptismal covenant,” Burton-Edwards teaches. “It is not intended to be the last time. It’s just that confirmation is the label we put on the first time.” It is also a time for a congregation to celebrate their young people’s commitment to “live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ,” and to renew their commitment to do the same.
Sunday School News
The format of our class has changed this year since the girls are now older. We have started to incorporate some of the format used during the regular church service. For example, we are lighting a candle at the beginning of class to emulate what we do during church and have discussed the symbolism of light in the Christian faith. We are also sharing our joys and concerns with one another, and sometimes they also share them during the church service. The girls continue to be our acolytes during the church service which we are very grateful for. During the first month of class we read about various miracles Jesus performed and compared them among the 4 Gospel books. We started to explore the miracles in the Old Testament.
Prayer Chain
The Prayer chain has been revised! There will still be two lists. One list will remain as a phone call list. The second list will be for anyone who would like to receive the prayer request by text message. To activate the prayer chain, please call Mary Herrick (518-399-2113) or call/text Carolyn Koch (518-248-8138). Please contact Pastor Kristi (518-469-7764 or revklvp@yahoo.com) if you have the need for private prayer. If you are not already part of the prayer chain and would like to be included, please let me know. Thanks, Carolyn