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EVENTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Scholarship offered to 2024 Tamarac High School graduates
Center Brunswick UMC in Troy has announced that a $500 scholarship will be awarded to a 2024 graduate of Tamarac High School in memory of Harold and Mable Keyes. The student does not have to be a member of the church. To read the letter, click here. Deadline to apply: March 1, 2024.
(New) Special Services at Hope UMC
Join us for these special services at Hope UMC, 566 Brunswick Rd., Troy:
Kid's Christmas Eve Worship: Sunday, Dec 24 at 4 PM. Hope's service for little ones and their families. The creche will be set up as kids and parents listen to the story, sing some carols and be done in about 40 minutes.
Candlelight Christmas Eve Communion: A quiet, meditative service of scripture, song, prayer and Holy Communion, Sunday, Dec. 24 at 11 PM.
Wesleyan Covenant Renewal Service: Sunday, Dec. 31 By grace through faith in Jesus Christ, God has welcomed us into the Body of Christ and made us a New Covenant witnesses for the sake of the world He loves. Join the Wesleyan disciples in this New Year tradition of remembering this great salvation into which we have been incorporated and reaffirming our commitment to walk, by faith, in the Spirit in 2024, Sunday, Dec. 31 at 10:30 AM
Epiphany Sunday Family Worship: Sunday, Jan. 7 Join Hope UMC's celebration of "the rest of the story" of the appearance of God on Earth in Christ! Celebrate the arrival of the "Three Kings" with an Epiphany procession and King Cake. Pizza lunch for those able to stay and help "put away" Christmas, Sunday, Jan. 7 at 10:30 AM
Holiday Happenings at Center Brunswick UMC
Please join us for any of all of the following. The church is located at 990 Hoosick Rd., Troy.
Our Advent Book Study continues tonight, Dec. 19 at 6 PM in the church's Jubilation Station. Come explore - Experiencing Christmas by Matt Rawle; Christ in the Sights and Sounds of Advent. Enhance your holiday by joining other Christian adults for study and reflection on the reason for the season.
Blue Christmas Service, Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7 PM. Holidays can be hard. Join us for a service of comfort for fellow Christians who are grieving or struggling to find hope and joy during this Holiday season. All are welcome.
Annual Christmas Eve Service, Sunday, Dec. 24 at 7 PM. Join us for a candlelight service celebrating the birth of our Lord through lessons and carols featuring the Center Brunswick UMC Vocal and Chime Choir.
Blue Christmas Service, Wednesday, Dec. 20, First UMC: East Greenbush
There will be a Blue Christmas service on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 7 PM. Christmas Eve services are 9:30 AM, 5:30 PM Family Service and 8 PM candlelight service. The church is located at 1 Gilligan Rd., East Greenbush.
(New) A Worship Service for the Weary, Thursday, Dec. 21, Grace UMC, Ravena
Please join us for this Longest Night/Blue Christmas service at 7 PM Thursday, Dec. 21 at Grace UMC, 16 Hillcrest Dr., Ravena. All are welcome.
"Longest Night" Service, Thursday, Dec. 21, Valley Falls UMC
Please join us at 7 PM Thursday, Dec. 21 at the Valley Falls UMC, 16 State St., Valley Falls for a "Longest Night" service of prayer and hope. For some, the Christmas season comes with a special kind of loneliness, sorrow, personal pain, or worry. Our special “Longest Night” service is an opportunity to acknowledge our sadness in the midst of a season of hope, to remind us that we are not alone, and to reassure us that the light grows every day forward from here. Share in our meditative worship of remembering, reflection, and encouragement. Everyone is welcome.
Blue Christmas Service, Thursday, Dec. 21, Alplaus UMC
Please join us at the Alplaus UMC, 1 Brookside Place, Alplaus for a Blue Christmas Service at 7 PM Thursday, Dec. 21. Many people wonder what a Blue Christmas Service is. Some think that it is a memorial service for those who grieve the loss of loved ones at Christmas time. Others think that this is a service to reflect on the current state of the world and why we need the Prince of Peace to come and offer us hope. Still others think it is a service to pause and take a break from the over-marketed “Christmas Joy” because, in fact, we aren’t always filled with that joy. I believe the reality is that it is all of these things and more. Our Blue Christmas Service attempts to condense the purpose of Advent into our busy December lives. Advent is a long, uncomfortable look in the mirror. In Advent we voice the truth: we live in dark, cold times; we long for light and warmth; we cry out, desperate to know God among us. Sometimes this truth is harder when we are also grieving. Other times we need a moment to acknowledge that we are lacking peace, hope, joy, and love. We need to ready our lives by stating what we need and being comforted by the promise of scripture. If we don’t know that we are broken and desperate, we won’t be able to receive the healing and fullness of life that Jesus offers us. Our Blue Christmas service attempts all of this. -- Pastor Kristi Van Patten.
Christmas Choral Cantata, Saturday, Dec. 23, Valley Falls UMC
Join us for A Christmas Choral Cantata at 3 PM Saturday, Dec. 23 at the Valley Falls UMC, 16 State St., Valley Falls. Come join our community choir in this year's celebration of the season as they sing Lloyd Larson's beautiful "A Noel Celebration: Sounds and Stories of Christmas." What a fun way to fill your ears and heart with the Christmas spirit!
Holiday services, Mechanicville UMC, Dec. 24, 25 and 31
Mechanicville UMC, 7 Main St., Mechanicville invites you to three special services: Dec. 24: Coffee House Worship at 10:30 AM. Join us as we enjoy breakfast together and celebrate the final Sunday of Advent. Our Candlelight Christmas Eve Service will be held that evening at 6 PM; Dec. 31: Join us on New Year's Eve morning at 10:30 AM for our Fifth Sunday Service. We will engage in community service opportunities following our worship service
Brooks Bar-B-Q, Saturday, Jan. 6, Center Brunswick UMC
The Center Brunswick UMC, 990 Hoosick Rd., Troy, will be having a Winter BBQ Dinner featuring everyone’s favorite – Brooks Bar-B-Q on Saturday, January 6 from 2 PM to 6 PM. OPTIONS:
- Chicken Dinner: $15 – Includes Baked Potato, Vegetable, Roll & Butter, Drink & Dessert
- Half a Chicken: $7
Drive thru take out only. Call Jill for Tickets at (518) 258-2164
Thrift Shop, Pine Grove UMC, open monthly:
Next date: Saturday, Jan. 6
Pine Grove UMC's Thrift Shop, "Seconds to Go," will be open Jan. 6 from 9 AM to 1 PM. The church is located at 1580 Central Ave., Colonie. Enter on the east side of the church (the left side - toward Albany) and use the doors near the back of the building. We have household treasures, glassware, cookbooks, toys, jewelry, dolls and more! The thrift shop is open the first Saturday of the month through 2024 except for July, which will be announced as the date nears.
(New) Recycling day, Sunday, Jan. 7, First UMC of East Greenbush
First UMC of East Greenbush, 1 Gilligan Rd., will host a Recycling Day on Sunday, Jan. 7. The EcoTeam will be collecting the following items at the parking lot garage from 9 AM to 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM to 11 AM: Clear, green and blue glass bottles and jars. They must be clean. Labels are okay. Also: Household batteries (large lithium batteries that are used for tools are excluded.) Also accepted: Christmas light strings and
clean styrofoam, free of tape and staples. Items that were used for food or drink, no matter how clean are not accepted.
(New) Cookies -N- Carols, Sunday, Jan. 14, First UMC of East Greenbush
“Cookies-N-Carols” will be presented at 2 PM Sunday, Jan. 14 in the Fellowship Hall of First UMC East Greenbush, 1 Gilligan Rd. Performers are from the church choir, Byrd in the Bush, and our Coffeehouse(s).
(New) Story Telling Night, Wednesday, Jan. 17, First UMC of East Greenbush
Join us for our next Story Telling night on at 7 PM Wednesday, Jan. 17 at First UMC of East Greenbush, 1 Gilligan Rd. We have speaker Desi Biechman coming to tell us about how sobriety led him to Jesus Christ. He once was lost, but now he has been found. Desi has been sober for over 30 years. He is currently a licensed Minister through the Melchizedeks MC group and ministering to the motorcycle community. Everyone is welcome to come hear Desi’s story. There will be light refreshments available.
(New) First UMC of East Greenbush's EcoTeam sponsors talk on funding available for Clean Energy Improvements, Sunday, Jan. 21, at the East Greenbush Community Library
First UMC of East Greenbush's EcoTeam is sponsoring a presentation on "Federal, State and Utility Savings Available for Clean Energy Improvements." The presentation will be given by Paul Fisk and will be held at 1:30 PM on Sunday, Jan. 21 in Room B at the East Greenbush Community Library. Paul Fisk is a trained Climate Reality Project presenter on the causes, effects, and solutions for the climate crisis. He retired from a career in local and state government, having held managerial positions in budgeting and information management. He currently focuses on publicizing the wide array of government and utility financial incentives available to households to save energy and money while reducing fossil fuel pollution. Tax credits and rebates to weatherize and electrify homes and vehicles, upgrade HVAC systems and appliances, install solar panels, and other options will be discussed. Clean energy improvements not only will save you money but will add to your comfort and provide you with a healthier home environment.
Chair Yoga Class, beginning in January, Calvary UMC: Latham
Chair Yoga is great for Yoga Beginners, those with physical limitations, chronic conditions, those in recovery or recuperation and/or have age-related degeneration. Chair Yoga is an excellent option for any who may find traditional yoga difficult or uncomfortable, as it provides necessary support while still allowing participants to engage in various yoga poses. This adaptive approach ensures that everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of yoga, regardless of their fitness level or mobility. Mary Francese will be starting a 60-minute weekly Chair Yoga class in January. Classes will be Monday at 4 PM in Calvary’s Chapel, and also on Zoom for $10/class. Mary is a certified yoga instructor and has been teaching classes at Calvary for more than 8 years. Please contact Mary at allene28@gmail.com or (518) 469-0431 if you have any questions or are interested in joining the Chair Yoga class. The church is located at 15 Ridge Place, Latham.
Happenings at First UMC of Delmar
The church is located at 428 Kenwood Ave., Delmar
Blessed Bargains Shop: Every Tuesday (year round) 10 AM to 5 PM
Treasure Cove Thrift Shop: (Open Year Round) Tuesdays from 10 AM to 5 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM to 1 PM
Please refer to our website for more information: https://www.delmarmethodist.org/
There is something happening every Thursday at St. Paul’s Church in Castleton!
Our church is located at 1583 Carney Rd., Castleton.
Every Thursday we gather for fellowship and to Recharge. Recharge is a simple worship service for busy people who are hungry to spend time with God. This informal 30-minute worship begins at 6 PM. We sing, reflect on God’s word, and eat a meal together. After dinner is time to talk, play games, or work on an art project. It’s great to share our thoughts and experiences of God’s grace! All are welcome; come as you are and hang out as long as you wish through 8 PM.
In months with a fifth Thursday, we do an all-church mission to help those in need throughout the community and throughout the world. These specifics are announced in person and on social media at https://www.facebook.com/StPaulsCastleton/
For more information, contact Aimee Croft at anbcroft@gmail.com
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