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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.
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 on Tuesdays, Dec. 12 and 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.
Children’s Celebration Service and Brunch – Celebrating the Nativity, Sunday, Dec. 17 at 9 AM. Join the children as they celebrate the joys of the season through song and reenactment of the Nativity. Following service there will be a Congregational Christmas Brunch with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. Bring a Brunch Dish to share as we celebrate the Holiday Season. All are welcome!
Blue Christmas Service, Thursday, Dec. 21 at 6 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.
(New) Community Family Christmas Party, Saturday, Dec. 16, Mechanicville UMC
Mechanicville UMC will hold a Community Family Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 10 AM to noon. There will be food, make-and-take crafts, and games. Each family in attendance will receive a gift bag to remind them of the reason for the season. The party is open to the public and no reservations are required. The church is located at 7 Main St., Mechanicville.
Special Events at Berlin UMC: Dec. 16, 17 and 18
Please join us for these special events. The church is located at 17 S. Main St., Berlin.
DEC. 16 - Los Posados - 5:30 PM. Find a place at an Inn - walk, food and pinata. Please call ahead (518) 658-2942.
DEC. 17 – Free Store Noon—3 PM --Gift items for the whole family. All items are free and free gift wrapping provided.
DEC. 18 – Free Store 9 AM to 11 AM--Gift items for the whole family. All items are free and free gift wrapping provided.
Longest Night Service, Sunday, Dec. 17, Stephentown Federated Church
Join with the community to speak to the shadows and welcome the light in this season at our Longest Night Service at 4 PM Sunday, Dec. 17 at the church, 1513 Garfield Rd., Stephentown. Each year, the days grow shorter and nights longer until the solstice reverses the trend. Speaking to the shadows means being honest about the darkness that fills our days. Participants have the opportunity to bring refreshments or desserts to share at the end of the service, and/or a poem or song to share with the community to welcome the light during the service. Think of it as a service with an open mic and potluck afterwards. No obligation to bring anything to attend. Hope to see you there. The church is handicapped accessible.
Blue Christmas Service, Sunday, Dec. 17, Rotterdam UMC
The Rotterdam UMC, 1915 Helderberg Ave, Rotterdam, will hold a Blue Christmas Service on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 5 PM. This service is for those who may have recently lost a loved one and anyone else who may not be feeling like it is a Merry Christmas or is not having a Happy Holiday Season. There will be quiet music, prayer time, and comforting words from the Holy Bible. Celebrate as you remember your loved ones and light a candle in their memory. All are welcome.
Living Nativity, Sunday, Dec. 17, Calvary UMC: Latham
Calvary UMC invites you to their Living Nativity from 5 PM to 7 PM on Sunday, Dec. 17. Join them as the King's Kids present the story of Christmas. This is a free event. The church is located at 15 Ridge Place, Latham.
Advent and Christmas Services, First UMC: East Greenbush
The remaining Sundays in Advent are Dec. 17 and 24 with services at 8:30 and 9:30 AM. 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) "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!
(New) 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
(New) 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.
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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