First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa The First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa MessengerThe We are a Messenger body of believers VOLUME 9, ISSUE 3 M A R C H 2 0 1 7 united in Christ to Pastor Update proclaim, live, and love By Terry van den Heever according to God’s Word. It has been my experience over the to hear our prayers. He is leading us and INSIDE THIS years of my Christian journey that God we are following. is ISSUE: answers prayer in three ways. Some- progressing. In His time we will discover times He says yes, sometimes He says who He has called to be our next America for Christ 3 no, and sometimes He says “be patient shepherd. We all want God’s very best

Birthdays and 4 and wait.” The last one is the most for this body of believers. Please “pray Anniversaries challenging, because we live in a world without ceasing” for us and for First Book Bound 3 that looks for instant gratification. We Baptist Church. These are exciting

Budget & Finance 4 all want answers to our questions and times! concerns NOW, and we often wonder Calendar 7 what is taking God so long to move. ENTEN EVOTIONALS CABA Bridges for L D 2 Churches This is the great challenge in calling a A Wondrous Love by Henri Carol Pritchard new pastor. It’s hard not to get 6 Nouwen & C.S. Lewis are Scholarship Fund impatient and try to “hurry God along.” available at both doors of Christian 5 We know in our hearts that He knows the sanctuary. Education best and His timing is always perfect, Two of the most widely Church Mouse 6 but our heads tell us that we’re wasting Nursery School read and respected valuable time. And Satan takes those spiritual writers of the Daylight Saving thoughts and uses them to produce 1 20th century, Henri Nouwen and C.S. Time Change frustration. Before we know it, we’ve Lewis, are brought together in this Deacons 4 taken our eyes off Jesus and let our Lenten daily devotional booklet. reliance on God become weak. Nouwen and Lewis offer their deeply Easter Lilies 2 personal insights, understanding and Gideons The Bible tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6 to 5 pastoral sensitivity in this booklet that is International “trust in the Lord with all your heart and an ideal accompaniment for the holy 1 Lenten Devotionals lean not unto your own understanding. season of Lent. Lenten Luncheon 2 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” This is God’s Library 5 promise that if we trust Him, He will DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME CHANGE Mission Fair 2 lead us directly where He wants us to Mission Trip: Sunday, March 12 be. As we continue the search process, Shelters of 3 Remember to spring forward Saratoga we as a committee ask you as the on March 12. Turn your clocks Church to trust in Him that He is faithful one hour forward.

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ECUMENICAL LENTEN LUNCHEON MISSION FAIR Wednesdays, March 8—April 5 Christ Episcopal Church*, 15 W. High St. Ballston Spa MARCH 19 Handicap accessible. Parking in County Offices lot. Come one, come all Each Wednesday during Lent from to the Mission Fair 12:10-12:50 p.m. local Ballston Spa on Sunday, March 19 churches gather for lunch and a immediately after devotional time at Christ Episcopal worship. Church. A brief reflection is led by a The Mission Board is hosting a Mission Fair on different Ballston Spa pastor each Sunday, March 19, and we would love for you to week. All are welcome! attend! The event will take place immediately after our Sunday church service, at approximately A freewill offering will be taken to support the 11:45 a.m. Ballston Area Clergy Association Assistance Fund which assists people in financial need. The goal of the Mission Fair is for our congrega- tion to get to better know the First Baptist Church This year’s theme is: missions that you support through your financial People in the Gospels Transformed by Christ. giving at church in a casual and informal setting. Date Speaker Lunch This will also provide an opportunity for you to 3/8 Methodist Episcopal speak with and learn about various ministries/ 3/15 Baptist Baptist organizations and learn about volunteer 3/22 Alliance Methodist opportunities. 3/29 Episcopal Alliance Light refreshments will be provided, so you can 4/5 Presbyterian Presbyterian snack and learn! See you then! Rev. Tatum will be speaking on March 15 and our The Mission Board church is responsible for providing lunch that same day. If you can help with this lunch, please sign up or speak to Diane McGarry.

*note change in location.

EASTER LILIES CABA BRIDGES FOR CHURCHES

Celebrate Easter with a purchase Capital Area Baptist Association will host Bridges of a Lily in memory or in honor of for Churches conducted by Mike Saccocio to be a loved one. Plants are $12.75 held on Saturday, March 11. Bridges for Churches with 4-6 blooms each. Last day to will help you gain a better understanding of order is April2. poverty, and from that understanding, develop

Please use the envelopes in the pews, and place more effective outreaches to people in poverty. them in the offering plates. We will meet at the Latham Community Baptist Church, 109 Forts Ferry Rd., Latham 12110. This Also, please consider contributing to the Carol event will start at 10 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m. Pritchard Scholarship Fund (more info on page 6) and the Library Fund. The Carol Pritchard fund is Cost will be $20 for a workbook and a $6 hospital- used to aid Church Mouse families with financial ity fee to cover the costs of refreshments & lunch. needs. The Library Fund enables the library to Reserve you spot by March 3 by email or phone to continue to bring the church new selections of the CABA office at [email protected] or 371- books and DVDs. 6023. P A G E 3

AMERICA FOR CHRIST OFFERING 2017 MISSION TRIP The America for Christ (AFC) Offering 2017 theme, Shelters of Saratoga “Cultivating Leaders, Equipping Disciples, Healing Save the Date: April 7 Communities,” reminds us that, as The church is going to serve a American Baptists, meal at Shelters of Saratoga on we exemplify a April 7 at 5:30—7:00 p.m. vital legacy of A sign up sheet will be placed in the coffee st mission and ministry dating to 1824. The 21 - gathering area soon! Be sure to sign up and don’t century challenges of leadership are numerous, miss this great opportunity to go on a local mission but we are invigorated by the passage of Luke trip. 4:18-19: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to We will be serving a meal to 37 people at Shelters the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to of Saratoga. We will need lots of cooks and bakers. the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to If you can’t go to stay the entire time, you can still let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of sign up to prepare a meal and bring it to the the Lord’s favor.” (NRSV). Shelter at 5:30 p.m. for our dinner at 6:00 p.m.

Through your generous donations and partner- We will provide a pot luck meal, bread, soft drinks ship, American Baptist Home Mission Societies and dessert.

(ABHMS) is committed to cultivating dynamic See Pat Stack if you have any questions, or any Christian leaders who are culturally and spiritually Mission Board member (Debbie Porter, Jude competent, in touch with their churches and Pierre, Mary Ann Becker). communities, and passionate about ministry and helping people. Highly developed Christ-honoring leaders are called to advance the mission of peace, hope and love in their churches and BookBound! communities with resilience, faithfulness and THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF proficiency. BALLSTON SPA BOOK CLUB The AFC Offering 2017 reminds us that service is a way of life for Christ’s church. Cultivating leaders MARCH 13, 2017 is a call to all of our American Baptist family. The Glass Castle Jeannette Walls

Consider making a generous gift! Envelopes are in APRIL 10, 2017 this Messenger and extra envelopes can be found The Red Garden Alice Hoffman in the pews. MAY 8, 2017 We are encouraged by this year’s theme, What Alice Forgot Liane Moriarty “Cultivating Leaders, Equipping Disciples, Healing Communities.” Please give generously to this year’s AFC Offering 2017 and help to continue to All are welcome! support home missions across the United States Come each month or just once. 2nd Monday of each Month, 4:30-5:30 and Puerto Rico. If you want to learn more about American Home Baptist Missions, the website is Join a diverse group of women to discuss www.abhms.org. books, share a cup of tea, great fun, fellowship and laughter. Childcare is provided (please call Together we can make a difference! in advance). Contact Sarah Watkins 321-5831 In Christ’s Service, or [email protected] The Mission Board P A G E 4

BUDGET AND FINANCE Our new Shepherding Lists are out and soon you will be receiving information on your shepherd As a giving congregation, we are off to a strong and contact information. start in 2017 with pledges through January ahead of projections by $1,361. Although, income Vallee Albert, deacon and Norma Dunkelbarger, through January was $19,782 and expenses were historian, are submitting our church for the $20,765, leaving a deficit of $983. George D. Younger Award for Excellence in American Baptist History. This award is in Also, I am happy to report that FBC’s endowment reference to our 225 Anniversary Celebration and portfolio returned 8.61% for 2016, which relative the history our church entails. to the S&P 500’s total return of 11.96% for 2016 was a solid performance. As a reminder, FBC’s On February 12 Jerrold Hugenot, our Associate endowment portfolio was moved to NBT Bank Executive Minister of American Baptist Churches from BSNB in September 2016. of New York State, spoke of how pleased he was with our search committee, all the work they have There is always plenty to discuss at FBC’s Budget & accomplished, and how united things at our Finance Committee meetings, with recent church are. discussions around opening a new checking account to make the execution of FBC’s Summer We continue to pray for our church and each Lunch Program easier; and establishing a other and look forward also to the calling of a new market account for monies to be pastor. held in while awaiting use, both for better Your sisters in Christ, accounting and for better planning purposes. The Pat Rogers & Sherry Wardell Budget & Finance Committee endeavors to do our best for FBC and our congregation, as you have entrusted us with these duties. March Anniversaries “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who th 5 Graham & Sarah Pritchard gives generously to all without reproach, and it will 15th Paul and Brenda Pelliccia be given him.” James 1:5 15th Thomas and Tammy Townson nd We appreciate your support and ask that you 22 Michael and Cheryl Hensler continue to make your thoughts and questions known to us. Only together can we move forward in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. March Birthdays “For where two or three are gathered in my name, rd th 3 Nikki Crowe 25 William there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20 4th Kevin Cox Hinckley, Jr. th th Please feel free to contact me with any questions 7 Raymond Marshall 25 Olivia Pritchard th th or items you would like to discuss. 10 George Ball 26 Bev Hier 15th Hillary Jones 28th Andrea In God’s Service, 15th Lori Livingston Desrochers Troy Filburn 16th Deborah Hodgkins 28th Sherry Hoffman 16th Terry van den 30th Sutton Mason Heever 31st Colby Krogh THE BOARD OF DEACONS 18th David France 21st Roman Audette We are headed into our Lent and Easter season st and are rejoicing in our savior’s resurrection! 21 Erin Fresn 24th Amanda Hodgkins Devotionals are now available at each entrance of 24th Jacqueline the sanctuary. Once again we will join with local Pelliccia churches for our Lenten Luncheons weekly. P A G E 5

LIBRARY CORNER BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

This Easter, please consider contributing We are marching into March. We were unable to to the Library Fund which will enable the meet in January and February due to sickness of library to continue to bring the church members. We are praying that we will be able to new selections of books and DVDs. meet in March and accomplish what is needed to Children’s Books: further His ministry. Pray for no snow! 1. The Story of The Lord’s Prayer by Patricia A. Pingry I thank God for Carol and Wally Cromwell for 2. The Lord’s Prayer for Little Ones by Allia Z. Nolan 3. The Lord’s Prayer by Richard Jesse Watson meeting with me to plan the Sweetheart Banquet. All of the above deal with prayer. Thanks goes to Jenny Staulters, Joan Mullin and Mary Ann Becker who helped set up the banquet, 1. Good Luck! A St. Patrick’s Day Story by Joan Holub along with Sherry Hoffman and Wally for making 2. The Luckiest Leprechaun by Justine Korman the salads. Debbie Porter helped Carol with games 3. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Clifford! By Quinlan B. Lee and decorations. I also want to thank Cynthia To celebrate March 17, St. Patrick’s Day! Pritchard, Kim Sprenger and Hillary Jones for 1. Wake Up, Sleepy Bear! by Christine Morton-Shaw having a servant’s heart and serving everyone. 2. The Very Hungry Bear by Nick Bland Thanks go out to Keith Sprenger for cleaning up 3. Spring Is Here by Will Hillenbrand the kitchen and taking care of the food, to Kevin 4. When Will it Be Spring? by Catherine Walters and Debbie for cleaning up along with everyone 5. The Jelly Beans and the Big Dance by Laura who helped them. Carol did a great job with the Numeroff and Nate Evans 6. Tree Forts and Trumpets by Ann Hibbard games and everyone had a great time fellowship- 7. Old MacDonald Had a Truck by Steve Goetz ping with our church family. 8. Very Special Friends by Jane Chapman Looking forward to the Mother Daughter Banquet. 9. The Little White Owl by Tracey Corderoy We are looking for a chairman. Also looking 10. Chick ‘n’ Pug Meet the Dude by Jennifer Sattler forward to summer and Vacation Bible School. If 11. Bad Kitty Goes to the Vet by Nick Bruel you love God’s little children, and want to serve All about spring and Easter! him, please see me about organizing VBS this Children’s & Family DVDs: summer. I feel this is an important ministry of our Big & Hairy Feature Films for Families church to grow our relationship with the The Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian Disney community. Please pray about this! Family Outdoor Adventures: Heaven Sent & Mossie Please continue to pray for our search committee Adult DVD: and for the heart of our new pastor. Miracles from Heaven Columbia Pictures God’s Not Dead 2 Pure Flix Serving our lord together, Joan Anderson, for the Christian Ed board March 3, 2017 is World Day of Prayer Every month really does focus on prayer, so listed are just a few choice words on the subject, GIDEONS INTERNATIONAL all of which can be found in the Library. The Saratoga Gideon Camp invites Adult Books: business or professionals to an 1. If I Run by Terri Blackstock a suspense novel. informational dinner meeting on 2. Don’t just Stand there, Pray Something by Ronald March 21, 7 p.m. to be held at the Dunn Holiday Inn, Saratoga. This 3. The Angelwalk Trilogy by Roger Elwood 4. The Overton Window by Glen Beck meeting is designed to explain the opportunities 5. The Confirmation by Ralph Reed Gideon membership provides. Please contact Bill 6. Prayer Does it Make a Difference? by Philip Yancey Wakefield, Saratoga Gideon Camp President, 695-6066 [email protected] by March 6 if Enjoy! Mary Morelock you would like to attend. P A G E 6

CHURCH MOUSE NURSERY SCHOOL We will visit the museum on March 17. He will be presenting an engineering program, exploring Our Open House on Saturday, February 4 was well roller coasters. The children will also have time to attended. Our morning 3 year old and 4 year old explore the rest of the museum. class are both full, and we have a good number in our afternoon 4’s. We are starting to enroll I have been enjoying children in our afternoon 3 year old class as well. chapel time with the Thank you to Kim Sprenger and Karen Kersch for children. They love helping with registration, and making the new making a joyful noise to families feel welcome. the Lord. This month the Singing God’s praises. children will learn about The children had a wonderful time Friendship and Jesus Feeding the Five Thousand. on Valentine’s Day. The 3 year old students made a banner to give to Staff Curriculum Day is on Thursday, March 30, one of their classmates. Each child followed by Parent/teacher conferences on Friday, also brought in something to add March 31. The teachers have been busy evaluating to the Friendship Trail Mix. I am each child. This is a valuable time to communicate thankful for a staff that with our parents. Stirring our friend- incorporates sharing and the love ship trail mix. of Jesus in all of their activities. Golfers…mark your calendars. Our Third Annual Golf Tournament at Thank you to Amanda Appell for introducing the Pioneer Hills will be held on Saturday, students to the food pantry. Our families have May 20. We need golfers and hole been donating food during the first 2 weeks of sponsors. More information will be February. The children will be taking food items available in April. This is a great fund upstairs and meeting with Amanda, who will tell raiser for our school, and so much fun for all them about the food pantry. involved. This year money earned will go into the Carol Pritchard Scholarship Fund. Please contact We received another me at [email protected] or generous mini grant from the 495-5894 and let me know if you can participate. Ballston Spa Rotary Club. We were able to purchase new Serving Christ with a joyful heart, educational games and Cheryl Dunkelbarger materials for each classroom. Jason Armer presenting a check from BSpa Rotary.

The month of March is filled with CAROL PRITCHARD SCHOLARSHIP FUND fun activities. Our Pre-K class will be The Carol Pritchard Scholarship Fund was created devoting the month to favorite in 2002 in memory of Carol Pritchard, former authors. Dr. Seuss, Laura Numeroff, Director of our Church Mouse Nursery School. and several others. Special snacks Donations come through CM families and First will include pancakes and green Baptist Church members. By contributing you will eggs and ham! Other classes will be help provide financial aid to families in need, discussing the unpredictable weather in March, should financial circumstances and enjoy P.J. Day and Game Day. We enjoy change through the year. having parents come in to help with these special activities. Contributions may be mailed to the church with checks made out to The David Lotto, Melanie Lotto’s husband, is Director Carol Pritchard Scholarship Fund. of Education at The Saratoga Children’s Museum. March 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 9:15 Mom’s Bible Study 3 CMNS Band 4 6:00 p.m. Cherubs Choir 10:00 a.m. Men’s Coffee Night March is America for Christ Mission 7:00 p.m. Choir 4:30 p.m. Food Pantry Offering month. Each Sunday we will collect an offering for this mission.

5 Communion Sunday 6 7 8 9 10:00 a.m. Men’s Coffee 10 11 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 9 a.m. Food Pantry 12:10 p.m. Lenten Lunch 4:30 p.m. Food Pantry 10:30 a.m. Worship Service 6:00 p.m. HS Bible @ Episcopal Church Study @ Episcopal 6:00 p.m. Cherubs Choir 7:00 p.m. Choir

12 Daylight Saving 13 4:30 p.m. 14 15 16 9:15 Mom’s Bible Study 17 18 Time begins Book Bound 7:00 p.m. Board 12:10 p.m. Lenten Lunch 10:00 a.m. Men’s Coffee 9:00 a.m. Sunday School Meetings @ Episcopal Church 4:30 p.m. Food Pantry 10:30 a.m. Worship Service 6:00 p.m. MS Bible 6:00 p.m. Cherubs Choir 2:15 p.m. Worship Service at Study @ Episcopal 7:00 p.m. Choir Saratoga Center for Rehab

19 Mission Fair 20 21 22 23 24 25 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 9 a.m. Food Pantry 12:10 p.m. Lenten Lunch 10:00 a.m. Men’s Coffee 10:30 a.m. Worship Service 6:00 p.m. HS Bible @ Episcopal Church 4:30 p.m. Food Pantry 11:30 a.m. Mission Fair Study @ Episcopal 6:00 p.m. Cherubs Choir 6:30 p.m. Summer Lunch 7:00 p.m. Choir Program Meeting

26 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 27 28 29 30 9:15 Mom’s Bible Study 31 10:30 a.m. Worship Service 6:00 p.m. MS Bible 12:10 p.m. Lenten Lunch 10:00 a.m. Men’s Coffee Study @ Episcopal @ Episcopal Church 4:30 p.m. Food Pantry Easter Sunday 6:00 p.m. Cherubs Choir 7:00 p.m. Choir The First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa

202 Milton Avenue Ballston Spa, NY 12020 (518) 885-8361 www.BSpaBaptist.org

Church Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Church Staff

Rev. Dr. Bill Tatum, Interim Pastor [email protected] DARRYL DREW, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC [email protected] RITA DREW, CHOIR DIRECTOR [email protected] JUSTINA DANISON, OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR [email protected] CHARITY BUCKBEE, CHURCH SEXTON [email protected]

The First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa 202 Milton Avenue Ballston Spa, NY 12020