ADVENT MEMORIAL ORNAMENTS
The ornaments on the tree in the Sanctuary are a visible symbol of a donation made in honor or memory of friends and loved ones. This year, all proceeds go to the Capital City Rescue Mission. Checks payable to NUMC; “ornament” in the memo field. Orders are due by Sunday, December 19th. Printed copies will be available at the church on Sundays or you may print a copy using the button above and mail to the church office at PO Box 7, Newtonville, NY 12128.
CAPITAL CITY RESCUE MISSION
Newtonville United Methodist Church is presently doing an outreach program for the Capital City Rescue Mission.
We have volunteered to serve dinner on the 2nd Monday of each month from 5:00 – 7:30pm. There are 5 volunteers needed each month to serve the guests. Young volunteers must be at least 16 years old and accompanied by an adult.
Parking is available across from the Mission in a closed DMV parking lot; the group that served in November met at NUMC to car pool. Mandatory: face masks, hair net, gloves and apron, which are all part of what the Mission supplies to the volunteers.
Please contact me if you are interested in this program or have any questions: Gail Cotler, 518-441-4853 phone/text or gailcotler@gmail.com.
ADOPT-A-FAMILY
Please bring back donations by December 5th and place on the table in the library.
COVID PROTOCOL UPDATES
1 - Reservations are no longer required.
2 - There will be no assigned seating. We ask that you please sit with those folks you came with, or with others you are comfortable around. If two families are in the same pew, please sit at opposite ends.
3 - Every other pew will remain roped off, please do not sit in those pews.
4 - Feel free to use the hymnals and bibles in your pews.
5 - We will begin taking an offering again, please simply place your offering in the plate as the usher places it in front of you.
Masks continue to be required when in worship and when in the building for other purposes. If you are in a small group meeting, and all are vaccinated, please make a decision as a group. We are called to protect the most vulnerable among us, and for now this is the safest way to do that as a church family.
Please see Pastor Nick with any questions or concerns.
ACOLYTES
We are seeking children and youth to be added to an acolyte rotation for Sunday mornings. You will be responsible to light the candles during the first hymn and to carry the microphone to congregation members during prayer time. Please let Karin in the office know if you have a child or youth that would like to be added to the list. newtonvilleumc@gmail.com
STEWARDSHIP CARDS
Please send back your pledge cards as soon as you can. Speedy replies help our financial team plan for next year. You may leave the envelope in the offering plate, drop it off at the office or mail it back with the return envelope provided.
CHRISTMAS COOKIE EXCHANGE
Join us on Sunday, December 12th immediately following the service for our Holiday Cookie Exchange. Please bring 6 dozen cookies (1 variety) to exchange. Home-baked goods or store bought are all welcome. Not participating? Still come and sample a few along with coffee, hot cider and fellowship. There is a sign up in the Lounge. Volunteers are needed to help organize, set up and cleanup for this year’s cookie extravaganza! Please contact Pam at ppalmer55@nycap.rr.com
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR AGES 4 THRU 6TH GRADE
Young people will gather in the sanctuary at 9:30 where they will sing a song with Brandon, explore the scripture passage for the day, and then complete a fun, aged based activity connecting the passage to their lives! It is our hope that the young folks will then join their families for worship at 10am. During the Kid’s Time each week, the children will share their song and Sunday school activity with the congregation. Parents are welcome to stay and help their young ones, and/or gather for fellowship in the Grace Krause Lounge. Come check out this new and exciting program!
MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY
Join Pastor Nick on Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30pm on Zoom for our weekly Bible Study. We will be using the book Rehearsing Scripture: Discovering God’s Word in Community by Anna Carter Florence as our foundation, as we study the lectionary texts for worship each week. We will start each meeting with song, study and apply God’s Word to our lives today, and pray for one another each week. Mark your calendars and look out for the Zoom link, which Pastor Nick will send out as we get closer. Call or email Pastor Nick if you have any questions! Spread the word and invite your friends!
COFFEE HOUR
If you are interested in hosting a Coffee/Fellowship Hour please sign up in the lounge or contact Pam Palmer @ ppalmer55@nycap.rr.com. Coffee, tea, creamer, juice and paper products are supplied. At this time, we will gather outside (weather permitting) or in Fellowship Hall to help maintain social distancing.
MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
Choir has reconvened and anyone is welcome to join in! We will be meeting soon to work on music for Advent and Christmas Eve. Let Brandon know if you are interested in sharing your musical talents, whatever they may be, with the congregation during worship. We hope to have guest musicians every other Sunday and want to extend this invitation. .Please contact Brandon with interest at brandon.malowski@gmail.com.
BASIC LAY SERVANT COURSE COMING IN FEBRUARY!
Is God calling you to become involved in Lay Servant Ministries? Lay Servant Ministries is one of the most significant lay leadership development programs available within our United Methodist connection (2021 Lay Servant Ministries catalog). Through these ministries, we are equipped, empowered, and enabled:
To grow as disciples of Jesus Christ;
To deepen our knowledge of who God is and who God is calling us to be as God’s people;
To embody God’s love;
To be God’s love in the world.
Lay Servants share their faith and God’s love by leading, caring, and communicating to all God’s people in all places, and in all times.
The Basic course is the foundation for all Lay Servant courses as you:
Are encouraged to discover and use your spiritual gifts;
Consider the importance of servant leadership;
Develop future leaders;
Practice spiritual disciplines;
Grow as a leader in mission and ministry.
The Basic course will be offered on Saturdays, February 5, 12, 19, 26, and March 5, 2022 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at Hope United Methodist Church, 566 Brunswick Rd, Troy. To register, please contact Darlene Suto at dviall51@aol.com or 518.279.3567 (home) or 518.495.2248 (cell).
Questions? Please contact Nancy Goddard at bngoddard@davespc.net or 607.242.2653.
Thank you for considering this course!
VISITATIONS
Pastor Nick will be scheduling visits to homebound members within the next few weeks. If you have someone that would like a visit, please contact Pastor Nick at pastornickbufano@gmail.com
YOUTH GROUP - seeking volunteers
We are seeking coordinators for our Junior High and High School Youth Group. Please share your interests with Pastor Nick or Karin.
LITTLE FOOD PANTRY - BACK TO SCHOOL
**The pantry is in desperate need of food especially pasta, spaghetti sauce, cereal, and granola bars.
Thinking about what healthy snacks to donate to our Little Food Pantry? Here are some suggestions: applesauce and fruit puree, raisins and other dried fruit, freeze-dried fruit “chips," vegetable and fruit juice, veggie chips, popcorn, pretzels, crackers , rice cakes, pita chips, animal crackers, beef or turkey jerky, granola and cereal bars. Thank you for your continued help with this mission! Please sign-up via sign-up genius: https(://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090849ACAE28A2FC1-little If a volunteer does not have a key to the church, please contact Pam Palmer at ppalmer55@nycap.rr.com and arrangements will be made for access.
GARAGE SALE
The garage sale has been rescheduled for Saturday, May 7th. It was decided to hold off for numerous reasons, COVID safety being a main concern. Please save all of your donation items at your house until collection begins April 18, 2022. We are not accepting collections this fall.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month starting at 1pm in room 4. Anyone is invited to attend the sessions or may opt to knit or crochet at home. Some members are working on prayer shawl squares, baby blankets and prayer shawls. All donations will find a home. Please note for those attending in person that wearing a mask that covers the mouth and nose is required.
PRAYER CONCERNS
Prayers for Karen Smith as she recovers from injuries from a car accident; those dealing with health issues; Walt Gorski, Sally Coonley, Kathy Maker, Barb Rasmussen; Piper Toby, Eleanor Loos, Pat Loz, Christopher Biggs, Stephanie Sherman, Ann Crocker Lawton, Susan C.; those dealing with addiction and those struggling to manage anxiety and fight depression. Contact the office to add or remove a prayer request.
THE RESPONSE (UMW Magazine)
The Response magazine is an award-winning publication, is the official magazine of United Methodist Women and is published by the national office. Each issue will touch your heart, stir your soul, and challenge your mind. Topics and issues cover spiritual growth, mission outreach and reports on our local, national and international work. Here is the link: https://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/response Password Newtonvilleumc@gmail.com; zip code 12110
UPPER ROOM
Daily Devotionals are available at https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals. There is an app available for both Upper Room and Alive Now, so you can get them right on your phone or tablet. Printed copies are available in the elevator alcove.
Are you or is someone you know in need of financial assistance? The church has received gifts from individual's stimulus checks to use the funds to help those who may be in financial need during this difficult time. If you know of someone who may be struggling to feed their family, pay utilities, or otherwise meet basic expenses, please Karin in the office. If you are interested in adding to this fund please send your gift to the church, attention: Kathy Franklin. All donations and distributions will remain fully anonymous.
Food assistance is available through food pantries throughout the Capital Region. If you or someone you know is in need of food, you can locate a food pantry serving your community here: www.thefoodpantries.org
The NUMC Little Food Pantry is available 24 hour per day/7 days per week for anyone in need of emergency food or personal care items. If you would like to donate simply leave your items in the food pantry cabinet, located in the rear parking lot.
Financial offerings can be mailed to the office, either in your regular offering envelopes or marked "Attn: Kathy Franklin" to P.O. Box 7, Newtonville, NY 12128. The GivePlus app is another option that can be downloaded to either iPhone or Android. Simply search by zip code 12128. For electronic giving on a regular basis, please contact the church office and we will put Kathy in touch with you to set that up through Vanco. We sincerely appreciate your continued financial support.
We thank you for your prayers, your patience, and your support through this challenging time.
The ornaments on the tree in the Sanctuary are a visible symbol of a donation made in honor or memory of friends and loved ones. This year, all proceeds go to the Capital City Rescue Mission. Checks payable to NUMC; “ornament” in the memo field. Orders are due by Sunday, December 19th. Printed copies will be available at the church on Sundays or you may print a copy using the button above and mail to the church office at PO Box 7, Newtonville, NY 12128.
CAPITAL CITY RESCUE MISSION
Newtonville United Methodist Church is presently doing an outreach program for the Capital City Rescue Mission.
We have volunteered to serve dinner on the 2nd Monday of each month from 5:00 – 7:30pm. There are 5 volunteers needed each month to serve the guests. Young volunteers must be at least 16 years old and accompanied by an adult.
Parking is available across from the Mission in a closed DMV parking lot; the group that served in November met at NUMC to car pool. Mandatory: face masks, hair net, gloves and apron, which are all part of what the Mission supplies to the volunteers.
Please contact me if you are interested in this program or have any questions: Gail Cotler, 518-441-4853 phone/text or gailcotler@gmail.com.
ADOPT-A-FAMILY
Please bring back donations by December 5th and place on the table in the library.
COVID PROTOCOL UPDATES
1 - Reservations are no longer required.
2 - There will be no assigned seating. We ask that you please sit with those folks you came with, or with others you are comfortable around. If two families are in the same pew, please sit at opposite ends.
3 - Every other pew will remain roped off, please do not sit in those pews.
4 - Feel free to use the hymnals and bibles in your pews.
5 - We will begin taking an offering again, please simply place your offering in the plate as the usher places it in front of you.
Masks continue to be required when in worship and when in the building for other purposes. If you are in a small group meeting, and all are vaccinated, please make a decision as a group. We are called to protect the most vulnerable among us, and for now this is the safest way to do that as a church family.
Please see Pastor Nick with any questions or concerns.
ACOLYTES
We are seeking children and youth to be added to an acolyte rotation for Sunday mornings. You will be responsible to light the candles during the first hymn and to carry the microphone to congregation members during prayer time. Please let Karin in the office know if you have a child or youth that would like to be added to the list. newtonvilleumc@gmail.com
STEWARDSHIP CARDS
Please send back your pledge cards as soon as you can. Speedy replies help our financial team plan for next year. You may leave the envelope in the offering plate, drop it off at the office or mail it back with the return envelope provided.
CHRISTMAS COOKIE EXCHANGE
Join us on Sunday, December 12th immediately following the service for our Holiday Cookie Exchange. Please bring 6 dozen cookies (1 variety) to exchange. Home-baked goods or store bought are all welcome. Not participating? Still come and sample a few along with coffee, hot cider and fellowship. There is a sign up in the Lounge. Volunteers are needed to help organize, set up and cleanup for this year’s cookie extravaganza! Please contact Pam at ppalmer55@nycap.rr.com
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR AGES 4 THRU 6TH GRADE
Young people will gather in the sanctuary at 9:30 where they will sing a song with Brandon, explore the scripture passage for the day, and then complete a fun, aged based activity connecting the passage to their lives! It is our hope that the young folks will then join their families for worship at 10am. During the Kid’s Time each week, the children will share their song and Sunday school activity with the congregation. Parents are welcome to stay and help their young ones, and/or gather for fellowship in the Grace Krause Lounge. Come check out this new and exciting program!
MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY
Join Pastor Nick on Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30pm on Zoom for our weekly Bible Study. We will be using the book Rehearsing Scripture: Discovering God’s Word in Community by Anna Carter Florence as our foundation, as we study the lectionary texts for worship each week. We will start each meeting with song, study and apply God’s Word to our lives today, and pray for one another each week. Mark your calendars and look out for the Zoom link, which Pastor Nick will send out as we get closer. Call or email Pastor Nick if you have any questions! Spread the word and invite your friends!
COFFEE HOUR
If you are interested in hosting a Coffee/Fellowship Hour please sign up in the lounge or contact Pam Palmer @ ppalmer55@nycap.rr.com. Coffee, tea, creamer, juice and paper products are supplied. At this time, we will gather outside (weather permitting) or in Fellowship Hall to help maintain social distancing.
MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
Choir has reconvened and anyone is welcome to join in! We will be meeting soon to work on music for Advent and Christmas Eve. Let Brandon know if you are interested in sharing your musical talents, whatever they may be, with the congregation during worship. We hope to have guest musicians every other Sunday and want to extend this invitation. .Please contact Brandon with interest at brandon.malowski@gmail.com.
BASIC LAY SERVANT COURSE COMING IN FEBRUARY!
Is God calling you to become involved in Lay Servant Ministries? Lay Servant Ministries is one of the most significant lay leadership development programs available within our United Methodist connection (2021 Lay Servant Ministries catalog). Through these ministries, we are equipped, empowered, and enabled:
To grow as disciples of Jesus Christ;
To deepen our knowledge of who God is and who God is calling us to be as God’s people;
To embody God’s love;
To be God’s love in the world.
Lay Servants share their faith and God’s love by leading, caring, and communicating to all God’s people in all places, and in all times.
The Basic course is the foundation for all Lay Servant courses as you:
Are encouraged to discover and use your spiritual gifts;
Consider the importance of servant leadership;
Develop future leaders;
Practice spiritual disciplines;
Grow as a leader in mission and ministry.
The Basic course will be offered on Saturdays, February 5, 12, 19, 26, and March 5, 2022 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at Hope United Methodist Church, 566 Brunswick Rd, Troy. To register, please contact Darlene Suto at dviall51@aol.com or 518.279.3567 (home) or 518.495.2248 (cell).
Questions? Please contact Nancy Goddard at bngoddard@davespc.net or 607.242.2653.
Thank you for considering this course!
VISITATIONS
Pastor Nick will be scheduling visits to homebound members within the next few weeks. If you have someone that would like a visit, please contact Pastor Nick at pastornickbufano@gmail.com
YOUTH GROUP - seeking volunteers
We are seeking coordinators for our Junior High and High School Youth Group. Please share your interests with Pastor Nick or Karin.
LITTLE FOOD PANTRY - BACK TO SCHOOL
**The pantry is in desperate need of food especially pasta, spaghetti sauce, cereal, and granola bars.
Thinking about what healthy snacks to donate to our Little Food Pantry? Here are some suggestions: applesauce and fruit puree, raisins and other dried fruit, freeze-dried fruit “chips," vegetable and fruit juice, veggie chips, popcorn, pretzels, crackers , rice cakes, pita chips, animal crackers, beef or turkey jerky, granola and cereal bars. Thank you for your continued help with this mission! Please sign-up via sign-up genius: https(://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090849ACAE28A2FC1-little If a volunteer does not have a key to the church, please contact Pam Palmer at ppalmer55@nycap.rr.com and arrangements will be made for access.
GARAGE SALE
The garage sale has been rescheduled for Saturday, May 7th. It was decided to hold off for numerous reasons, COVID safety being a main concern. Please save all of your donation items at your house until collection begins April 18, 2022. We are not accepting collections this fall.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month starting at 1pm in room 4. Anyone is invited to attend the sessions or may opt to knit or crochet at home. Some members are working on prayer shawl squares, baby blankets and prayer shawls. All donations will find a home. Please note for those attending in person that wearing a mask that covers the mouth and nose is required.
PRAYER CONCERNS
Prayers for Karen Smith as she recovers from injuries from a car accident; those dealing with health issues; Walt Gorski, Sally Coonley, Kathy Maker, Barb Rasmussen; Piper Toby, Eleanor Loos, Pat Loz, Christopher Biggs, Stephanie Sherman, Ann Crocker Lawton, Susan C.; those dealing with addiction and those struggling to manage anxiety and fight depression. Contact the office to add or remove a prayer request.
THE RESPONSE (UMW Magazine)
The Response magazine is an award-winning publication, is the official magazine of United Methodist Women and is published by the national office. Each issue will touch your heart, stir your soul, and challenge your mind. Topics and issues cover spiritual growth, mission outreach and reports on our local, national and international work. Here is the link: https://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/response Password Newtonvilleumc@gmail.com; zip code 12110
UPPER ROOM
Daily Devotionals are available at https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals. There is an app available for both Upper Room and Alive Now, so you can get them right on your phone or tablet. Printed copies are available in the elevator alcove.
Are you or is someone you know in need of financial assistance? The church has received gifts from individual's stimulus checks to use the funds to help those who may be in financial need during this difficult time. If you know of someone who may be struggling to feed their family, pay utilities, or otherwise meet basic expenses, please Karin in the office. If you are interested in adding to this fund please send your gift to the church, attention: Kathy Franklin. All donations and distributions will remain fully anonymous.
Food assistance is available through food pantries throughout the Capital Region. If you or someone you know is in need of food, you can locate a food pantry serving your community here: www.thefoodpantries.org
The NUMC Little Food Pantry is available 24 hour per day/7 days per week for anyone in need of emergency food or personal care items. If you would like to donate simply leave your items in the food pantry cabinet, located in the rear parking lot.
Financial offerings can be mailed to the office, either in your regular offering envelopes or marked "Attn: Kathy Franklin" to P.O. Box 7, Newtonville, NY 12128. The GivePlus app is another option that can be downloaded to either iPhone or Android. Simply search by zip code 12128. For electronic giving on a regular basis, please contact the church office and we will put Kathy in touch with you to set that up through Vanco. We sincerely appreciate your continued financial support.
We thank you for your prayers, your patience, and your support through this challenging time.
