Home Announcements

Announcements

Sunday Service


March 17
Lent 5


UPCOMING:

March 17th – Congregational Meeting

March 24th – Palm Sunday and Pickup Purdy chocolates

March 29th – Good Friday Service

March 31st – Easter Sunday Service and Confirmation Sunday.

April 14th Getting to know your NeighboursBUC service with Airdrie and Irricana at 10:00m am

April 21st – Mission and Service fair

A congregational meeting will be held after worship on Sunday March 17, 2024 to provide an update on the need to appoint ministry personnel for July 1, 2024 given the appointment for Kelly Grittner expires on June 30, 2024. The meeting may also include the consideration of any resolutions required to ensure the vacancy is filled on a timely basis. – Ruth Unser, Board Chair.

  • Upcoming Dates for Easter Season – Keep the date within your calendar! There will be a March 24th – Palm Sunday Service with Music Cantata by our Choir directed by Dr. Alex Shawn and Lee

  • . March 29th – Good Friday Service with special music from the choir. March 31st – Easter Sunday Service and special music by the choir. Hope to see you all in body or spirit!
  • Confirmation – On March 31st 2024, there will be a Confirmation Celebration for Hannah Walkes. Furthermore if there is anyone who would like to affirm or transfer their membership to BUC formally, March 31st is an invitation to anyone who would like this for themselves to happen. Please contact Minister Kelly Grittner 403-219-3535 for further information and interest.
  • Getting to Know our Neighbours Continues: 


Getting to Know our Neighbours

The United Churches of Balzac, Airdrie and Irricana are planning three joint worship services as part of a getting to know our neighbour program. This involves each church hosting a joint worship service over the next three months.

On February 11, 2024  Balzac and Airdrie United Church congregations will be travelling to Irricana United Church to join them for worship at 10:00 am.

On March 10, 2024 Balzac and Irricana United Churches will be travelling to Airdrie United Church to join them for worship at 10:30 am.

And on April 14, 2024 Irricana and Airdrie United congregations will be travelling to Balzac United Church for worship at 10:00 am.

Our neighbouring churches will have activities planned for our Sunday School children. Both churches have invited our choir members to join their choirs. A service bulletin will be available in advance for each of the services.

If you bring your Balzac offering envelopes to Irricana or Airdrie they will be sorted after service and brought back to Balzac United. Cash offerings will be designated for a local service program connected to the home congregation.

THIS YEAR IN 2024: Rural Ministry Network comes to Alberta – June 2024. For More Info on any of these events please see Zoe Walkes for more information via email. posted information available on multiple announcement boards around the church.

● Updated form Community Links: Different resources available for all, Take a look at the pin boards within the

church or talk with Zoe Walkes, to see the upcoming awareness, training, and support happening soon.

● Greeting cards sent out from BUC: A general reminder that if you know someone that needs a card sent out

from the church because of celebration, concern or illness, to please let Joyce Covey know as soon as you can.

Our church community is always connected and we have love and light filled to the top at our church, so

please help us stay connected.

·       Crossfield & Madden Hamper Program – The Crossfield and Madden Hamper Program have released a most needed items list for February 2024. These lists can be found within this weeks weekly Saturday email and within the church on bulletin boards. Please contribute if you can.

The Crossfield & Madden hamper program is also putting on their first annual Hot Chocolate with a Heart Festival from February 1st-29th. Try hot chocolates from the list of local business owners on the Crossfield & Madden Facebook page and vote for your favorite one! All proceeds go to the Crossfield & Madden hamper program. – information taken from Crossfield & Madden Posters.

Personnel update

New Transitional Minister: Kelly Grittner.
New Secretary : Zoe Walkes, balzacunitedchurch@gmail.com.
New  Sunday School teacher, Youth Group Leader: Angela Wigglesworth, BUCfirstthirdministry@gmail.com.

 

  • Volunteers needed for this year – Our lovely BUC church needs greeters and coffee time volunteers! Volunteering is fun and a great way to become more involved with the church community. We look forward to all of the future volunteers! Please sign up at the front of the church by the front doors anytime. Thank you to all who have already volunteered!
  • For announcement Questions or addition, here is the contact information – balzacunitedchurch@gmail.com. PHONE: 4032265844
  • For any general information on the Church please see the BUC Website Linked herehttps://balzacunitedchurch.com/

 

First Third Ministry Corner: Everything for kids, youth & young adults

The new email address for all Sunday school, youth and young adult programming for Balzac United Church is
BUCfirstthirdministry@gmail.com. Please send all Sunday school and youth group correspondence to me through this
new address. I am also available to chat on my cell number (587)229-3878.
Our programs can’t run without the tremendous efforts of volunteers. We are currently in need of volunteers to help
with the following:

● nursery volunteers, either for one Sunday or on a rotational basis
● a substitute Sunday school teacher for Sunday, December 10.

Please let me know as soon as possible if you are able to help support this vital ministry.

Upcoming kids, youth & young adults events:

  • March 24th: Miss Angela and Miss Victoria will be leading  groups in M&S activities and preparation – Our youngest kids get activities just for them!

    Angela, Victoria and all of our Sunday school and youth group kids are embarking on a study of the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. The Mission and service fair will now be taking place on Sunday, April 21 right after church. We invite everyone to stay and learn from the kids what they’ve been studying, play some games, sample some food from our countries and more! We encourage donations to the United Church Mission and Service fun.

  • Mission & Service Fair Is planned for the 21stof April 2024

Fundraising:

Purdy’s Chocolates!

  • We are starting a wonderful fundraising event for our Balzac United Church this Easter.
    If you’re looking to shop for Easter bunny-approved treats this year, you can order from Purdys! 🐰 🎀
    All of the Purdys favourites are included. You know the ones. Sweet Georgia Browns, Hedgehogs, Peanut Butter Fingers…what was I saying? Oh yes, follow the link to order you and your loved ones their favourite chocolates. All you need to do is follow this linkhttps://fundraising.purdys.com/795875-116442and you can make your orders directly in the online shop. You will be helping out our church while enjoying and sharing some wonderful chocolates!
    Just look for Balzac United Church, and order! ⛪🩷
    **Please have all your orders ready before March 12th, chocolate pick up will be on M
    arch 24th at the church. **Thank you!Victoria

 

Current News

  • Choir – Rehearsals are after the morning service and start from 11:30 am for an hour. We are always looking for new members.
    If you would be interested in joining, we would be delighted to see you. If you have questions about the choir, contact Lee by email at ladyleedow@shaw.ca  or call her at 403-818-9592.
  • Volunteers needed – Please consider volunteering for the following opportunities to help out at the church.   There will be sign up sheets at the front table and even it you can commit to one Sunday occasionally or maybe once a month that would be very helpful.
    • Greeters – A friendly face at the door is needed to welcome people and provide help.  It’s a good way to get to know people and check in with old friends.
    • Coffee Time Volunteers – Coffee will be served after the service but we need some volunteers to make the coffee ahead of the service and clean up afterward.  Please consider helping out in this area even if it is only occasionally or for 1 Sunday a month.
  • New start time:  – 10:00am Sunday mornings
  •  Income Tax Receipts – 2022 income tax receipts have been mailed out.  If you have any issues or concerns, please contact Ruth Unser at runser@shaw.ca or (403) 289-2715.

  • Card Ministry – If you think someone in the congregation might benefit from receiving a card from the church this week, contact Joyce Covey or Sheryl Page, our card ministers and ask them to send out a card.  Please contact them at covster@shaw.ca for Joyce or pagecovey@hotmail.com  for Sheryl.

Financial Church Support

  • If you want to financially support our church, there are four ways:
    1. Mail a cheque to Balzac United Church, 10076 TWP Rd 262, Balzac, AB T4B 2T3.
      Mail is picked up on a regular basis.
    2. Using a credit card, you can donate via www.canadahelps.org The national office of our United Church Canada does approve of this online donation method. Balzac will receive your donation less 4% for a processing fee. Your income tax receipt will be issued from Canada Helps.
    3. E – transfer funds directly to the church at our new email address for the treasurer treasurer@balzacunitedchurch.com
    4. Register for PAR (automatic monthly withdrawal from your bank account) by emailing Treasurer Support

Sunday School

Sunday school is has started for the new year and registration is on now.  You can download the form here and send it to Mrs. Angela.

● Sunday, January 14: Mission & Service Projects have begun! There will be 2 groups, led by Angela and Victoria. Stay tuned

for more details about the countries we’ve chosen.

Airdrie food bank

Go to the Outreach page to see what is needed at the Airdrie food bank.
Did you know that for every $1 that the Airdrie Food Bank receives they can purchase $3 worth of food items? If you choose to support them in this way, please mark your donation clearly, and BUC will submit all monies received, to the Food Bank.

Veterans Food Bank donations

The month of October is dedicated to supporting the Veterans Food Bank.  Please donate food, Tim’s gift cards, socks or toiletries and we will drop off in Calgary before Remembrance Day.  If you have any questions about this outreach program please contact Sheryl Page at pagecovey@hotmail.com

Other information that you might be interested in:

  • Zoom worship will start up again in the fall if you are unable to attend church in person.  Details will be provided next week.  If you have any suggestions on ways to improve the Zoom worship, please email me at runser@shaw.ca or call me at 403 -289-2715.
  • Sharing news and activities – if you have an announcement or information that you want to share with the congregation, send an email to balzacunitedchurch@gmail.com with the details by Wednesday of the previous week to ensure it gets in the Saturday email and the bulletin.

Card Ministry – If you think someone in the congregation might benefit from receiving a card from the church this week, contact Joyce Covey or Sheryl Page, our card ministers and ask them to send out a card.  Please contact them at covster@shaw.ca for Joyce or pagecovey@hotmail.com  for Sheryl.


PAST EVENTS:

Christmas Cantata was held during the service on December 18th 2022.

[/swmsc_text_block]

[swmsc_text_block id=”in” class=”” style=””]

Video

[/swmsc_text_block]


[swmsc_video source=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nmc7k3ap61k” id=”” class=”” style=””]

[swmsc_video source=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/UeW6FlYeUrM” id=”” class=”” style=””]

[swmsc_video source=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/kRbYUPs2BYU” id=”” class=”” style=””]

[swmsc_video source=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/H9MNPdEV2wI” id=”” class=”” style=””][swmsc_text_block id=”” class=”” style=””]

_


 

[/swmsc_text_block]


Fundraising:

Purdy’s Chocolates!


March 24th – Palm Sunday and Pickup Purdy chocolates



Upcoming kids, youth & young adults events:

  • March 24th: Miss Angela and Miss Victoria will be leading  groups in M&S activities and preparation – Our youngest kids get activities just for them!

    Angela, Victoria and all of our Sunday school and youth group kids are embarking on a study of the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. The Mission and service fair will now be taking place on Sunday, April 21 right after church. We invite everyone to stay and learn from the kids what they’ve been studying, play some games, sample some food from our countries and more! We encourage donations to the United Church Mission and Service fun.



Upcoming Worship Services:

January 28, Sunday service, 10:00am
Season of Epiphany

  • Worship Leader, Rev Kelly Grittner
    November 2023 – March 2024


Recent Services:

Feb. 4
Service
Message

Jan. 21
Service
Message

Jan 14
Service
Message

Jan 7
Service
Message





Grace United Church in LaxKw’alaams B.C.

Weeks ago, Hugh and Levica Markides shared the news that Grace United Church in LaxKw’alaams B.C. (north west of Port Rupert) burned down on Saturday Jan 30th. When Hugh was a park ranger, he sometimes attended meetings in that community. The 147 year old building was completely destroyed. I know that our hearts go out to those folk who have lost an essential part of who they are.  Your prayers are needed to help this faith community to persevere and recover as they rebuild. At times like these, even being well-insured, means that there will be additional expenses Financial donations are also appreciated.

Here are links on the side panel to donate and attached information from Treena Duncan who is the executive minister of our Chinook Winds Region and Pacific Mountain Region.

Stay well. Stay connected.

If you are called to and able to offer a financial donation to Lax Kw’alaams Grace United Church, please follow these steps:
  1. Go to the Pacific Mountain Regional Council donation page that is hosted on CanadaHelps.org
  2. In the first section called “ Donation Details” you need to designate the fund you wish your donation to go to:
    Under AMOUNT
    Select the frequency of your donation.
    Set the amount of your donation.Under FUND
    Change the drop-down option from “General” to “Grace United Church – Lax Kw’alaams Rebuilding Fund” to designate your donation to this specific effort.
  3. Then complete the rest of the form. Note: you’ll be prompted to make a one-time donation to the organization that hosts our donation page (CanadaHelps.org).
  4. After submitting your donation, you will see confirmation page and number on the website, and you will receive an email with tax receipt (if applicable) to the email address you used on the donation page.

We are hearing many expressions of desire to help, and the Pacific Mountain Regional Council office and staff will continue to bridge the community of Lax Kw’alaams with the wider Indigenous and Non-Indigenous communities of faith, as needed by the Grace United community.
With gratitude and blessings,

Treena Duncan, Executive Minister, Pacific Mountain Regional Council.
United Church of Canada









Michelle Edgar from soap for hope YYC @soapforhopeyyc visited us Sunday February 23, 2020.

Listen to her talk here


Soap for Hope is located
5120 6th Street NE, Calgary, Alberta Calgary, Alberta T2K 4W5 phone (587) 352-9500 or drop by if you would like to volunteer!