Dear Greenbush Reformed Church,
May they know God’s love, find deep belonging among us, and be strengthened as we journey together in faith.
Our Lenten Calendar is ready! We have a brochure of all our services. Please be sure to get your copy. If your doctor approves, please consider joining us on something called The Daniel Fast. Information is also included in the Lenten brochure.
With gratitude and joy,
Rev. Mashona Walston
Schedule of Worship Services
Morning Prayer & Devotion Call Begins
Weekdays (M-F) Thursday February 19 – Thursday, April 2
7 AM Dial-in number: (605) 313-9874 Access code: 8318715
Silent Candlelight Prayer – Wednesdays February 25th – April 2, 11:30 AM
Centering Prayer – Wednesdays ongoing 12 PM
Palm Sunday – March 29, 9:30 AM
Holy Thursday – April 2, 7 PM
Easter Sunrise – April 5, 7 AM
Easter Sunday – April 5, 9:30 AM
Sunday School Schedule
March 1 – Sunday School 10:45-11:30 am
March 15 – Sunday School 10:45-11:30 am
April 5 – Easter Egg Hunt and Continental Breakfast at the CEB after worship
April 19 – Sunday School 10:45-11:30 am
May 3 – Sunday School 10:45-11:30 am
May 17 – Sunday School 10:45-11:30 am
SANCTUARY FLOWERS – The cost is $40 for two arrangements. A sign-up sheet can be found on the glass cabinet in the narthex of the sanctuary, or you can contact the church to make arrangements. You are welcome to take them home with you following worship.
CLASSIS SUPPORT annually per member is $151.96. There is an envelope in your giving envelopes dated January 11th. If you do not have an envelope, you can put it in the offering plate marked Classis Support or pay online.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A PART OF OUR CHILDREN’S PROGRAM? We are still in need of greeters for our children’s program. Please contact Meghan Krug if you’re interested and missed the February 4th workshop.
USHERS/GREETERS: We are recruiting members to serve as ushers/greeters for 2026/27. A list of current ushers is on the glass cabinet in the back of the church. Please take a look at the list. If you are already listed, update your information, note especially dates you may not be available in 2026. If you are not currently on the list please consider assisting with this important service and add your name to the list.
GREAT SCHOLARS FUND – SUPPORTING OUR MUSIC MINISTRY As we continue to pray and work
toward filling the music ministry vacancy, the Worship Committee is exploring exciting options to meet our musical needs. One essential resource for this effort is the Great Music Scholars Fund, which helps ensure we have the financial support necessary to bring enriching worship experiences to our congregation. We invite you to prayerfully consider contributing to this fund. If you feel led to give:
• Please write “Great Scholars” in the memo section if writing a check.
• If giving cash, kindly write “Great Scholars” on an envelope to designate your donation.
Your generosity will play a vital role in sustaining and growing our worship ministry. Thank you for your support, prayers, and commitment to our church’s musical future! Blessings, Worship Committee.
THE ADULT BIBLE STUDY meets Sundays after worship. The group is working with a book by Philip Yancey as its focal point. The book, Grace, is accompanied by a series of videos which we will explore and discuss together. New members to the group are always welcomed!
PLEDGES FOR 2026 – Thank you so much for your continued support. Your commitment to our church’s ministry is much appreciated. We have received pledges from 35 families for General and Mission Funds. General Fund pledges total $85,745 and Mission Fund pledges total $12,200.
GIVING ENVELOPES – If you would like to receive envelopes with your name and don’t have any, please let our church secretary know so we can get them to you. Thank you again, your contributions are vital to the health of our church and the mission work we support.
DO YOU HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS? If you do, please let us know using the plastic box in the narthex of the sanctuary.
OUTREACH/MISSION
THE MEN’S OVERFLOW SHELTER: Pam Bullock, who visited us a few weeks ago to talk about the Men’s Overflow Shelter, mentioned that if anyone was interested in donating to The Shelter, they are looking for monetary donations to purchase paper goods. They do not have the room to store the paper goods so they established an account for monetary donations and they will buy the products as needed. If you are interested in donating to this fund please put the money in an envelope marked Shelter-Paper Goods, in the collection basket.
CAN PULL TABS FOR RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE: GRC will once again be collecting can pull tabs for donation to the Ronald McDonald House. These tabs are recycled by the organization to raise funds for their work. Additional information can be found at: https://rmhcofalbany.org/getinvolved/pull-together/. The tabs may be placed in the basket on the glass cabinet in the narthex of the sanctuary.
DOORS OF HOPE FOOD PANTRY AND THRIFT STORE. They are now located at the 43 Mall, 12 Mall Way, West Sand Lake, NY 12176. Phone is 518-674-4048. We continue our collection of non-perishable food items for the food pantry. Items may be dropped off at the church (if no one is at the church you may leave the items on the covered steps next to the side door). Thank you!!
GRC DEACONS 2025 MISSION FUND DISBURSEMENTS: The Deacons met to disburse some of the monies from the Mission Fund. The following donations were made RCA Missionary Joshua Vis, Project Peace Missionary ($3,500); Capital Area Council of Churches ($500), Men’s Overflow Shelter ($1000); Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless ($1000), Joseph’s House and Shelter ($1,000); St. Paul’s Center ($500), Nassau Resource Center ($500), Doors of Hope ($500), Concerns-U ($500), Camp Fowler ($800) and Capital City Rescue Mission ($1000). THANK YOU FOR MAKING THESE DONATIONS POSSIBLE!
WELCOME TO WORSHIP
LARGE PRINT CHALICE HYMNALS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX OF THE SANCTUARY ON THE GLASS CABINET.
GRC NURSERY – We welcome young children (under 3 years of age) to use our nursery during worship. Every family who leaves a child in the nursery is required to take a pager in case of an emergency and/or they need to be contacted to tend to their child (such as for a diaper change).
CHILDREN’S PROGRAM – Please join us on Sundays for our Children & Worship (ages 3-7) and Godly Play (ages 8-12) programs after the children’s message during worship. This meets every Sunday except for communion Sundays.
THE NURTURE AND FELLOWSHIP: We need volunteers to provide snacks and juice for fellowship time following church (coffee is provided). Please sign up for a Sunday between now and June 2025 on the signup sheet in the church lounge. Snacks can be simple and store-bought!
FINANCE UPDATE & FUNDRAISING
God bless you and thank you so very much for your ongoing support of our congregation and its ministry. Our financial health and ministry continue to remain strong throughout these difficult days. GRC GENERAL FUND AS OF December 31, 2025: ()-Indicates Deficit. General Fund Income=$252,339 General Fund Expenses=$227,631; General Fund Net=$24,708; Budget estimate at this point=($46,982). Year-To-Date Average Worship Attendance = 51 with 45 Views.
ONLINE BILL PAY – Did you know you can make your weekly donation to the church online? Sometimes it’s difficult to keep track of our financial support of the church. Most banks today now offer a solution to this through an online bill pay option where you can schedule your donation to be paid automatically. Once set up, the bank will automatically cut a check and send it to the church according to the schedule you set. Not only will this be a help to you but it will also be a significant blessing to the church, especially during those times of the year when donations fall off such as during the summer months. For more information contact your bank or check your bank’s website.
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
PASTOR MASHONA OFFICE HOURS – Currently she has drop-in hours scheduled on Monday,
11am-1pm and Wednesday from 10am – 12 pm. Please call the office at (518) 477-6030 for varied
appointment hours. Feel free to also email Pastor Mashona at grcminister@outlook.com
SUNSHINE DAY NURSERY NEWS
ALLERGY REQUEST FROM SUNSHINE DAY NURSERY-Two children now going to Sunshine Day Nursery have peanut/tree nut allergies. One child is severely allergic meaning that her allergy can be triggered simply by touching a common surface that has peanut/tree nut debris or oil (such as a toilet handle, door handle, or railing). To help prevent triggering a severe reaction in these children, please use caution in the Christian Ed Building including washing hands before entering building.