CAMP FOWLER – All are Welcome! campfowler.org This Summer there are still openings for campers,
and GRC has scholarship money available to help with registering and the cost of camp. The summer camp is in need of camp counselors for the upcoming season.

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 the church office if you are interested.

THE ADULT BIBLE STUDY resumes September 13, 2026

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).

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.

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 $92,345 and Mission Fund pledges total $12,225.

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 or email the church office.

OUTREACH/MISSION
THE MEN’S OVERFLOW SHELTER: The Shelter is 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.

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.
YTD Ordinary Loss $11,675
• Projected Ordinary Loss $25,012
• Variance to budget $13,336 better
Income

• Timing of donation receipts – several annual contributions received – envelope giving $13,841 better than budget and classis contributions $2,888 better
Expenses

• Building & Grounds expenses are over budget YTD by $10,876 as a result of higher than anticipated snow removal costs (based on number of plows/salting, higher gas & electric charges and higher maintenance & repairs as a result of boiler repairs at the CEB. $97,427 in the General Fund

Year-To-Date Average Worship Attendance = 53 with 45 for 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 – Monday-Thursdays, Please call (518) 477-6030 or email grcminister@outlook.com to connect.

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.