Pastor's Page

(updated 9-25-24)  Then God said, “Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the wild animals of the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” So God created humans in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”   Genesis 1:26-28 NRSV 

Congregational Care and Family Ministries

(updated 9-25-24)  Friends,  Not just the trees and weather are changing but fall signifies changes in the church as we become more active in worship and the various studies and programs of the church after a quieter summer. Our First Fest, held on September 8, was a wonderful opportunity to see up close the ministries offered by the church. Using a Carnival Theme with yours truly as the Barker, we invited folks to “Step right up and see the ministries of the church”.  Throughout the newsletter, you will see updates and invitations for a variety of new and established ministries. My prayer is that you will spend time exploring these new opportunities. Here are just a few I want to highlight: 
Sunday School – We are going BIG this year with our BIG Faith classroom, which begins right after the Children’s Moment during our 9:00 a.m. worship. Our October schedule is in this issue.

Disciple 1 New Testament Bible Study

In the United Methodist Church tradition, Christians become more committed Disciples of Jesus through Bible study.  This is the perfect time for you to join this study.  We will begin the New Testament study on Monday, September 16 at 1 PM at our church. Please be a part of this spiritual-deepening experience. God is calling! George Ramseyer, 315-720-6184, ramseyerg@gmail.com

Men's Bible Study

The Pauline Epistles were written by Paul to guide early Christians and provide valuable insight into modern-day Christian living. Beginning Tuesday, September 17th at 6:30 PM. George Ramseyer (315-720-6184) and David Horan (315-638-2407).

Children's & Family Ministries at BFUMC

Please pray this or a prayer of your own every day: Lord God, we thank you for every blessing and ask that you continue to empower and engage us in our Christian faith. May we continue to be blessed to be a blessing and find new ways to reach out to children and their families so that may better know you and be encouraged in their own faith walk, help us to use our gifts to develop ministries for all ages, and help equip my gifts so that I may better serve you. Amen.  
Children’s & Family Ministries 

Youth Group

Youth are invited to be part of our twice-monthly Youth Group, which meets on Sunday evenings 4:00-6:00 p.m.   Join us for our Kick-Off Sunday on October 6 at 4:00 p.m.:  We will walk the CROP Walk in our neighborhood (please collect at least $20 from family and friend in advance of that day);  We will gather around the fire pit outside after the walk; Hot dogs and S’Mores around the fire pit. Here is a preview of upcoming weeks:
October 20        Kitchen fun with apples, apples & more apples
November 3     Scavenger Hunt
November 17   Thanksgiving Dinner prep and Thanksgiving related activities
December 1       First Sunday of Advent & Hanging of the greens (May be held earlier)
December 22    Churchwide Caroling & Las Posadas
January 5, 2025   Youth Epiphany Party
January 26, 2025  Snowshoeing at Beaver Lake, warm up at church after

Church BBQ Chicken Fundraiser

Chicken BBQ Fundraiser– Saturday, October 12, beginning at 11:00 a.m.   The church thanks all the volunteers who helped at our last BBQ chicken plate fundraiser.  It was a fun and joyful day!  We are again asking for volunteers to assist in this sale.  This solicitation is for the entire congregation who would like to help.  If you are able to assist, please notify the church office (315-635-6442; secretary@bvillefirstumc.org) or Alan Lindsey (315-857-4609; awlsr@hotmail.com).  Thank you for your consideration in this matter. 

It's Movie Time!

Join us Saturday, October 19th for the movie “War Room”.  This movie offers valuable lessons about the transformative power of prayer, forgiveness, and gratitude. It reminds us that prayer is not a passive act but a dynamic force that can shape our lives and bring us closer to our faith. By incorporating these teachings into our daily routines, we can find strength, solace, and profound change. Please make a reservation by October 14. You can sign up in the Fellowship Hall OR you can send an email to secretary@bvillefirstumc.org  (subject line: Movie Event} with the name of each person planning to attend to ensure your seat. 

Eureka! Book Club

October 22, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. – "The Bridge Home" by Pamela Venkatraman. Our book leader is Lisa Kisselstein. Four determined homeless children make a life for themselves in Padma Venkatraman's stirring middle-grade debut. Life is harsh in Chennai's teeming streets, so when runaway sisters Viji and Rukku arrive, their prospects look grim. Very quickly, 11-year-old Viji discovers how vulnerable they are in this uncaring, dangerous world. Fortunately, the girls find shelter - and friendship - on an abandoned bridge. With two homeless boys, Muthi and Arul, the group forms a family of sorts. And while making a living scavenging the city's trash heaps is the pits, the kids find plenty to laugh about and take pride in, too. After all, they are now the bosses of themselves and no longer dependent on untrustworthy adults. But when illness strikes, Viji must decide whether to risk seeking help from strangers or to keep holding on to their fragile, hard-fought freedom. 

Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 26 in the BFUMC Parking Lot  
Join us for our annual Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 26th beginning at 5:30 p.m. If you are having a trunk, please be here by 5:00 p.m. We close our lot at 5:15 p.m. Decorate your car, wear a costume if you would like, and be prepared to hand out between 150-200 candy or non-food treats! Forms to sign up a trunk are located in the dining room and the narthex.