Pastor's Page

"As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. 
          And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples.  When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."  Matthew 9:9-13 NRSV 
          For the last few weeks we have been studying the Sermon on the Mount together during our Sunday morning worship.  The Sermon on the Mount is the longest record of Jesus preaching that we have in the New Testament, and it is likely just the outline of what may have been a very long sermon. 

Men's Study Group

The Tuesday Men’s Bible Class entitled “Christianity and Islam (so much in common, so far apart)” meets at 6:30. This fall study will discuss the two religions from their humble beginnings, leadership and worship, the Bible and the Quran, the roles of women, violence and warfare, and ends with how we might make a better future. We have much in common, more so than the world’s other major religions. The study will be led by Dave Horan (dhhoran@hotmail.com) and George Ramseyer (ramseyerg@gmail.com). Feel free to invite other friends, too!  For further information, please contact David or George. 

Bell Choirs Starting Rehearsals

Covenant Chimers (adults): Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. beginning October 2.
Chancel Bells (adults):  Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. – beginning October 2.
New members are always welcome!
 

Church Library News

New Grief Books + Materials Now Available for You to Borrow: 
Two new copies of the book "HOPE FOR BEREAVED, Understanding, Coping and Growing Through Grief" by Therese S. Schoeneck were recently donated by the BFUMC's Hands of Hope Group to the BFUMC Library and are available for all to borrow. This compassionate and encouraging book has "Helpful Articles Written by Bereaved People for Bereaved People and Those Who Want to Help Them". 
Also available in the Church Library Grief Bookcase are other grief healing books and HOPE FOR BEREAVED materials, including the newly added: 
    Brochures:  "Grief Helping Yourself, Helping Others Brochure"; "Hope for Bereaved, A Journey from grief to HOPE brochure" 
    Articles:  "The Death of An Adult Child" by Audrie Norris; "He Said, She Said - The Different Grieving Paths of Moms and Dads" by Rob Anderson; "When Parents Outlive Their Adult Children"

SAMASAN ~ Pot Luck Dinner

SAMASAN’s Pot Luck Dinner is on Saturday, October 20 at 6:00 p.m. Come and enjoy a musical evening provided by some members of the Hewitt Family (mother was Beverly Hewitt) who will play and sing old time favorites. Please bring a dish-to-pass; dessert, drinks, and table settings will be provided. This event is open to the church family. If you plan to attend or for more information, please call Jennie Austin (635-9221), Sylvia Rich (303-0191), or Eileen Rice (635-9644) so we can know how many to plan for.

Safe Sanctuary Class

There is a Safe Sanctuaries Class being held in Fayetteville UMC, 601 East Genesee Street, Fayetteville, NY 13066 on Saturday, October 20 from 9:00 a.m. until noon Class size is limited to 40. Pre-register by October 13 by e-mailing Kathy Fortner at pchefkathyfortner@gmail.com. There is no charge for the training.

Safe Sanctuaries training is necessary for people who feel called to serve as roamers, teachers, nursery care helpers, and helpers in the pantry.

CROP Walk

Join Team BFUMC Christian Education and help us to raise funds to feed hungry people in our community and in communities around the globe. The Greater Syracuse CROP Hunger Walk takes place in Onondaga Lake Park on Sunday, October 21, 2018. Registration is at 12:30 p.m. and the 3-mile walk starts at 1:00 p.m. If you want to support the cause, but cannot join the walk, please consider sponsoring a team member, as a number of our youth and adult church members are participating. Every amount helps so donate what you can. For more information and to join the team, speak with Frankie Weaver, Janet Brooks, or Tim Evans, or email christianeducation@bvillefirstumc.org.  We hope you can join us!

Eureka! Book Club

Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 22 at 6:00 p.m.  Join us for dinner and discussion in the church chapel. The book for October is “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood. Please rsvp by calling the church office (315-635-6442) or emailing christianeducation@bvillefirstumc.org.

Trunk or Treat

Save-the-Date & Time - Sunday, October 28th at 5:30 p.m., for our annual Trunk-or-Treat ! Plan to decorate your vehicle and to hand out candy/prizes! We will be collecting canned goods for the Food Pantry and change for UMCOR flood buckets at the entrance, have games in the multi-purpose room, and drinks/snacks in the dining room. Please sign-up and bring your decorated vehicle, or sign-up to help in another way—I need greeters to welcome families and to help collect donations, older youth to help with games, and I need help with dining room refreshments.

U.M.W.

United Methodist Women: Hannah-Sarah Circle will meet on Wednesday, November 7 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel. All interested are invited to attend.

SAMASAN Christmas Bureau Benefit

November 10 at 5:30 p.m.  ~ Come to the church dining room to relax, laugh, and join in the merriment! Please bring new books (for all ages) to donate to the Baldwinsville Christmas Bureau. Pizza, salad, dessert, beverages and table settings will be provided. A good-will donation towards the cost of the food will be appreciated that night. This event is open to all. If you plan to attend or for more information, please call Nancy Smith (635-7145), or Olivia Oyer-Halen (715-4655) or Mary Huling (350-3707) by Wednesday, November 7.

Grief Support Group

Our next meeting is November 14, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. (2nd Wednesday due to Thanksgiving)
This is a monthly support group that usually meets on the third Wednesday of every month for those that have lost a loved one and would like to meet with others to talk or just to listen. A bereavement counselor is present; we meet in the church library; refreshments served.

O.W.L.S. Luncheon

Our next gathering is on Thursday, November 15 at 1:00 p.m. in the church dining room. (Terry Miller, 315-409-4063)

Children's Christmas Bazaar

Saturday, December 8th, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

One of our children’s favorite events is the Christmas Bazaar because it makes it possible for them to purchase their own gifts (50 cents each) for loved ones. Please start saving new, or like-new, items for the bazaar. With the local Best Buy and Sears going out of business there are deals out there, the Dollar Store also has good gifts, but no matter where you purchase or find the treasures we really appreciate your donation. Please drop-off labeled Christmas Bazaar donations during the week in the office from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or on Sunday mornings. I will have a box in the office, or you can give gifts to Lisa or myself. Thank you!