Schedule Notes:

The Church Office is closed Thursday & Friday, November 22 & 23

Pastor's Page

          “But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.  And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-19 NRSV
          It is, perhaps, the most beautiful season of the year.  Autumn in all its colorful beauty is upon us!  Last night our church family hosted around 600 of our neighbors as they attended Trunk-or-Treat!  Our church building was full of laughter and noise and love.  Beautiful.

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"

Christmas Decorating & Lunch

Join us November 25th for Christmas Decorating and a Family Lunch. 
Following the 9 o’clock service and fellowship time, we will enjoy the ‘hanging of the greens’, making ornaments, and putting out the Nativity scene. We will also have lunch at 11:30 a.m. Christian Education and Family Ministries will provide baked potatoes with all the toppings, and hearty soup. I hope that you can join in on the fun. So that I have an idea of how many potatoes to bake, please RSVP to christianeducation@bvillefirstumc.org.

Baldwinsville Community Food Pantry

          As we approach the holiday season, the Baldwinsville Community Food Pantry continues to serve the hunger needs of people residing in the Baldwinsville School District.  When the pantry began 41 years ago, it provided meals for only 1 or 2 families per month.  Currently, we fulfill requests for approximately 150-160 families per month, which amounts to about 4,800 individual meals.  The requests vary depending on the time of year and changes in the economy. 
           The Baldwinsville Community Food Pantry is awarded a small grant from the CNY Food Bank each year, providing those funds are available.  The remaining funding for the pantry comes from the generosity of the Baldwinsville community.  Our expenses are averaging over $7,000.00 per month.  

Christmas Bureau

Donations Needed 
          For almost 50 years, the Baldwinsville Christmas Bureau has provided needy families in our community with toys, clothing, books, food and household items. We depend on local businesses, churches, school groups, organizations and individuals to help make the holidays a little brighter for those not as fortunate as ourselves.
          This year we need your help more than ever. The Baldwinsville Christmas Bureau is no longer able to benefit from the Toys for Tots program. After participating in the program for many years, we have been informed that all Toys for Tots collected will go to the Onondaga County Christmas Bureau in Syracuse, even if the toys are collected here in Baldwinsville.

Food Pantry Fund Raiser

Dr. Eric Croucher from Upstate Chiropractic is doing a fundraiser for the Baldwinsville Community Food Pantry. If you are a Facebook user, just go to the Upstate Chiropractic Facebook page. There will be a video message from Dr. Croucher that you can view. Until Thanksgiving, he will donate $1 to the Food Pantry for every person who clicks on “like”.

Breakfast with Santa

Sponsored by Baldwinsville Nursery School:  Saturday, December 1, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.  
Start writing your list, mark your calendar, and plan to join us for this fun event. 
          If your family is looking for a fun way to begin the Christmas season, please plan to join us for our annual All You Can Eat Breakfast with Santa. The breakfast is hosted by Baldwinsville Nursery School and all proceeds benefit the school’s scholarship fund. 
          The meal, deliciously prepared by the United Methodist Men, includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, and beverages. There will be crafts and activities for the children and, of course, a visit with that top VIP of the season, Santa Claus! Registration forms are available at the church. 

Parents-Day-Out / "Frozen Party"

Sunday, December 2nd , 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM 
Parents can go on a lunch date or do some Christmas shopping while children have a “Frozen Party.” Children will make snowflakes; learn about Mary, Martha, and Jesus, and the theme of acceptance; have a pizza party; and view the movie Frozen. This activity costs $5/child (or $10/family), and registration is required (by Nov. 18). For children age 4 through age 13. Register today!

The Longest Night - A Service of Remembrance & Hope

This candle lighting service is extended to all people in the Baldwinsville Community. On Tuesday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m., the Hands of Hope Group will once again host a remembrance service in the church Sanctuary for those that have lost a loved one. The holidays can be difficult when we are grieving and this is a special time to remember that person and light a candle in their memory.  If you would like, come early so you may print your loved one’s name on paper and set a framed picture on the altar table before the service begins. Fellowship in the dining room after the service; refreshments will be served. If you would like to make memorial donations for flowers, candles, cookies, or expenses, please contact Karen Picco (652-2917) or Lisa (635-6442).

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!

U.M.W.

United Methodist Women: Hannah-Sarah Circle will meet on Wednesday, December 12 at 12:00 p.m. in the dining room. All interested are invited to attend.

Eureka! Book Club

The Eureka! Book Club will be meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12  to discuss "A Christmas Jar". Everyone is welcome for dinner and conversation, please let Nancy Smith (nsmit24@twcny.rr.com) or Frankie Nicole Weaver (christianeducation@bvillefirstumc.org) know if you can attend. Copies of the books can be signed out in the office. Dinner is usually $7-10, and prepared by a local restaurant, so please be sure to RSVP. Thank you!

Grief Support Group

Please Note: there will not be a regular meeeting in December due to the special service on Tuesday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m. The next regular meeting will be on January 16, 2019.

O.W.L.S. Luncheon

Our next gathering is on Thursday, December 20 at 1:00 p.m. in the church dining room. (Terry Miller, 315-409-4063)