Pastor's Page

(updated 01-25-23)   
Every Congregation in the Upper NY Conference of the UM Church adopted a Discipleship Making Pathway and Plan in 2022. Ours was adopted at our Charge Conference on November 29, 2022. Our Disciple Making plan has 4 points:
#1 – Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?  This is the first step in the journey of every disciple – we will begin here.
#2 – Are you growing in Biblical Literacy?  The Bible is our Book of Books.  Every growing Disciple should be growing deeper and wider in their understanding of The Word.
#3 – Do you know what your Spiritual Gifts Are?  We all have natural gifting and Spiritual gifts. Do you know what your spiritual gifts are, and how they can be used in building the church and the Kingdom of God? We are making disciples who make disciples.

Congregational Care & Family Ministries

Rev. Jeff Hodge  (updated 01-27-23)   Lent Study for 2023 features Poems of Emily Dickinson Emily Dickinson and the Poetry of Lent  -  Study begins March 1
For the 3rd year, we will offer a joint study for Pennellville  UMC and BFUMC via zoom. The class is free, but registration is needed to get the Zoom link. We will meet every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. between March 1 and April 5. Copies of the devotional are available in the office. Digital materials will be sent upon registration. Sign up in the office or dining room. Lent is a time of reflection and insight, a change of seasons - and Emily Dickinson, one of the world’s most beloved poets, was also an avid gardener and a careful observer of the natural world. In this Lenten devotional, biblical texts and simple, accessible practices weave together with Dickinson’s poetic vision, creating a 40-day journey into the heart of the holiest week of the year.

Worship Schedule: January & February

As we walk together during this time of Spiritual Leave for our Lead Pastor, I invite us to be in prayer for  Pastor Bill as he seeks both spiritual and physical renewal in this time away, and for our congregation and its leaders as we journey together in these coming weeks. For worship, I will provide some worship leadership, and have invited some colleagues and friends of our congregation to lead us at our 9:00 a.m. service:
January 29:   Pastor Jeff – “Upside down blessings” – 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12
February 5:   Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding -- Communion
February 12: Pastor Jeff – “You say potato, I say potahto. It all makes soup” – 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Pastor Jeff's Office Hours

Thru February 9: Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Week of February 12: Thursday, February 16, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Week of February 19: Monday, February 20 and Thursday, February 23, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Other times by appointment: 315-383-4384; Fridays are Pastor Jeff’s day off (emergency calls only)

Men's Bible Study

Men’s Bible Study 
Please join a Biblical Study of The Gospel of Luke in which Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension brought the forgiveness of our sins. We will systematically discuss Luke, leading us to more fully appreciate how this gospel molds our lives as Christians. We meet Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.  George Ramseyer (ramseyerg@gmail.com) and David Horan (dhhoran@hotmail.com)

SAMASAN: Trivia Contest

Some Are Married And Some Are Not 
Saturday,  February 18th @ 12:30 p.m.  Come for a mini hot dog lunch and join your friends for a fun-filled afternoon. Open to all.  Please RSVP to Mickie Lorenz 315-635-5182.

Eureka! Book Club

Eureka! Book Club is open to anyone with an interest in reading and conversation. Both January and February will be on zoom. If you are new to participating, give the office your e-mail address so that we can send you a zoom link. February 28, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. – (via zoom)
Just Mercy: a story of justice and redemption by Bryan Stevenson
2014 Written by the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit in Montgomery, Alabama, this book recounts true stories of their work serving the poor and voiceless.  Highlighted is the case of Walter McMillian, a black man who was accused of two murders and spent more than six years on death row despite compelling evidence of his innocence.  Powerful and thought-provoking as well as hopeful.  Released as a full-length movie starring Michael B. Jordan in 2019.