Pastor's Page

(updated 10-30-24)  “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.”  John 14:1-3 NRSV 
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I am blessed to have wonderful church families and a wife and children and grandchildren who love me and share their lives with me. Even though I cherish these precious gifts, I often find myself wandering back in my mind during this season to my family of origin.

Congregational Care and Family Ministries

(updated 10-30-24)  Friends, It is not the only time we think about blessings and gratitude, but Thanksgiving brings those sentiments front and center. It is a time as we gather with close friends and family that we refocus our hearts and minds on what we’re grateful for, and begin to count those blessings around us. There are so many blessings around me that I have almost lost count. Sometimes I am surprised by all the different ways we are blessed here at BFUMC.  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 have been going BIG this year with our BIG Faith classroom, which begins right after the Children’s Time during our 9:00 a.m. worship. Our November schedule is in this issue.

Men's Bible Study

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

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.  Walking in the CROP Walk, which raised over $700 for CROP/CWS, marked the beginning for the youth group this fall. Thank you to everyone who participated by walking and/or donating to the CROP Hunger Walk this year. On October 20, we had fun with apples, making delicious apple sauce to share with others – and apple crisp to enjoy as a group. We also focused on planting seeds of kindness, sharing with one another kind words of encouragement. Here is a preview of upcming weeks:
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 21 or 22    Churchwide Caroling & Las Posadas
January 5, 2025   Youth Epiphany Party

Children's & Family Ministries at BFUMC

Children’s & Family Ministries at BFUMC   This year’s Sunday School program is called BIG Faith. All year we are learning about our faith through a big lens! Join us on this adventure each Sunday morning. We escort children to Sunday School from Children’s Time and we return during the closing hymn. Children ages 4-12 are welcome to be our weekly adventure. In September, we focused on God’s Masterpiece. Reading Genesis, we learned all about God’s amazing Creation. In October, we focused on Promise Builder: God Keeps God Promises. In November, we focus on Harvest and give Thanks for this wonderful creation! 

Eureka! Book Club

Coming Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. –  “Fahrenheit 451” by Rad Bradbury. Our book leader is Pastor Jeff.
“Fahrenheit 451” is part of our annual “Read a Classic” series at Eureka! This is a particularly timely read as 33 states banned books in school libraries and classrooms last year! Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book, along with the houses in which they are hidden. Montag never questions the destruction and ruin his actions produce, returning each day to his bland life and wife, Mildred, who spends all day with her television “family.” But when he meets an eccentric young neighbor, Clarisse, who introduces him to a past where people didn’t live in fear and to a present where one sees the world through the ideas in books instead of the mindless chatter of television, Montag begins to question everything he has ever known. 

SAMASAN: Book Party Christmas Bureau

SAMASAN: Book Benefit Party, Saturday, November 23,  2:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the BFUMC dining room,  Benefiting the Baldwinsville Volunteer Center, Christmas Bureau Baskets Program   All are welcome to come for fun and fellowship. Please bring 1 or more new or excellent condition non-religious book(s) for: Children grade 6 and above and Adults all ages. There will be a fun, favorite story writing time, using the donated books’ titles, followed by the oh, so humorous reading of the stories created. Seasonal light refreshments, cider and doughnuts, treats for all. Kindly let us know your plans to attend: Nancy Brother: nbrother@twcny.rr.com; 315-399-0212; Nancy Smith: nsmit24@twcny.rr.com; 315-415-7874.

Hanging of the Greens

In preparation for the upcoming Advent Season, we will be decorating the church on Sunday, November 24. We begin immediately after the service concludes. All are welcome as many hands are needed to fluff and set the Greens, including men to help with the ladder and Christmas trees.

Advent Study ~ Zoom

We will discuss the Good, Bad & the Ugly of Christmas as we prepare our hearts for the Coming Christ. The discussion of Richard Wilke’s book will happen three Wednesdays in Advent – December 4, 11 & 18 at 6:30 p.m.  Sign up in the dining room or in the office. Be sure to include your e-mail address. Books are $10 each and will be available after November 15.

Children's Christmas Bazaar

It’s not too early to start thinking about the Children’s Christmas Bazaar! 
It will be held on Saturday, December 7, and children will be able to shop in secret for family and friends. Each item, regardless of size, will cost 50 cents! We welcome the following donations! Items can be brought to the church office. 
Gift bags – we have plenty of wrapping paper;     Tissue paper and Bows;     Gifts for men, women, and children n of all ages.  
Any questions, please contact Janet Brooks: JBrooks48@aol.com; 315-415-6416 

The Longest Night - A Service of Remembrance & Hope

This candle lighting service is extended to all people in the Baldwinsville Community. On Sunday, December 8 at 2:00 p.m., the Hands of Hope Group will once again host a remembrance service in the church Sanctuary.  If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, the holidays can be a difficult time and we need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern and to know that we are not alone.  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 with light refreshments. If you would like to make memorial donations for flowers, candles, cookies, or expenses, please contact Karen Picco (652-2917) or Lisa (635-6442).