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2/7/25 News Flash

Feb 7
6 min read

Hamburg United Methodist Church

116 Union St

Hamburg, New York, 14075

(716) 649-8080

Worship Sundays at 10 am

Greetings my brothers and sisters in Christ.

I believe the gospel. I preach the Gospel. And the Gospel is summed up in John 3:16:

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

I believe Jesus when he says in John 14:6

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

If that is your belief. Then you are a conservative Christian. If you add a “well yeah but” to any of those statements, you are not a conservative Christian. So, if you say God so loved the world except the Jews, or the gay people, or the Democrats, Republic., people who suffer, people who are divorced. We have missed the mark of the gospel.

If you think that if you have enough money, or do enough work, or vote a certain way to get into heaven that is not conservative Christian thinking either. And, according to John 14 verse six is not accurate.

(I am the way the truth and the life, No one comes to the Father except through me)

In the Gospel it says that Jesus is the way, not United Methodist, not Catholic, Hebrew or Muslim. Jesus is the way.

We put a wall up to separate our Little Lamb kids from people who may want to do harm to them. We just changed locksets on those doors as well. People trust our church when they leave their kids here. Putting a wall up to protect them is common sense.

We lock our doors at the church to keep people safe. To keep Cristina safe. I believe we have a designated entrance area that can be monitored to control who gets into the building. That is common sense as well.

Last week Pastor David read a letter from Bishop Tracy Malone, president of the Council of Bishops and to which I was informed “was not political.”

The statement, “Deplorably, racist, xenophobic, nationalistic, and anti-migrant hate speech has become standard rhetoric for many US politicians, including President-elect Donald Trump.” That statement is blatantly political not to mention degrading to any remaining politically conservative members of the United Methodist Church.

Protecting our country, controlling the entrance points, and returning people who did not enter our country through the legal procedure is not racist, deplorable, xenophobic, anti-migrant hate speech. It is common sense. We have had too many kids dying from drugs that are trafficked across our borders. We have allowed terrorists, murders, rapist, and gang members unrestricted access into our country.

Matthew 16: 6 reads

“Be careful,” Jesus said to them.

“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Hear these words from the gospel of Matthew Chapter 12.

30 “Whoever is not with me is against me,

and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

I have seen enough of my politically conservative friends walk away from the church. I have liberal friends, and I love them. I do not agree with them politically, but as Christians, I can find common ground on which to stand without conflict. I was hoping that this political schism would stop, and we could focus on rebuilding and healing of our congregation. Divisive hearts are still in the United Methodist Church. I am extremely disappointed with the Council of Bishops.

At the end of Genesis, in Chapter 50, Joseph’s brothers begged for mercy because of what they did to Joseph. Verse 19 reads,

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

Wednesday evening after our study I stayed after with Anne and Carl Nicol along with Barb and Greg Crispell. Those few minutes were healing, or should I say, help to remove a proverbial stone in my shoe that has been in there for several years now. It has inspired me to start a Sunday morning grouping from 9:00 AM to 9:45. I will call it “Common Ground” This is not to try to change anyone’s political ideals. I know nobody is going to change my views, but it will help me to understand others’ views. It is not a time to load up our barrels with issues of the week and come and take pot shots at one another.

It will be a time to discover who God is through the scriptures. Who the Israelites are and what God called them to be. Who we are as Christians and what God calls us to be. This is a new group. Not meant for conflict or arguments but for healing and understanding. So, I invite you to “Common Ground” Hopefully it can smooth the rough edges and help remove any proverbial stones out of your shoes. When we do that, our Christian Walk, will have a better gate.

Dave Rood

Lay Leader

Hamburg United Methodist Church

Relentless Grace Event

Saturday, March 1

10 a.m. - Noon

Hamburg UMC

All ages, individuals and families are invited!

Join us as we all prepare to enter the season of Lent. We invite you to journey with God in grace. We'll reflect on the gifts of mercy, renewal, and compassion that shape our lives as followers of Christ.

Get ready with us for Lent through activities, fun, learning -- and we'll wrap up with lunch!

Join Us in Reading Through the Bible in 2025

Would you consider reading through the Bible in 2025? Together as a church community, we can embark on this yearlong journey of faith and discovery. A Bible in a Year reading plan is available outside the church office and will also be published monthly in the newsletter. You can also access it online here: Bible in a year reading plan

Dedicating about 20 minutes a day to Scripture is a wonderful way to grow closer to God. Many who have done this discipline before share how it reveals surprising connections between different parts of the Bible and provides a deeper understanding of God’s love and guidance.

We hope you’ll join us on this meaningful journey of faith and exploration!

You can also Read and Listen to Today's Reading Online (FREE!)

Adult Sunday School

All are welcome to come join John Meader's Adult Sunday School Class, which meets every Sunday at 9:00 am in the parlor.

February 12th Session 6 of 9 Jeremiah 31-34

February 19th Session 7 of 9 Jeremiah 35-41

February 26th Session 8 of 9 Jeremiah 42-48

March 5th Ash Wednesday Service No Study

March 12th Session 9 of 9 Jeremiah 49-52

March 19th Session 1 of 1 Lamentations 1-5

March 26th Session 1 of 8 Ezekiel 1-8

April 2nd Session 2 of 8 Ezekiel 9-15

April 9th Session 3 of 8 Ezekiel 16-20

April 16th Session 4 of 8 Ezekiel 21-26

April 23rd Session 5 of 8 Ezekiel 27-31

April 30th Session 6 of 8 Ezekiel 32-37

May 7th Session 7 of 8 Ezekiel 38-43

May 14th Session 8 of 8 Ezekiel 44-48

Tai Chi will be utilizing Zoom once again for the remainder of the Winter. Please contact Caroline Schneggenburger for access

The Church office is glad to announce that services going forward will be streamed via YouTube Live, in addition to the current Facebook Live services. You can access the Youtube live stream on our Youtube Channel, or directly on our church website homepage.

Please make sure to "Like" and "Subscribe"

Coffee Hour Schedule

February 2025 - Finance

March 2025- SPRC

Groups are to provide goodies/ snacks

each Sunday of the month they are scheduled.

Please get in touch with Sue Gagne or Joyce Spencer with any questions.

Order of Worship

Sunday, February 9, 2025 | 10 am

Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/HamburgNYUMC/live_videos Youtube Live: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxRWld9XtaLY0WpX7JsXEcw

Google Meet Dial-In: 617-675-4444 PIN: 301 463 603 6721#

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP

From Bethlehem to Nazareth, from Jordan to Jericho,

from Bethany to Jerusalem, come them to now,

Come Lord Jesus.

To heal the sick, to mend the brokenhearted, to comfort the disturbed, to disturb the comfortable, to cleanse the temple, to liberate faith from convention,

Come, Lord Jesus.

To carry the cross, to lead the way, to shoulder the sin of the world and take it away,

Come, Lord Jesus.

Today, to this place, to us, Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

OPENING MUSIC: “Immortal Invisible God” #103 UMH

OPENING PRAYER: Almighty God, your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, is the light of the world. Grant that your people , illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of CHrist’s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth. now and forever. Amen.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 6:1-13 (CEB), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Read by: John Meader

CHOIR ANTHEM: “Peace Be With You”

SERMON: “Unclean Lips” Rev. David Nicol

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE PEACE

TITHES & OFFERINGS tithes.hamburgumc.org/Give

DOXOLOGY “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow” #94 UMH

The Great Thanksgiving

For Sung responses, please refer to slides

THE LORD'S PRAYER

SHARING OF BREAD AND CUP

CLOSING HYMN: “Open the Eyes of My Heart” #3008 Worship & Song

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

February 2025 Newsletter

Jan 31
9 min read

Hamburg United Methodist Church 116 Union St Hamburg, New York, 14075 (716) 649-8080 Sundays at 10 am

Also Streamed Via Facebook Live & Youtube

Church Calendar

Worship Live Stream

Online Giving

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We live in a complicated world. I wrote to you a month ago, and we discovered a break in our email communication to follow. I’ve asked that the January letter be added to this month, for any of you who may have missed it. Our situation has changed a little since then, but there’s too much good to recall as we enter 2025.

We have entered a new year, with a change in presidential administration, and a likely shift in a variety of federal policies. In many ways, this happens every four years and reflects the normalcy of American life—administrations come and go, and there are often changes in policy that make some of us very happy and raise concern for others. This time is no different. I want to make clear that while the Church has ethical positions on a variety of issues, we don’t expect to be of one mind across the board. I have always valued the diversity in our local congregations and the wider United Methodist community, and our ability to disagree with one another without being disagreeable.

On the last Sunday of January, I shared an open letter from the Council of Bishops, an international body that rarely addresses the whole Church with one voice. For some of you, their interpretation of our Social Principles relating to political communities and nations aligns with where you are, for others, it does not. In either case, I thought it was important to follow the request to share their statement with you that we might hear it together, regardless of whether we agree. Whatever you think about the current US political situation, I hope we can continue to foster an environment where we can follow Christ together and both agree on our core mission while disagreeing about other matters without being disagreeable.

For my part, I have never aligned closely with either major party, finding both wanting in meaningful ways when it comes to my understanding of our Christian calling to following Jesus. In the end, I’m a monarchist—I’m for King Jesus, and when the nations of the world follow the lead of the Prince of Peace, I’m all in, when they don’t I’m equally disappointed regardless of their affiliations. As I have told some of you privately, when asked, this changes the way I heard the Bishops letter—I expect the Church to speak to issues, and that all of us would also see shortcomings in whoever we see as the better imperfect choice to legislate for us, speak for us, and lead us.

In my last appointment, we fostered a safe place to share about difficult issues with a series of weekly conversations in the context of an additional prayer service and mealtime. Your Lay Leader, Dave Rood, has proposed a similar idea, and I want to support him in that and hopefully we can work together often to make that work—a way of sharing over challenging issues like poverty, race, immigration, addiction, and maybe some other issues so we can explore the scripture together, read any guidance from the wider Church, and listen to different perspectives without trying to change each others’ minds, while deepening our relationship with Christ and one another.

I want to thank you all for the privilege of being able to serve Christ with you. I hope we can develop and strengthen the ministries of our churches together in the year to come! I pray all of you are buoyed by the Christmas season and strengthened for the year to come! We are far better together, doing the work in our neighborhood for Jesus than struggling together at cross-purposes, entrenching in our divisions, or focusing on what separates us than when we focus on Who brings us together. I value your honesty and willingness to be seeking Christian life together, whether we always agree on where that leads us or not.

In Christ, With you,

Pastor David Nicol

Join Us in Reading Through the Bible in 2025

We hope you’ll join us on this meaningful journey of faith and exploration!

You can also Read and Listen to Today's Reading Online (FREE!)

Church Council

November 25, 2024

Present: Pastor David, Rollin Shoemaker, Caroline Schneggenburger, Jerry Schneggenburger, Bob Cook, David Rood, Ron Lesandro, Rick Park, Cheryl Bell, Dan Paskie, Rose Caldwell, Gail Harris. Attending on Zoom: Matt Edie, Lynda Sentz, Dianne Caldwell, Carolyn Montgomery

Pastor David opened with a prayer.

Dan made the motion to accept the minutes of October 28, 2024. Bob seconded the motion. Motion approved.

Ron reported on the email Matt sent regarding our finances to date. There is a projected surplus of $2,900, but that may be taken by having to reimburse hourly employees that have been underpaid. Matt and Emily are working on a 2025 budget. Pledges are coming in and most show an increase.

Rollin distributed a list of questions and concerns regarding the parsonage purchase. An extensive discussion was held. It was pointed out by Dave Rood and Pastor David that a building inspection would not have discovered the problems found after the drywall was removed.

The trustees have not been able to make a decision on whether to do a demolition and new build or fix the existing building until we present our plans to the town for approval. Pastor David will call the Parsonage Committee together to discuss plans to present to the town. Carolyn Montgomery suggested that a project manager, not Pastor David, be selected to be in charge of all decisions regarding the parsonage. Rick will present this to Trustees, and Pastor David will present to the Parsonage Committee. He will commit to having a person and plans by the middle of January. We will have more information by the next Council meeting on December 30.

Jerry reported that the parsonage building has been unlocked. Pastor David said he would make certain it is locked tonight.

Dave Rood reported that he will get Lynn Keiber, Dianne Caldwell, and his nephew, the photographer, together to work out plans for getting the pictorial directory done.

Some adjustments have been made to the sound system in the sanctuary. People reported that it seemed better. Pastor David and Patrick worked on the live stream sound and believe they have those issues fixed.

Caroline presented Lisa Rood’s concern that bathrooms aren’t available when the caregivers meet in the parlor on the days Respite is going on. Pastor David suggested several areas where the caregivers can meet that have access to bathrooms. Caroline will give Lisa those suggestions.

Rick reported that the dishwasher is working.

Rose reported that SPRC discovered that 2 staff members that are paid hourly have not been paid the up to date minimum wage. $2585 needs to be reimbursed to those employees.. Next year’s budget must include the new minimum wage for 2025 as well as a 3% increase for other staff members except the pastor.

Our next meeting is December 30, 2025.

David Rood closed with a prayer.

Respectfully submitted.

Cheryl Bell

Announcements from the Office

______

As winter weather approaches please make sure to keep an eye out for weather related closings for HUMC and Little Lamb Preschool : on WIVB News 4 and WKBW Channel 7

As a general rule, if Hamburg And/ Or City Of Buffalo Public Schools are closed, then the Church and Little Lamb Preschool will also be closed.

__________

Content for the gathering space slide show is accepted weekly

and due on Wednesday Morning to the church office.

**Please note for repeating slides, the last Sunday it should be run.

Office hours

Monday- Thursday: 9am-2pm

Friday: 9 am-Noon

Email us!!

Pastor David: PastorDavid@hamburgumc.org

Jeannine Vanwey: Music@hamburgumc.org

Emily Slocum: Treasurer@hamburgumc.org

Patrick Fitzgerald: AV@hamburgumc.org

Cristina Glover: Office@hamburgumc.org

2024 HUMC Missions/Outreach Report to Congregation

Thank you for supporting this most important aspect of our commitment to Christ to reach out to all in need. The Committee distributed the following funds.

$ 1,500 Burundi Missionary

$ 1,500 Zimbabwe Missionaries

$ 5,500 UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)

$ 165 Student Sunday Special Giving

$ 95 World Communion Sunday Special Giving

$ 75 Human Relations Sunday Special Giving

$ 250 Peace With Justice Sunday Special Giving

$ 465 Native American Sunday Special Giving

$ 645 UMCOR Sunday Special Giving

$ 2,500 Seneca Street United Methodist Church

$ 2,000 Donation toward Deacan Dee Finch Compensation, Seneca Street UMC

$ 1,000 Eden Community Foundation for Tornado Relief

$ 1,300 FeedMore WNY

$ 2,500 Saints Peter and Paul Outreach (food pantry and emergency financial aid)

$ 500 Eden/North Collins Food Pantry

$ 500 Operation Good Neighbor Food Pantry

$ 500 Jehovah Jireh Food Pantry

$ 500 Lake Shore Food Pantry

$ 300 Blasdell Church of Christ Food Pantry

$ 300 Lincoln Memorial UMC Food Pantry

$ 1,073 Sparks of Hope Blessing Box Food Pantry

$ 1,100 Red Bird Mission

$ 1,000 Jensen’s Work Mission Travel Expenses to Red Bird

$ 1,500 Eight Days of Hope Disaster Relief

$ 1,000 Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief

$ 1,000 Churches in Action

$ 500 Cozy Quilts Ministry

$ 300 Buffalo Peace House

$ 1,000 Family Promise of WNY

$ 1,500 St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy

$ 500 Warm the Children

$ 2,500 Versailles UMC (used remainder of blizzard funds from Osterville UMC)

$ 1,355.14 Sandwich Ministry of HUMC

$ 36.16 Evans Bank Checks Purchased

$36,459.30 Total

In addition to monetary donations, you donated food and clothing to food pantries throughout the year. Seventeen Christmas gifts for Seneca Street UMC adult volunteers were donated through the Giving Tree organized by the Hurleys. The Jensens organized collection and sending of 57 Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Boxes. Thank You.

HUMC Missions/Outreach Committee: Caroline Schneggenburger, Ginger and Leo Jensen, Linda Sutton, Bob Stapf, Carlos Ortiz, Wendy and Dave Spaulding, Sharon Tiballi, Vicki Weixlmann, Jen Stahl, Tom Wojciechowki, Deb and Jim Hurley.

Dive into a Good Book- Join the HUMC Book Club.

We meet in the church library on the 4th Monday of the month at 10:30 am.

The following are the upcoming book selections:

February: West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

March: The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

April: Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

May: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

June: The Color of Water by James McBride

July: The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

We will break for summer in August and resume in September.

Book Club is Zoom-friendly. Contact Karen Klimecko for more information

Adult Sunday School

All are welcome to come join John Meader's Adult Sunday School Class, which meets every Sunday at 9:00 am in the parlor.

Contact David Rood with questions regarding Bible Study

February 5th Session 5 of 9 Jeremiah 24-30

February 12th Session 6 of 9 Jeremiah 31-34

February 19th Session 7 of 9 Jeremiah 35-41

February 26th Session 8 of 9 Jeremiah 42-48

March 5th Ash Wednesday Service No Study

March 12th Session 9 of 9 Jeremiah 49-52

March 19th Session 1 of 1 Lamentations 1-5

March 26th Session 1 of 8 Ezekiel 1-8

April 2nd Session 2 of 8 Ezekiel 9-15

April 9th Session 3 of 8 Ezekiel 16-20

April 16th Session 4 of 8 Ezekiel 21-26

April 23rd Session 5 of 8 Ezekiel 27-31

April 30th Session 6 of 8 Ezekiel 32-37

May 7th Session 7 of 8 Ezekiel 38-43

May 14th Session 8 of 8 Ezekiel 44-48

Coffee Hour Schedule February 2025 - Finance

March 2025- SPRC

Groups are to provide goodies/ snacks each Sunday of the month they are scheduled.

Please get in touch with Sue Gagne or Joyce Spencer with any questions.

Medical Equipment Lending Closet

Hamburg UMC has a medical equipment lending closet. It is located in Room 18 in the basement. Please check the closet before purchasing wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, crutches, canes, etc. The equipment available constantly changes. If you have medical equipment you are no longer using, you may donate them. We cannot take soft items such as gauze pads, diabetic supplies, incontinence, bandages, etc. For questions, please call Caroline Schneggenburger at 716-289-0541.

RETIRED MEN’S FELLOWSHIP

The Retired Men’s Fellowship of Hamburg UMC will gather for their monthly lunch on Tuesday, Febuary 18at 12 Noon at at ZJ’s Restaurant in the Hamburg Village Plaza. All retired men are invited. Come and bring a friend for good food and good fellowship. Any questions? See Dick Caldwell, facilitator

Join us for a virtual fellowship! This group is a place to share prayer requests, devotions, concerns, joys, and even some humor with your church family. Join the Hamburg UMC Fellowship group on Facebook.

PRAYER CONCERNS?

If you would like someone added to our church prayer list, call or text Barb Meader at 716-548-4139 or email her at bmeader712017@gmail.com, or contact anyone who is a Prayer, Care, and Share member, or Cristina in the church office. Our ministry is to pray daily for the concerns that have been shared with us.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phillipians 4:4-7)

1/31/25 News Flash

Jan 30
3 min read

Hamburg United Methodist Church

116 Union St

Hamburg, New York, 14075

(716) 649-8080

Worship Sundays at 10 am

Attention Confirmands!!!! The next class will take place this Sunday February 2nd at 9am in the Library

Please bring your books and be ready for discussion and reviewing the confirmation ceremony.

Join Us in Reading Through the Bible in 2025

We hope you’ll join us on this meaningful journey of faith and exploration!

You can also Read and Listen to Today's Reading Online (FREE!)

Adult Sunday School

All are welcome to come join John Meader's Adult Sunday School Class, which meets every Sunday at 9:00 am in the parlor.

February 5th Session 5 of 9 Jeremiah 24-30

February 12th Session 6 of 9 Jeremiah 31-34

February 19th Session 7 of 9 Jeremiah 35-41

February 26th Session 8 of 9 Jeremiah 42-48

March 5th Ash Wednesday Service No Study

March 12th Session 9 of 9 Jeremiah 49-52

March 19th Session 1 of 1 Lamentations 1-5

March 26th Session 1 of 8 Ezekiel 1-8

April 2nd Session 2 of 8 Ezekiel 9-15

April 9th Session 3 of 8 Ezekiel 16-20

April 16th Session 4 of 8 Ezekiel 21-26

April 23rd Session 5 of 8 Ezekiel 27-31

April 30th Session 6 of 8 Ezekiel 32-37

May 7th Session 7 of 8 Ezekiel 38-43

May 14th Session 8 of 8 Ezekiel 44-48

Tai Chi will be utilizing Zoom once again for the remainder of the Winter. Please contact Caroline Schneggenburger for access

Please make sure to "Like" and "Subscribe"

Coffee Hour Schedule

February 2025 - Finance

March 2025- SPRC

Groups are to provide goodies/ snacks

each Sunday of the month they are scheduled.

Please get in touch with Sue Gagne or Joyce Spencer with any questions.

Order of Worship

Sunday, February 2, 2025 | 10 am

Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/HamburgNYUMC/live_videos Youtube Live: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxRWld9XtaLY0WpX7JsXEcw

Google Meet Dial-In: 617-675-4444 PIN: 301 463 603 6721#

BELL CHOIR: “Here I am Lord”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP

In Your, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!

In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me!

Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.

For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.

Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually all of you.

OPENING MUSIC: “Take My Life and Let it Be” #399 UMH

OPENING PRAYER: Eternal Light, shine into our hearts. Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil. Eternal Power, be our support. Eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance. Eternal Pity, have mercy upon us. That with all our heart and mind and soul and strength we may seek your face and be brought by your infinite mercy to your holy presence; though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 Read by: Greg Crispell

SERMON: “Jesus Calls Us” Rev. David Nicol

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE PEACE

TITHES & OFFERINGS tithes.hamburgumc.org/Give

DOXOLOGY “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow” #94 UMH

The Great Thanksgiving

For Sung responses, please refer to slides

THE LORD'S PRAYER

SHARING OF BREAD AND CUP

CLOSING HYMN: “Nothing Between My Soul and Savior” #373 UMH