10/9/26 News Flash
Hamburg United Methodist Church
116 Union St
Hamburg, New York, 14075
(716) 649-8080
Worship Sundays at 10 am
Hamburg UMC
will be closed on Monday October 12 in observance of Indigenous People's Day and will open and staff will report for regular Tuesday Hours on October 13.
Little Lamb Preschool will be remain closed on Tuesday October 13th, and reopen for normal school hours on Wednesday October 14th.
We always appreciate your help for the
Homespun Holiday Bazaar
And the shopping fun is Nov. 6-7
Let the holiday shopping begin at the popular Homespun Holiday Bazaar Friday, Nov. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Note that this year Friday hours are extended by one hour for your shopping pleasure!
United Women in Faith hosts the annual event and proceeds benefit ministries in our church, our Hamburg community and across Western New York, and often the church budget. A total of $4,750 was contributed to nine organizations from the 2025 bazaar proceeds.
Did you know that anyone involved at Hamburg UMC has the opportunity to join in and help make the bazaar a success! We can’t do this without a little bit of help from you and we are truly grateful for all of your support. We love your help with baking, crafts, set up before the bazaar and break down Saturday after 2 p.m. and Sunday about 11:45 a.m. Sign-up sheets will be in the Gathering Space on the counter. Thank you!
The bazaar will feature community vendors, handcrafted items from our UWF and church members, our large Granny's Attic area; lots of delectable baked goods including pies, cookies, coffee cakes and more, and our famous pecans and fruitcake for sale.
All of this fun is only about one month away! Yay!
RETIRED MEN’S FELLOWSHIP
The Retired Men’s Fellowship will be gathering for lunch on Tuesday, October 20 at 12 noon at ZJ’s Restaurant in the Hamburg Village Plaza. All retired men of our church are invited. Come and bring a friend for good fellowship and good food. Come and share your joys and concerns.
Any questions? See Dick Caldwell.
Dick Caldwell, facilitator
BAKERS NEEDED FOR BAZAAR BAKE SALE NOV 6-7
Our Homespun Holiday Bazaar always has a huge bake sale. It’s not too
early to make and freeze some goods to sell. What to make?
Pies are our biggest seller – large and small. Small pie tins are on the
counter in the Gathering Space for you to take as many as you need.
(People who live alone are eager to buy small pies)
Quick breads – very much in demand - small loaves sell better than large-
banana , zucchini, pumpkin , cranberry, etc . – yum
Cookies – all kinds! We sell by the dozen usually but depends on the size
– you can let us do the packaging.
Sweet rolls, coffee cakes, and pastries
Peanut brittle, spiced nuts, fudge – not baked goods, but it sells well
We’ll appreciate anything you might like to make. There will be a sign-up
sheet on the counter in the Gathering Space. Please sign up to give us an
idea of what will be coming in.
Please bring your items to the church kitchen any time on Friday
(Nov.6) but no later than 5PM or on Saturday morning by 9:30. Please
use transparent wrapping so the goods are visible – LABEL if the kind
of pie, cookie, bread is not obvious – and please LABEL IF THE ITEM
CONTAINS NUTS (for people with allergies).
Thank you so much! If you have any questions, please call Barb Meader
(716-548-4139) or Amy Rydholm (585-429-0038)
The History and Importance of Little Lamb Preschool to HUMC
and the Community
The following article ran in “The Sun” on June 10, 2004. It was part of the “Out of the Past” section.
“In June 1963 Hamburg Methodist Church member Jack Fionzor was asked to head up a committee to look into the possibility of establishing a Pre-Kindergarten Day School. It was felt that with only one other pre-school in Hamburg, a church- sponsored pre-school would serve church members and the community while building the image of the church. It’s interesting that today (6/10/2004)
there are numerous pre-k schools, but in the early 1960’s there was but one in the village.”
“Official board approval was given in September 1963 and in October of that year, Ruth Crocker was introduced as the school’s first director, Ruth Garrison as its first teacher and Wendy (Daugherty) Grove as the art teacher. Mrs. Garrison came to Hamburg from Lincoln, Nebraska in 1942. While in Lincoln, she taught at a junior high school before coming east with her husband, Maurice, who took a job as an engineer with Ross Heater on Walden Avenue.”
“The Church’s Pre-K Day School opened its doors for the first time in January 1964 in its present location in two rooms on the second floor of the church building. Although connected to the church, the school was independent in its rules and regulations. For the first few years, the school offered classes for four-year-olds only, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 to 11:30 am. Later, Tuesday and Thursday classes were added for those children who were classified as young four-year-olds, and by 1980 those who were three years old were admitted. Today (6/10/2004 and currently) the school is open to two-,three-, and four-year-old children.”
“In 1990 the Church’s Day School committee dropped the ‘Pre-Kindergarten’ from its name and changed the name to ‘Little Lamb Preschool’ to better reflect its purpose as a school with a Christian atmosphere. It may be of interest to some that when the school opened in 1964, tuition was $14.00 per month.” When this was written, the school’s director was Pam Stornelli and Amy Rydholm and Lynn Merkel were the teachers. Although retired five years ago, Lynn Merkel continues to be on the Little Lamb Board.
“Today the Little Lamb Preschool program is but one of many in Hamburg, but the church can be proud of the fact that it was one of the first to recognize the need and in doing so it has for the last forty years established an enduring legacy, creating a foundation for hundreds of children starting school for the first time.” This information had been compiled from the Little Lamb staff by Hamburg Town Historian, Jim Baker.
The following comments are memories from Amy Rydholm who taught at Little Lamb Preschool for 30 years and is an active member of our church. “I taught at Little Lamb Preschool for 30 years and loved every minute of it! Being one of the first teachers to help open little minds to education is very special and at that age they are so excited to learn.”
“Having the school in my very own church made teaching even better for me. We opened each day with a little prayer and also said grace before our daily snack. In October a trip to a green house where everybody picked out a pumpkin, Thanksgiving feast, visiting Santa at Chestnut Ridge and acting out the Christmas story in our classrooms.”
“A big favorite time was Father’s night and a special Mother’s Day morning. Usually once a month we would go down to visit Mrs. Rood’s Respite program and sing a few of our favorite songs for them”
“Truthfully the thing I loved most were all the hugs and love I received and the joy of watching them grow during the time they were with me.”
The following comments are from Kurt Nelson, a member of the very first Pre-Kindergarten Day School in January 1964 and an active member of our church today. A photo from the past shows him with his classmates! Thank you Ruth Garrison for keeping these treasured memories!
“Greetings to my brothers and sisters of 1st United Methodist Church in Hamburg, NY! I thought I’d take this time to reflect back on my early formative years. We have all had certain moments in our ’story’ that stand apart from the more mundane memories that tend to fade over time. Specifically, those early ones that helped define our self-awareness…of who we are and what we would like to become.”
“I was fortunate to have parents who understood the value of attending (and more importantly: ‘BELONGING’ to) a faith community, such as the one we have established here at LITTLE LAMB NURSERY that they enrolled me into the inaugural class (of ‘64?). There are two aspects of that experience that resonate with me to this day:
First and foremost was a feeling of acceptance & belonging with an emerging sense of what we call ‘fellowship’. I loved our communal activities, like when we all pretended to be cars, obeying the large traffic signs that were set out to mark our roadway (complete with a railroad crossing sign, still vivid in my mind). It was an excellent intro to a harmonious sense of equanimity…a place where rules existed, and behavior was predictable. I liked that sense of order and was shaped by that dynamic.”
The second most poignant memory wasn’t particularly pleasant but was instrumental none the less. That wonderful harmony was briefly disrupted by a fellow 4 yr. old (whose name I still recall lol!) who kicked over my stellar tower of blocks, laughed, then left. What I learned then was of incalculable value: I didn’t sit there and cry, I figured that this must be the way to deal with things, so proceeded to calmly walk over and kick his blocks down (and of course he cried!)
Thank you Amy and Kurt for your memories!
I also had a lovely conversation with Mary Murray, Ruth Garrison’s daughter who lives in Orchard Park and has many close friends at HUMC! She even remembers how Alice Say use to babysit her! Mary gave me similar details that I have related from Jim Baker’s article, but also shared how many wonderful memories she has of growing up in this church and her parents love and involvement in Hamburg Methodist Church. Our church is stronger because of the disciples Ruth and Maurice Garrison were and Mary Murray is.
Please share memories, photos and testimonials with Pat Adema at: ptadema@aol.com.
I look forward to continuing past and present stories of Little Lamb Preschool with the congregation and community!
Pat Adema, Board Member
Supporting Youth Mission: Phoebe’s Journey to Thailand
We are excited to announce that one of our own youth Phoebe has been selected to participate in the UMC North East Jurisdiction Mission of Peace trip to Thailand in February 2027! Building on her experience at the Global Young Persons Convocation in Ireland, this mission trip offers a wonderful opportunity to put faith into action through cultural immersion and community service.
To help cover travel, meal, and airfare expenses (totaling $5,200), a GoFundMe page has been established. Following her return, Phoebe looks forward to once again sharing her reflections and experiences with the congregation and the congregations of the Southern Tier Circuit.
To help Phoebe reach her fundraising goal of $5,200 for airfare, meals, and travel, please consider making a gift:
Donate online via her GoFundMe Page
Make out a check to Hamburg UMC (Memo Line: Mission of Peace)
Your prayers, encouragement, and support for our youth are deeply appreciated!
Book Club kicked off this year’s reading season with a discussion of Jack Mayer’s Life in a Jar. The difference one person can make for many others is shown in dramatic detail. Netflix is offering Irena’s Vow. It’s a different Irena but a compelling story of courage in the face of evil and one woman’s life-saving efforts to save Jews during the Nazi occupation of Poland.
Our schedule for the next few months follows (4th Monday, 10:30 am) and subject to change with holidays! Stay tuned!
October 26: The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
November 23: The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick (see The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan which was a bestseller in 1963)
December 28: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
January 25: Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict (anyone ever hear of Rosalind Franklin?)
We welcome men and women to our discussions about a wide range of books and we’re always looking for different subjects and genres. Please join us! For those of you not able to come in person, Cristina has the Zoom link so just give her a call (716) 649-8080.
Knitting and Crochet Group is back in session Questions to Anne Brown
Join Our Music Ministry! Singers and Ringers Needed 🎵🔔
As we step into a new season of worship and fellowship, our Music Ministry warmly invites you to share your gifts with our congregation! Whether you love to sing or enjoy ringing, there is a place for you in our ensembles.
We are currently welcoming new members for both our Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir:
Handbell Choir: Rehearses on Tuesdays. Handbells bring a beautiful, unique texture to our worship services throughout the year. Ability to read basic sheet music or rhythmic notation is helpful, but we are more than happy to teach you as we go!
Chancel Choir: Rehearses on the first Tuesday of the month (October through May) from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and meets Sundays at 9:00 AM to prepare for morning worship. No formal vocal training is needed—just a love for singing and praising God together!
Joining the music team is a wonderful way to deepen your faith, build lasting friendships, and serve our church community. Even if you can only commit for a specific season or holiday period, we would love to have you.
Interested or have questions? Contact Music Director Jeannine Vanwey at Vanwey@roadrunner.com or stop by the choir room before Sunday service.
Congregation, We are looking for old photos and photo albums from Little Lamb Preschool. Apparently, there had been an orange colored photo album that had been in the Parlor but has been moved. If anyone has photos or would be willing to give a “testimonial” about having attended the program, or having had children or grandchildren attend, that would be wonderful to be able to share in future articles. Please contact Pat Adema at: ptadema@aol.com. Thank you.
NEW H.U.M.C ‘s Book Exchange
Effective immediately any member may On your honor Take one book leave/one book from our book case located on the mezzanine 2nd floor by the elevator.
(This experiment has no connection with the Church Library
located off the Gathering Space)
These will be books you personally own and trade
for one available in the bookcase. If you have other current in good condition books you wish to donate they would be appreciated to maintain this experiment.
Thanks for helping. Any question ask Pam Walters or Jerry Schneggenburger
Ongoing Fundraiser For Little Lamb
Please consider donating your empty bottles and cans to the Bottle & Can Redemption Center at 4255 Clark Street in Hamburg. Thank you!
Christmas in the Country — Come Help CIA Raise Some Money!
One of the biggest fundraisers Churches In Action does each year is Christmas in the Country at the Hamburg Fairgrounds—and it’s a really simple way to help.
We sell $2 bags, and Churches In Action gets to keep $1 from every bag sold. The best part? The volunteer shifts are short—generally three hours or less.
We’ll be volunteering Thursday, November 5 through Sunday, November 8, and we’d love to have you join us for a shift. You can volunteer by yourself, with a friend, or bring someone from your church.
Want to help?
Call Sue Rich at 716-648-5785 or, even easier, text Sue at 716-912-1495 and she’ll get you signed up.
Tai Chi is back in person in the fellowship or Zoom Weather Dependent, Please contact Caroline Schneggenburger for details.
Due to continued technical issues with Facebook Live, We will be streaming solely to Youtube for the foreseeable future.
Please make sure to "Like" and "Subscribe"
COFFEE HOUR COMMITTEES
OCTOBER: MEN’S GROUP
NOVEMBER: FINANCE
DECEMBER: SPRC
Groups are to provide goodies/ snacks
each Sunday of the month they are scheduled.
CALLING FOR COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS
Did you know HUMC has committees whose members volunteer to host coffee hour once or twice a month? Most of these volunteers are on several committees where they are repeatedly hosting to provide goodies each Sunday.
We are opening this ministry up to Individuals or families who would be willing to occasionally be hosts or hostesses.
It’s simply making coffee, lemonade, bringing homemade or store bought items, and cleaning up afterwards.
A sign-up sheet is located on the counter in the gathering space, outside the front office
Where you can pick a Sunday of your choosing.
Would you consider joining in this time of fellowship?
Please get in touch with Sue Gagne with any questions.
Order of Worship
Sunday, October 11, 2026 10 amYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@hamburgumc/streams
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all God’s benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.
OPENING HYMN: ”He Touched Me” #367 UMH
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
SCRIPTURE: Acts 3:1-16, Luke 10:1-9 Read by: Cheryl Bell
MESSAGE: The God of What’s Happening Now. Rev. Greg Crispell
CHOIR ANTHEM: Praise Medley
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
Sung Responses
THE LORD'S PRAYER
SHARING OF BREAD AND CUP
CLOSING HYMN: “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” #133 UMH
BENEDICTION
