2/7/25 News Flash

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_videosYoutube 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