3/15/26 News Flash
- Cristina Glover
- 15 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Hamburg United Methodist Church
116 Union St
Hamburg, New York, 14075
(716) 649-8080
Worship Sundays at 10 am
Julia Platt Memorial Scholarship
Submission Deadline April 30, 2026
Prerequisites for the consideration of an award
Membership in a United Methodist Church
A senior or high school graduate enrolled in a college, university, or trade school.
Under 26 years old, as of May 31st
This Scholarship excludes enrollees in a second bachelor or graduate degree program.
Required Documents
High School Transcript
College Transcript or Acceptance Letter
Applicant Photo
Scholarships will be awarded in person on Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Hamburg United Methodist Church. Recipients will receive an email invitation and are expected to attend the ceremony to receive their scholarship. Please make arrangements to be present and avoid scheduling conflicts.
Sunday School Lenten Bible Study:
John Meader's SS class is beginning a new study using the book and DVD
THE LAST SUPPER by retired UM Bishop Will Willimon.
"This 6 week study explores the parables Jesus told on His way to the Last Supper, where the Host becomes the meal and God's relentless love transforms betrayers into beloved"
All are invited to join in the discussion each Sunday at 9am in the parlor. Books will be provided.
Church Council
November 24, 2025
Present: Pastor David, Rollin Shoemaker, Matt Edie, Caroline Schneggenburger,
Jerry Schneggenburger, Bob Cook, David Rood, Ron Lesandro, Rick Park, Cheryl
Bell, Dan Paskie, Lynda Sentz, Pat Adema, Rose Caldwell, Emily Slocum
Pastor David opened the meeting with a prayer.
Rose made the motion to approve the minutes of October 27, 2025. Bob
seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Matt provided an end of the year update on the 2025 budget. We are still
anticipating a shortfall of $26,000. We hopefully will bring in around $9,500 in
the year end appeal. Ron reported that the shortfall is down from the $35,000
that we started with, and we have been paying our ministry shares at a 75%
which is in line with the total we paid in 2024. The amount raised in the year end
appeal will determine how much we need to take from the “rainy day” fund and
endowment interest. Ron made the motion to pay only 75% of ministry shares in
2025. Rick seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Matt reported that the pledge campaign went very well. 30 pledges have been
received so far, and 93% of those showed an increase. We received 2 new
pledges. 37 pledges are still outstanding, Matt anticipates that they will remain
at the same level. Ron will write something for the newsletter about this.
A 2026 budget was presented. We are anticipating a shortfall of $26,000 which
will be made up by the “rainy day” fund and endowment interest. Our ministry
shares will be paid at 100%. Rick will supply a Trustees report at their meeting on
December 11, 2025. Ron made the motion to approve the 2026 budget. Rick
seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Jerry reported that his committee has been working to find ways to pare
expenses. Emily will compile the data to see if utility costs have been reduced.
Some thermostats have been changed to regulate temperatures, less expensive
coffee may be ordered. Rollin suggested that a regular pot could be used to brew
coffee M-F with the other pot used only on Sunday for coffee hour. Rick and
Rollin will investigate new coffee pots and coffee purchase plans.
Pastor David will have a full list of committee members by December.
Lynda reported that Sparks distributed 27 turkeys with sides on Sunday. Five
more will be distributed on Tuesday. There may be a few turkeys left. The people
at Sparks will decide what to do with them. Lynda put information about Sparks
and our church in each bag that was distributed.
Discussion was held about where the leftover money donated for the new
windows went. Pastor David and Matt agreed that it is possible to run a
reconciliation report to discover when the money came in and when it was spent.
Matt will review income and expenditures related to money donated for the new
windows. Matt reported that the audits will begin again soon. The audit for 2022
is almost complete. The one for 2023 will then begin.
Emily reported that she will attend the next Trustees meeting. She wants to make
certain she knows which bills are to be paid out of Capital Maintenance and which
from Capital Improvements. Jerry thanked her for all the good work she is doing.
Pastor David will investigate lowering copying/printer costs.
Pat reported that Little Lamb students sang at Respite. She’s hoping that this will
be a frequent thing. Little Lamb’s Christmas program will be held on December
18 in the sanctuary. Pat invited Pastor David and anyone else who is interested to
visit Little Lamb and read to the children. She thanked Carolyn Montgomery for
donating bibles to the Little Lamb students. Pat will go to Carolyn’s home to write
the children’s name in each bible. The children will write thank you notes to
Carolyn.
Rose reported that ADventure event will be held on Saturday, December 6 from
10-noon. Lots of fun activities will be offered to learn about Advent.
Our next meeting will be on January 26, 2026.
David Rood closed with a prayer.
Respectfully submitted.
Cheryl Bell
FISH FRY FRIDAYS:
HAMBURG UNITED METHODIST CHURCH116 Union Street, Hamburg, NY. 716-649-8080.
TIME: 4:30 to 7..WEEKLY FISH FRY: VOLUNTEERS WANTED
(SEE RICK PARK – OR SIGN UP BY THE OFFICE)
EVERY FRIDAY UNTIL EASTER
Delicious Battered or Broiled Fish (Or) Battered Shrimp (Or) Chicken Finger Dinner, Plus Coleslaw, Bread / Butter, Fries, Beverage and Home-Made Dessert! All This For Only $19. DINE IN or TAKE-OUT. For The Kids: Chicken Sandwich With Fries Also Available ($8)
DESSERTS: NEEDED Every Friday Until Easter!
DESSERTS NEEDED – THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HELPING OUT
PIES, CAKES, BROWNIES, CUPCAKES N’ COOKIES TOO!!
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
Please consider donating your empty bottles and cans to the Bottle & Can Redemption Center at 4255 Clark Street in Hamburg. Thank you!
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 Facbeook Live, We will be streaming solely to Youtube for the foreseeable future.
Please make sure to "Like" and "Subscribe"
COFFEE HOUR COMMITTEES
JANUARY- DECEMBER 2026
MARCH: MISSIONS/OUTREACH
APRIL: NO COMMITTEE- volunteers needed
MAY : SPRC
JUNE: FINANCE
JULY : TRUSTEES
AUGUST:PRAYER CARE SHARE
SEPTEMBER: COLUMBARIUM
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, March 8, 2026 | 10 am
Google Meet Dial-In: 617-675-4444 PIN: 301 463 603 6721#
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIPYour light has filled our loves,
But we have not shared it with others.
Lord have mercy on us.
You have marked us as your own in baptism,
But we have not lived as your faithful people.
Christ, have mercy on us.
You have called us to be a light to the nations,
But we have hidden our light under a bushel.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Transform us by the power of your Holy Spirit
So that we may live out our baptism
As your new creation,
Forgiven and made whole by your matchless love
In Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
OPENING HYMN:” Here I am to Worship” #3177
OPENING PRAYER:
Days pass and the years vanish, and we walk sightless among miracles.
Lord, fill our eyes with seeing and our minds with knowing;
Let there be moments when your presence, like lightening, ilumines the darkness in which we walk.
Help us to see wherever we gaze, that the bush burns unconsumed.
And we, clay touched by God, will reach out for holiness, and exclaim in wonder.
How filled with awe is this place, and we did not know it:
“Blessed is the Eternal One, the holy God!”
Amen
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Scripture: “Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41” Read by: John Meader
Sermon: “Will You Let Jesus Open Your Eyes?”
Rev. Dr. David Nicol
Choir Anthem: “Holy Ground”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE PEACE
TITHES & OFFERINGS tithes.hamburgumc.org/Give
DOXOLOGY “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow” #95 UMH
The Great Thanksgiving
Please See Slides for Sung Responses
THE LORD'S PRAYER
SHARING OF BREAD AND CUP
CLOSING HYMN: “Open the Eyes of My Heart” #3008
BENEDICTION
