Penn Yan First Baptist On Jan. 5, First Baptist had the opportunity to help out with Grandma’s Kitchen for Penn Yan Academy. Kathie Lawrence, Judi Scheel, Donna McMinn, Pam Scutt, and Cheryl Stewart made ham and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, and packed 100 lunch bags filled with apples, Little Debbie bars, some sweets, and encouraging notes for the PYA students who stay after school for tutoring, drama, sports, clubs, or other school activities. Our congregation also collected over 90+ food, personal hygiene, and winterwear items for the Living Well Mission. Two members from our congregation, Erik and Olivia, will be traveling to La Garita in Jalisco, Mexico at the end of January. They are collecting personal hygiene items to take with them and deliver to families in need there. Donations are being collected until Jan. 27 at our church. What a blessing it is to bless others! On Jan. 21, we will hold a Meet & Greet at 3 p.m. for pastoral candidate Rev. Rachel McGuire. Then on Sunday, she will preach for us. This will be followed by our congregation member vote to accept her into pastorship at First Baptist. Reminder that our worship service begins at 10 a.m. All are welcome. St. Michael’s Catholic Do you desire simple, practical ways of communicating with God in difficult times? A webinar set for Jan. 18, 1-2 p.m. will address this topic. Award-winning author and spiritual director Barbara Lee is the presenter. To register go to https://tinyurl. com/3fdnvp4w The Two Feet of Love concept, insists that working for justice takes precedence over providing charity. Read January’s Justice, Peace & Life, https:// ourladyofthelakescc.org/wp-content/ uploads/2023/01/JPL-Jan-2023.pdf to walk with those Two Feet to protect children in utero (by providing direct support for women in need and by advocating for public policies that promote the dignity of human life) before and after birth. Also, take part in the Novena for Life, 1/19-27, www.respectlife.org/9-days-signup. Go there daily to take part, or ask to receive it daily by text or email. Attend the opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life online Thursday, Jan. 19 at 5 p.m.(Eastern). Visit www.usccb.org/national- prayer-events-for-life for more information. The Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children will be Jan. 23. Pope Francis really wants us to draw closer to God by reading His Word. This coming Sunday is Word of God Sunday. Read the daily Mass readings or pre-read each Sunday’s readings, which are published in the bulletin. Milo Center Methodist What could shine brighter than the North Star in the night sky over Bethlehem? The answer is clearly God’s love for us. He is our promise to light and salvation from darkness. This week Pastor Kim shared the journey of the Wise Men to baby Jesus. We can all “Sing We Now of Christmas” the waiting is over. Let’s go in peace, go in joy and celebrate! Prayers to Rose Webster, Mildred Koek, and Rosie C. Birthday blessings to Charlene DeMarco and Christopher Henderson. Bible study will be starting soon; Zoom will be available. Contact Pastor Kim if interested. Branchport Methodist Church On Jan. 8, we observed Epiphany, which means “the light shines forth.” Pastor Kim’s message was about the star which led to the baby Jesus, and especially about the magi seeking the king who would change the world. Just as that star led the magi to Jesus, we, as the church, are shining light into the world to lead others to salvation. Even though our Christmas season decorations are put away until next Advent, we keep the hope, joy, peace and love in our hearts all through the year. Our next free community dinner will be on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. This month we will be serving lasagna, salad, bread and dessert. It is open to all – family, friends, community members who would like to share a meal with us. Did I mention it’s free?? Come join us for good food and fellowship! Bible study began Jan. 15 aer church for four weeks. We would love to have you join us for discussion. Our Sunday worship is at 10:45 a.m. First Presbyterian The Sunday aer Epiphany, Pastor Paul reminded us in his sermon that in baptism, each of us, will always be beloved and accepted in God’s eyes. God’s unfailing acceptance of each individual encourages us to forge ahead and overcome our fears. His affirmation provides us with inspiration. It allows us to recognize that every person has value and we must aspire to be accepting, compassionate and work towards the inclusion of all, on a personal level as well as within our communities. This leads to cooperation, productivity, pride and strength within our organizations, communities and institutions. To further these ideals, on MLK Day, the Presbytery of Geneva held a service day project in Elmira to assemble disaster relief kits for the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Program. Grants are also being offered for the “Matthew 25 Initiative,” which inspires and assists participating congregations to undertake missions in support of social justice and eradicating hunger. This Saturday, at 2 p.m., a Gathering of Remembrance will be held in FPC’s Crosier Hall for Vaughn Baker. As a Special Education teacher for thirty years, Vaughn embodied inclusivity and worked to help school children realize their potential and fully participate in the mainstream. He was a huge cheerleader for students, his children and grandchildren. Always kind, compassionate and genuine in his desire to help others, Vaughn will be greatly missed. We extend our sympathies to his family. Bluff Point Methodist Stacy Wyant read a thank you letter from Sue Falvey for our participation in the Yates County Christmas program. The day before Thanksgiving our church bellringers and singers had over $1,000 donated during our daytime slot. Thanks to all who participated and to all who donated. Peggy Beckwith gave her message today based on scripture from Matthew 3:13-17. She spoke of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. Jesus joined John in the River; John wondered why Jesus wanted to be baptized. When Jesus came up from the water, the heavens opened. Peggy asked us when we were baptized. If as infants, it would depend on the faith of our parents. God loves us before it occurs to us to love God. We will be having a pancake supper on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 21. More details coming. Our own Noah Detar will be performing in the musical Curtains at Nazareth College in Rochester- on March 30, 31, and April 1 at 7:30 p.m., and April 2 at 2 p.m. Noah is a senior in the Musical Theatre Department. Mark your calendars! This is not to be missed. Dresden Methodist A Community Dinner will be served at Dresden United Methodist Church at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25. Bring a dish to pass and your own table service. There will be entertainment aerward with Roy Litteer and “High Country.” Come and enjoy! Penn Yan Methodist Despite the below freezing wind chill, our children and youth magically performed the story of the birth of Jesus Christ during the 6:00 PM Christmas Eve Service. The sanctuary was replete with so candlelight, glorious poinsettias, the beautiful stained-glass windows, and a display of wonderful nativity sets from all over the world. Pastor Kristen is planning to have a new Discovery Class for those who would like to find out more about becoming a member of PYUMC in the New Year, and a baptism class for those who want to be baptized or have their child baptized. Please contact the church office if interested. We are now fully IMMERSED, studying the books of Genesis through Deuteronomy. However, it is not too late for you to join!! IMMERSE is a new, readable version of the Bible that we are using together. Books have now arrived and are available at the church. We have returned to our regular worship service schedule – 9 a.m. Sunday Break Contemporary Service (including Sunday School for kids PreK – 5th grade) and 11 a.m. Traditional Service. Children are welcome in worship, and we also have a nursery that provides a safe and Christian environment during both services. Saint Mark’s Episcopal Saint Mark’s Episcopal invites everyone to join our “Grub Theology” group each Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Burnt Rose Wine Bar on Main St. in Penn Yan. We’re taking “church” outside our walls and making it approachable to anyone who wants to join us! All are welcome to join our casual group as we discuss topics at the intersection of sociology, theology, and modern living (and anything else that comes to mind!) while enjoying great food and drinks. Questions large and small are asked, and everyone’s thoughts are welcome. If you enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of laughs and an open discussion of current and historical issues, please come by!
