Violette Tones show shows off the blessing tree that she made in Sunday School. She was able to write most of the words herself without even asking the spelling! The blessing tree has ornaments and tags with the things that the children chose that they are thankful for. Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 01/08/2026 This Sunday was the first Sunday after Christmas. It was a cold, bitter day, but one that we saw many people venture out to church. Pastor Jeannine talked with the children, asking them what was the significance of the light from the alter candles at the beginning of the service. It is that we bring the light of Jesus into our service. As we extinguish the light at the end of the service after bringing it to the back of the church, it signifies bringing the light out to others as we leave for the week. Pastor Jeannine also lit the advent candles of love, hope, joy, peace, and the Christ candle as she started the service. Pastor Jeannine‘s sermon focused on the gospel of John. The scripture was from Matthew 2: 13-23. You wonder often why bad things happen to us. Why did God let the terrorist attack on 9/11 happen? Why did innocent people have to suffer? John‘s teaching deals with who Jesus is and why he did what he did. John begins with the verse, In the beginning with the word and the word was with God, and the word was God. And his verses show us there is proof that Jesus is God. Pastor Jeannine explains that Jesus isn’t just a word it is the word! All things were made by him. In him was life. And the light was the light of men. Jesus brings an answer to all of life‘s questions. God doesn’t always remove the chaos, but it can take most evil and awful pains and tragedies and transform them. We have a lot of chaos and dust in our lives that the Lord will transform if we let him! Thank you choir for a beautiful rendition of the song- Mary did you know? We are lucky to have such a beautiful choir under the direction of Ron Miller. Happy New Year from everyone at Bluff Point United Methodist Church. We hope that you will join us in this bright new year for 9am Sunday services!

The girls made angels from angel food cake on Sunday School Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 01/01/2026 Christmas is upon us and soon it will be a brand new year! Many beautiful Christmas songs and a festive choir anthem were sung in church, as well as the congregation listening to more of the meaning of the Christmas story. Pastor Jeannine also had an interactive story with the children about the angels involved at the time of the birth of Christ How do we get the message of the difference that God makes to others? We reflect especially this time of year all that Christ has brought to us within our church family. Pastor Jeannine‘s message reflected on Joseph and Mary. Mary and Joseph were pledged to be married. Things became complicated when Joseph found that Mary was pregnant. At that time pregnancy outside of marriage could be punished by stoning and death. Joseph went through quite a turmoil, but Joseph chose compassion over the law. An angel appeared and told him not to be afraid- that the baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was to be named Jesus. Mark your calendar for Saturday, January 24. There will be a baked potato bar dinner from four to 5:30 PM at church. Our evening dinners are always a lot of fun. Congratulations to our Cady Brady who was named Penn Yan youth ambassador during the recent Starshine program. She is a junior at Penn Yan Academy! See you at church at 9 AM on Sunday! All are welcome.