Pastor Jeannine shows the kids how to go fishing for Jesus Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 02-20-2025 Pastor Jeannine told the kids how one day Simon Peter and his friends went out to fish in the sea of Galilee. They were out for quite a while, but did not even catch one fish. Jesus stood on the shore, but they did not recognize him when he called out to them and asked them if they had any fish. They told him that they didn’t. Jesus told Simon Peter to go back out again. Simon Peter doubted Jesus, but he went out anyway. Jesus's told him to throw his net onto to the right side of the boat, and he would catch fish. Miraculously, the net was full and they brought in over 150 fish. This was the third time that Jesus had appeared to them after he had been raised from the dead. Simon Peter learned a lesson to trust the word of Jesus. Pastor Jeannine’s adult sermon continued in this manner. Do you doubt Jesus when he calls to you, or do you drop everything and follow Jesus’s words? We need to trust in Jesus and in the messages he brings to us, as he is always there for us! We must learn to become fishers of men! We need to trust and have faith. We also need to smile, spread faith and be kind to others. This would include inviting others to join us at church. So consider yourself invited if you’re not already part of our church group! The doors are open 9 AM on Sundays! Don’t forget our pasta dinner- on February 22 at 4 PM. We will cook the pasta, and people can bring toppings to share. It’s nice to have these dinner gatherings especially during the winter when we can use a bit more sunshine!

Marilyn Sands serves up some of the delicious treats that she and Barbara Bailey prepared for Fellowship. Valentine’s Day is on the way! Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 02-13-2025 Pastor Jeannine showed the kids on her calendar that there have been five Sundays thus far into this New Year. She wondered if any of the kids had made any New Year’s resolutions for the new year. She told them that God has made many promises to us to love us to always be with us. God is always there. Pastor Jeannine told us of a prayer service years ago, where a Methodist bishop shared the message of Moses to a group gathered at the Washington National Cathedral. In times of division, a vision of unity is needed- with compassion, freedom for the oppressed, and hope for the marginalized. We need to continue to work towards unity of all people. We often can loose sight of Jesus’s ministry, but his words are as important today as when they were first spoken. God judges us by our acceptance of him. Ron Miller recently received the share the light award for Yates County. The award ceremony will be held in the spring. Ron and Marguerite both do so much for our community and church. Dresden United Methodist Church will be having a Valentine’s Day dinner on Valentine’s Day, 4-7pm, which we are invited to participate in. Mark your calendars for a loving evening of food and sharing. Many of our church committees have been meeting recently during this new year,. We have some vacancies on some of the committees, so if you wish to serve, please let Pastor Jeannine know. Being on a committee is a great way to participate in church leadership, while working with others. Participation by our church kids in our services is such a bright part of our service. Please consider on a rotational basis, helping with nursery and Sunday school. The kids are really enjoying learning more about Jesus. The lesson plans have been made up

Remington Perry cheering on his favorite NFL quarterback! Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 02-06-2025 This past week was a busy one at Bluff Point! And this past Saturday evening we had a baked potato dinner. Everyone brought toppings and Pastor Jeannine baked the largest potatoes that anyone had ever seen. Everyone had a great time. The next event will be the end of February with a pasta supper. We received a thank you note from Sue Falvey for helping with the Yates County Christmas program. We rang the bells the day before Thanksgiving and took in over $1145 that day. It’s such a great program to benefit the community. Thanks again to all who participated in everyone in the community that donated. Nancy Curran came to our service and spoke to us about the Care Net program in Penn Yan. This year they are having a baby bottle drive for people to fill with spare change to support their work. She provided several plastic baby bottle banks to fill. Care Net is a faith-based program that gives pregnancy advice and support, parenting classes, and life skill classes to families during and after pregnancy with help, compassion, and love. Pastor Jeannine spoke to the kids about the phrase- just what the doctor ordered. God wants us to be well, physically and spiritually, by looking after ourselves and following him. Jesus showed all of us how to be spiritually healthy. The sermon this week was based on Luke 4: 14-21. Jesus was baptized in the Jordan. He heard the voice from God that he was the son he dearly loved. Jesus tells us that we need him, and not just what the world offers us. God gave us a path of righteousness. The ultimate sacrifice is Jesus who gave his love for us. Jeannine told us to allow God to work through us. Marguerite Miller asked us to save old blankets, mattress, pads, and sheets for her to use for the quilts that are made and distributed for Yates County Christmas. Women help make these quilts all year long to distribute in December. Eric Detar and his colleagues are planning a mission trip within the United States during spring break with several Keuka College students. A very adventurous goal is to work on a hiking run trail. We can help support that effort by writing a check to alternative spring break at Keuka College. Eric has always come back after their mission trips to show pictures and tell stories of their efforts. Stay warm these cold crisp winter days, and come visit us Sunday morning!

Charlotte told the others how wine is made. The kids learned about Jesus’s first miracle, how Jesus was at a huge wedding ceremony and turned water into wine when the people ran out of refreshments! Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 01-30-2025 Thank you, Grady Bray for leading our service this week. Grady spoke to the children, showing them a slingshot and a weapon David brought when going to take food to and see his brother who was fighting. Do you remember David, tending the sheep, and the story of David and the giant Goliath? We don’t need weapons with our love for Jesus. We need faith like David had. Grady spoke to the congregation about James and John. They were known as sons of thunder. John and Jesus were very close. He told how John went with Mary and left Nazareth, to take care of Mary. Grady told us about the three types of love. These are brotherly love, fatuous love, and agape (family) love. He asked us if we were growing in Christ. We are if we have a desire to help and serve with love, persistence, endurance, and faith. Our faith is confidence in God, and the victory of Christ is the cross. Brr! It has been cold, but we love the joy and warmth of our congregation when we come to worship together!

Even the little ones are learning about Jesus and communion. Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 01-16-2025 Epiphany Sunday! What is that all about? Pastor Jeannine explained to the children that we often look at the stars in the sky, but after Jesus was born, there was a star in the east right over where Jesus was, and the wise man followed the star to find Jesus. Today we don’t need the stars to find Jesus, but we need to read the Bible to follow Jesus and accept Christ. The Wise men brought gold- a gift for a King, frankincense- an incense burned to offer to a God . and a myrrh- a valuable spice. They traveled a great distance to worship the new king. The love of Jesus does not even compare with the value of all of these gifts. Grady Bray has started a noon 6-week Bible study of the book of Revelation. This book was written to early Christians in a time of fear, anxiety, and apprehension. It resulted in a book written about reassurance, hope and understanding. All are welcome. Write on your calendar: Church baked potato dinner at 4 o’clock on Saturday, January 25. The church will provide the potatoes and folks are asked to bring a topping of choice to share. Come share your voice! Choir practice is at 7 o’clock every Tuesday at church. Member shared their voices and also have a lot of fun learning their music! We have Sunday school and nursery during 9am Sunday service time so hope that we have even more young families who will come join us!

The kids were a part of 5th Sunday music Sunday. Good job, kids! Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 01-09-2025 Fifth Sunday music Sunday is always such a treat. Ron and, Marguerite Miller, and Ellie Stempien as well as our choir have worked extra hard to bring more music to us, including solos by Aimée Perry, and a surprise duet by Pastor Jeannine and Marguerite Miller! Michele Covert read a thoughtful year end poem written by Blanche Fingar. What a beautiful service to end the year. Pastor Jeannine told the kids how Jesus and his family went to Jerusalem from Nazareth for Passover when he was a young boy. On one occasion, his parents couldn’t find him. Jesus was found in his father‘s house, the temple. Pastor Jeannine showed the kids a picture of Where is Waldo, which she was reminded of by this story of Jesus. She asked the kids if they had ever gotten lost. She remembered getting lost shopping with her parents in a large mall as a young child. She went ahead of her parents as they were window shopping. and was frightened when she grabbed the hand of another woman that wasn’t her mom. Her mother caught up to her and all was well. Like Pastor Jeannine, Jesus wasn’t really lost in the temple after all. He was there talking to God. God always helps us to find our way. All of us at Bluff Point United Methodist Church-wish everyone a very happy and healthy New Year. Please come worship with us  Sundays at 9 AM. We have a very welcoming congregation!

The kids received Bibles for Christmas Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 01-02-2025 We celebrated the fourth Sunday of Advent on a crisp cool snowy winter day! Pastor Jeannine held up two packages. One was wrapped in plain brown paper, the other wrapped in glitzy foil. She asked the children which one they would choose. They all chose the foil wrapped paper package. Pastor Jeannine explained to them that the simple packaging is sometimes the best. Jesus was born in a stable and wrapped in plain linen cloth. We don’t always need glitz and glamour. Pastor Jeannine reflected on this season. We all have atypical behavior around Christmas. We rush to the stores with a cheerful and lively mood. There is plenty of joy and laughter. However, for some people, the season can be sad. It’s hard to be joyous when we are not feeling well or have had losses. God is always here. We are blessed and have to always be open to his hugs. We also have to support each other and show our love. Merry Christmas from all of us at Bluff Point United Methodist Church!

Carol Clow lights the third advent candle with Pastor Jeannine. Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 12-26-24-2024 Pastor Jeannine shared with us how Christ sends his love. As we get closer to Christmas, there is so much excitement, but baby Jesus is not the only way God reveals himself to us. He gives us encouragement and love every day. She shared a story of how an elderly woman dropped her packages in the store. She was having a hard time getting them back together. A teenage boy came over and helped her assemble her purchases and took them to her car. That boy was a Christ-like-figure to the elderly woman and a sign of God’s love. The final part of this lesson is a question which needs to be answered. In the scripture for today, Luke 3: 7-18, John was telling people about the coming of the Lord in their lives. The people asked him- what shall we do? How should we respond to the Lord‘s coming? The scripture is relevant to today. The Lord is coming. What will we do? How will we respond? One way is to share our talents and our love. Bluff Point United Methodist Church is a church that has many missions. We share our talents in many ways. One of these is our prayer shawl mission. Another is cleaning a 2 miles section of our road along 54-a twice a year for the Adopt-a—Highway program. We have helped in the Yates County Christmas by distributing items to families, and also by ringing the bell to collect needed funds the day before Thanksgiving each year. The children collect pennies for Millie’s pantry. Many ladies support the Living Well by baking for their grab and go lunch program, and contribute to the food and pet pantry. We recently have collected gifts for our Angel tree family. We also support the backpack program and Habitat for Humanity, as well as other local programs. So all of us, including our children, can help others through service and love. Come worship with us at 9 AM on Sundays! A reminder that in addition, our Christmas Eve service will be on 12/24 at 7 PM. All are welcome. It will be a service filled with song and joy, welcoming our Savior’s birth.

Waneta Nielsen lights the second candle of Advent. Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 12-19-24-2024 P astor Jeannine spoke to us about John’s message about Jesus’s coming. John the Baptist gave us a look of Hope and repentance. Pastor Jean asked us how we deal with uncertainty. What happens when we go to the airport and our flights are delayed? Do we look at it as an adventure or an annoyance? The road is not always smooth, but God helps the passage. Life is not always rainbows. In repenting, we sometimes need to do a U-turn and change what we are doing. If we have two coats, we should give one to someone who needs it. We should do the same with food. We saw examples of this giving nature recently at Yates County Christmas. Many of us helped with the distribution of items to help make Christmas joyous for over 250 Yates County families and 650 children. The community was very generous. It is so much better to give than receive! There are many opportunities locally during advent, including a service of peace and comfort at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church on Wednesday, December 18 at 6:30 pm. What a joyful time of year to share our faith!