Stay updated with the latest news about our church ministries and the exciting opportunities to get involved. Explore how you can engage, serve, and grow with us in every ministry initiative.
Do you remember waiting for Christmas morning as a child? I had an Advent calendar with a piece of candy on each day, counting down to Christmas. The anticipation was exciting but also agonizing. My parents weren’t being cruel by making me wait. T...
Each November, as part of our Sunday offering, we receive donations for the Stewards Assistance Fund. Any loose change given during this first Sunday of November is also directed toward the fund. These gifts provide confidential support to those i...
Marilynn F. Nov 10 Marilynn is a retired High School English Teacher. She lives at The Terraces in Newark, a lovely senior home near her nephew. As a member of our congregation she was a faithful choir member, a women’s circle member and a Bible s...
Youth Club, our Wednesday afterschool ministry for children in 2nd-8th grade, is off to a great start with 56 children registered for the program! After school, we enjoy the four parts that make up Youth Club, which are: Recreation, Bible Study, ...
While recovering from a stroke earlier this year, Lou received the exciting news that he had been selected as a candidate for induction into the Sayville High School Athlete Hall of Fame, Class of 2025. During his high school years on Long Islan...
In a world full of confusion and false promises, Peter warns against voices that seem refreshing but leave us empty. True freedom isn’t found in self-serving desires but in knowing Christ and living as his people. Rooted in Scripture and guided by...
This sermon examines 2 Peter 2:10b-16, where Peter describes false teachers as blots and blemishes who are arrogant, greedy, and motivated by selfish gain. Using the example of Balaam, Peter shows how these teachers abandon the right path to pursu...
Peter uses three powerful Old Testament examples of fallen angels, Noah’s flood, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to demonstrate that God’s perfect justice and perfect mercy work together throughout history. Through these stories of both ...
This sermon explores 2 Peter 2:1-3 and Peter’s warning about false teachers who work from within the church, using the Trojan horse as an illustration of how enemies can appear as gifts while bringing destruction. The message calls believers to kn...
Do you remember the story of the Trojan horse? The ancient Greeks couldn’t conquer Troy by force, so they built a wooden horse, filled it with soldiers, and left it as a “gift.” The Trojans, thinking they’d won, brought their enemy’s weapon inside...
Sunday school: Our Sunday school year is off to a great start! Children ages 3-years-old through High School are welcome to join their age/grade based class on any Sunday. We also offer classes for adults; right now we are offering small group ...
In this sermon from 2 Peter 1:16-21, Peter defends the reliability of apostolic testimony and Scripture against false teachers who claimed the stories about Jesus were fabricated myths. Peter provides three powerful reasons we can trust what we’ve...
Peter’s final letter emphasizes the importance of constant reminding in the Christian life, as he reflects on his coming death and his urgent desire to stir up believers’ faith while he still can. Using the metaphor of living in tents, Peter shows...
Based on 2 Peter 1:5-11, this sermon explores how Christians often possess incredible spiritual resources from God but fail to utilize them for growth and maturity. The message teaches through Peter’s ladder of spiritual growth - eight qualities t...
In this opening message from 2 Peter, we explore the apostle’s final words to the church as he faces execution, emphasizing that God’s divine power has already given us everything we need for godly living through His great and precious promises. P...
In April of 2025, 19 individuals of all ages went to Swannanoa, NC (just east of Asheville) to assist in hurricane relief. It was seven months after Hurricane Helene devastated the area and much work still needed to be done. We worked on home repa...
Summer Camp: This summer, 34 children from our church were sent to Christian camps with your help from our campership fund. Our mission budget provides ½ the cost for one week at a Christian camp for any child that attends Sunday School, Youth ...
Missions Sunday is a special service where we celebrate God’s work around the world and in our own backyard through testimonies from mission experiences. Our congregation will hear firsthand accounts of God’s faithfulness and transformative work f...
What would you say if you knew you only had a few weeks left to live? The apostle Peter faced exactly this situation when he wrote his second letter to the early church. Knowing his execution under Emperor Nero was approaching, Peter penned what w...
This sermon on 1 Peter 5:12-14 explores how Christians are called to stand firm in God’s grace while living as exiles in a culture that no longer centers faith. The message challenges congregants to examine whether they will maintain their commitm...
This sermon from 1 Peter 5:1-11 explores how God calls all believers to live with humility and servant hearts, whether in church leadership or daily Christian living. Peter encourages Christians facing persecution and difficulty to cast their anxi...
This sermon explores 1 Peter 4:12-19, where Peter teaches that suffering for our faith should not surprise us but be seen as a blessing that connects us to Christ’s suffering and glory. Peter challenges believers to reject prosperity gospel thinki...
This sermon examines how early Christians chose faithful living over cultural expectations, refusing to participate in pagan festivals despite social pressure from family and friends. Just as those believers faced ridicule for their convictions, m...
This sermon explores the challenging passage of 1 Peter 3:18-22, focusing on how Christ’s death and resurrection demonstrate His complete victory over all spiritual powers, including the mysterious proclamation to imprisoned spirits from Noah’s ti...
In this sermon on 1 Peter 3:8-17, we explore how Christians are called to live authentically as exiles in a rapidly changing culture where faith is no longer the norm. As followers of Jesus, we are challenged to build genuine community marked by u...
The sermon explores how Peter instructs Christians to navigate relationships with those in authority through humble submission and respectful conduct, drawing from 1 Peter 3:1-7. This teaching reveals how Christians can influence their world throu...
In this sermon, we explore how Christians today are increasingly finding themselves as foreigners and exiles in a culture that no longer understands Christian values, much like the early church Peter addressed in his first epistle. Drawing from 1 ...
Julie Z.: “I love serving within our church family, and I thank God that He has given me the willingness and desire to do so. So I guess the super short answer to ‘Why do I serve?’ is, because He’s given me the ability and heart to do it. Beau...
This summer, we’re inviting you to join a simple act of care that can have a big impact: sending a card to one of our Senior Companions, beloved members of our church who are age 90+ or living with ongoing health concerns. A few thoughtful words ...
Communicants Class: This past late winter/early spring, 6 youth (Adele, Elise, Jackson, Leah, Lily, and Mason) went through Communicants class with Pastor Wade. On May 18, this important faith milestone was celebrated. Some kids chose to be bapti...
Happy Birthday Helen S.! Our dear friend, Helen, will be celebrating her 93rd birthday on July 16th. She has many fond memories of growing up on a farm in Daleville, Indiana. Helen and her sister drove the tractor to help her father with the crops...
Tuesday, July 29 at 6:30-8:00 p.m. We’re bringing all the Helping Hands Teams together and hope you can join us! All members of the Transportation Team, Hospitality Team, Meal Train Team, Support Team, and our Care Ministers, are invited to a sum...
As we continue our journey through 1 Peter this summer, we encounter one of Scripture’s most compelling paradoxes: we are simultaneously exiles and chosen children of God. This tension isn’t something to resolve but rather to embrace as we learn w...
In this sermon from 1 Peter 2:4-10, we explore how Christians are living stones being built into God’s spiritual house with Christ as the cornerstone — rejected by the world but precious to believers. Just as ancient stone structures have stood fo...
In this sermon from 1 Peter 1:13-2:3, we explore how Christians can live holy lives while feeling like exiles in a changing culture. Peter calls believers to stay alert and sober-minded, setting their hope on God’s grace while resisting conformity...
This sermon examines 1 Peter’s paradoxical description of believers as both chosen by God yet exiles in the world, explaining how this ancient letter speaks directly to Christians experiencing cultural marginalization today. Peter’s teaching revea...
Thank You! Another program year of Christian education has ended. We are grateful to the parents who supported their student’s participation, and the volunteers who poured into the next generation with love, wisdom, and care. We are coordinating a...
This Pentecost sermon explores Psalm 104:24-35, revealing how God’s Spirit both creates and renews all life, drawing parallels between the breath that sustains creation and the Holy Spirit that empowered the early church. We will be invited to ide...
Adult Faith Education - Another program year of adult Sunday School has ended. We are grateful for the volunteers who spent so much time and effort into teaching and supporting others. We are coordinating a volunteer appreciation event on June 14 ...
A couple Lamplighters ago, I reflected on the ordinary and extraordinary nature of corporate worship. The sacred and secular elements of our Sunday morning gatherings belong together, as they engage the fullness of God’s design. This month, I con...
This sermon explores Psalm 97’s powerful vision of God’s sovereign rule over creation, where even mountains melt like wax in His presence. The message challenges us to examine the modern idols competing for our trust, to release our anxiety about ...
This June and July, join us in our Senior Companion Summer Card Ministry, a simple and meaningful way to show care and connection. Our Senior Companions (previously known as “special members”) are those in our church family who are aging or facin...
Seeing one another with care-filled eyes…. In any church family, there are needs that sit quietly beneath the surface. A warm smile might hide a weary heart. A quick greeting may mask the ache of loneliness. Someone faithfully showing up each Sun...
The role of a Steward often happens quietly, behind the scenes, but the impact is deeply felt. Whether visiting a senior companion, preparing for worship, or simply offering a listening ear, Stewards help build connection and care within our churc...
Senior Companion Dorothy S. is celebrating her 91st birthday this month. Currently Dorothy is living at the Geneva Living Center but was active in the United Church for years. As a child she remembers when the Baptist Church burned. Dorothy has sp...
Summer Camp We have 22 children signed up to attend Christian summer camp. You have the opportunity to connect with one (or some) of them by writing a camp note! In the month of June, a “camp note tree” will be out in the gathering area with pre-...
Looking for a meaningful way to serve? Our Care Ministry offers several ways to share God’s love through practical support: Support Team – Coordinator: Lydia Hospitality Team – Coordinator: June Meal Train Team – Coord...
June arrives with summer warmth and brings a transition in our church life. We’ll be concluding our Psalms series and continuing with our combined 9:30 AM worship service that began on May 25th. These combined services offer a wonderful opportunit...
This sermon explores Psalm 67’s call for God’s face to shine upon us so that all peoples may come to know and praise Him. It challenges the congregation to be reflections of God’s light and fairness in their daily lives, carrying His presence into...
Exploring Psalm 148’s call for all creation—from the highest heavens to the deepest oceans—to praise God, this sermon examines how we find our unique voice in creation’s symphony of praise as those who have not only been created but also redeemed ...
This Sunday we explore Psalm 23’s journey from the Shepherd’s provision to God’s eternal dwelling, showing how God meets us in both green pastures and dark valleys. Our Easter psalm series reveals God’s constant presence through every season of li...
Using the Acronym ACT: Appreciate Psalm 30’s place in history as a song of temple dedication. Consider how it reflects David’s life, Israel’s relationship with God, and our redemption in Christ (as temples ourselves / the church). Thank God for he...
Beginning May 25, we will transition to our summer worship schedule with one unified service at 9:30 AM. This schedule will remain in place through Labor Day weekend. Our summer schedule provides us with a wonderful opportunity to worship togethe...
Youth Club: Our Youth Club year wrapped up in April with LOTS of fun! On April 23rd, we had first graders visit Youth Club, which also meant the middle schoolers got to go out for one last dinner at Tom Wahls!! Then on April 30th, we celebrated ou...
Personal Reflection - Prayers in May The month of May is one of my favorite months of the year. While it often starts out cold, and possibly could even still feel a bit wintry on some days, it typically ends warm. There have been many Memorial Da...
As we continue our journey through the Psalms this month, we move deeper into these ancient songs that have guided God’s people for generations. The Psalms offer us a language for approaching God with every emotion and circumstance we face. They t...
With both pastors away, one of our church elders, Jim Boseck, shared a message on living a life focused on praising God. He reminded us that praise isn’t just for Sundays - it should be a daily response to God’s goodness. Even in hard times, we’re...
Drawing from Psalm 118, this Easter sermon explores how God turns rejection into redemption through Christ’s resurrection, focusing on the powerful image of the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone of our faith. The sermon weaves together ancie...
Over the past year, new teams within the Care Ministry have quietly stepped up to support church members in times of need. From offering rides, preparing meals, visiting with those who are homebound or recovering, helping to move furniture and sim...
We are excited to introduce six wonderful individuals who are stepping into a new role within our church family–as Care Ministers. Each of these individuals has a heart for serving others and a meaningful history of offering care, encouragement, ...
We’re delighted to welcome Jim H. as the newest member of our Senior Companion Circle–a ministry of presence and care for those who are 90 and above or living with ongoing health challenges. Through regular visits, phone calls, cards, and compassi...
Through an examination of Jesus’ anguished prayer in Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-49), this sermon explores the tension between cultural messages of self-fulfillment and Jesus’ example of submitting to the Father’s will, challenging us to pray against t...
In John 12, Mary’s lavish gift of perfume to anoint Jesus demonstrates what extravagant worship looks like when we withhold nothing from Christ. Through her example, we explore how true devotion often defies conventional wisdom and involves sacrif...
Youth Club Update and Service Project: Our Youth Club numbers have grown. We invited friends to Youth Club in February and now we have 64 children enrolled in Youth Club. What a joy to share the love of Jesus with so many children each week! On M...
Through three parables in Luke 15, Jesus reveals God’s passionate pursuit of lost people, showing us a Father who eagerly runs to embrace those who have strayed, challenging us to join in His mission of seeking and celebrating the found.
As Christians, we often are looking for ways we can be more like Jesus. We might try to be more loving, or more patient. Or, maybe we are striving to be more peaceful or to be more self-controlled. While all of those are worthwhile endeavors, I ...
As we journey toward Easter morning, there’s a growing sense of anticipation. We move from the shadow of the cross into the brilliant light of the empty tomb. This Easter begins a worship series that will take us all the way to Pentecost, focusing...
Through Jesus’s teaching on tragic events and the parable of the fig tree, this sermon explores how we often misunderstand God’s judgment and calls us away from religious finger-pointing toward authentic repentance and a life-giving relationship w...
North Carolina Missions Trip (Apr 13-18) - Our youth are included in an important mission trip to serve those in need down in North Carolina. Check out the Missions Page for details. Please keep our group in your prayers! Summer Outlook - Save th...
North Carolina Missions Trip (Apr 13-18) - Several young adults and adults are also attending this Disaster Relief mission trip (to accompany the youth as mentioned above in the Youth Ministry section). Summer Outlook - Save the dates for our Adu...
I recently had the privilege of facilitating a Sunday morning worship service while Pastor Wade was out of town. This is a responsibility I am grateful to have; it is not a given that someone in my position is permitted to serve as pulpit supply. ...
In this sermon on Luke 13:31-35, we explore Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem through the metaphor of a mother hen yearning to gather her chicks, revealing both God’s protective love for His people and the tragedy of their rejection, while ultimately p...
Have you ever prayed for God to show you a way to serve? A way to make a real difference in someone’s life? What if the answer is as simple as changing a lightbulb, raking leaves, or picking up groceries? The needs within our church family are ma...
We want to ensure that our church family stays informed when it matters most. If you’re comfortable, we invite you to complete a Consent-to-Text Form, allowing us to send you urgent messages through Planning Center. These texts will be used only ...
This sermon from Luke 4:1-13 explores Jesus’s forty-day wilderness temptations and how he remained faithful through the power of the Spirit and Scripture. By examining the three specific temptations - using power for personal comfort, taking short...
After Peter declares Jesus is the Messiah, and after Jesus prophecies his death and resurrection, Jesus brings a few disciples onto a mountain and appears to them in glorious light, in a well-known scene often called The Transfiguration. In our se...
Lent invites us into a journey that mirrors Christ’s own path. As we enter this season of reflection, our Scripture readings illuminate a narrative that moves from the Father affirming the Son through wilderness testing to the ultimate expression ...
Join us this summer for True North VBS: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World. Our VBS is free and runs July 14-18, 2025, 9am – 12noon. We have a special kick-off on Sun., July 13, 2025 at 6:30pm. All children, ages 4 years old through those who complete...
What’s happened… We invited friends to Youth Club on February 12 since our original date for Bring a Friend night was canceled due to a snow day. We had 19 friends join the regular group of 60 kids who come to Youth Club. What a joy to share the...
I recently came across a quote that stuck with me: ‘The more we build a life we can’t wait to live, the more time and passion we find to live it.’ The author suggests that building a life you ‘can’t wait to live’ doesn’t always require adding more...
Jesus’s radical command to love our enemies goes far beyond natural human inclinations, as demonstrated powerfully in his own love for Judas and his death on the cross for sinners. In Luke 6:27-38, Jesus calls his followers to respond to hatred wi...
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, particularly as recorded in Luke 6, radically redefines what it means to be blessed by God, challenging both ancient and modern assumptions about spiritual success. Rather than providing a checklist of behaviors to foll...
Saturday, March 22, 5:30-7:30pm Roseland Bowl, 4357 Recreation Drive, Canandaigua. $10 adults per person ($40 maximum per family) covers bowling, pizza, drinks, & dessert. Register and pay here or contact Mary Beth Fortunato. Registration d...
This sermon explores Jesus’ calling of his first disciples in Luke 5:1-11, focusing particularly on Simon Peter’s journey from a fisherman to a follower of Christ after witnessing a miraculous catch of fish. The sermon emphasizes the distinction b...
Small Groups: The women’s group (a 20/30-something ministry) continues to meet at our church. The Christian club at FLCC also continues, with Wendy Bacon supporting this club and keeping us informed as to how we can best support them. Other adults...
Youth Groups: Our weekly high school program (known as The Cause, an extension of our Youth Club ministry) continues with the curriculum titled “Can I Ask That? Hard Questions about God and Faith”. Our middle school program (part of our Youth Club...
In this sermon about Jesus’s return to Nazareth in Luke 4, we see how his hometown’s initial warm reception quickly turned violent when he challenged their lack of faith by comparing them unfavorably to two Gentiles - the widow of Zarephath and Na...
“Guided by our love for the Lord and a deep commitment to serving others, the Board of Stewards seeks to extend God’s love through acts of humility, kindness, compassion, and faithfulness. Our mission is to provide companionship, support, and care...
As a church family, we have established a tradition of celebrating the season of Epiphany, which commences on January 6 and continues until Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. This season invites us to reflect on the ministry of Jesus as the light t...
This article is part three of a larger reflection on the mission of the Church in a post-Christian culture. In December, I wrote about the importance of publicly proclaiming the faith (A belief that is rooted biblically and historically). In Janua...
This sermon reflects on Jesus’ bold proclamation in his hometown of Nazareth, declaring himself the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in Luke 4:14-21. It challenges listeners to move beyond familiarity and embrace Jesus’ authority, recognizing his ...
It’s already February, but the year is still fresh with possibilities! As is my yearly tradition, this time of year prompts me to reflect and set some intentional goals to grow, both spiritually and practically. I know many of you do the same, and...
This sermon explores Jesus’ first miracle at the Cana wedding feast, explaining how He transformed water into wine not merely to solve a practical problem, but to reveal His identity as the Messiah and point to God’s greater work of redemption. Us...
Exploring Membership at Our Church Sunday, February 16 at 9:45 AM Are you interested in learning more about our church community and what it means to be a member? We warmly invite you to join us for our upcoming Exploring Membership Class, where...
We are called to embrace humility and dependence on God as modeled by John the Baptist and Jesus during His baptism, recognizing our roles in God’s greater plan and our need for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. By following their example, we to...
This sermon explores the celebration of Epiphany, emphasizing its roots in the early church as a continuation of the Christmas season, culminating on January 6. Drawing from the story of the Magi in Matthew 2, it highlights the significance of the...
February 25 Happy Birthday Bob Ledgerwood! Bob has been a member of the United Church for many years. He regularly attended services until his health declined. He still attends a weekly Bible Study. Bob has two daughters and eight Grand Children...
A group of young adults (our group this year is primarily college-aged students) are preparing for the January 2025 trip to Atlanta for the Passion Conference! Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare their hearts and minds to worship the ...
Small Groups: The women’s group (a 20/30-something ministry) continues to meet at our church. The Christian club at FLCC also continues, with Wendy Bacon supporting this club and keeping us informed as to how we can best support them. Other adults...
Youth Groups: Our weekly high school program (known as The Cause, an extension of our Youth Club ministry) continues with the curriculum titled “Can I Ask That? Hard Questions about God and Faith”. Our middle school program (part of our Youth Club...
This prayer service brings the church together to pray for each ministry area, from family and missions to worship and church leadership. Through a mix of Scripture, hymns, and focused prayers, we’re asking for God’s guidance and strength for ever...
We are called to embrace the disruptive presence of God in our lives as Mary did, willingly submitting ourselves to His purposes despite personal inconvenience or societal judgment. We should actively respond to God’s call with obedience and joy, ...
The Parent/Child Library in the upstairs chapel has been refreshed with LOTS of new books! You may borrow a book off either the display shelf or the regular book shelf. All families are welcome to use the Parent/Child library at any time. Please s...
We are called to rejoice in all circumstances, trusting that our joy is rooted not in our present situations but in our eternal relationship with God. God instructs us to respond to life’s challenges with gentleness and to place our anxieties in H...
December 01 - Living with Urgency and Expectation: Preparing for Christ’s Return Primary Reading: Luke 21:25-36 Additional Readings: Psalm 25:1-10, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 December 08 - Expectant Hearts: Waiting on God Primary Rea...
The sermon on Philippians 1:3-11, given during Advent, focuses on Paul’s sense of urgency and expectation as he anticipates the return of Christ. The message emphasizes Paul’s confidence that God, who began a good work in the believers at Philippi...
This sermon, focused on the first Sunday of Advent, emphasizes the importance of living with urgency and expectation as we await both the celebration of Christ’s birth and His promised return. Through exploring Luke 21:25-36, the message encourage...
The sermon explores the biblical concept of gratitude as we approach Thanksgiving. Reflecting on Psalm 107 and the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17, the message emphasizes the importance of giving thanks for God’s unfailing love and wonderful de...
As we explore Matthew 22:1-14, we examine the parable of the wedding banquet, illustrating the Kingdom of Heaven through God’s open invitation to all, both good and bad. While many initially reject the invitation, the king (representing God) invit...
This sermon reflects on the closing scene of Genesis, focusing on the deaths of Jacob and Joseph and the continuation of God’s promise to their descendants. Despite their deaths, the story of God’s deliverance and grace is not over, as Joseph expr...
This sermon explores Genesis 49, where Jacob offers blessings and prophecies for each of his sons before his death. These words reflect the character and actions of Jacob’s sons and point forward to the future of Israel’s tribes, with a particular...
This sermon explores Genesis 48, where Jacob, defying cultural expectations, blesses his younger grandson Ephraim over the firstborn Manasseh. This act highlights how God’s blessings often come in surprising ways that defy human plans, encouraging...
