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Many of us have played truth or dare. You have to answer a difficult question or do something risky. In some ways, being a follower of Jesus in a non-believing world is like living truth and dare. When people discover that you feel or act differently than the world, there is a price to pay. Can we risk those hard conversations and choices? Will we choose faith and love even when they happen? These are choices that Jesus faced as well. Find out how we can learn from his example this morning.   Click here to join us live on Facebook or watch any time of Facebook or Youtube.  

Here is some information to help you participate if you’re joining us online:

• The response to our interactive opening prayer is, “Speak Lord! We need to hear Your truth.”
• Today’s songs are “Are Ye Able” and “God Will Take Care of You” Look up the words online, and you can sing along.
•  The scripture reading is Luke 4:21=30.
• Please let us know how God is moving in your life. You can leave a celebration and/or prayer request in the comment section so that we can celebrate God’s kindness and discern God’s will with you.
• Share an offering in our app in Givelify or send a check to the church.

We’re looking forward to worshipping with you. Have a blessed Lord’s day, everyone!

Do you know who you are? Many people spend a lot of time trying to figure it out. The world tries to compel us to believe many things about ourselves. When you know who you are those lies won’t work. It’s important that you are able to state clearly who you are when you understand. Join us Sunday for Speaking Your Truth.   Click here to join us live on Facebook or watch any time of Facebook or Youtube.  

Here is some information to help you participate if you’re joining us online:

• The response to our interactive opening prayer is, “Holy One fulfill your word in us.”
• Today’s songs are “To God Be the Glory” and “Lamb of God” Look up the words online, and you can sing along.
•  The scripture reading is Luke 4:14-21.
• Please let us know how God is moving in your life. You can leave a celebration and/or prayer request in the comment section so that we can celebrate God’s kindness and discern God’s will with you.
• Share an offering in our app in Givelify or send a check to the church.

We’re looking forward to worshipping with you. Have a blessed Lord’s day, everyone!

Who is your “go-to” person? Everyone has a friend that they go to. This person is one for advice, a laugh, or an adventure. While it’s easy for us to go to such friends regularly, how easy is it to share such things with Jesus? We say we want to be close to Him, but we don’t do the things that would keep us close. If you’ve ever wondered how to feel closer to Christ, this is a message for you.  Click here to join us live on Facebook Sunday at 11:00, or watch any time on Facebook or Youtube.  

Here is some information to help you participate if you’re joining us online:

• The response to our interactive opening prayer is, “With you is the fountain of life; in your light, we see light.”
• Today’s songs are “This is the Day” and “Be Thou My Vision.” Look up the words online, and you can sing along.
•  The scripture reading is John 2:1-11.
• Please let us know how God is moving in your life. You can leave a celebration and/or prayer request in the comment section so that we can celebrate God’s kindness and discern God’s will with you.
• Share an offering in our app in Givelify or send a check to the church.

We’re looking forward to worshipping with you. Have a blessed Lord’s day, everyone!

Announcements for January 9-15:

Joys and Concerns for Prayer: 

• Healing: Jean, Lee, Ken, Joanna, Lucy, Corey R., Margaret, Gary, Brother John, Melissa’s Mom/Bill’s wife, Jeff M. 
• Diana for Aaron’s day program
• Personal challenges: Lorne, Merlene
• For everyone as we face the omicron variant and new risks from COVID
• Prayers for more fruitfulness and more opportunities to live and share the love of Jesus as God calls us. 

• Food Pantry:
• • Pantry hours are changing starting next week. We will be moving our Tuesday hours to Wednesday from 6:00 – 8:00. 
• • Food Pantry: God continues to bless others because of your generosity! Needs this week: Toiletries, paper products, bread, and cooking oil, are the primary needs this week. If you can donate some of these items, you can bring them during regular pantry hours or contact the church to arrange a drop-off time. Please consider volunteering some time to help with deliveries if possible. 

• • Consider driving for deliveries. We need more people to share this work. Please consider whether you might be able to give 15-20 minutes after service or any time that’s convenient for you. 

• Wednesday Bible Study: Our Wednesday night bible study will be starting its hybrid format on January 12. This means you can come to the church and participate in person as well as online via Zoom. Elijah, the fiery prophet who challenged those worshipping other gods, will be our focus. Email the church at firstchurch@firstumcbuffalo.org if you’d like to join the conversation. 

• Sunday Bible Study:  If you would like to join an interesting conversation about applying Jesus’ teachings and other Biblical principles to your life, this is the place for you. The book and coffee are provided. Just come on out on Sunday morning at 10:00. 

• Our next Community Dinner will be Wednesday, January 26. Feel free to invite others to enjoy a time of fellowship. We will be maintaining appropriate distancing and masking except while actively eating. People can also receive dinners to take home. We could also use one or two more volunteers to help in the kitchen that evening. 

• This month we will be painting our Fellowship Hall. We’re looking for some volunteers to help with this project. If you are able to donate some time or painting tools, please let us know in the comments below. We’re choosing the best dates based on when we can get the best turnout. It will most likely be a Saturday morning/afternoon. If we have enough people present, we’ll provide a pizza lunch for everyone. 

Mark Your Calendars: 

• January 26 at 6:00 PM – Monthly Community Dinner
• February 23 at 6:00 PM – Monthly Community Dinner
• March 2 at 6:00 PM – Ash Wednesday Service
• March 19 – 12:00 PM – Spring Community Health Fair

Starting this January 12, the First Church Food Pantry will be open on Wednesdays from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Please use the parking lot entrance off of Potomac Avenue. The pantry has fresh produce and bread in addition to many nonperishables. There are also school supplies, toiletries, and reusable masks available. Anyone wishing to enter the building to use the pantry must comply with our COVID rules. A bag can be brought to the door if you prefer. Deliveries can be arranged if needed. Please message the church directly if necessary.

Have you put it all back in the closet yet? We’ve all seen trees by the curb and brightly lit houses going back to their regular look. For them, Christmas is over. Of course, one doesn’t need to have a Christmas tree up to show the world that you love Jesus. Having those things doesn’t mean that you do. How do you show the world you love Christ? Some folks keep their faith very private and won’t share anything about the difference God makes in their lives. There’s a place for privacy, but your walk with God was never meant to be a secret. Join us this week as we talk about living your faith out loud. Click here to join us live on Facebook or watch any time of Facebook or Youtube.  

Here is some information to help you participate if you’re joining us online:

• The response to our interactive opening prayer is, “Blessed be God who knows us and calls us by name.”
• Today’s songs are “He Has Made Me Glad” and “Wash O God Our Sons and Daughters.” Look up the words online, and you can sing along.
•  The scripture reading is Luke 3:15-17;21-22.
• Please let us know how God is moving in your life. You can leave a celebration and/or prayer request in the comment section so that we can celebrate God’s kindness and discern God’s will with you.
• Share an offering in our app in Givelify or send a check to the church.

We’re looking forward to worshipping with you. Have a blessed Lord’s day, everyone!

Announcements for January 2 – 8:

Joys and Concerns for Prayer: 

• Healing: Jean, Lee, Ken, Joanna, Lucy, Corey R., Margaret, Gary
• Personal challenges: Lorne, Merlene, 
• For everyone as we face the omicron variant and new risks from COVID
• Prayers for more fruitfulness and more opportunities to live and share the love of Jesus as God calls us. 

• Food Pantry:
• • Pantry hours are changing starting next week. We will be moving our Tuesday hours to Wednesday from 6:00 – 8:00. 

• • Needs this week: Toiletries, paper products, soups, jelly, peanut butter, and oil, are the primary needs this week. If you can donate some of these items, you can bring them during regular pantry hours or contact the church to arrange a drop-off time. Please consider volunteering some time to help with deliveries if possible.

  • Consider driving for deliveries. We need more people to share this work. Please consider whether you might be able to give 15-20 minutes after service or any time that’s convenient for you. 

• Wednesday Bible Study: Our Wednesday night bible study will be starting its hybrid format on January 12. This means you can come to the church and participate in person as well as online via Zoom. Elijah, the fiery prophet who challenged those worshipping other gods, will be our focus. Email the church at firstchurch@firstumcbuffalo.org if you’d like to join the conversation. 

• Sunday Bible Study:  If you would like to join an interesting conversation about applying Jesus’ teachings and other Biblical principles to your life, this is the place for you. The book and coffee are provided. Just come on out on Sunday morning at 10:00. 

Mark Your Calendars: 

• January 26 at 6:00 PM – Monthly community dinner
• February 23 at 6:00 PM – Monthly Community dinner
• March 2 at 6:00 PM – Ash Wednesday Service

Happy New Year!

We are still living in the joy of the Christmas season! Today, we celebrate the Epiphany, the visit of the Wise Men to the young Jesus. Many of us are filled with new hope and optimism since we have just started a new year. However, many are struggling with anxiety and worry because of the challenges before us. No matter how you are experiencing either of these feelings, you are probably looking for something. Maybe it’s guidance, direction, a sign, strength, wisdom, or something else. What might we learn from those who took a journey long ago seeking what God has promised? Join us this morning as we talk about “Seeking the One True Thing.”  Click here to join us live on Facebook or watch any time of Facebook or Youtube.  

Here is some information to help you participate if you’re joining us online:

• The response to our interactive opening prayer is, “For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
• Today’s songs are “We Three Kings” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Look up the words online, and you can sing along.
•  The scripture reading is Matthew 2:1-12.
• Please let us know how God is moving in your life. You can leave a celebration and/or prayer request in the comment section so that we can celebrate God’s kindness and discern God’s will with you.
• Share an offering in our app in Givelify or send a check to the church.

We’re looking forward to worshipping with you. Have a blessed Lord’s day, everyone!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

What’s your favorite Christmas carol? Songs have a unique way of touching our hearts, especially this time of year. On the last Sunday of Advent, we wrap up our study of The Heart that Grew Three Sizes by Matt Rawle. We remember that at the end of the story hearing the Whos singing moves the Grinch to change. Our focus today is on what might move us during this special time in our hearts. Given the need, fear, and stress that seems to be everywhere, we focus on the power of the newborn king to change our hearts and lives. Learn how to face and erase the darkness in your world this Christmas. Click here to join us live on Facebook or watch any time of Facebook or Youtube.  

Here is some information to help you participate if you’re joining us online:

• The response to our interactive opening prayer is, “Our souls magnify the Lord, and our spirits rejoice in God our savior!”
• Today’s songs are “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” Look up the words online, and you can sing along.
•  The scripture reading is Luke 1: 39-55.
• Please let us know how God is moving in your life. You can leave a celebration and/or prayer request in the comment section so that we can celebrate God’s kindness and discern God’s will with you.
• Share an offering in our app in Givelify or send a check to the church.

We’re looking forward to worshipping with you. Have a blessed Lord’s day, everyone!

 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

Do you hang lights on your house at Christmas? What kinds of lights do you prefer on your tree, white or different colors? Lights are everywhere during this season, underscoring the importance of Jesus as the light coming into the world. Today is the third Sunday of Advent, and we continue our journey to the manger and the birth of the Savior of the world. We’re in the middle of a series inspired by a book called “The Heart that Grew Three Sizes” by Matt Rawle, which discusses lessons of faith found in the story of the Grinch. This week, we’re talking about When Light Comes. Learn how to face and erase the darkness in your world this Christmas. Click here to join us live on Facebook or watch any time of Facebook or Youtube.  

Here is some information to help you participate if you’re joining us online:

• The response to our interactive opening prayer is, “Come Lord Jesus. Light our world. Light our lives.”
• Today’s songs are “O Come O Come Emmanuel” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” Look up the words online, and you can sing along.
•  The scripture reading is John 1:1-14.
• Please let us know how God is moving in your life. You can leave a celebration and/or prayer request in the comment section so that we can celebrate God’s kindness and discern God’s will with you.
• Share an offering in our app in Givelify or send a check to the church.

We’re looking forward to worshipping with you. Have a blessed Lord’s day, everyone!