Hamburg United Methodist Church
116 Union St
Hamburg, New York, 14075
(716) 649-8080
Worship Sundays at 10 am
Merry Christmas!
The services have ended for Advent and Christmas, the longest night of the year has turned, and daylight is growing. We have celebrated Christ’s birth, the mystery of God becoming one of us, and had the chance to sing, sing, sing the praises of Christ our Lord! As the year draws to a close, I want to take the opportunity to thank you all for all you have done for Christ and his Church in 2024, and to invite you to prayerfully consider a common discipline for 2025.
I want to take the opportunity to specifically thank all of you who have helped lead worship on the Circuit this year: Dave Rood, Chris Klimecko, Jessica Shaw, Moe Park, Anne Nicol, and Andrea Turton who have shared the Good News tirelessly, and the Revs. Greg Crispell and Carl Nicol who have assured God’s people were able to celebrate Communion in its fullness. For all those at Four Corners, Gowanda, and Versailles who have made the year successful, thank you for all you do!
In Hamburg, we have had a wonderful year of work, worship and time together. Thank you to all the committee chairs, committee members, and officers who have kept our life together functioning! Your time and talents are appreciated! Special thanks to Rollin Shoemaker and the Windows Committee for completing the year long project and hosting a wonderful dedication this year—it is rare a congregation gets to complete a generational project, and this has been a great gift to all of us and those who will come after us. In addition, we have had a number of weddings to celebrate, and I would not have been able to lead those services without the help of our Wedding Hostess Committee who have assured rehearsals and weddings moved smoothly.
We have welcomed new members and participants in the life of the Church this year, and I look forward to more of the same! To the newly baptized, new members, and those looking to join in 2025, we are thrilled to have you as a part of the life of our community seeking Christ together. To our three confirmands, it is a gift to get to know you better, I hope you find a great welcome from the other adults in the life of the Church!
And now, an invitation: Would you consider joining me in reading through your Bible in 2025? The whole year reading plan is attached, but we will also commit to sending it each month, one month at a time. If you read each day, it can take about 20 minutes to grow closer to God. Having done this before, both on my own and along with my previous congregations, there are few disciplines that help to mark the connections between different parts of the Bible, to see surprising connections, as reading through quickly like this. Will you please prayerfully consider joining me in this discipline?
(Link: Bible in a Year Reading Plan**)
Christ is with us, the Lord of Heaven and Earth has made his home among us, and through his self-giving we have been set free from the power of sin and death. Thank you for joining me in following Jesus!
Christ is Born! Hallelujah!
Pastor David Nicol
** copies of the "Bible in a Year: Reading Plan" are available outside of the church office. The Church office will additionally be publishing the reading plan each month in the newsletter for the duration of the 2025.
Adult Sunday School
John Meader’s Sunday school class is following Rev. Adam Hamilton’s book and DVD Study“ Christianity and World Religions.”
All are welcome to come join in the discussions every Sunday at 9:00 in the parlor.
This information is accurate
Tai Chi is back in person at HUMC-
in Fellowship Hall
No longer on Zoom
The Church office is glad to announce that services going forward will be streamed via YouTube Live, in addition to the current Facebook Live services. You can access the Youtube live stream on our Youtube Channel, or directly on our church website homepage.
Please make sure to "Like" and "Subscribe"
Coffee Hour Schedule December- Sarah Circle
January '25- Missions Outreach
Groups are to provide goodies/ snacks
each Sunday of the month they are scheduled.
Please get in touch with Sue Gagne or Joyce Spencer with any questions.
Order of Worship
Sunday, December 29, 2024 | 10 am
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/HamburgNYUMC/live_videosYoutube Live: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxRWld9XtaLY0WpX7JsXEcw
Google Meet Dial-In: 617-675-4444 PIN: 301 463 603 6721#
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
As the new year dawns, we gather to celebrate the gift of time and the promise of hope.
We come, Seeking renewal and strength for the journey ahead.
God's mercies are new every morning; great is God's faithfulness.
With grateful hearts, we trust in the One who makes all things New.
In the midst of challenges, we hold fast to God's unchanging hand.
With faith, we embrace the hope of brighter tomorrow.
Let us worship the God of new beginnings, who offers grace for every step.
We rejoice and give thanks, for our hope is in the Lord!
OPENING MUSIC: “Here I am Lord” #593 UMH
OPENING PRAYER:
Loving and Faithful God, As we step into a new year, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude and hope. You are the God of new beginnings, and Your mercies are fresh every morning. Guide us as we seek Your will for the days ahead. Strengthen us to face challenges with courage, to embrace change with grace, and to pursue Your justice and peace in all we do.
Renew our faith, Lord, and fill us with Your Spirit, so that we may shine as beacons of Your love and hope in this world. May this year be marked by Your presence in our lives and in our community, drawing us closer to You and to one another.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Sustainer, we pray. Amen.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
SCRIPTURE: Romans 7:18, 2 Timothy 1:7, Luke 19:8,Matthew 28:19
Read by: Beth Tills
SERMON: “A New Day of Hope” Charlie Davis
CHOIR ANTHEM: “Venite Adoremus”
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE PEACE
TITHES & OFFERINGS tithes. hamburgumc.org/Give
DOXOLOGY “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow” #94 UMH
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING –Ewart Morris
For Spoken responses, please refer to slides
THE LORD'S PRAYER
SHARING OF BREAD AND CUP
CLOSING HYMN: “Amazing Grace” #378 UMH
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
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