“’Why are you crying?’”

(John 20:15)

In his book The Moment of Truth author Samuel Wells observes, “Easter’s drenched in tears.” This is hardly newsworthy. We have spent a lifetime hearing the Easter story unfold from John’s gospel. We already know what is follow the words, “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance” (John 20:1). We anticipate our heartbeat quicken with every stride, as Mary alerts Simon Peter and the unnamed disciple. Mary struggles to catch her breath gasping for air in between a run of words, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him” (v.3)!

          John describes what Simon Peter and the unnamed disciples see when they investigate Mary’s report and the mostly empty tomb (only the wrappings remain). For a culture that is fascinated and appalled by death, many abandon the Easter story by the time we finish reading John’s editorial comment, “They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead” (v.9). The two disciples exit the scene as “Mary stood outside the tomb crying” (v.11).

          The waterworks flow. Of course, Mary weeps. We’ve leaned into the casket to kiss a loved one on the forehead. Dressed in black, we have shed tears as body is lowered into the Read more…

“… there was no room for them in the inn.”

-Luke 2:7b

As I write, the temperatures are dropping and the snow accumulating. My Bible is plopped open to the wondrous story of Jesus’ birth in the gospel of Luke. I have always found a home among the shepherds “living in the fields nearby, keeping their watch over their flocks at night” (Luke 2:8). Usually, a beautiful medley of carols ushers me through to the end of the Christmas story. Typically, I am in awe of the angelic pronouncement to the shepherds, “Today in the town of David is a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (2:11), and I am drawn to the shepherds’ worshipful response of finding “Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger” (2:16). I suspect, by Christmas, these words from the gospel and the carols will enchant my heart once again.

On that holiest of nights, Luke reports on the unfolding scene in Bethlehem, “The time came for the baby to be born, and [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn, a son” (2:6-7a). We are informed the new mother “wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (2:7b). Honestly, I haven’t given much air-time to the innkeeper in years. The innkeeper holds no speaking parts in Christmas pageants, yet alone the gospel. On Read more…

Greetings,

Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr once observed, “Only poets can do justice to the Christmas and Easter stories…” Perhaps this is why the songs that proclaim the incarnation and the resurrection of Jesus Christ are among our most beloved hymns. The poetic nature of these hymns reaches into the recesses of the human spirit and enlightens our minds with the rich theology of our Faith. The poets with their ability to use language well, Read more…

Greetings,

I pray that this announcement finds your loved ones and you well. Your prayers and support during the current pandemic have been exceptional. Every day I am grateful to serve Christ with and among you. This year has been unlike any that most of us have ever witnessed. Covid-19 has affected all of us in big/small ways. Please notice the changes to our church calendar.

On September 20^th, we will officially kick off the fall season. After consultation with our younger families, Kim Raynor and I have decided not to offer children/youth Sunday school classes, junior church, or the nursery this fall. However, our adult Sunday school will meet promptly at 9am on Sunday mornings in Gibbs Parlor. 

This fall, we will continue to offer one service at 10am in the Fellowship Hall. We hope to return to worship in our beautiful sanctuary later in the fall. This service will continue to have call to worships, hymns and worship songs, Scripture readings, prayers, and a weekly message. We ask that you make a reservation to attend worship, so that we can record your presence and provide adequate spacing. Mask policies and temperature checks will remain in place. 

Beginning on September 20^th at 7pm, we will provide a five-week study (until October 18^th) based on Adam Hamilton’s book, The Walk: Five Essential Practices of the Christian Life. Hamilton’s book will be provided free of charge to those interested in participating in the study. Copies of the book and group space is limited at ten. During the study, the Sunday sermon will follow similar themes. Please contact the church office to reserve your copy and spot in the class. 

Continue to hold our political and religious leaders in your prayers. These are difficult times to maneuver, and our best plans are subject to change. However, these are the current plans for our church. Know that your loved ones and you are in my daily prayers. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact Pastor Nick and/or LeAnn in the church office(326-3243). 

            Blessings,

Nicholas Perry, Pastor 

Greetings,

            I trust this letter finds your loved ones and you well. You are often in my thoughts and frequently in my prayers. Nothing in my seminary-training ever prepared me for the Covid-19 pandemic. I found my gut reactions kept in check by CDC guidelines and the call for New Yorkers to Pause. While I celebrate the reopening of our state, my excitement is tempered by the challenge to do so in a safe and cautious manner.   

You have no doubt already noticed the changes that local businesses have endured for their customers. I suspect you have heard of businesses having to make alterations to fit the newest guidelines issued. The church wants to assure you that we have and will continue to prepare our building for your return to in-person worship. When we return for public worship there will be guidelines that we will follow.

            We are slowly welcoming small groups of roughly ten persons together for a short Bible lesson, prayer, and conversation. During these informal small groups there will be an opportunity to partake in Holy Communion (an individual wafer and cup) for those that desire to receive the elements. During these small gathering times we ask for you to wear a facemask and to continue to practice social distancing measures. We request that you contact the Church Office (716) 326-3243 to reserve your seat prior to arriving to the church. Small Group gathering dates:

Sunday July 12, @ 10am       Tuesday July 14, @10am      Thursday July 16, @ 10am

Sunday July 19, @ 10am       Tuesday July 21, @10am      Thursday July 23, @ 10am

Sunday July 26, @ 10am       Tuesday July 28, @ 10am     Thursday July 30^th, @ 10am

            We tentatively plan to return to in person worship on Sunday August 2^nd @ 10am. The decision to resume public worship on this date has not been made in haste. While we prepare to hold worship in the Fellowship Hall, we ask that you continue to hold our nation in prayer as many places continue to wrestle with Covid-19. Please be aware that worship will look, feel, and sound different than before the pandemic. For example, no bulletins, no singing, facemasks must be worn, use of hand sanitizer when entering/leaving the building, and social distancing. These are the measures needed to be implemented in our return to in person worship on August 2^nd.  

            There are many folks that are working diligently behind the scenes to help our return to worship to be safe and meaningful. We ask for your grace and cooperation. Although we would love to see everyone return on August 2^nd, we understand and affirm the need for persons to return when they are comfortable to do so. We do not want to discourage anyone from communal worship. However, we ask that you prayerfully consider how and when you may resume public worship. For example, persons 65 years (or older) and/or those who underlining health concerns may want to take extra precautions. 

            Once in person worship resumes on August 2^nd, all worship times will be held at 10am. I look forward to being with you under the same roof and exploring the fascinating letter of Ephesians. In the meantime, know that you are being held in prayer. If you have any questions and/or concerns, please contact our Administrative Assistant, LeAnn or Pastor Nick in the Church Office. 

In Christ,

Pastor Nicholas Perry