Ring that bell! Come join us at church on Sundays at 9:00 am at Bluff Point United Methodist Church! Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 03/12/2026 Who is your lifesaver? When you go in the water, should you have a life jacket or a flotation device around you? It’s important to have something like a lifeline to keep us safe. Pastor Jeannine told the kids about Nicodemus. He did not understand that Jesus was a lifeline to God. We understand though that Jesus is our lifeline. In the scripture from John 3: 1- 17 we see that Nicodemus was visiting Jesus. He came by night, likely so the Pharisees would not find him. Pastor Jeannine told us Jesus taught Nicodemus that to enter the kingdom of God he must be born of the spirit from above. Jesus knew Nicodemus was spiritually hungry, but he did not understand. We need to be baptized and get God into our lives. We know that we will not find peace until we find God. The nurture committee has placed names and addresses of people who have been unable to come to church lately in the back and front of the church. We are encouraged to write them cards and notes, hoping that they will be able to return to us soon. We recently had a great baked potato dinner at church. There were about 40 people who came to enjoy the nice meal together. The children have been practicing for music Sunday, which is the last Sunday in March. Mark your calendars and encourage your friends and neighbors to come join us for a very special musical Sunday. Thank you to Jean Murdock and Trish DeMondfort for tasty snacks after church this week!

Welcome new members Pam Whitford and Chris Reay! Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 03/05/2026 Good morning! We have now entered Lent. We had a wonderful Shrove Tuesday pancake supper and served about 45 people. It’s always great to have a meal together. Thank you to the nurture committee for arranging and cooking for us! Today our topic was about temptation. Pastor Jeannine had a bucket of cookies that she showed the kids. She said when her two daughters were growing up they had to wait for the cookies she baked until they told mom about their school day. Do we ever do anything we shouldn’t do? Do we ever have temptations? A lot of the kids said they sometimes sneak a cookie and then try to cover the evidence! We all know the story of Adam and Eve from the scripture in Genesis. It was a story of good and evil in the garden. They both were told that they should not eat the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, but were tempted anyway, and ate the fruit. Adam messed up big time and was kicked out of paradise. Because of Adam we now have a contract with death. Pastor Jeannine explained to us that Jesus broke up the power of sin and cleaned up Adam’s mess, bringing us hope. Jesus has paid the price for our sins and put things back better. He was a gift to us, and our hope. The father sacrificed his son so that we can live. He gave a lifeline to us. Lenten Bible study is of the final days. It is based on scripture from Luke and Matthew. All free to join in Mondays at 3pm. If you wish to order flowers for Easter to decorate the church in memory or honor of loved ones do so in the next week. Our church always looks so nice at Easter with all of the spring flowers adorning the altar. Please join us at 9 AM Sundays for our service. All are welcome.

The children always have a Bible lesson before a craft project in Sunday school. Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 02/26/2026 This past Sunday was Transfiguration Sunday. So nice to be back in church today after weather related issues this month that had made travel, dangerous and nearly impossible on our rural roads with all of the wind and below zero temperatures. So good to see the sunshine and the warmer temperatures. Several events coming up at church as we enter Lent. This past week we had a wonderful Shrove Tuesday pancake and sausage dinner. We we’ll have a baked potato dinner later in the month. Blessings and congratulations to Robin DeSantis and Ron Jackson who were married on Valentine’s Day. Robin came to our church many times in the past while visiting her parents. She often joined choir events, playing her beautiful flute. Pastor Jeannine gave the children a lesson and told them about transfiguration Sunday before the adult sermon. This was based on scripture from Matthew 17: 1-9. It appears that Jesus asked James, John and Peter to go with him up Mount Tabor to pray. They followed him, but after they ascended the mountain, the disciples fell asleep. When they awoke, they saw Jesus speaking to Moses and Elijah, who had appeared, however both Moses and Elijah had been dead for several years prior to this event. Jesus’s clothes were transformed to a dazzling white. His face became beautiful and bright like the sun, as he was in the presence of God. Jesus asked the disciples not to tell anyone what they had seen. Are we willing to go up the mountain with Jesus to be transformed?

Snow Day! Cold Day! Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 02/19/2026 I’m not sure if global warming has anything to do with global cold, but for the second time in a month, we have canceled our church services because of weather- it’s just not been safe to drive in the rural areas with the snow blowing all over and the temperatures hovering around 0°. Hopefully, from this point on the weather will be more conducive for safe travel. I hope people have been praying at home and reading their scripture. On 2/28 church members will enjoy a baked potato dinner from 4:00-5:30 with all the toppings! We hope the community will join us for Music Sunday at church at 10:00 am March 29th. Our kids will be participating and bring so much joy to the service. This is also Palm Sunday.

The first Sunday of the month is always communion Sunday. We look forward to sharing Jesus’s Thanksgiving. Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 02/12/2026 This Sunday we studied several of the Beatitudes. Pastor Jeannine shared with the children that even if you are sad or mad we should be happy. Jesus always loves us no matter what! Pastor Jeannine asked the kids what made them happy. One girl shared that caring for others made her happy. Our scripture was Matthew 5: 1-12. The disciples came to Jesus. Jesus had begun his ministry and began teaching the disciples . The first beatitude Pastor Jeannine shared was that those poor in spirit are blessed. We are all sinners and are forgiven. We learn to be humble in heart. Jesus gave his life for us. Blessed are those who mourn. Mourning hurts, no matter what the loss. Pastor Jeannine shared we mourn for those estranged from God. Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth. Meekness is not weakness. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst. God is our nourishment. Blessed are the merciful. We all help in our missions- prayer shawls, Road clean-up, and needs of the church. A new Bible study will be starting on February 16th. This will be- The Final Journey. Bible study is on Mondays at 3pm. We are soon beginning Lent. We have several activities coming up, so keep posted! Our sincere condolences to Dan and Nancee Scott and many other friends and family members in the recent passing of Dan Scott who passed after a long illness. He was an active member of our community and is greatly missed. We are so thrilled for several new people who have been joining us for worship. We welcome all to join us on Sunday and for other church activities.

Welcome to Melissa and Warren Kinsey, who have transferred their membership to join our church family at Bluff Point United Methodist Church. Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 01/29/2026 Prayers for the family and friends of Dan Scott, who went to join his Lord after a recent illness. He will be missed. We have had so many that have been sick lately or have had significant losses. Keeping them all in our prayers. We welcome Melissa and Warren Kinsey to our congregation, who transferred their membership to our congregation. Pastor Jeannine‘s message to the children concerned eyewitness reports. How many of us see and hear eyewitness reports on the news? The Eyewitness report from Church today is about Jesus being the lamb of God. Do we tell others about Jesus? One of our little girls said that most of the people she knows already know about Jesus. It never hurts to discuss our love for our savior. Our scripture this week was from John 1: 29-42. John was eager to tell others about Jesus. He really did not know who Jesus was until he baptized him. He got excited and wanted to tell the world. There were challenges in these days though- Peter was a challenger. He was full of doubt. How many things do we doubt? Hopefully we don’t doubt our love for Jesus and Jesus‘s love for us. The miracle of Jesus gives us hope! Pastor Jeannine asked us if we had ever seen a movie that really gripped us. Pastor Jeannine and her husband Phil have had an 80s movie marathon where they relived movie memories watching old movies. One thing that she has found is that there are many memories watching movies together as a family- more than the movies, she remembers the good times of sharing. We have been asked to continue to pray. People feel prayer. We are eyewitnesses for Christ by lifting others in prayer. Please join us in church 9 AM on Sundays. We would love to share with you.

Barbara Bailey is our scripture reader for the month of January. Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 01/22/2026 This past Sunday’s lesson was about the baptism of the Lord. Pastor Jeannine began by talking with the children about a picture album. Your parents collect pictures of you because they love you. Pictures change, and children grow up quickly. God was pleased with his son Jesus. John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. A dove landed on Jesus at this time. God pronounced that Jesus was his son. I love him. Pastor Jeannine told a story about a man named Mario who was homeless in New York City. Mario carried with him his birth certificate and his baptism certificate which were important to him showing God‘s love. The scripture this week was from Matthew 3: 13-17. The adult sermon was also about baptism. Baptism is a great responsibility to the parents to accept faith for the child and help and nurture them; we carry, dress, feed, and believe in our young children. John the Baptist baptized Jesus with water for repentance. Jesus asked John to baptize him however, Jesus did not need to repent. At this time the heavens opened up with the spirit of God descended. The voice of God proclaimed Jesus is my son whom I love. I am well pleased. Was what revealed to us was Jesus’s true identity. Following the sermon, Pastor Jeannine asked the congregation that if there was anyone present that wanted to be baptized to let her know, and she would work with them to set up a time. Toni Parsons had a fun group in Sunday school after their lesson the girls made origami doves and also friendship bracelets. Don’t forget our baked potato bar dinner at four to 5:30 PM at churchon Saturday, January 24. We always have a good time at our church dinners. Women’s breakfast at the Wagner is Wednesday, January 14 and Wednesday, January 28. The man meet every Tuesday at Oak Hill at 10 o’clock. All are welcome.

Even our little ones help with communion at Bluff Point UMC! Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 01/015/2026 What a beautiful Epiphany Sunday! This week Pastor Jeannine talked to the children about being chosen. Like myself, she was picked last for sports teams. People that are chosen last often have hurt feelings. One way to fix this is to count off, that way no one gets chosen last. We are all chosen for God‘s family. Everyone is in God‘s family. No one is first or last! Our scripture this week was from Ephesians 1: 3-14. People at this time had a hard time seeing God‘s love. However, God chose them before the world began, and before they were even born. God knows every hair on your head. God chose us in Christ. God chose us and loves us unconditionally. Pastor Jeannine asked us if we have ever said no to God’s plan. When you accept God’s plan and faith it’s not scary. Pastor Jeannine asked us if we have ever said no to God‘s plan. When you accept God‘s plan in faith it’s not scary. We also have unconditional love in our church. Church is an extension of our family, bringing the love of Christ forward. Pastor Jeannine reinforced that God always loves you. God sent his son which is the greatest gift of all and reinforces our faith. Things coming up: A baked potato bar on January 24 at 4 to 5:30 PM at church. There’s a sign up for different topics to magnify your potato! We have also been invited to join Dresden church with Roy Litteer get a community dinner on Wednesday, January 28 at 6 PM. Stay warm these cold winter days and be safe walking on ice. We don’t want any falls or injuries! See you in church at 9 AM on Sunday!

Violette Tones show shows off the blessing tree that she made in Sunday School. She was able to write most of the words herself without even asking the spelling! The blessing tree has ornaments and tags with the things that the children chose that they are thankful for. Article by Joyce L. Wiedrich 01/08/2026 This Sunday was the first Sunday after Christmas. It was a cold, bitter day, but one that we saw many people venture out to church. Pastor Jeannine talked with the children, asking them what was the significance of the light from the alter candles at the beginning of the service. It is that we bring the light of Jesus into our service. As we extinguish the light at the end of the service after bringing it to the back of the church, it signifies bringing the light out to others as we leave for the week. Pastor Jeannine also lit the advent candles of love, hope, joy, peace, and the Christ candle as she started the service. Pastor Jeannine‘s sermon focused on the gospel of John. The scripture was from Matthew 2: 13-23. You wonder often why bad things happen to us. Why did God let the terrorist attack on 9/11 happen? Why did innocent people have to suffer? John‘s teaching deals with who Jesus is and why he did what he did. John begins with the verse, In the beginning with the word and the word was with God, and the word was God. And his verses show us there is proof that Jesus is God. Pastor Jeannine explains that Jesus isn’t just a word it is the word! All things were made by him. In him was life. And the light was the light of men. Jesus brings an answer to all of life‘s questions. God doesn’t always remove the chaos, but it can take most evil and awful pains and tragedies and transform them. We have a lot of chaos and dust in our lives that the Lord will transform if we let him! Thank you choir for a beautiful rendition of the song- Mary did you know? We are lucky to have such a beautiful choir under the direction of Ron Miller. Happy New Year from everyone at Bluff Point United Methodist Church. We hope that you will join us in this bright new year for 9am Sunday services!