Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

1 John 2:6                                                                                 How did Jesus live each day? Is it possible for us to live as He lived? Here are five things to consider and to strive for in the coming year:

The first is His dependency. Jesus lived each day dependent upon His Father. He did not live independently, think independently, or act independently of His Father. He spoke what His Father wanted Him to say and He did what His Father wanted Him to do. He received from His Father all He needed for each day.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 We can also live each day in complete dependency upon the Lord. He is our strength, our life, our sufficiency, and He is the source of all we need.

The second is His faithfulness. Jesus lived each day in faithfulness to what His Father called Him to do. Jesus stayed true to His Father’s plan and will for His life. He didn’t drift away from it or follow it half-heartedly.

‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:23  As followers of Jesus Christ we can be faithful to what God has called us to do and do His will whole-heartedly.

The third is His obedience. Jesus lived each day in obedience to His Father’s will. Jesus not only obeyed His Father, but He obeyed Him without delay. He obeyed willingly and joyfully.

As 1 Peter 1:14 tells us we must live as obedient children. Obedience to God’s will in our lives is a choice we can make each day. As God’s children, He trains us to be obedient because He knows what is best for us.

The fourth thing is His motivation. The reason Jesus lived the way He did was because He wanted to fully glorify and please His Father. He lived to please only His Father and have His approval.

So we make it our goal to please him 2 Corinthians 5:9a The motivation of our hearts should be to please Him. There is nothing higher than that. When we live to do what is well pleasing in His sight we will know His smile of approval upon our lives.

The fifth thing is His empowering. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived each day in the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit. All that He did in His public ministry was under the anointing and empowering of the Holy Spirit.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 Since His ascension to the right hand of the Father, Jesus has made it possible for each of us to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to have His power in our lives. It is by the Holy Spirit’s presence, fullness, and power that we can walk as Jesus walked and live as Jesus lived.

Pastor Bob

Finance information:

We are once again meeting for Worship but the church is strongly recommending that you still mail your donations into the church due to the Covid19 virus restrictions there will be no offertory during worship but we will dedicate your gifts to God. If you bring your offering into church with you, the usher will direct you to the offering basket.
   * Monday’s of every week we will collect, record and deposit any pledges, Donations and Loose Funds.                 Please mail to the church at: 1st UMC of Chenango Bridge, PO Box 501, Chenango Bridge, 13745.
    * Bank Accounts and Expenses will be reviewed weekly to ensure Bills are paid in a timely manner.
    * Any financial questions should be directed to David Lewis at 607.727.0250.
    * Search for any potential financial opportunities that will provide additional income to meet the continue          operation expenses through this unknown period.
God Bless & Stay Safe, FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, CHENANGO BRIDGE-CHURCH COUNCIL   

Small Groups

Ladies Monday Night Book Study: Monday evenings 6:30-8:00 pm. (Online Only) We will be doing “12 Women of the Bible” for our New Year’s Study. Please contact Karen MacKenzie at 845-729-0857 or karen.m.mackenzie13@gmail.com for details if you would like to join the group via Zoom (online). Everyone is welcome to join! 

The Upper Room website for the daily devotional: The Upper Room

Note: If you need further information, please contact the church office at chenbridgeumc@outlook.com or 607-648-4339.

Mission Update- “Good Deeds with Good News.”

With the changed environment in 2020, we have had a change in how we are delivering Missions to our local community.  Thank you to ALL who have supported the Missions- both your prayers and with your gifts.  

The First United Methodist Church of Chenango Bridge is so excited to be an official host church for this year’s Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs, ages 14 and older. On one night, February 12, 2021 at 6 PM hundreds of churches of different denominations from all over the world will come together to celebrate people with special needs! This year, for the safety of the honored guests, Night to Shine will be a virtual experience. We are seeking a leader for the Corsage/Boutonniere team as well as volunteers leading up to the event. Descriptions of volunteer positions, as well as registration for the event can be found at night2shinecb.com.  For December’s Mission, we are seeking new hats or mittens/gloves to be used as a gift for Night to Shine guests.

Special guest registration for Feb 12, 2021 is located on night2shinecb.com. Please note, you must be within 30 miles of zip code 13901 to register as a special guest, with a device and computer hook-up for the event.

To find out how you can be a part of this worldwide movement, visit night2shinecb.com or contact Karen/Wes at 845-729-0857.   

January Mission:  With the food insecurities in Broome County, we would like to support our local food pantries for the Month of January. Please drop off your non-perishable food donations in the choir room (B37, 2nd door in the basket). No glass please, it doesn’t travel well! 

We are continuing to support the Whitney Avenue Rescue Mission by delivering Pizza (socially distanced) on the 4th Wednesday of the month to the residents. If you are interested in supporting this Mission, please contact Donna James for further details.    Continue reading →