First Presbyterian Church of Big Flats New York

04/12/2026

04/20/2025

He is risen!

03/09/2025

Join us at 10:35 for worship.

02/25/2025

Dear Members and Friends,

Since our Annual Meeting in January, there have been some scheduling and pulpit changes at our church. On behalf of the Session and Presbytery Committee On Ministry representative Thomas Bailey, here is a look at our worship scheduling for March and April. We are very grateful to Rev. Glenn Kennedy for returning for his "Part Two" sermon ("So What Do We Do Now?")--and another Communion service; we are also immensely grateful to Rev. Jane Winters for conducting our services for the remainder of March and all of April, including our Easter celebration.

One key item: Our services will continue to start at 10:30am on Sundays!

Please also note that there will be an Ash Wednesday service to which multiple congregations are invited; this service will take place on Wednesday, March 5, at 7pm, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 256 S. Walnut St., Elmira (just over the Walnut St. Bridge on the right). There will be a combined choir, which will include Rev. Jane and her husband Barry, and voices from other local churches.

There will be additional Lenten events to be announced in our bulletins and elsewhere as we move forward.

Here is the schedule as of this date. Our Music Director, Valerie Stone, will be with us for all dates below.

Sunday, March 2, 10:30am: Rev. Glenn Kennedy
Weds., March 5, 7pm: Ash Wednesday, Bethany Lutheran
Sunday, March 9, 10:30am: Rev. Jane Winters
Sunday, March 16, 10:30am: Rev. Jane Winters
Sunday, March 16, 10:30am: 11:30am: Session Meeting
Sunday, March 23, 10:30am: Rev. Jane Winters
Sunday, March 30, 10:30am: Fifth Sunday, Rev. Winters
Sunday, March 30, 10:30am: Sort Shared Blessings
Sunday, April 6, 10:30am: Rev. Jane Winters
Sunday, April 13, 10:30a: Palm Sunday, Rev. Jane
Sunday, April 20, 10:30am: Easter, Rev. Jane Winters
Sunday, April 27, 10:30am: Rev. Jane Winters
Sunday, April 27, 10:30am: 11:30am: Session Meeting

Thanks, and welcome to all as we enter the Lenten season! Watch for additional information on Holy Thursday and Good Friday gatherings with our church partners.

02/08/2025

Friends,

Out of an abundance of caution and concern for our members and attendees, we have decided to cancel services at First Presbyterian Church of Big Flats tomorrow.

Session agreed late last year to make a weather cancellation call when forecasts predicted snow levels of three inches or more. You may be aware that not only are we expecting accumulations of up to five inches overnight, but also a dose of freezing rain in the morning--all of which raise concerns about our ability to safely travel to and from church and to navigate the lot and sidewalks safely.

We are sorry to have to make this call; Rev. Glenn Kennedy was looking forward to preaching once again. However, we are concerned about the upcoming storm and want everyone to remain safe.

As we would have collected food donations for our traditional Souper Bowl Sunday, we hope you will plan to bring those donations NEXT WEEK, even though we'll know the Super Bowl winner by then! Our real winners will be the Food Pantry and those whom the Pantry serves!

If the storm turns out to be less than expected, we apologize for this decision...but if it hits as predicted, we hope everyone will be safe, stay inside, and be careful until the roads are clear and free of ice and snow.

From the Session and Property Committee

02/08/2025

Hello All! Here are some announcements for the upcoming weeks:

Feb 9th is Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday, a mission opportunity designed and implemented by a single youth fellowship group in South Carolina way back in 1990 in response to the millions of dollars spent on the Super Bowl. It has grown exponentially over the years giving its own millions back into thousands of local communities. Offerings of canned goods (and money) will benefit our Food Pantry.

Feb 16th is Blanket Sunday. This program of Church World Service helps those who have been affected by a disaster, such as flooding or fire. Your $15 (or more) donation will allow CWS to provide a good wool or cotton blend blanket to help not only warm the body, but warm another's soul as well.

Guest Preacher Schedule:
2/9 - Rev. Glenn Kennedy
2/16 - Rev. Jane Winters
2/23 - Rev. Jane Winters

At the Annual Congregational Meeting on 2/2 it was approved to covenant with Rev. Aaron Frank to provide regular Sunday worship leadership and emergency pastoral care. The secretary at the Horseheads church will also provide administrative assistance. Beginning on March 2, our worship services will begin at 9:30 AM. Pleas mark your calendars and let your friends know of this change in worship time.

01/30/2025

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy, we ask for peace and compassion for all who have been impacted by last night’s devastating aviation accident at Reagan National Airport.