First Presbyterian Union Church Owego, NY

06/10/2026

Participants will enjoy vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, caramel syrup and sprinkles.

Wednesday EVENING Prayer Service at 5:30 pm
What a great way to spend part of an evening each week- reading the Bible, talking, and praying with friends. This is a time of gathering on Zoom, from the comfort of your own home. Please join us! Together we read three Psalms (or short sections of longer Psalms), hear a gospel lesson from the stories about Jesus, share insights about the scripture readings we have heard, hear , have an informal time of sharing joys and concerns with each Mary Magnificat, pray for those in need, hear a hymn or church song on YouTube. and send each other off to love and serve the Lord. You may choose to read out loud and participate in discussions, or you may choose to listen quietly and pray. The written order of service is posted on the FPUC website for easy downloading and printing before the service: https://faithconnector.s3.amazonaws.com/.../21_june_3...
Zoom Meeting ID: 864 4495 5863 Passcode: FPUC
“All Things Bright and Beautiful” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTPbMsDN8XQ

Wednesdays, June 3 and 10 at 7:00 p.m.: "How the Bible Has Changed Our Lives”
You are invited to a two-part series by Pastors Carolyn and Bruce Gillette. On these last two Wednesdays when Pastors Carolyn and Bruce Gillette are with us, they will look at the Bible from a personal perspective, by sharing some of the Bible stories and texts that have been most meaningful in their faith journey and in bringing them direction, comfort, and challenge throughout their lives. There will be plenty of time on each of these two evenings for participants to respond by sharing their own most meaningful biblical texts and to talk about the way the Bible is meant to guide us all in our lives and our world.
'So the Bible preserves in its pages the word of God, but the Bible alone is not enough. The church must take the word of the Bible and make it a living word. It’s not a matter of literally repeating psalms and parables but of applying them to the concrete life of the particular time when that word of God is being preached. The Bible is like the fountain that conserves the revelation of God’s word, but what use is the fountain, as crystal clear as it may be, if we don’t fill our jugs from it and apply its waters to the needs of our homes? A Bible that is read only so that we can strictly follow the traditions and custom of the times when those pages were written is a dead Bible. That’s called biblicism; it’s not what we mean by the revelation of God.\
— Oscar Romero, “Sowing the Word of the Kingdom,” sermon preached on July 16, 1978.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH8O8QeGprk

We invite you to join us in worship, singing along with Dean Phelps in the popular, "Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore, (Tu has venido orilla)." alone ...

06/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EcsKNAbcx/

Join us for our free June Webinar:
Climate Migrants: Neglected Victims of Climate Injustice
with presenter Paul Clements, Ph.D.
Register for the link: https://presbyearthcare.org/climate-migrants-victims.../
In recent years the United Nations, the European Union, the US government, and the media have indicated that there could be 200 million people displaced from their homes and livelihoods by effects of climate change by the year 2050, but my research finds that 500 million is a more likely estimate. This would be about 5% of Earth’s population.
Global responses to climate change have always been inadequate and today international cooperation generally and development assistance in particular are in deep crisis. Nevertheless, it is important to aim for climate justice. This presentation will address five topics: (1) international cooperation on climate change since 1992 and its neglect of climate migrants, (2) estimates of potential climate migration through 2050, (3) the problematic focus of the American climate justice movement on injustices within the US, (4) the stronger global government needed to address the climate crisis, and (5) how Americans could take responsibility for impacts of our carbon pollution.

06/09/2026

A True Story about a man who learned CPR at church and saved his wife's life after she had cardiac arrest. We know it is true because we took care of their young sons when the ambulance took her to the hospital. - Pastors Carolyn and Bruce Gillette.
Sign up CPR Training this Saturday morning at FPUC:
[email protected]

Please Do CPR Training

06/09/2026

NOW ON YOUTUBE: Sunday, June 7th, Pastor Carolyn Gillette’s sermon titled “Naysayers, Flute Players, and Life Makers” based on Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.

This Sunday was Pastor Carolyn's last solo sermon at FPUC. She and Pastor Bruce will do a shared sermon for their last Sunday, June 14, as pastors at FPUC after 7 1/2 years of ministry here.

The anthem is “Walk by Faith” - Joel Raney, directed by Music Director, BJ Heinle. The congregation will sing “Praise Ye the Lord, The Almighty,” “When Jesus Called to Matthew,” and “Jesus’ Wondrous Words of Grace.” The last two hymns are by Pastor Carolyn.

The Sunday worship bulletin is posted online:https://faithconnector.s3.amazonaws.com/4278/files/2026_Bulletins/26_june_7_2026.pdf

Thank you to: Molly Denis, our worship assistant; Jim Pritchard & Ben Craddock, our Deacons; Jo Ann Gray, Marian Roueche & Joan Oliver, our Communion team; and Parish Associate Pastor Bruce Gillette.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0bxO5WyL5I

06/06/2026

The First Presbyterian Union Church in Owego's worship service on Sunday, June 7th, will be at 10:00 am. in the Sanctuary and online through Zoom. Meeting ID: 885 0235 8790 Password: FPUC or Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88502358790?pwd=OCDroZUEaiiP2xAEoo8LxIqfxbVfP5.1

This Sunday, June 7th, Pastor Carolyn Gillette’s sermon titled “Naysayers, Flute Players, and Life Makers” based on Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.

This Sunday will be Pastor Carolyn's last solo sermon at FPUC. She and Pastor Bruce will do a shared sermon for their last Sunday, June 14, as pastors at FPUC after 7 1/2 years of ministry here.

The anthem is “Walk by Faith” - Joel Raney, directed by Music Director, BJ Heinle. The congregation will sing “Praise Ye the Lord, The Almighty,” “When Jesus Called to Matthew,” and “Jesus’ Wondrous Words of Grace.” The last two hymns are by Pastor Carolyn.

The Sunday worship bulletin is posted online:https://faithconnector.s3.amazonaws.com/4278/files/2026_Bulletins/26_june_7_2026.pdf

Thank you to: Molly Denis, our worship assistant; Jim Pritchard & Ben Craddock, our Deacons; Jo Ann Gray, Marian Roueche & Joan Oliver, our Communion team; and Parish Associate Pastor Bruce Gillette.

A Prayer Card & Your Signature: Loving God & Loving Neighbor:
“You were remembered this Sunday in the Prayers of the People of First Presbyterian Union Church in Owego” is the printed message (see above) on simple cards on a table in the Fellowship Hall. On Sundays, we hope you will take one of the colorful pens on the table and sign your name to each of these “prayer cards.” The Pastors will add a note to each card before it is mailed. You can sign the cards before (avoid the rush) or after worship. If you are worshiping online, you may ask the tech team to add your name to the cards on Sunday morning.

Praying Elders are available after Worship this Sunday: We are a praying congregation. Our elders spend time in prayer following the worship service and welcome any who would like to join them. You can be a part of this time by filling in a “Prayer Request” card found in the pews and placing it in the offering plate, or by joining the Prayer Team in the Prayer Room at the front of the sanctuary. Our pastors welcome praying with you throughout the week - morning, afternoon and evening. May Prayer Team: Jo Ann Gray & Cheryll Berg
If you have any prayer requests for the prayer chain, please call Ginny Murray at 607-687-2257.

You may also fill out a “Prayer Request” card found in the pews and place it in the offering plate, and/or join the Prayer Team in the Prayer Room at the front of the sanctuary. Our pastors welcome praying with you throughout the week - morning, afternoon and evening.

Welcome to Share in the Lord's Supper on June 7th and June 14th: Presbyterians welcome everyone to share in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. On Sundays, June 7th and June 14th, FPUC will be sharing the Lord’s Supper. We are having the Lord's Supper on June 14th because Pastors Gillette want to serve everyone in their last service with us. This is a special opportunity to celebrate God’s love for us anew. Our national church constitution states, "The opportunity to eat and drink with Christ is not a right bestowed upon the worthy, but a privilege given to the undeserving who come in faith, repentance, and love. All who come to the table are offered the bread and cup, regardless of their age or understanding” (Book of Order, W- 3.0409.) Our pastors welcome the chance to talk with you about the sacrament and our church; questions are always welcomed and encouraged as we grow together in our faith and loving service. Those worshiping at home are encouraged to prepare by having grape juice/wine and bread/crackers for the service.

Please join us for a celebration! Food-Fellowship-Fun! This Sunday, June 7th at 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall
We will honor Rev. Carolyn Gillette and Rev. Bruce Gillette for their years of service at our church. We wish them both joy and blessings as they enter retirement after forty years of ordained ministry. Please Call/Text Pat at 607-768-2386 to R.S.V.P.

06/03/2026

Participants will enjoy vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, caramel syrup and sprinkles.

Wednesday EVENING Prayer Service at 5:30 pm
What a great way to spend part of an evening each week- reading the Bible, talking, and praying with friends. This is a time of gathering on Zoom, from the comfort of your own home. Please join us! Together we read three Psalms (or short sections of longer Psalms), hear a gospel lesson from the stories about Jesus, share insights about the scripture readings we have heard, hear , have an informal time of sharing joys and concerns with each Mary Magnificat, pray for those in need, hear a hymn or church song on YouTube. and send each other off to love and serve the Lord. You may choose to read out loud and participate in discussions, or you may choose to listen quietly and pray. The written order of service is posted on the FPUC website for easy downloading and printing before the service:https://faithconnector.s3.amazonaws.com/4278/files/2026_Bulletins/21_june_3_2026.pdf
Zoom Meeting ID: 864 4495 5863 Passcode: FPUC
“All Things Bright and Beautiful” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTPbMsDN8XQ
Wednesdays, June 3 and 10 at 7:00 p.m.: "How the Bible Has Changed Our Lives”
You are invited to a two-part series by Pastors Carolyn and Bruce Gillette. On these last two Wednesdays when Pastors Carolyn and Bruce Gillette are with us, they will look at the Bible from a personal perspective, by sharing some of the Bible stories and texts that have been most meaningful in their faith journey and in bringing them direction, comfort, and challenge throughout their lives. There will be plenty of time on each of these two evenings for participants to respond by sharing their own most meaningful biblical texts and to talk about the way the Bible is meant to guide us all in our lives and our world.

'So the Bible preserves in its pages the word of God, but the Bible alone is not enough. The church must take the word of the Bible and make it a living word. It’s not a matter of literally repeating psalms and parables but of applying them to the concrete life of the particular time when that word of God is being preached. The Bible is like the fountain that conserves the revelation of God’s word, but what use is the fountain, as crystal clear as it may be, if we don’t fill our jugs from it and apply its waters to the needs of our homes? A Bible that is read only so that we can strictly follow the traditions and custom of the times when those pages were written is a dead Bible. That’s called biblicism; it’s not what we mean by the revelation of God.\

— Oscar Romero, “Sowing the Word of the Kingdom,” sermon preached on July 16, 1978.

06/02/2026

FPUC has many accepting (and loving) church members.

06/02/2026

The Rev. Rachel Helgeson, chaplain at UHS hospitals, was a guest preacher this winter at FPUC and will be back again helping us during the summer.

Please vote for her!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17jM7nH9SG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Voting for the Star-Spangled Sing-Off local round is open!
https://www.wbng.com/page/star-spangled-sing-off/

06/01/2026

"Why Protestants should read the pope’s encyclical" by Michael DeLashmutt. https://religionnews.com/2026/05/28/why-protestants-should-read-the-popes-encyclical/

06/01/2026

TRINTY SUNDAY & CREATION CARE SERMON NOW ON YOUTUBE
Trinity Sunday, May 31, 2026, worship service of the First Presbyterian Union Church in Owego's worship service on Trinity Sunday, May 31st, is now posted on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od4tEurYMhg

Pastor Bruce Gillette’s sermon titled “Original Blessing” was based on Genesis 1:1-2:4a and humanity's call to care of God's creation. A slide show of Gerri Wiley's wonderful nature photography was shown at the start of the sermon.

The anthem is “Anthem to the Trinity” - Arr. Howard Helvey , directed by Music Director, BJ Heinle.

The Sunday worship bulletin is posted online: https://faithconnector.s3.amazonaws.com/4278/files/2026_Bulletins/25_may_31_2026.pdf

Susie Hall was our worship assistant