Seneca Falls First United Methodist Church

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

Following Wednesday's storm and widespread power outages in the Waterloo area, Foodlink has been in touch with our FLX partners and will offer an additional food distribution at Seneca House of Concern (22 Locust St ) on Friday, Sept. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This is in addition to our regularly scheduled Pop-up Pantry on Sept. 8 (1-2:30pm).

Together, we can ensure everyone has access to the food they need. Stay safe, everyone

09/02/2026

This worship service addresses the uncomfortable but unavoidable reality of conflict, looking to Jesus' clear roadmap in Matthew 18 for faithful reconciliation. Rather than airing grievances, we will use this time to practice empathy, praying for those we experience friction with and recognizing them as fellow image-bearers of God. Ultimately, we will be reminded that we do not navigate these difficult challenges alone, finding our refuge and strength together in God's protective presence.

Visit UMCDiscipleship.org (link in bio) to explore worship resource for September 6th.

09/01/2026

Weekly Devotional​​​​​​​​August 30, 2026
Scripture Focus: Exodus 1:8–2:10
Sometimes the hardest part isn’t knowing what needs to be done. It’s deciding whether we’re willing to be the one who does it. I think we have all been there. We notice someone who could use some help. We see something happening that we know isn’t right. We know someone could use a phone call or a visit. It is easy to think, “I’m sure somebody will take care of it.” But what if everybody is thinking the same thing? At times, we have to be willing to step out and be the one who does something.
In Exodus 1, Shiphrah and Puah, midwives of the Hebrew people found themselves in that kind of situation. Pharaoh had given them a terrible command. They could have gone along with it. After all, Pharaoh was the king. He had the power and authority, and they were simply two midwives. But they made a choice. They chose not to go along. They couldn’t change Pharaoh. They couldn’t fix everything that was happening around them. But they could decide what they were going to do.
And that makes me wonder how many times we wait for someone else to do something that we could do ourselves. Maybe we think somebody else will make the call or check on that person. Perhaps we wait to see if someone else will offer to help. From time to time, God may be nudging us to step out.
That doesn’t mean we have to fix everything. Shiphrah and Puah certainly couldn’t. It simply means being willing to do what we can, where we are, with what we have. So maybe this week, instead of thinking, “I hope somebody does something,” we can stop and ask: “Could I be that somebody?”
Perhaps it is a phone call, offering a helping hand or sending a card. At times stepping out and doing one small thing can make more of a difference than we realize.
Prayer
God, when it would be easier to wait for someone else, give us the courage to step out. Help us notice where we can make a difference, even in small ways. Show us when to speak, when to help, when to listen, and when simply being there is enough. May the things we do this week reflect your love and grace to those around us. Amen.
Pastor Judy

08/31/2026

Father, before I rush into the evening, help me become still before You. I loosen my grip, breathe slowly, and remember that You are here: even in the trouble I cannot resolve.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

Lord, steady the places in me that are anxious, controlling, and afraid. Let Your presence become more real to me than the uncertainty around me. Teach me to receive Your peace: not as proof that everything is easy, but as assurance that I am not facing anything alone.

Tonight, name one unsettled situation before God. Take three gentle breaths, and with each one pray: “Father, You are here. I trust You with this.”

What is one situation where you are asking God to steady your heart today?

Word of Encouragement™ ©

08/30/2026

Some photos of the youth activity today.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace Chapter - NY-Auburn "Jack Michel's Eagles Scout Project" Bed Build
Our youth joined Jack’s scout troop to build beds for kids in our area. Now 11 kids will have a bed of their own to sleep in! Our hands are tired from all that sanding.
They had a great turnout! The workshop was packed with people supporting Jack’s project.

08/21/2026

The church was never meant to be confined within four walls. It was meant to gather, to grow, and then to go—to shine, to serve, to love, and to bring the presence of Jesus wherever we go.

Gathering with believers matters. We need the encouragement, teaching, worship, fellowship, and accountability that happen when the Church comes together. But we were never meant to stay inside the building.

You can attend church every Sunday and still miss the heart of what it means to be the Church. Because being the Church isn’t just about sitting in a pew—it’s about living with purpose, walking in obedience, and carrying Christ into every place He sends you.

The goal isn’t simply to gather more often, but to live out more deeply what we receive when we gather. Every act of kindness, every word of grace, every stand for truth, every display of love—that’s the Church in motion.

Let’s gather. Let’s grow. And then let’s go.

Let’s not just go to church. Let’s be the Church—His hands and feet, His light in the darkness, and His love in a world desperate for hope. 🤍🙏🏻