On April 10, 1810 our church’s founders gathered together and worshiped God for the first time.  Since then the Bay Shore United Methodist Church has served God and the world. We are thankful for God’s continued guidance, our church ancestors’ sacrifices, and congregants’ sincere dedication to our church.

During the past 203 years we have fulfilled three important and fundamental functions as a church. First, we worship together, praising God and receiving God’s grace. The opening page of our Book of Worship states, “Our worship in both its diversity and its unity is an encounter with the living God through the risen Christ in the Holy Spirit.” We come to church to experience God, so that we may always remember who we are (God’s people) and who God is (our Lord).

Second, we as a church share the love of God with sisters and brothers in Christ. During the worship service we share love and peace in Christ. After the service we have a coffee hour, where we share joys and concerns. During the week we have fun together, going to a concert or playing sports. We also have Christian conversation in homes or visit our church family in hospitals. In addition, we communicate with our church members and friends by sending out The Spire, our monthly newsletter.  As is often said, we are the church family.

Third, we as a church serve the world together, practicing Jesus’ teachings of love and inclusiveness. Our church building is used by the community for Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Boy Scouts, and the Bay Shore Day Care Center. We continue to serve at the Thrift Shop to provide good items for inexpensive prices and at the Soup Kitchen to feed the hungry in our society.

During the past 203 years, we as a church have shared many valuable experiences as God’s people: faith, hope, love, and friendship in Jesus Christ. Together may we continue to mature and to grow in doing ministry and fulfill our functions as a church.  Amen.