This Week at Ross

02.05.2026 
This Sunday is the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany. We will continue with this section from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount where He teaches about the roles and responsibilities of His followers. He tells them they are the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world,” emphasizing their (our) influence and the importance of living in a way that reflects God’s values. Jesus also makes it clear that He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them. He stresses that obeying and teaching God’s commandments is essential, and that righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees to enter the kingdom of heaven. My sermon title is “You Are.”
Last Sunday, we were glad to have the Scouts join us last week in worship for Scout Sunday. It is always a blessing to have them present the flags, recite pledges, and join us for worship and in this case, celebrate Holy Communion together. Our worship committee has asked us to wear our name badges as we have seen visitors in recent weeks. If you do not see your name on a badge, please let Kym Smith or me know and we will create a badge for you. This is a wonderful way of allowing guests to see a “Name with the Face.”
Our 200th committee met this Wednesday and have begun the planning of our celebrations this year. We are blessed to have many different items to pray about and know we will put together a wonderful program that will celebrate not only the church’s time in Venice but the move to our current location. One of the things I did not know but discovered when looking at deeds and paperwork was that the church bought the land of the present site in 1988 and began the process of prayer that led to 1995 when the new building was erected.
If you would like to be part of the committee, we will be meeting next on Thursday, February 19 at 2pm. This celebration is hugely significant milestone for our congregation and the wider community. It is not just a celebration of longevity, but a testament to the enduring faith, service, and fellowship that have shaped our church through generations. For us, this bicentennial is an opportunity to honor our rich history, reflect on the values that have guided us, and recommit ourselves to carry that legacy forward—supporting one another and serving our neighbors with compassion and hope. That is who we are.
 
The Women of Faith will be meeting  next Tuesday, February 10th, at 10 AM, at church. All ladies are welcome to join us. Topics will include our May 7th Spring Dinner (mark your calendars) and our church 200th anniversary pictorial. For more information see Judy Creasy.

The Widow/Widowers group Living Forward will be meeting on the third Wednesday, on February 18th, at 1:00. The meeting will take place at the Asian Lantern Restaurant on Main Street in Hamilton. The group continues to grow. If you are aware of a widow or widower who might like to join our group, please invite them. You do not need to be a member of our church to attend. Please let Carla Baker know by the 16th if you plan to be there. Her contact information is in the church directory.

THIS SUNDAY WE WILL BE COLLECTING OUR MONTHLY OFFERING FOR HEIFER PROJECT
Thank you for your support each month for Heifer Project International. We collected over $140 since we sent in the last gift. Jan will be giving us an update on the animals we will purchase, and if you would like any additional information, see Jan or the Heifer Project International table. We just learned that our donations would continue to double into June 2026.
 Ash Wednesday will be observed on February 18th with a service of Holy Communion and imposition of ashes at RCUMC at 7:00 p.m. A soup supper at 5:45 p.m. will precede the service; please bring your favorite soup, bread or crackers, or a dessert. There will be a  signup sheet in the narthex. If you prefer a daytime service, all are welcome to join the congregation at Darrtown UMC at Noon. 
Adult Sunday School is growing. Many of you have shared with me how wonderful your class is and how much you enjoy being with Paul Smith’s weekly topics and leadership. This is another perfect opportunity to invite others to join us and experience RCUMC. Invite a friend and join Sunday School at 9:45
 
During the 10:45 am service, we are blessed to have Trysta Taylor lead our younger ones. She has a great class ready to receive our children with a program just for them. Any questions, stop by her area and say hello on Sunday. 
 
Thought for the week: “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” – Saint Augustine
 
Blessings,
Pastor Chris
Next Update 02.12.2026