Abbe Kid’s Church will be held during the Traditional service for children ages 4-11. Join us for Bible stories, Bible games, and snacks! Kid’s Church will take place every Sunday 10 - 11 am.

Join us on Super Bowl Sunday for lunch and fellowship! We will be serving a variety of soups and salad. You are welcome to bring one of your favorite soups to share, but it’s not necessary. Drinks and desserts will be provided.

Please join us for our annual Christmas Eve Candle Light Service. We will have special music, traditional Christmas hymns, Christmas scriptures and a Christmas message. If you can’t join us in person, we will be broadcasting on the local cable channel and streaming the service on YouTube as we do on Sunday mornings.

May the Light of Jesus be bright this Christmas season. Merry Christmas to all!

Please join us for the Annual Congregational Meeting following the Traditional service. Everyone who considers Abbe their home church are invited to attend the meeting and share in the discussion. Only active confirmed members are eligible to vote. Please be in prayer for the meeting.

Join us on Sunday, November 26, at 1:30 in Eric and Anndrea Dunnewold’s heated garage for a Christmas wreath making event. All supplies will be furnished. Come and make a wreath for your front door. Please contact the church office if you would like to participate.

Please join us for our annual Thanksgiving Eve Service. The Christian communities from Clymer Hill, North Clymer, Clymer, and Abbe are coming together this Thanksgiving Eve to openly express our gratitude and praise for God’s countless acts of bounty, nourishment and refreshment by His Word and Sacrament, and for His greatest gift to us in Jesus Christ!. If you are unable to join us in person, we will be broad casting and livestreaming the service as we do on Sunday mornings.

The first annual Rural Chautauqua County Mobile Unit Health Fair will be held at the Abbe Reformed Church in Clymer, NY! Several Mobile Health Units will be available for adults/children to visit! Urgent well-care visits, vaccinations, blood pressure checks, basic wellness checks, insurance enrollers, Narcan training, SNAP and WIC enrollment, PT and OT demonstrations, dementia awareness and information!  This is going to be a full day, so please mark your calendars and plan to attend! 

The Clymer CSD Food Truck will be providing breakfast sandwiches and lunch items. Please support this food truck as it is part of a instructional class at Clymer Central School!  

Please come early as the first 100 attendees will a FREE LUNCH at the Clymer CSD Food Truck, courtesy of UPMC Chautauqua ( WCA ).

Please bring Photo ID, insurance card for services in the mobile medical units, services will be billed.

Please contact Judy Wroda at 716-450-3960 for more information or click here.

Interested in getting out and "Moving More" or maybe just a reason to get out of the house? This group might just be for you! Our Kick-Off Event is Saturday September 16th. We will be meeting at the Lakeside Park in Mayville at 11 AM. We are going to walk the paved rails to trails along the lake. If you are interested in carpooling meet us in the Abbe parking lot at 10:15! We can't wait to see you there! If you are interested please text or call Anndrea at 716-499-8711.

Come and bring your current craft or sewing project and enjoy input, fellowship and laughter! Meets the first Monday each month.

Join us each week for a fun filled night!

Next Sunday, the Fourth Sunday in Lent, Coach Rick Rohlin will be with us to deliver the Word of God. You are encouraged to read ahead and bring your Bible with you each Sunday.

Join us each week for a fun filled night!

Join us each week for a fun filled night!

Join us as we conclude our William Wilburforce study with “Amazing Grace.” Popcorn and water will be provided.

WILLIAM WILBERFORCE – REAL CHRISTIANITY, WEEK 7

Adult Class, Abbe Church, Sunday, March 12, 2023, 11:30 AM

I. Opening Prayer

II. Chapter 7: Practical Hints About Authentic Faith, Part II

III. Review from Chapter 7, Part II:

A. WW highlights problems with cultural Christianity.

B. WW says the difference between real and cultural Christianity is

not

a matter of different opinion; the former is Christianity, the

latter is not.

C. The visible and the invisible Church.

D. WW highlights sources of deception within cultural Christianity.

E. WW calls the Church and Christians to “wake up!”

IV. Chapter 7, Part II, Pages 176-198

A. Section Two: Some Advice to Those Who Believe

1. This is a problem that is particularly problematic for those who

legitimately have received Christ and believe all that the Bible

teaches. Their belief system is intact, but their lives do not bear the

evidence that they have actually had a real encounter with Christ.

They regard their faith as something that has been taken care of and

then proceed to live as if Christ were not really their Lord. True

Christian grace has become cheap grace. They have affirmed and

repented from sin. They have some level of desire for holiness. But

they take the path of least resistance in their approach to Christian

living. They neglect a vigilant and zealous pursuit of God’s will for

their lives. They practice some resistance to sin and exercise some

measure of discipline in dealing with the flaws of their character that

God desires to change. But their approach to spiritual growth is not

serious.

a. What are some of the practical causes for this problem?

b. What is “cheap grace” according to WW? How do you define it?

c. Can you recall a time in your Christian walk, that what WW

describes was true for you? Are you willing to share a piece of your

story?

2. Let me warn those who are in this position. You are in danger of

deceiving yourselves. Beware that you do not become nominal

Christians of another sort. There are no shortcuts to authentic

spirituality. It takes all we have to give and is the main task to which

we are called. …If you are serious about being a follower of Jesus

Christ, keep a close watch over your behavior and your heart.

a. Do you agree with WW there is a danger of deceiving ourselves?

b. Do you agree with his advice as what to do?

c. What would you say to a friend or family member who is living

with “cheap grace” and “nominal Christianity”?

B. Section Three: Brief Comments to Various Kinds of Skeptics

(Absolute Unbelievers)

1. In my own investigations, I have found that unbelief is rarely a

matter of examining the evidence and reaching a negative verdict. It

is usually the outcome of a life that is careless and irreligious. It is

usually much more of a moral issue than an intellectual one. Some

people do not want to believe, even if the bulk of the evidence

supports the truth of faith. …It is therefore accurate to conclude that

unbelief is in general a disease of the heart more than of the

understanding.

a. Do you agree with WW interpretation of his own investigations?

b. What have you gleaned from the “absolute unbelievers” you have

encountered?

2. In short, there are no shortcuts to spirituality. If you are going to

reject Christianity on the basis that its belief system is unsound, you

will find no middle ground between orthodoxy and unbelief that

makes any more sense. It would be good if those who find themselves

defending historic, orthodox Christian faith took such an approach to

these things. By pushing these other systems to their logical

conclusions, any individual who is on the fence might be led to

understand that apart from authentic faith, atheism is the only logical

alternative.

a. WW made this claim in the 18-19th centuries; is it just as true in

the 20th-21st centuries?

b. WW last sentence is bold. Do you agree? Is historic, orthodox

Christianity built on solid ground?

3. We live at a time when there is no excuse for living in spiritual

ignorance. Never before in all of human history have we had at our

disposal more evidence in favor of the truth of Christianity. …It is

hard to be an intelligent and informed unbeliever these days.

a. If WW stated this in 19th century England, what would we say

about 21st century America?

b. Why would WW make this final statement? We have all met

“intelligent and informed unbelievers.”

C. Section Four: Advice for Those Who Possess Authentic Faith

1. If change is to come, it must start with true Christians living out

their faith. It is imperative that men and women of authentic faith live

out their relationship with Christ in such a way that the Church in our

country again regains the respect of the culture and the allegiance of

its membership. It is going to take passion to change things, and only

those who truly believe are capable of having it. True believers are

going to have to go the distance. …Be bold to proclaim the name of

Christ in this time when many who call themselves Christian are

ashamed to speak the name.

a. Do you agree with WW? Could this be true for churches in

America, for Abbe Church, or is this WW idealism?

b. Why are Christians “ashamed to speak the name” of Christ?

V. Closing Prayer: WW Concluding Paragraph (page 198)

On this the Third Sunday in Lent, we will conclude our “Transferable

Concepts” series by looking into how we can experience the adventure of stewardship.

Grieving the death of a spouse? Or do you know someone who is? Your life has changed forever. The daily emotions and challenges can seem too hard to bear. Find help at a Loss of a Spouse seminar.

Come and bring your current craft or sewing project and enjoy input, fellowship and laughter! Meets the first Monday each month.

I. Opening Prayer

II. Arguments for True Christianity (Ch. 5, pp. 131-138)

The Current State of Christianity (Ch. 6, pp. 139-164)

A. The beauty and perfect harmony of true, biblical Christianity:

1. Foundation fact of fallen human nature (Human guilt/sin).

2. Foundation fact of the reconciled relationship with God that the

work of Christ on the cross provides (God’s grace/salvation).

3. Foundation fact of restoration and transformation of our inner

person by the presence and action of the Holy Spirit (Human

gratitude/service).

Would you agree these three are factual and foundational? If so,

where do cultural Christians go astray and miss the mark?

B. The actions and thinking most emphasized in the Bible as the goal

of spiritual living are…

1. Reverence and love of God.

2. Love, kindness and meekness toward our fellow human beings.

3. A proper priority regarding the possessions and events of this life

as compared to eternal things.

4. A healthy practice of self-denial and humility.

Do you agree with WW? Is there anything you would take away from

this list? Is there anything you would add to the list?

C. True Christianity operates in an exact opposite manner (to major

world religions, philosophy, cultural Christianity). Not only is the

gospel intended for all humanity, but it also has a special place among

the poor. It was even characterized by Jesus as “the good news

preached to the poor” (Luke 7.22).

What are your thoughts on this? Who are the poor? Does Jesus show

preferential treatment to the poor? Are true Christians concerned

about the poor? How is such concern tangibly expressed?

D. Has true Christianity produced untold benefits to America over her

history? In what specific ways?

1. Do you believe authentic [Christian] faith has been on the decline

for quite some time [in America] and continues to slide in that

direction at the present moment? What changes have you experienced

in your lifetime?

2. WW writes, Authentic faith has always thrived under persecution.

During such times, it is not easy to be a Christian. There are no

lukewarm believers or half-hearted followers of Christ in times of

great difficulty. The battle lines are clear during such times, and it

becomes evident that the kingdom of Christ is not of this world. The

greater the difficulty, the closer it drives us to Christ. Only in Him do

we find refuge. We truly become pilgrims and strangers. We carefully

examine and cling to the basics of the faith. They become an anchor

in the storm. Do you agree with this statement? Can you provide

examples of the validity of this statement? Does this give you hope, or

frighten you, as there is a decline of true Christianity in America?

3. …[W]hen a country has been in a state of spiritual decline for as

long as ours has [England in the 17-18th centuries, American in the

20-21st centuries], true faith—already very rare—is in great danger of

simply disappearing. Soon, all that will be left is a weak and impotent

version of Christianity in which no one talks about their personal faith

and religion itself is viewed as the sign of a weak mind. Unbelief

itself will become fashionable. Do you believe this statement

accurately reflects America…Clymer, NY? What are you/I doing

about it?

III. Next Sunday, Chapter 7, Practical Hints About Authentic Faith

IV. Closing Prayer

Additional WW Quotes from Chapter 6

* Morality has been divorced from [biblical] spirituality.

* Character is intimately interwoven with belief.

* Is there any doubt that the handwriting is on the wall for where we

are heading? …[M]anners have been corrupted, morality has sunk

into depravity, indulgence is out of control and, above all, faith has

been discredited and unbelief has become fashionable. When…

culture reaches this point, it becomes so out of touch with truth that

masses of people deny outright the existence of God. God’s will for

the nation has been abandoned and [humanity] has been made God.

* If the entire country followed the law of Christ, we would become a

land of peace and prosperity. We would be a place where one could

see joy on the face of every citizen.

* A proper response to the call of Christ to love all [people], even

one’s enemies, should produce this outcome in a truly Christian

culture.

* Benevolence is the driving principle of authentic Christianity.

* When the cement that has held a nation together no longer exists,

the state soon dissolves into anarchy.

* If the Church is to experience this renewal, change needs to begin

with the ministers of these local churches.

Next Sunday, the Second Sunday in Lent, we will conclude our “Transferable Concepts” series by looking into how we can experience the adventure of giving.

Join us each week for a fun filled night!

First Sunday of Lent. Join us and learn how we learn how we can love others by faith.

Join us this Ash Wednesday for an hour of worship and imposition of ashes.

Join us at the United Methodist Church this Ash Wednesday for an hour of prayer and imposition of ashes.

WILLIAM WILBERFORCE – REAL CHRISTIANITY, WEEK 5

Adult Class, Abbe Church, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, 11:30 A.M.

I. Opening Prayer

II. True Standards of Christian Behavior (Ch 4, pp. 63-130)

A. Section One: How Belief Influences Behavior

1. “Those who hold to the biblical doctrines of the work of Christ as

the basis of acceptance tend also to take the Bible’s instructions

concerning righteous living more seriously. Those who have created a

system of their own tend to water down what is required in the

practice of their faith. They also tend to create standards of behavior

that fit their own lifestyles; standards that they know they can meet

without the need of super natural assistance. The outcome is a way of

life that is characterized by ignorance and conceit.” What do you

think? Would you agree with WW?

2. “It is my conviction that the problem (Christian morality differs

little from non-Christian) lies with a faulty understanding of what

God requires of us in terms of practical Christian living.” “Christian

character is to be a reflection of living in relationship with a holy

God.” “…God has called us to be the sworn enemies of sin. We are to

wage war against it and strive to give it no opportunity in our lives.”

Do you agree with WW? What to you see as the “faulty

understanding”?

B. Section Two: The Behavior of Cultural Christians

1. “True faith is something that so pervades our lives that is affects

everything we do. It is a matter of the heart, where its reality becomes

our supreme influence. It seeks to root out anything that is contrary to

its truth and attempts to bring all the heart’s desires and affections

under its control.” How do you define “true faith”?

2. “I fear this this is more the rule than the exception among us. The

general state of Christianity is much more cultural than authentic. The

advancement of the kingdom of God and His glory are scarcely

embraced as the objects of our greatest passions. The pursuit of these

treasures is no longer what we strive for. Christ is not Lord over all

our lives.” “…To live our lives and miss that great purpose we were

designed to accomplish is truly a sin.” Is this a legitimate fear? Is our

Christianity more cultural than authentic? What evidence supports

these statements in America during the 21st century? Do you agree

with WW last statement?

3. Behaviors where faulty beliefs may show up:

* recreation *sensual pleasures *health/exercise

* attitudes toward possessions, prestige, power, position

*money/ambition *work/business *religion/spirituality

*sin becomes character flaws *sin becomes whitewashed

*Sunday observance

4. “The true state of the heart is of ultimate importance to God. If the

heart is good, the external behavior will reflect this.” “…Cultural

Christianity is primarily concerned with externals.”

5. “It would seem that to the cultural Christian, faith and pleasure are

contradictory. This is not the picture we get in the Bible. On the

contrary, it speaks of the way of Christ as the path of peace and joy.”

C. Section Three: The Concern About What People Think About Us

Compared to the Attitude of Authentic Christianity

1. “There is only one way this principle legitimately operates. This is

when our desire to please is not directed at other men and women, but

at God. To please God is a wonderful motivator toward that which is

good and lovely. The desire to please man [and woman] is full of

dangers. The Bible has much to say about the subject.” Do you agree?

Is pleasing God a wonderful motivator? What does the Bible have to

say?

2. “If the outcome of obedience to God leads us to a lower estimation

in the eyes of our peers, we often choose reputation over obedience.”

“…We seek to serve God in ways that enable us to keep earthly gain

and avoid worldly disapproval. Or we simply quit attempting to serve

God fully.” “…The essence of the practice rests on the belief that a

person’s reputation is to be guarded at any cost and that a person’s

disgrace is to be avoided with the same fervor.” “…The most

effective way to keep all this in balance is to make the pleasure of

God our overriding desire.” Invitation to share examples from one’s

personal life.

D. Section Four: Faulty Thinking About “Good” Lives and “Good”

Deeds as Substitutes for Authentic Faith

1. “Hannah More has written, ‘Christianity is a religion of motives

and principles.’ God is concerned about the heart as well as the

outward action. Only an action motivated by love of God is truly a

Christian action. Even earthly fathers look for a proper attitude to

accompany their children’s actions. Proper action performed with

poor attitude does not please us as parents. Neither does it please

God.” In your mind, what is the relationship between one’s heart and

one’s behavior?

2. “The acts of true faith flow from a heart devoted to God that

continually is governed by the desire to know and do His will so that,

ultimately, He will be glorified.” As you reflect on your life, does this

seem impossible? (Read last paragraph at the bottom of page 101 on

to page 102.)

E. Section Five: Other Problems with Cultural Christianity

1. * Inadequate understanding of true guilt/the evil of sin

*Two classes of sin: little/big *One is not born a Christian

*Lack of love for God *No delight in service/worship of God

*Crude/off-color entertainment is acceptable *Philanthropy

motivated by greed, not love of God

2. “It seems we have forgotten that our work as Christians is to

attempt to live according to the pattern Christ gave us and under the

influence and enabling of the Holy Spirit.” Are we guilty of having

forgotten?

F. Section Six: The Big Problem with Faulty Thinking About

Christian Theology

1. “…[A]ll of the defects of the practitioners of nominal faith in our

day can be traced back to the radical misunderstanding or lack of

understanding they possess of the distinctive doctrines of the faith

they profess: the true state of human nature—the truth of what Christ

accomplished on the cross—and the transforming influence of the

Holy Spirit. Right here is the watershed between the faith of nominal

Christians and those who practice the faith that Christ came to make

possible.” Do you agree with WW? Do you notice the parallel to

Calvinist doctrine and Reformed worship?

2. “If we are going to walk worthy of Christ, we have to practice one

central discipline. As the writer of Hebrews exhorts, we are to fix our

eyes on Jesus. We are to run our race LOOKING UNTO JESUS as

our motivation. This is the key. If we do this one thing, we will be

unable to treat our faith in the superficial way most cultural Christians

do in our time. They want to live their spiritual lives on their own

terms. It doesn’t work.” What do you think? Is there anything you

would add or subtract?

III. Next Sunday, Chapter 5-6, Arguments for True Christianity, and

Practical Hints About Authentic Faith

IV. Closing Prayer

On this Transfiguration Sunday, we will discover how we can fulfill the Great Commission.