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There are four Sundays in Advent leading up to the celebration of Christmas. Today, we celebrated the First Sunday of Advent with readings of Scripture and commentary.

Mary read Psalm 122:1: “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’”

Mario read: We are glad. Whether we drove in or climbed up, whether we logged on or tuned in. We are glad to be here in this community, with this family. It is a place of joyful hope, of radical welcome. It is a place where, together, we can wait in wondrous anticipation of the kingdom to come.

Mary read Isaiah 2:3: “Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that God may teach us God’s ways and that we may walk in God’s paths.’”

Mario read: We light this candle as a sign of our hope, our joyous hope that we can be restored—our faith restored, our strength restored, our confidence restored, our joy restored as we watch and wait with all God’s people for the promise to be fulfilled.

Mario lit the first candle of Advent, the Candle of Hope, It symbolizes the hope that Old Testament prophets had for the coming of the Messiah, who would bring hope to the world.

At the close of the service, Mary and Mario sang “Mary, Did You Know,” which complemented Pastor Bob’s sermon on Luke 1:26-38, and 1:46-55, titled “What did Mary Know?”

We held our second winter clothing drive and first bake sale on Saturday, November 1, between 10AM and 2PM. We wish to thank everyone for their kind donations and time spent on the project. The clothes will be donated to our neighbors and proceeds from the bake sale will help the missions we support.

Bryce Thompson gave the fourth presentation of the missions UBC supports on Pastor James’ (Pastor Wabwire James Muwanguzi) missionary work in Uganda, East Africa. Bryce explained that UBC’s missionary concept is designed to support missions on a local level, Friends of Assisi Food Pantry in Danielson, CT, on a state level, Boston Baptist College, on a national level, Right to Life Rhode Island Chapter, and lastly, on an international level, Pastor James’ missionary organization in Uganda. UBC has been a long-time supporter of Pastor James who recently visited our church in June of this year and gave updates about his ministry. Bryce highlighted the many important contributions of Pastor James. In his village of Mityana, he has built a boarding school of high academic standing, he has alleviated hunger among the local villagers, and constructed a well, providing them with clean water. A particularly gifted preacher, he spreads the gospel message wherever he travels, conducts pastor leadership seminars and gospel crusades. We look forward to seeing Pastor James again soon. https://www.facebook.com/pastor.muwanguzi/

Pastor Robert Smith gave the second of four presentations about the missions UBC supports. Every month UBC contributes food and other items to Friends of Assisi Food Pantry, 77 Water Street,  Danielson, CT. The organization has been in existence for 35 years and greatly appreciates our faithful support and partnership in helping alleviate food insecurity. “Pastor Bob’s Cereal Challenge” for the month of June was met when UBC joined forces with the Dayville Fire Department to donate 100 boxes of cereal. For the month of September we collected 54 boxes of cereal, 2 jars of peanut butter, 8 cans of tuna, 8 cans of spam, 40 packets of Kool-Aid juice, 18 packages of Mac & Cheese, 12 cans of string beans, 1 box of band-aids, 1 Aveno hair conditioner, 2 packages of cotton balls, and several bars of soap.

Today, Pastor Bob presented Pastor Antonio with a gift from the congregation. James then presented a gift from the congregation to Pastor Bob. The church family is very appreciative of both pastors’ service to UBC and the community. Pastor Antonio and Pastor Bob were surprised to have been honored and thanked the church members for their thoughtfulness.

Doreen Manalus developed and led the first Vacation Bible School program held at UBC in Fellowship Hall from 6:00-8:00PM on the evenings of July 22, 23, and 24^th. Each of the three evenings, nine children participated in various activities. The group played indoor games, made and ate snacks, participated in Bible study, did crafts, and enjoyed outdoor activities. A safari in the wild jungle of Africa was the theme of the program, and the children fully enjoyed themselves.

Pastor James (Pastor Wabwire James Muwanguzi) joined UBC for a prayer meeting and dinner the evening of June 25, 2025, and afterwards gave a presentation about the progress of his ministry in Uganda, East Africa, for the year 2024-2025. He thanked us all for our prayers and support. He reported that additions have been made to the school building, where the students are housed, study a variety of academic subjects, and learn life skills, such as carpentry and shoe making. They continue to have three nutritious meals every day. The ministry has conducted five pastor and leadership seminars there and holds outdoor gospel crusades. There are future plans for continued expansion of the school. Although the well broke down in the fall, it has been fixed with new piping and now is in good working order. The ministry also feeds the hungry in the community, especially single mothers with small children. Pastor James asked us for continued prayers for his son Jonathan who is receiving treatment for sickle cell anemia.

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At every Sunday service, volunteers read aloud to the congregation the Scriptures to be discussed in the Sunday sermon. This reminds us that the teachings of the church are based on the Bible and introduces the central theme of the Pastor’s message. These readings prepare the hearts and minds of listeners to more effectively receive the message of the preached Word and help apply it in order to grow in their Christian walk. The reading of the Word promotes the idea that church members are active participants in the worship service, increasing a sense of fellowship within the church family. The photos were taken from February 23 through June 1, 2025.

We gathered together for our annual Sunrise Worship Service this Easter Sunday at 5:45am across from DeFazio’s Orchard on North Road in Dayville. Church family, friends, and neighbors joyfully greeted one another with “He is risen, He is risen indeed.” Hundreds of daffodils in full bloom along the sides of the road were a welcoming harbinger of spring, renewal, and rebirth. As we watched the sun rise over the hills to the east, Pastor Antonio read from John 20:11-18, the account of Jesus’ resurrection and his appearance to Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb. We closed the service by singing “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,” a beautiful hymn connected with Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” It was wonderful to have so many fellow Christians welcome in Easter morning in this beautiful setting.

In the fall of 2024, UBC organized a winter clothing drive, collecting donations from church family and friends and many others in the community. We received new or gently used clothing such as coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, socks, and winter trousers and sweaters. We sorted them into men’s, women’s, and children’s categories and then sized them. On January 4, on the tables in Fellowship Hall, we set out all the clothes which were distributed to individuals and families in need.

Every year we gather to decorate the Church Sanctuary to celebrate the Christmas season. This year, 7 members donated time on Saturday, November 30th, 2024. We had coffee, donuts, and Christmas music playing for a fun and productive morning.

Pastor Bill Pearl led the parade again this year! The Church set up a food stand, and served passersby hamburgers, hotdogs, brownies, snacks, and water. Many people along with their children stopped to eat and some took tracts. We even handed out goodies to people, who were stopped on the road in their cars.

Today, we welcomed Pastor Timothee Afangbedjee to Union Baptist Church and were honored to have him as our guest preacher. Pastor Timothee's ministry, Good News Soldiers, is based in Togo, West Africa. Pastor Timothee has made the long trip from his home several times to visit our church and give us updates on all his accomplishments. His ministry benefits youth and children in Togo and in surrounding countries. He describes his mission using the acronym “WISE:” to Win souls for the Lord, to Invest in People, to Serve people, Everywhere. He is a missionary and “church planter,” and preaches the Word of God wherever he goes. Currently, Pastor Timothee is studying in the U.S. and is a sophomore at Appalachian Bible College, majoring in Pastoral Studies. This summer, he plans to visit Togo again and go to Liberia to plant a new church there. God Bless you, Pastor, for winning souls for Christ.