Nearly two dozen Allegany County area churches are joining together this weekend to invite congregants back to church, after summer vacations may have interrupted schedules, and to encourage non-churchgoers to check out a church in or near their communities.
The number of participating churches in Allegany County for the national Back to Church Weekend observance is the most in Upstate New York, with all five churches in Friendship also appearing to hold the record statewide and beyond for the largest number per population.
Back to Church Weekend helps individuals and families identify churches in their areas through a FindAChurchNow.com website to take advantage of fall ministries for individuals and families.
New men’s, women’s, children’s and youth groups, Bible studies, and outreach activities are starting up in various churches for the fall, enabling individuals and families to join in at the beginning of activities.
Back to Church Weekend starts tomorrow for Saturday Sabbath observing churches and continues Sunday for others.
Three Friendship churches have scheduled special welcoming activities during Back to Church Weekend:
– Followers of the Way – Nile Community Church, at 4094 State Route 275, will host a time of light refreshments following its 11AM Saturday service.
– The United Church of Friendship, meeting at The Carter House Ministry Center at 37 East Main Street, will hold a dinner following its 11AM Sunday morning service, with attendees encouraged, but not required, to bring a dish-to-pass or dessert.
– Bible Baptist Church at 43 West Main Street will provide sweet rolls and beverages, starting at 10AM, prior to a devotional time and its 11AM Sunday service.
The Church of God in Christ – Mission Agape, at 77 West Main Street, also is observing the weekend, with Sunday School at 10AM, followed by its worship service at 11AM, and the First United Methodist Church, 21 West Main Street, holds weekly services at 9AM.
Additional participating county churches to date,, currently totaling 15, include:
Almond – The Almond Community Church, 11 Main Street.
Cuba – The United Methodist Church, 49 East Main Street.
Fillmore – Fillmore Wesleyan Church, 20 East Main Street.
Rushford – Balcom Beach Bible Fellowship, 8985 Main Street.
Wellsville — Brookside Wesleyan Church, 3469 State Route 417, East; Crosstown Alliance, 450 North Highland Avenue; First Trinity Lutheran Church, 470 North Main Street; Riverside Assembly of God, 3218 Riverside Drive (State Route 19 North); The Salvation Army, 25 East Pearl Street; and Wellsville Full Gospel Church, 2221 Hanover Hill Road.
Three churches, just over the border in Upper Potter County, Pennsylvania, also are participating, including the First Baptist Church, 120 West Academy Street and the Myrtle Gospel Tabernacle, 1127 PA 44, both in Shinglehouse; and the Harrison Valley Alliance Church at 217 East Main Street.