Christ Community United Methodist Church
UPDATE
November 13, 2025
Hi everyone:
We are enjoying the November change of seasons: Sunshine to snowfall to rainfall to dreary clouds and back again. Ah, the joy of the changing of the seasons. My dad used to call this time of year the “locking” season. Nature is slowly locking down to endure the deep cold and harsh winds of winter.
Winds of change are blowing in other ways as well. We are seeing new faces in worship, some of the new faces are “old faces” of friends who are coming back, and some of the faces are new to Christ Community, but we are slowly making progress. Remember the number one reason people visit a church for the first time is that a friend, family member, or coworker invites them.
Let’s get our “invite” on as we approach the celebration of Thanksgiving and the feast of the Incarnation (aka Christmas) over the next six weeks.
Here is what is happening at Christ Community:
1. Worship this week (at 10:00 a.m.) focuses on the end. My message is titled: “It’s the end of the world as we know it.” And the Bible reading is from Luke 21:5-19. The world has ended many times in my lifetime. If you believe the end of times Preachers, Jesus has returned at least 30 times since I became a Christ follower in 1973. What is the truth? What are we to do with the “Blessed Hope” of Christianity that Jesus is coming back.
Online worship can be accessed through our website ChristCommunityUMC.com.
2. November 15, 2025 – EGYPT Information meeting at 10:00 at Christ Community. We will be going over our itinerary and answering any and all questions about our journey to Cairo, Alexandria, Karnak and Mt. Sinai (and the extension to Petra and Mount Nebo). Those who are signed up will be coming. Interested people are also invited to join us. The trip is in October of 2026.
3. ANNUAL CHARGE CONFERENCE was held on November 8 at 1:00 at St. Paul’s UMC in Syracuse. We approved Pastoral support, elected one Trustee (Dave Claver), recommended Jonathan Edwards for Certification as a Ministry candidate, and other matters. Thanks to the Christ Community leadership team for showing up and getting our work done.
4. CRAFT FAIR: November 22 from 10:00 to 4:00
Over 2 dozen crafters will set up shop at Christ Community to demonstrate and sell their handmade goods. Everything from painting to purses will be available. Come and do some early shopping and bring some friends (bring all your friends, any friends and even some random strangers!).
5. In our Prayers: Please pray for Betty Jo (more port issues), Pray for Jim Hockey and his treatments (and all others undergoing cancer treatment), Pray for the Norrix family (death of Daryl) and Chris Hockey and family on the death of Chris’s daughter Jacklyn. Pray for those with seasonal illnesses, those who are hungry, those who are in harm’s way in violent places around the world.
Pray for our Church and the United Methodist Church.
6. BIBLE STUDY – We are starting a Study of the Gospel according to St. Luke. Class will be held on Thursdays beginning December 11 at 6:00 p.m. at the Church.
SCHEDULE FOR BIBLE STUDY (subject to change)
December 11 – Luke 1
December 18 – Luke 2
January 8 – Luke 3
January 15 – Luke 4
January 22 – Luke 5
January 29 – Luke 6
We’ll read the chapter for the week; Pastor BJ will have some opening comments and observations and then we will explore together.
7. Beginning December 14 (Sunday evening) at 6:00, we will be having a monthly joint “Healing Service” with the Liverpool United Methodist Church and Pastor Bill Mudge. The gathering will rotate between churches. Worship music, testimony, and prayer will be the focus of the gathering. WATCH for more information as we get closer.
8. Calendar of upcoming events
November 15 – Egypt Trip information meeting
November 22 – CCUMC Craft Fair (watch for more information)
November 23 – Annual Stewardship Sunday
November 30 – First Sunday in Advent
December 4 – Church Council
December 9 – OPEN MIKE
December 11 – Bible Study of Luke begins
Parting Thought
I’ve been thinking about the mission and ministry of a church. The mission of a United Methodist Church never changes: “Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.” This is the core mission of any church and the primary reason for our existence. But it plays out in a wide variety of ways.
Think about becoming a Disciple: where does it begin, how is it done? What does a Disciple of Jesus Christ look, act, and behave like? What are the essential practices of Christian disciples? I believe that a Disciple is a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ who knows their gifts and is engaged in ministry: with the church family; and beyond in works of mercy and justice. Do you know your gifts? Are you engaged in ministry?
The transformation of the world is a byproduct of Chrisitan disciples living out their gifts and calling.
We are making progress, but I will keep asking: what is God calling you to Be? What is God calling you to do?
And, together, we’ll change the world.
I’ll see you when the community gathers,
B.J. Norrix, missionary, lead servant, disciple