Christ Community United Methodist Church
UPDATE
December 17, 2025
Hi everyone:
T’was the week before Christmas. . . How are things at your house?
Over the years I have found that the week or so before Christmas can be pretty hectic. Those of you with young children (and schoolteachers know this even better) the kids are wired up and excited (and probably already sugared up) and a little off the rails. But most adults are at the same frantic pace.
There are parties, gatherings, and holiday events. There are family expectations, church happenings, and other cultural celebrations. All of these are fun and exciting, but the cumulative effect is exhaustion. There is no secret that the cold and flu season reaches its peak during the December rush.
Please, stop, slow your roll, take time from shoveling, and sit down and have a cup of tea (or whatever). Our late friend Lois Peery, used to sit at her table with two teacups, one for her and one for Jesus. And she would pour both cups and just sit quietly and have a chat with the Lord. I’m not saying do that, I am saying find some way to shut it all down just for a little while.
Jesus is coming, let’s not be too bleary eyed to notice.
Here is what is happening at Christ Community:
1. This Sunday is the fourth and last Sunday of Advent. The theme is Love. We will be reading 1 Corinthians 13 (most familiar from weddings) and 1 John 4. Biblically speaking Love is not an emotion, it is a chosen action. To love another is to always seek what is best for the other. To love one another is to be constantly seeking what is best for both of us. Love gives of itself.
Remember every Sunday service is available Online through our Website: ChristCommunityUMC.com.
Note: There is a Christmas “party” following worship this Sunday. Come and join the fun.
2. Next Wednesday is December 24: CHRISTMAS EVE. We will gather at 7:00 p.m. for a celebration of the savior’s birth.
3. Bible Study: Luke Chapter 2 is today (December 17 at 1:00) and Thursday (December 18) at 6:00 p.m.
Bible Study will resume on January 7 and 8 with Luke 3
4. We celebrate with Bob and Betty Jo Flask on the marriage of their daughter Britni this week in the Caribbean. Bob and Betty Jo flew there on Monday.
5. In our prayers: Georgia Nemecek (Community Hospital), Judy Mills (back in church this Sunday!), Betty Jo Flask doing better, Jim Hockey, John Strozik and others with health issues and hospitalizations; pray for those who struggle during the holidays; pray for those in crisis (of all kinds). Pray for those in harm’s way around the world; pray for peace.
Please continue to pray for the Jewish community in Australia (and around the world) and for the students and faculty at Brown – following the horrendous shootings and deaths in those locations.
6. About 15 of us gathered in the chapel at Liverpool First UMC on Sunday night for a healing service and time of prayer. The next healing service will be held at Christ Community on Sunday, January 11 at 6:00.
7. Calendar of upcoming events
December 17/18 – Bible Study of Luke chapter 2
December 21 – 4th Sunday of Advent (LOVE)
December 24 – Christmas Eve Celebration at 7:00 p.m.
December 28 – BJ is away at a family gathering (Janice Dudden will be our guest preacher).
January 5 – Regional Mission Meeting at 6:00 at Pennellville.
January 7/8 Bible Study resumes: Luke 3
January 11 – Healing Service at Christ Community at 6:00
January 13 – Open Mike 6:30
January 14/15 – Bible Study: Luke 4
8. YEAR END GIVING – Thank you for your continued support of the work and mission of the Christ Community UMC. Some of you like to make year-end contributions (mandatory withdrawals from trusts and 401k’s) and some of us are just catching up on our commitments – either way, remember checks and other donations must be to the Church by December 31 to be counted toward 2025 giving. You can give later but the contribution would have to be counted for 2026.
Thank you.
Parting Thought
What do you want for Christmas? I remember when I was a late teenager (still crossing the jackass bridge) my dad bought me a pair of hip waders for Christmas. I, in my jackassness, was not impressed. What on earth would a college kid do with a pair of hip waders? What I missed in the gift was that dad did not give me a pair of hip waders, dad gave me the means to spend time with him fishing/duck hunting, whatever. Years later, when I was in a better mindset, I spoke to him about my reaction and apologized. Had I been paying attention, and not reveling in my 19-year-old selfishness, it could have been the best gift ever.
What do you want for Christmas? These days I don’t need anything. My favorite gifts are the ones that someone took time to think about me, the ones that someone took time to create, the ones that are not so much material gifts but gifts of time, and mercy and love. At this juncture of my life, I don’t need anything, but I crave connection, meaning, community. Now, 50 years later, I really want those hip waders and what dad was offering in the gift.
Christmas is the offering of the best gift ever. It is a gift from our God who wanted connection with his creation more than anything else. God did not give us all hip waders, but God did give us the gift of relationship. Jesus came to reunite us to his father. Jesus came to make having a relationship with our creator a possibility.
In your celebrations. . .. Remember, be thankful, and connect.
Blessings,
BJ Norrix, lead servant, missionary, grateful (even if sometimes I’m a little late)