UPDATE
Christ Community United Methodist Church
January 14, 2026
Hi everyone:
Karen and I are scheduling like old folks these days. Many of our days (does this sound familiar) are scheduled around Doctor’s appointments or physical therapy, or any of the seemingly infinite number of maintenance processes of the body or mind sessions. Karen gets injections, I have stuff removed from my head, she has PT for a back issue, I get a knee replaced . . . you get the idea. We spend a lot of time battling the ultimate demise of our bodies.
But what about the restoration, cleansing, and building of your soul. If I understand the Bible correctly, your essential self is all you get to take with you beyond the grave. Your personality, your temperament, the ultimate state of your soul. I also believe eternity is going to be used to grow and get better. If that is the case, I can start now. I can begin to pray. I can begin to apply the teachings of Jesus to my day-to-day life and decision making. I can reconcile broken relationships (as far as I can) and work to right the wrongs, release the oppressed, and make our world a little better for everyone.
Anyway, just some thoughts on a Wednesday morning,
Here is what is happening at Church:
1. This Sunday, January 18, we look at the first disciples of Jesus as recorded in John 1. Andrew (Simon Peter’s brother) was originally a disciple of John the Baptizer. When John points out Jesus, Andrew leaves John and begins to follow Jesus. What happens next is what we will be talking about. John 1:29-42. As always, our service is live and in person at 10:00 a.m. or live streamed through our website: ChristCommunityUMC.com.
2. Bible Study resumes today and tomorrow. We are looking at Luke 4: the beginning of Jesus ministry: his sermon at Nazareth (I like to call the Nazareth Manifesto) the crowd’s response and his early work in the Galilee. Wednesday class is at 1:00 p.m. Thursday’s class is at 6:00 p.m. All are welcome to any single or all classes. Come learn more about the Bible and the life of Jesus.
3. THANK YOU – to everyone who helped to “de-green” the church last Saturday!
4. PRAYER MINISTRY
a. MONTHLY HEALING SERVICE has been moved to February 15 at Liverpool First UMC at 6:00. The shift was to accommodate the significant cultural event being held on February 8. If you need prayer, please come and join us.
b. We have a prayer chain through our website: ChristCommunityUMC.com. You can request prayer at any time. If you would like to be part of the prayer chain, please let us know.
5. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
This past Sunday, as we celebrated the renewal of our baptism we welcomed two new members to the fellowship of Christ Community:
We welcome:
Judy L. Mills
David Alan Carpenter
6. Calendar of upcoming events
January 14/15 Bible Study: Luke 4
January 14 – Regional Mission Meeting at 6:00 at Christ Community
January 21/22 – Bible Study: Luke 5
February 8 – Super Bowl Party at Christ Community. Doors open at 6:00 with our host Mr. Nate Weeks. There will be a trivia contest at halftime.
February 18 – is ASH WEDNESDAY – watch for more information
7. In our prayers. Annamae M. Herholtz died this week. Annamae was Betty Kline’s former Mother-in-Law. Shepp and Son in Minoa have arrangements: Calling hours are Sunday afternoon with a Monday morning funeral at St. Mary’s Church in Minoa. Please pray for Betty and her children as they grieve.
8. In our prayers: Dick Bush (Denise’s husband) had a fall this week; Pray for Sally and Steve Carlin’s Great Granddaughter, Aliyah, who had brain surgery yesterday with hopeful results; pray for Sally and Steve Carlin’s daughter, Lindsey, who had surgery this week as well; Georgia Nemecek (recovering); Diane DeJohn (Nursing home in Auburn); Albert Markham (recovering from Knee replacement); Jim Hockey; Judy Mills; the people of Venezuela; the Ukraine; Minneapolis and all the current places of violence. Uganda is holding general elections on tomorrow, January 15, elections in Uganda can be unsettling times – pray for the process and the protection of our friends who live and work there. In our 250th year as a nation, pray for the United States and our future.
9. I WANTED TO PROMOTE THIS AGAIN: Tuesday’s from 11:00-2:00 (except July and August) at the Warner’s Fire Department Community space, Firehouse Social happens. Firehouse Social is a gathering for individuals and their Direct Support Professional (DSP). It is a time of Music, Arts, Crafts, Games, and Fun with Friends. The Social is free (donations accepted).
This program is coordinated by Patti Marvin with help from Sally, Bonnie, Jeri, and others. They are always looking for additional volunteers, and they are looking to expand the program to two new locations: Manlius and Auburn. For more information contact Patti Marvin at pattimarvin13@gmail.com
10. UGANDA UPDATE: Work on the new Mission Center in the Kaberapoli District is nearing completion. Pastor BJ and Dr. Douglas Johnston will be travelling to Uganda on April 13-May2, 2026. Nexus Seminary began training in 2006 and held its first graduation in October of 2007. We will be going to celebrate Nexus at 20 and encourage the next part of our work and journey.
11. Looking for Adventure? There are several of us travelling to Egypt (Cairo, Alexandria, cruise on the Nile, Mount Sinai – with optional trip to Petra and Mount Nebo in Jordan) October 12-22 (or 25 with extension). See Pastor BJ if you are interested.
Parting Thought
Who brought you to Jesus? Who have you brought to Jesus? In any conversation of Evangelism these are the only important questions. My sister Cheryl, 16 months older than me and three months earlier in the faith, encouraged me to attend a gathering on Tuesdays at my High School cafeteria. It was there, on March 8, 1973, I became a follower of Jesus. I owe my spiritual journey to the faith of my sister. How about you? Someone brought you to church, to a bible study, to a place where you began a relationship with Jesus. A Grandparent, parent, sibling, neighbor, friend, maybe even your own child, one of you found Jesus at an Ash Wednesday service at Christ Community. The stories are rich, diverse, and amazing.
But that is only half the equation.
Who are you bringing to faith? Sometimes it is just being willing to have a conversation; at other times it is an invitation to worship or bible study or to participate in a mission project. Frequently, we didn’t do anything other than to manifest in our life the values, grace, and actions of our Lord. Then people asked us – what is so different about you?
This Sunday we celebrate St. Andrew whose first instinct was to bring another.
Have a most blessed week!
B.J. Norrix, lead servant, evangelist, missionary