Christ Community United Methodist Church
Update
July 30, 2025
Hi everyone:
Our small group conversations have been most interesting. I am enjoying hearing about how people got connected to Christ Community. These range from: I was baptized as a baby and am still around to I just showed up one Sunday. Origin stories are important. Something (or more likely someone), invited, carried, brought, almost all of us to the Church where we found something: a connection to God, community, friends, mission, etc.
I am learning that the primary reason people are still connected to Christ Community is, in fact, the community, the friends, the connection to others. Again, this is no surprise, but it is encouraging to hear how we found each other. I remember, probably in a movie, someone saying we have two families in our lives, the family we are born into and the family we create.
I am also learning that we are encouraged for the future that involves transformational ministry and missional engagement. I am reminded that John Wesley, the founder of Methodist, taught that a deep relationship with God is lived out in a deep commitment to making the world a better place.
There is one Small Group meeting left: Saturday, August 2 at 11:00 at the Church (Hosted by Chris and Jim Hockey). If we need more groups we will set them up.
Here is what is going on at Church:
1. We were around 50 in worship this past week, with some new returning faces in the congregation. I am enjoying the reconnections that are happening in this new beginning.
Remember: Come Home Sunday is September 14.
2. This Sunday, August 3, we look at Luke 12:13-21. It is the parable of “The Rich Fool.” Jesus talks about the just use of our resources and wealth more than any other subject. In this case the “Rich Fool” has a dreadful problem with “I” disease. When we become self-centered and selfish we are not living out our calling to follow Jesus.
This Sunday is Communion Sunday.
In person worship is at 10:00 a.m.
Our live link is: www.youtube.com/@christcommunityumc3320
3. ABOUT THE LIVE LINK: We apologize for the audio quality on two of the past four Sunday mornings. We have identified the problem and have repaired it. Thank you to all who have brought it to our attention. We should be good going forward.
4. Some ideas being floated about:
1. Bible 101 – this is a basic introduction to the Bible: how it came to be, who wrote it, how it is organized, what are its key themes, etc. In September, Pastor BJ will be offering this class: time and place to be determined, but watch for more.
2. MISSION DAY – September 27 (we used to call this Rock the Routine) in partnership with Liverpool, Baldwinsville, Phoenix, Pennellville, and Little Utica. A one day, pick a project, hands on, mission experience that will conclude with lunch and a time to tell stories. Sign up sheets will be available on the first of September.
3. COME HOME SUNDAY – September 14. One Sunday to invite everyone on the sidelines to “come home” to Christ Community for worship and fellowship (details will follow).
4. HEALING SERVICE – beginning in September/October. A Sunday evening worship and “laying on of hands for healing” service. (Most likely in conjunction with our friends at Liverpool UMC).
5. Repair work: We hope to have the Air Conditioning in the Sanctuary fixed (or replaced or replaced with something different) in the very near future. Thank you for your patience. The cost is about $5500, but we have $4000 in hand (undesignated funds and an anonymous donation) – if you’d like to help let me know.
6. Interested in an international adventure: Pastor BJ along with Pastor Alicia Wood, are leading a group to Egypt in October of 2026. Cairo, Alexandria, a four-day cruise on the Nile, overnight at Mount Sinai with an optional extension to Petra and Mount Nebo in Jordan. Brochures are available at the church or through Pastor BJ. Base cost (from Syracuse) is about $5200.
7. THANK YOU: Dave Claver, who has researched and repaired the bug in our live feed audio! Mark Martin, who provided a desktop computer for the pastor’s office and set it up following worship on Sunday!
The Brown Memorial crew: everyone who cooked, cleaned, carried and served dinner at Brown Memorial this past Sunday afternoon – I’ll never name everyone but Janice, Bonnie, and a host of friends! Well Done Everyone!
Parting Thought
A year ago, this week (July 25) I had a total knee replacement of my left knee. I was bone on bone and in significant pain. I wasn’t sure I should have the surgery and wasn’t really sure until after the surgery the surgeon came to me and said, “You knee was awful!” Recover was fairly swift (I was climbing the acropolis in Athens, Greece by October) and I am now back to golf and walks and the usual good stuff.
This experience became a lesson in change. A teacher once said, “You know, people don’t change until one of two things happens: 1) it hurts too much not too; or 2) we learn too much not to.” My knee replacement is a perfect example of it hurting too much not to do something. I could have limped along, or I could choose to make a radical change. When it was all said and done, I realized I could have saved months of agony by making the choice sooner.
What about you? What is holding you back, keeping you down, blocking your growth? Has the pain of inactivity paralyzed you even further, or is now the time to make the radical choice and change for a better future?
I am praying for each of you.
Blessings,
BJ Norrix, lead servant, change agent, missionary