Christ Community United Methodist Church
Update
August 20, 2025
Hi everyone:
This past Sunday I had small gifts for everyone in the congregation. I gave an anchor to everyone that has “anchored” the congregation over the past several years. We would not be able to move forward if the congregational anchors had not held us in place and held the place for the future. I want to thank every single one of you who have been our anchors. The second gift is a small Uganda key chain drum. This gift is for those who came back or who have joined us in our mission since the first of July. I am grateful to those of you who have come back and/or have chosen to join us at this pivotal moment in the life of our church.
If you were not in church on August 17, come and find me so I can give you your token. Together, anchors and missional folks, we can lead Christ Community into a productive and world changing future.
Here is what is happening at Christ Community this week:
1. This Sunday we look at a story where Jesus breaks and fights against the religious rules of the time. Luke 13:10-17 tells the story of a disabled woman who is healed by Jesus on the Sabbath. The religious leaders are furious with Jesus because he has broken their understanding of the Sabbath law. The Sabbath law forbids work of any kind on the Sabbath and since Jesus is a healer, they believed he was forbidden to do this work on the Sabbath. When we allow our rules and regulations to overrule our compassion, we are not following the way of Jesus.
Here is the live link for Sunday’s service: ChristCommunityUMC.com
2. COME HOME SUNDAY IS SEPTEMBER 14. Help me get the word out to all of those who have moved to the sidelines over the past 15 years and have not landed in another congregation. For those who found a new home, we wish them well and send our blessings. For all who are still disconnected – it is time to come home. We’ll have a special reception on the 14th and have some “homecoming” themed ideas for morning worship. (psst: pass the word!)
3. MISSION DAY: September 27
Six churches (Liverpool, Baldwinsville, Christ Community, Little Utica, Phoenix, and Pennellville are joining together to have a “Be the Church (Rock the Routine)” Mission Day. There are a dozen projects spread around the county: SIGN UP SHEETS WILL BE OUT THIS SUNDAY
Here are the projects:
1. Restart – working at helping people restart their lives with furniture and household goods
2. Mission Hub – making health kits for people in difficult situations
3. Onondaga Nation UMC – helping paint the sanctuary
4. Brown Memorial – working a project with our old friends Neal and Robin Hare
5. Gluten Free baking
6. Sandwich making for men’s shelter
7. We Rise Above the Streets – food clothing and more
8. Ronald McDonald House – cleaning and fixing a meal for residents
9. Sleep in Heavenly Peace: delivering beds to children who don’t have them
10. Canton Woods Senior Center: spreading mulch on the walking path
11. Village of Liverpool Cemetery fall clean up
12. Fixing lunch for the missioners
Chris Haskins is our representative to the planning team, and she will have sign-up sheets ready for us beginning this Sunday.
4. In our prayers: Wade Marvin recovering, Betty Jo Flask should be home from the hospital today or tomorrow following a bout with sepsis, Pray for Hazel Pugh at the Masonic home in Utica, for Diane DeJohn at nursing home in Auburn, pray for all the kids getting ready for back to school; pray for the University students are arriving on college campuses this week – pray for teachers and professors and all who help to educate our young people. Pray for those in harm’s way: especially those in Gaza and in the Ukraine. Pray for those who have been impacted by hurricane Erin. Pray for my friend, Father Moses Muli of Mombasa, Kenya: I will be visiting with Father Muli in October, and he has been down with Malaria for the last week.
5. BIBLE 101 – a basic introduction to the Bible in four (or five) Sessions
WHEN: Monday evenings: September 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct 6 (if necessary) at 6:00
WHAT: Old/New; big numbers and little numbers; where did the bible come from, who decided what was in it; how is it organized; who wrote it, when was it written, what is its purpose; languages and translations.
WHO: Anyone interested in learning their way around the Bible
COST: None – Bring your own bible or we’ll give you one
To sign up contact the church office at 315-457-9382 or sign up at church.
6. Air Conditioning is up and working!! Thank you, everyone, who helped to bring this about and a special thank you to Allan Clarkson who did the installation.
Church sign should read: Now Air Conditioned: after all, saving you from the heat is why we’re here. (grin)
7. Coming in November is the CCUMC Craft Fair: Are you a crafter? Contact Betty Kline (kline1953@gmail.com). Watch for more information and ways to help out. The event will be in November just before Thanksgiving.
8. 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.
9. My latest book for my Uganda students is a commentary on the 37 unique miracles of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels. Miracles is my fifth biblical resource for my Uganda students: Previously we published a Bible Primer (intro to the Bible); a Background to the New Testament; the Parables of Jesus; The “I Am” sayings of Jesus in John, and now Miracles. We will be distributing this new book to our graduates this October.
These books are only available in Uganda and are given as gifts to our Nexus Seminary graduates. However, if you would like an electronic copy of any of my work you only need ask and I will send it to you.
10. COMING SOON
September 8 – Bible 101 begins
September 9 – Open Mike Night
September 11 – Church Council
October 14 through November 6 – Pastor BJ in Kenya and Uganda
Parting thought
You know the old saying: “you can never go home again?” At a fundamental level this is true: once you leave home, home is never going to be like what it was. Once you leave a place the place continues to evolve and change, people come and go, and life, inevitably, life goes on. So, in that sense, you can’t go home again.
However, if home is where they have to take you in; If home is where you hang your hat; If home is where you are known, encouraged, and loved; then not only can you go home again, but you need to go home from time to time. We have an inherent need to return to our roots and to be reminded of who we are and where we come from – that is also going (or coming) home.
That’s the point I want to pass along. Come home. Help me encourage those who are still wandering in the wilderness to come home and get reconnected to the life of faith. Everyone needs Jesus and a supportive community of faith.
I’ll see you when the community gathers,
BJ Norrix, lead servant, missionary, pastor