UPDATE
Christ Community United Methodist Church
February 4, 2026
Hi everyone:
The other day I heard someone say, “this is the first time we’ve had a REAL winter in years.” You know my brain takes things in odd directions, my first thought was, “have we been having artificial winters?” My second thought was, “I think we should return to fake winters, they were a little easier on my joints.” Anyway, it looks like another weekend of snow and deep cold, so remember to dress in layers and if you don’t think it is safe for you to go out, stay home and join us online.
Not being a native central New Yorker, I have learned over the years that one of our favorite past times is to complain about the weather. Even when it is 85 degrees and sunny in August, true central New Yorkers will note: well, in 90 days we’ll be knee deep in snow again. I am trying to stay in the moment, and to celebrate the beauty that is always around us. This morning, the azure sky with a few puffy clouds shining off the brilliant white of the fresh powder of snow, is stunningly beautiful. Stay warm but take time to admire the beauty of today (and then you can get back to complaining about it – lol).
Here is what is happening at Church:
1. This Sunday Jesus speaks of us being salt and light in Matthew 5:13-16. What does it mean to be the salt of the earth? How are we the light of the world? What does this mean for how we live our lives? Worship is at 10:00 and you can join us online through ChristCommunityUMC.com.
2. ASH WEDNESDAY is Wednesday February 18. I will be offering two brief services with the imposition of ashes. One at 12:30 p.m. and the other at 6:00 p.m. Prayer, a brief meditation, and ashes will be the structure of the service.
3. BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK is Luke 7. Wednesday Class is today at 1:00, the Thursday Class will meet at 5:00 so we can get to the Church Council meeting. Join us for any or all classes.
4. CHURCH COUNCIL meets Thursday, February 5 at 6:00. The agenda includes reports from finance and Trustees (fire alarms, painting, cleaning), a report on our Safe Sanctuary policy; a report on replacing our soon to die copier; and updates on upcoming events. Council is open for members to listen and participate but voting is limited to members of the council.
5. SUPER BOWL PARTY – this Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Come and enjoy the “big game” on a large screen TV, pizza and wings provided. Bring a snack dish to share and enjoy the game and our special treat: Halftime Trivia contest led by our own Nate Weeks.
6. OPEN MIKE NIGHT – come and hear original songs or newly learned covers of older songs or, bring a song to sing. Sing up is at 6:00, performances begin at 6:30
7. The monthly healing service with our friends at Liverpool will be held on Sunday February 15 at 6:00 p.m. at Liverpool UMC.
8. FREE BAKED GOODS – available on Thursdays from 11 to 1 at the Church. If you need something come and get it, if you know someone who needs something – come and get it for them.
9. Authors and Artists event will be on Friday March 20. Watch for more information.
10. IN OUR PRAYERS. In our Prayers: Chris Rowland’s husband John died suddenly last week pray for Chris and her family; Pray for a friend of Karen and I, Leslie Klein, recently diagnosed with cancer; Dick Bush has moved to rehab; Sally and Steve Carlin’s Great Granddaughter, Aliyah, who had brain surgery is recovering; pray for Sally and Steve Carlin’s daughter, Lindsey, who is recovering from surgery; Georgia Nemecek (recovering); Diane DeJohn (Nursing home in Auburn); Jim Hockey; Judy Mills; the people of the Ukraine; Minneapolis; and all places where people are in harm’s way. As people of faith, we cannot allow violence to become the norm in our thinking, being and doing – pray for all of us as we are bombarded through all forms of media with images that disturb, inflame, and anger. Lord, help us, in the words of St. Paul, to be angry but not fall to sin.
11. I will be heading to Uganda on April 13 – May 2 to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of the beginning of Nexus training. We are planning several “Teaching/Celebration” events in 5 different locations during our time there. I am traveling with Dr. Douglas Johnston, a Retired Environmentalist and former Professor at SUNY-ESF in Syracuse. I appreciate your prayers as we prepare for travel.
12. UPCOMING EVENTS
February 4/5– Bible Study on Luke 7
February 5 – Church Council
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 15 – Healing Service at Liverpool UMC at 6:00
February 18 – is ASH WEDNESDAY – 12:30 p.m. and 6:00
LOOKING FARTHER AHEAD
March 8 – healing service at Christ Community 6:00
March 20 – Authors and Artists event at Christ Community
March 29 – PALM SUNDAY
April 2 – Holy Thursday
April 3 – Good Friday
April 5 – EASTER
April 13-May 2—BJ in Uganda
May 2 – MISSION DAY – lots of projects being set up watch for more
May 28-30 – Upper New York Annual Conference
13. Looking for Adventure? There are several of us travelling to Egypt (Cairo, Alexandria, cruise on the Nile, Mount Sinai – with an optional trip to Petra and Mount Nebo in Jordan) October 12-22 (or 25 with extension). See Pastor BJ if you are interested.
14. FIRE HOUSE SOCIAL: 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
Parting Thought
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is a summary of the teachings of Jesus. These teachings focus on two critical matters of the life of faith. First, he explores what is the good life? We discover that the good life is a life free from anger, lust, greed, envy, gluttony, pride, and sloth. It is a life that is formed and reformed through our transformation from the inside out. The good life is not about following rules and laws, it is about allowing ourselves to be formed and shaped into the image of Christ.
The second part of the Sermon explores who is a truly good person. And the answer is given, not in what we say or believe, but in the fruit of our lives. When our inner self is being transformed by the love of God through prayer, generosity, and other spiritual disciplines; we begin to see that all humans have divine worth and we see our values, our expectations, and our behaviors, come into alignment with God’s purpose for our lives.
Are you living into the good life? What I am is nowhere near as important as what I am becoming. I don’t want to be salty; I want to be salt. I don’t want to be bright; I want to be the light of the world.
I’ll see you when the community gathers,
BJ Norrix, lead servant, missionary, NaCl