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March 9, 2010
Hi Everyone:
Yesterday, March 8, was the 37th anniversary of my conversion. On the 8th of March 1973 I surrendered my life to Jesus and every day since then I have tried to be the best Christ follower I can be. Truth is some days I think I do pretty well and other days I fell like I am just getting started. I suspect that is part of the journey. Jesus found me, lost, broken and heading nowhere fast. He touched me, forgave me and set my feet on a path where my life would matter and would count for something more than just converting oxygen into carbon dioxide. I have had many powerful experiences of God in my 37 years of following Jesus, but it always comes back to the first moment, the first encounter, the first experience of God’s love and grace. I don’t believe everyone needs to have a powerful emotional experience of God to be a Christian. Many of you have told me of quite and gentle choices and decisions to become followers of Jesus Christ. It is not the experience nor is it the intensity that matters. What matters is that we choose. Somehow, somewhere and some moment we have to decide if we will follow Jesus or something (someone) else. This was my choice and life has never been the same.
Here is what is going on at Church:
1. Thank you to Mark and Beri Cavanaugh for a most excellent Stewardship moment. Thank you, also, to the Son Rise Choir and to Barb Grimes for a most excellent Sunday evening message. Clement Kuek was visiting this past Sunday and will return this week – see below.
2. This Sunday I will continue our stewardship series with a sermon titled “If God Owns It All What Am I Doing with It?” The sermon is based on Matthew 25:14ff a passage known as the Parable of the Talents. We will have a special guest Stewardship moment this week. Shelly Peters is our Sunday evening preacher.
Clement Kuek will be visiting CCUMC again on Sunday. Clement is one of the lost Boys of southern Sudan. In the late 1980s Clement was one of the approximately 26,000 Sudanese Boys forced from their homes. They spent years in Ethiopian and Kenyan refugee camps and eventually about 3,600 were brought to the US. Clement has raised over $15,000 for a well for his village and will be returning to Ariath, Sudan in May for a three month mission to help his village. He will be telling his story at CCUMC and raising money for his plane ticket. Clement is a friend of Pam and Wayne Suddaby.
3. THIS SATURDAY from 9 TO 4 is WALK THROUGH THE BIBLE. Yes, you can still come (see Julie for details). We will learn our way around the Old Testament in 6 hours. SPECIAL NOTE TO CONFIRMATION CLASS: Confirmation Class will be having Lunch together as part of this event.
4. This Thursday: NAIOMI’S Table meets at 4:00
5. THIS FRIDAY WOMEN’S MINISTRIES: Simply Hope with Frieda Weeks. Frieda will be talking about the Hope for Heather Foundation and their work in the battle against ovarian cancer. Contact Randa Greer or Michelle Wunderlich for more information.
6. THURSDAY: Pastor BJ’s History Class will be examining the development of the Canon (who decided which books would be included in the bible and which ones would be excluded) and some other matters of the early Church. We meet at 7:00
7. WOW – Jim Karins returns this Wednesday. 5:15 – light supper 6:00 – worship with Jim Karins 7:00 – Nooma and other classes.
8. The Dress our People crew will gather this Thursday, March 11th at 6:30pm and we would love to have you join us. Come on down to iron, cut, and sew or come and fellowship with those who are. We are still looking for donations of cotton fabric and thread. Also, keep your eyes opened this Sunday for some patterns that will be cut and ready for you to take home to sew. Thank you for your continued support of this project and the women and children around the world who will receive these gifts of God's love.
9. Last Fall Gary Weeks was contacted by a Church and High School in Wales about performing his “We’ve Come to Praise the Lord: Christmas Version” some that Grace Alone performs. Here is the link to the you tube recording of that performance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0IJ_9NV01E&feature=email
10. In our Prayers: Mike Jesmer, recovering from surgery; Connie Piraino (back to Church this week) recovering from surgery; Janet Bouchier; Mary Thornton (recovering from surgery); Lois Cole (knee problems); Chris Sterling; Jim Hockey, Sr.; Gary Winchell; Betty Jo Flask; Jim Harper; Lily Bosak; Garth Warren; Christine Love; Joe Frega; Edna Bartlett; Sharon Hart; Amy Shubsda; Dannie Clark;
11. Mission Prayers: the Humbane’s and Ishe Anesu; the Mefor’s and Mutumbara; Davis Matovu and Nexus Seminary in Uganda; Pam and Wayne and their work with the “Center for New Americans”; our missionaries in India; the people of Haiti, the people of Chile. . .
12. I now have all the money and pledges needed for the Window/Wall project. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROCITY.
13. HAPPY BIRTHDAY March 10 – Teri Stukey March 13 – Jen Eastwood March 14 – Colette Charbonneau; Debra Lum March 15 – Barb Jesmer
14. CAROUSEL KIOSK for the Grace Church in the Marketplace I need team members for both March 18 (11:00 to 2:00 and 5:00 to 8:00) and March 25 (2:00 to 5:00 and 5:00 to 8:00) if you can help staff the Kiosk please let me know and I’ll sign you up.
15. COMING March 21 – CONSECRATION SUNDAY March 19 – 7:00 CC’s COFFEE HOUSE with Christian Comedian: tickets are $10 (includes coffee and desserts). All proceeds go to support the Dominican Republic Mission Trip. 6:30, the doors will open. Our first act: National Comic Act Brad Todd will be bringing clean, Christian humor to our sanctuary as our headliner! Between Brad Todd and his opening act, along with our emcee, the lovely Betty Kline, we have put together some fabulous entertainment for you and your family to enjoy. Tickets are $10 presale or $12 at the door, to raise money for the Dominican Republic Mission Trip. Children under 12 are free; childcare will be provided. (Heather will have tickets for sale this Sunday.) March 27 – Breakfast with the Easter Bunny 9 to 12 March 27 – Colored Red – “A Catacombs Style Worship Experience” led by Jen and Corey Fujimori. Bread and Soup at 6:15 worship at 7:00 March 28 – PALM SUNDAY April 1 – HOLY THURSDAY worship at 7:00 April 2 – GOOD FRIDAY worship at 7:00 April 3 – Easter Egg Hunt April 4 – EASTER
16. CONSECRATION SUNDAY – on Sunday March 21 all members and friends of Christ Community will be asked to make a financial commitment to Jesus Christ through the Christ Community United Methodist Church for the coming year. Please pray and consider what God would have you do. These contributions are what fund the ministry of our church. It is what funds our staff leadership (BJ, Julie, Linda, Phill, Denise) it is what funds our support staff (Dona, Heather, Gail, Amy) it is what funds the upkeep and expenses of our church facility (snow removal, utilities, repairs); it is what funds supplies, curriculum, etc. for Sunday school and other ministries; it is what funds our connections locally, regionally, and nationally in the United Methodist Church. Christ Community’s annual budget (what it costs us to do what we do) was a little over $310,000 last year (about $6,000 a week). Your weekly tithes and offerings are what make it all possible for us to do what we do. THANK YOU!!!
17. I visited the Maple Syrup Camp Sunday afternoon and again this morning. Remember to say THANK YOU Ron Jones and his host of helpers for making this project possible. Ron has donated all of the proceeds from this years Maple Syrup crop to the Dominican Republic Team and our Senior High Youth Group. A special thank you is extended to all of you who have showed up to help during this critical week.
18. COMING MAY 16 – Rock the Routine! Watch for details.
19. PUT OUR YOUTH TO WORK FOR A GREAT CAUSE. To raise funds for this year's youth mission trip to the Dominican Republic they are willing and eager to work. Our talented teens will be available to help with housecleaning, packing, moving, cooking, yard-work, babysitting, computer help and many other jobs. No set prices – pay us what you want to donate for the trip. Call Tim Cadwell at (315) 247-3755 or email at ccumcdrmission@yahoo.com. For more information click here: http://www.christcommunityumc.com/index_files/HIREDHANDS.htm
20. UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteer in Mission) Team Leader Training March 20, 2010 Tyrone UMC Church Hill Road, Tyrone, NY Fees: First registrant from each church - $30 (covers lunch and Manual) Subsequent registrants or those whose church already has a Manual - $5.00 Please send completed application and a check or money order made out to NCNY - UMVIM to Rev. Joe Auslander, Tyrone UMC, POB 1, Tyrone, NY, 14887. Registration and fees are due by March 6, 2010. See Pastor BJ for registration form and more information if you are interested.
21. MONDAY BIBLE STUDY – We have finished the Minor Prophets Study and will begin a study of The Gospel according to Luke on March 15. This is an open discussion class. New members are always welcome (and with a new study now is a convenient time!).
22. I am returning to Uganda in October 2010. Is God calling you to join me? See me if you are interested.
Talking about money is one of those things that make us very anxious. I believe this is partly due to the control we have allowed money to have over our thinking and our lives (it IS a predominant Idol in our culture). But the Bible’s teaching is pretty clear. We who are followers of Jesus Christ are called to live faithful lives of stewardship. Jesus expects us to be good managers of all of the resources he has poured into our lives. The bible teaches the principle we call the “tithe”. Simply put, the “tithe” (which is the first 10% of the produce of our lives) is returned to God through our place of worship. In the Old Testament this went to the priest for their support and the upkeep of the Temple. In the New Testament it went to the Church to support the ministry and to build the community. The tithe was born in an agricultural environment. 10% of a harvest is fairly simply to figure out. 10% of the produce of my life in a “money” culture is no less difficult. People ask if they should tithe the gross salary or the net. I don’t think it matters to God. Many who tithe the net make sure to tithe their income tax returns as well. I became a full tither in 1992; I have been greatly blessed in doing this and take great joy in giving to God through the Church. I have never had an abundance (I am not building huge bank accounts on what I make) but I have always had enough and when I need extra God has always provided. I believe faithfulness is rewarded with opportunity and responsibility . . . what does God have in the store rooms of heaven for your life? (Malachi 3:10-12)
I’ll see you when the church gathers:
BJ Norrix, missionary, lead servant, tither |